The Tiger Inside
By Nasu Hasami
"I won't cry for yesterday."
~Duran Duran~
72. Uncontrollable
After nearly six weeks of medical leave following the shooting, Mulan is cleared to return to work. But Shang's been thinking and plotting, and he suggests they take that vacation to the Virgin Islands before her return date.
Despite being eager to return to West River, Mulan agrees.
Shang's been so specific about the resort and the flights and the timing, she's certain he's going to propose in the Caribbean.
It costs a little more than they initially planned, but they move their bookings forward. Shang upgrades them to a private cabin on the plane and then upgrades them to a private villa at the resort. Their luggage is sent ahead of them, except for an item Shang needs to retrieve from his suitcase at the airport.
A suspiciously small item that is secreted into his pocket.
When they arrive at the villa, the bedroom is candlelit and there's orchid petals covering the bed. There's a bottle of champagne on the table on the balcony, and a bewitching purple sunset watching over them.
When Mulan turns back to look at Shang, he's on one knee in the bedroom doorway with a small blue box in his hands.
She throws herself at him, screaming her answer, before he opens his mouth to ask the question.
The next ten days disappear in a cloud of bliss with Shang determining that they should return to St. John's for all their anniversaries.