At the end of October Brett drove to Evelyn's on a Saturday morning. He knew it was a good time because Nikki had left at the same time to take Tyler to his swimming lesson.

"Brett, what can I do for you," Evelyn smiled, opening the door.

"Can I come in," Brett asked.

"Is everything alright," Evelyn asked.

"Better than alright," Brett said, "I wanted to ask you something."

"I just made coffee come sit," Evelyn said, leading the way to the kitchen and pouring two cups.

Sitting with their coffee Brett asked, "Evelyn can I ask you a question?"

"Anything," Evelyn said.

"I love Nikki. I've loved her since I met her," Brett said, "our first class together I knew she was the one for me. The more I've gotten to know her the more I love her. I know we've only been together as a couple a few months but I know it's right. Evelyn, can I have your blessing to ask Nikki to marry me?"

"Yes. I know you love her and she loves you. The two of you fit together ," Evelyn said, "can I ask you a couple questions?"

"Yes," Brett said.

"Have you thought about Tyler," Evelyn asked.

"I have," Brett said, "he's my son. I want to be his dad. Evelyn I already love little dude like my own. I would adopt him if I could."

"When would you propose," Evelyn asked.

"Tonight," Brett said, "I talked to Teddy, she's going to babysit and knows I'm surprising Nikki with a special night."

"Do you have a ring," Evelyn asked.

"I do," Brett said, pulling the ring out of his pocket.

"It's beautiful," Evelyn said looking at it, "it's perfect."

"It is," Brett said.

"Does she have any idea," Evelyn asked.

"No," Brett said, "I want her totally surprised."

"Enjoy tonight," Evelyn said, "I'm happy for you."

"Do you think she'll say yes," Brett asked nervously.

"She will," Evelyn assured.

"Thank you Evelyn," Brett smiled.

"What's your plan for tonight," Evelyn asked.

"Teddy is picking up Ty at 1:30," Brett said, "then we're going for a walk at our favorite park and a drive out to this romantic restaurant on the water just south of seattle. Teddy has Ty overnight. We're going to stay at a hotel near the restaurant and will be back tomorrow in time for dinner."

"What does Nikki know," Evelyn asked.

"Nikki knows Teddy has Ty overnight. I checked that with her first. She knows I have something special planned. I know better than to surprise her with something like that , not being with TY," Brett said, "this is the first time She'll be away from him overnight since the conference."

"If Nikki is more comfortable I can take Ty," Evelyn said.

"I'll let her know," Brett said, "Ty is happy with Teddy and Owen. A sleepover with his cousins."

"She's doing better than this time last year," Evelyn said, "a year ago I'd bring him to school on her planning. She was so anxious being away from him."

"She's better," Brett said, "she still goes across the street on her planning or at lunch to check on him a couple times a week. I'm trying to put math department meetings at lunch so we can get home faster and it stops her from going to see Ty."

"You know her well," Evelyn smiled, "the two of you remind me of Owen and Teddy in some ways. They were co workers for years before they got together then once they both realized it was what they wanted it was fast. They had Allison with in a year of starting to date."

"Nikki mentioned that," Brett said, "that they were the most understanding of anyone. And she's always been close to Nate."

"I think she's with Owen today," Evelyn said, "they have the two boys in the same swimming class."

"I take Tyler to swimming half the time we trade," Brett said, "Nikki sits with Teddy the weeks I go in. Let's them have time to talk."

"I know Tyler calls you daddy," Evelyn smiled.

"I like it," Brett said, "I'll miss little dude tonight."

"Your a good family," Evelyn said.

"Hopefully she says yes," Brett replied, "I know it's fast but its right."

"You two have years of history before you started dating," Evelyn said, "I've seen faster with my older kids."

"Who," Brett asked.

"I didn't even know Owen and Teddy were a couple when they moved in together, they had a two bedroom apartment with both rooms set up," Evelyn said, "a couple weeks later they told us they were living together and having Allison."

"But he was probably older than Nikki is now," Brett said.

"35," Evelyn said, "she's 26."

"I'm 36," Brett said, "we're 9 and a half almost ten years apart."

"It doesn't matter to me," Evelyn said, "you get her. You make her feel loved and safe and wanted."

Nikki up the stairs after they got home from swimming lessons.

"Teddy," Nikki called.

"Hey," Teddy smiled.

"Do you have any idea what Brett is planning," Nikki asked.

"I'm babysitting overnight," Teddy said.

"I know that," Nikki replied, "where am I going? What am I doing?"

"I can tell you what you need," Teddy said.

"Can you come help," Nikki asked.

"Owen took the kids out I can," Teddy agreed, "you need a good dress and heels. Not something you wear to school. Good pajamas, something you don't wear often."

"The ones I bought and only wore for the conference," Nikki asked.

"Look hot is the name of the game tonight," Teddy said.

"He loved the purple ones from the conference and I haven't worn them since," Nikki said.

"Good," Teddy said, "you're not coming home tonight. Good dress tonight, something sexy, casual for tomorrow."

"Are you sure you're okay with Ty," Nikki asked.

"He's easy," Teddy smiled, "bottles in your fridge."

"Bed time only," Nikki said.

"Not first thing," Teddy asked.

"Maybe." Nikki said, "but if he'll have cow's milk give it to him. I'm trying to drop the morning one right now."

"Trying," Teddy asked.

"I don't know if he's ready," Nikki said, "if I'm not here there's no choice. I've got a plan Teddy don't worry. Ty is good the pediatrician said he's really healthy when we took him for a check up and shots last week."

"We," Teddy asked.

"Brett came with us," Nikki said, "Brett is looking into putting ty on his medical. Our coverage is good but we could have ty at 100 percent. And since his asthma attack I worry."

"Asthma is normal in kids," Teddy said, "you give him his meds and his puffer. I'm babysitting tonight so he's fine. Just leave me his puffer."

"Always," Nikki said, "another thing Jeff won't respond to. The text of does anyone in your family have asthma."

"Leave him," Teddy said.

"Mom said Meg was as a kid then grew out of it around when I was born," Nikki replied.

"Most out grow it in their teens," Teddy assured, "he'll be fine. He's mild and if your panicked you bring him to Owen and I."

"What about when we move out," Nikki asked.

"Your seriously talking about it," Teddy asked.

"We are," Nikki said, "I've told him I won't buy until I have a ring on my finger."

"I told Owen the same thing," Teddy replied.

"You told me," Nikki said, "do you think he might? He's booked a baby free night away and said romantic and just us. When Owen proposed to you i babysat Allison at mom's and he took you for a night away."

"Maybe," Teddy said trying not to give a hint, "you haven't been together a year yet. We were together about a year and a half. Allison was 10 months. If he did what would you say?"

"Yes," Nikki replied, "Teddy do you think there's a chance?"

"I don't know," Teddy said, "maybe he just wants a romantic night just the two of you?"

"I want to," Nikki said, "he's right. I love him."

"I know you do," Teddy smiled, "when the time is right I'm sure it will happen."