"Is it still too soon to talk about us living in the same place?" Bull asked as he and Ashton sat watching television in his apartment. Weeks had passed since he first broached the subject and their relationship was going along smoothly. "I'm not trying to pressure you but we are together most of the time, and we have done this before."

Ashton sat up from leaning on his arm. She knew everything he had said was true. Most nights they were together at either his place or hers. Bull had also done his best to keep work from overtaking his life and accompanied her to see her father on the weekends she went. When she didn't immediately acecpt or protest, he continued.

"I'm willing to move in with you. I already have some things in boxes," Bull said with a wink. "Before you say yes, I've got something for you."

"How do you know I am going to say yes?" Ashton asked as Bull got up and walked out of the room. He returned almost immediately with a large brownie on a plate.

"I will not be influenced by a brownie."

"It's not to influence your decision. However, it does have chocolate and peanut butter chips. Actually, it's pretty good." He handed her the plate and sat down.

"Are you really willing to leave this?" she asked.

Bull admitted that it would be difficult but it had given it a lot of thought. He had decided to rent the space, provided that she agreed to letting him move in. In fact, he already had a potential tenant. Coming to the realization that he had given the idea much more thought than she had counted on, Ashton consented to the new living arrangement. Jokingly, she asked if she could meet the new tenant and ask if they wanted a cactus.

"You've already met. You can call Benny right now and see if he wants the cactus."

"Benny?"

Bull nodded. "If you have a problem with him moving in, be aware it's gonna make for awkward holidays."

"Jason, I have no idea what you pay Benny but..."

Bull cut in and stopper her before she could say more. "Quince, he gets an amazing apartment. I get to keep the investment. I'd rather he be here than some stranger."

"This is why he left a message for me to call him?" Ashton asked.

"I have no idea why he wants you to call him," he said. "Now that we have that settled, one more thing."

Bull carefully held up a fork. Balanced in the tines was the ring he had proposed with years ago. Ashton had fell in love with the art deco ruby and diamond ring when they were walking around antique stores in the city. She had never thought that Bull would go back to purchase it and then surprise her with the ring months later.

Ashton took the fork out of his hand and looked between it and Bull. "Is this a proposal?"

"More of a promise."

"We're a little old for that," Ashton told him. She took the ring off the utensil and held it in her fingers.

"I promise to make time for us and you promise to not shut down and shut me out on the off chance I fall off the wagon," he said ignoring her.

"Off chance," she chuckled and then asked how he managed to get the ring.

After her divorce, Ashton's father had convinced her to let him keep the ring since she didn't have the heart to sell it immediately. Bull told her that during one of their recent visits, he and Jack at got to talking. Bull expressed his hope that he and Ashton could get back to what they once had. Jack Catazarro then retrieved the ring and welcomed Bull back to the family.

"Where was I during all this?" Ashton asked.

"Grocery store."

"I should know better than to leave you alone with anyone."

Bull smiled "So, what'd'ya say Quince?"

Ashton's eyes met his and her mind quickly ran over their time together and their time apart. Bull waited silently for her answer while trying to read her expression. She did her best to remain impassive but a smile began to form on her lips.

"I say yes."