They spent New Year's Day doing for a walk and having a quiet dinner on the porch at the back of Alice's house; they had the radio playing quietly in the background. She only had a small garden but, it was big enough for what she needed, and she kept the plants to a minimum as she wasn't blessed with green fingers.
As they finished their meal, Matthew heard Bobby Vee on the radio, stood up and held out his hand for Alice, "fancy a sway to some music with me?"

"Sounds lovely" replied Alice.

Matthew held her in a dancing pose but pulled her, so her head was resting against his shoulder. As they danced, he whispered the words of the song into her ear:

"But please don't judge me by the things I've done before
Believe me every word I've said to you, it's true
I'm offering you a forever kind of love..."

Alice looked up at Matthew and said, "I'm glad. I didn't just want you for a week!"

"I'm serious Alice" Matthew said, kissed her temple and pulled her outstretched hand into his chest. They swayed together till the song was finished.

Alice moved to tidy up their dinner things and Matthew helped her with a few things to the kitchen. They worked together to get the dishes done and everything tidied away and as they were finishing up, Alice turned to Matthew and said, "only a few more days till Jean returns…I…we…"

Matthew put the dish towel down and took one of Alice's hands, "what's bothering you sweetheart?"

Alice sniffed an unshed tear away and said, "I don't want you to go."

"Where am I going?"

"Back to Mycroft Avenue, won't you?"

"What makes you think that?"

"Well…Jean…she'll…you won't want to leave her with Lucien gone and…"

"And what Alice? I think Amy might be moving in and Jean wants to rent out some of the other rooms. She said it's too empty. Maybe even Peter will move in." he looked over at Alice and said, "you like that boy, don't you?!"

"Not like that Matthew." I know sweetheart, I was just teasing…Now tell me what it is that's really bothering you."

Matthew could see the familiar look from Alice where she was thinking hard and didn't quite know how to vocalise what she wanted to say; he was still holding her hand when he pulled her over. He sat himself to lean on the tabletop and pulled Alice into a hug. He just held he while she worked out what she wanted to say.

"Perhaps…would you…I was thinking that since you…"

Matthew leaned down to kiss her cheek and said, "tell me what you want Alice."

Alice blurted out, "you! I…How would you feel about…about moving in here with me? It's all on the flat for your leg and I…I don't want to go back to living on my own…without you."

"Alice…" Matthew thought very carefully about how to word his response; he took a deep breath and said, "listen sweetheart, it's not that I don't want to…and this last week has been wonderful but…" Alice went to move away from him, realising he was rejecting her idea. She could feel the embarrassment rise from within, but Matthew wouldn't let her go.

"Wait Alice…I'm not saying no but…we've broke all normal social rules of engagement here!" he laughed and hugged her in close, " I know it's really old fashioned of me but…if we're living together, I'd want us to be married."

Alice's breath hitched and she felt tears well up in her eyes; she pulled herself out of Matthew's embrace and walked over to place her hands on the sink to steady herself.

"And you don't want to marry me so…you're saying no? That's fine…It's fine…I'll just…"

Matthew realised she had misunderstood him so walked over behind her and wrapped his arms around her and said. "Alice don't be a drongo! I said that if we're living together, I'd want us to be married."

Alice turned to look at him and said, "you mean?"

"Yes, if you want to? I know it's quick but it's not like we don't know each other and it's not like I'm likely find someone else I would want to marry, is it?" he looked down at Alice and whispered, "I love you, you drongo!"

Alice leaned on her tip toes and wrapped her arms around Matthew's neck, kissing him soundly on the lips. He could feel her smile through her kiss.

"So?" Matthew smiled at Alice.

Alice looked at Matthew and said, "I don't believe you've actually asked me…" she raised and eyebrow and at this Matthew attempted to get down on one knee.

"No Matthew! That's not necessary, you'll hurt your leg."

"Just help me get down Alice. I'm doing this properly." Alice obliged, and when Matthew was stable, he took one of Alice's hands in his and looked up at her; he could see she had her other hand over her mouth and was looking rather emotional.

"Alice Harvey, will you be my wife? Will you marry me? Will you be my forever kind of love?"

Alice leaned down, cupped Matthew's face with both of her hands and kissed him. "yes Matthew! Yes, I will." Alice was so excited and was finding it hard to contain her merriment as she helped Matthew up from the floor. She almost threw herself into his arms, but Matthew hadn't quite regained his balanced, so he fell backwards, having to hold onto the table.

"Sorry…I'm sorry…so sorry…I…oh Matthew!" she wrapped her arms around his neck and began kissing him on the lips, moving down to his neck and started unbuttoning his shirt.

"Let's take this elsewhere" she said with a smirk on her face and a longing look.

As they were lying in each other's arms, Matthew said, "let's go and find a ring tomorrow, shall we?"

"I don't need a ring Matthew."

"No arguing Alice and let's do this as soon as we can. That way, I can move in here as soon as we can arrange it. Sound like a plan?" he said as he started kissing her neck.

"Sounds like a wonderful plan Matthew."