Standing in front of her armoire Sarah was trying to decide what to wear to the dinner with the Grants. On one hand it was a celebration so she wanted to wear something special but, on the other hand, she knew that Nathan, Allie and Archie tended to be more casual. She finally settled on pale green dress with ivory trim. She added her pearl necklace and bracelet. A splash of perfume made her feel more celebratory.

It had been such a good day. Sarah was finally able to tell Clara and Anna that she had taken over ownership of the store. It was a relief for both of them that they would keep their jobs but they were most excited for Sarah. They'd developed a great deal of respect for her in the time they'd worked together and looked forward to what changes she might make to the store.

Arriving at Nathan's house the door opened and the first thing Sarah noticed were the flowers that had been placed throughout the house. "Nathan, where did you find so many beautiful flowers this time of year?" The smell of them reminded Sarah of spring time.

Nathan gave her a coy smile. "I have my sources." He took Sarah's coat and hung it up for her.

"Where are Archie and Allie?" Sarah was expecting to see them and their absence was confusing.

Nathan wrapped her in his arms. "I wanted to have a private celebration for just the two of us. I hope you don't mind." Nathan told her Archie and Allie were having dinner with the Coulters and they would stop by their house later since Rosemary and Lee wanted to toast to her too.

"This celebration isn't just about me. We're celebrating your promotion too." Sarah wanted to make sure Nathan knew his news was just as important as hers. "Dinner smells delicious. Did you and Allie make it?" It didn't smell like any of the dishes Sarah knew they could cook so she was starting to get curious as to what was going on.

Nathan couldn't lie and admitted "Rosemary helped me with dinner." Nathan handed Sarah a glass of champagne and looking into her eyes he said "To you, for your courage, your kindness, your devotion, and your love. I love you and I am so proud of you." They each took a sip and Sarah felt a tear escape down her cheek. Nathan brushed it away with his thumb and leaned over and kissed her gently.

Sarah raised her glass to Nathan. "To you, for the selfless, brave, remarkable, kind man and father you are. Congratulations on your well-deserved promotion. I love you and I am equally proud of you." This time it was Nathan's turn to feel tears well up in his eyes.

Before he let Sarah see them fall he went into the kitchen and got dinner on the table. They sat down together and after a prayer of thanks enjoyed the beautiful meal Rosemary had prepared. During dinner they talked about Gabe and Lillian's upcoming wedding in Brookfield. It was just two weeks away. They would be driving with Rosemary and Lee. There would be just enough room for the five of them, the Coulters, Nathan, Allie and Sarah.

Sarah was excited to go. She'd met Gabe at Nathan's and he, Nathan and Rosemary all described Lillian as an exceptional woman who, along with her sister Grace, ran an orphanage that was well known even outside of Brookfield. Sarah looked forward to seeing it and meeting the sisters. Nathan had worked in Brookfield with Gabe on different assignments and they had trained together so she knew they were close friends. She hoped she and Lillian would become friends too.

After dinner Nathan did a quick clean up and went to the corner of the room where he unveiled the Victrola he'd borrowed from Lee and Rosemary. Putting on a waltz he offered his hand to Sarah and she joined him dancing together in front of the fire. Nathan spoke softly. "Sarah, I got the plans for the house back this week. Lee is helping me arrange for the lumber."

Sarah knew how important the house was to Nathan. He had talked about putting down roots for Allie. He wanted her to know she always had a home to return to wherever her life may take her. "Nathan, that's wonderful news. When do you think you will have it done?"

"I'm planning for spring. A lot will depend on the weather but also how much time I can put into it." Nathan took Sarah's hand in his. "I would like to have it finished by the beginning of June."

"That would be wonderful. Then you and Allie can spend your summer evenings fishing in the creek by the house." Unexpectedly Nathan took a step back from Sarah and before she knew what was happening he was kneeling down in front of her still holding her hand. Seeing him down on one knee took her by surprise and she had to place a hand on Nathan's shoulder to keep from losing her balance. She could feel the tears in her eyes and she was afraid she might forget to breathe.

"Sarah, I can't begin to tell you what these months have been like for me. You have brought sunshine back into my life. I never thought I could be as happy as you make me. I prayed for someone to come into my life that would love me and love Allie and you have done both unconditionally. I want us to share our dreams with each other and I want us to share this house together for the rest of our lives. I want to spend all my days making you as happy as you have made me. I love you Sarah, I'm so in love with you I can hardly believe it sometimes. Will you marry me and spend your life with me?"

Sarah was having a hard time seeing Nathan through her tears. By the time he was finished she was trying to catch her breath long enough to give him her answer. "Yes, Nathan, it would be the greatest honor of my life to marry you and be your wife." Sarah tried to wipe her tears but Nathan had gotten to his feet and was already kissing her and holding her close to him. He took the ring that he'd looked at every morning for the last few weeks and slipped it on her finger. It fit perfectly and she gasped when she looked at it. "Oh Nathan, it's so beautiful." Nathan told her it had been his grandmother's which made it even more special knowing the ring had a history. He told her his grandparents were married for over 50 years and he planned for them to be married longer than they had been. Sarah couldn't take her eyes off Nathan and she couldn't begin to put into words how blessed she felt that this man would be her husband.

Nathan and Sarah continued dancing and Sarah couldn't stop looking at the ring on her finger. Nathan told her he wanted to have the house done by June so they could have their wedding at the new house. Sarah loved the idea and told Nathan she would do whatever she could to help make it happen. She asked if Allie knew he was going to propose. He told her she'd walked into his room one day when he was looking at the ring so she knew he was going to, she just didn't know when. Sarah wanted to make sure she was okay with it. Nathan told her she was thrilled and she made him promise that she was the first one they told. "That's why we have to stop at Lee and Rosemary's when I take you home. That and Rosemary made me promise she would be the second one we told given all the help she gave me for tonight."

Sarah reached up and kissed Nathan. She teased him that she wished the house could be finished next week. Nathan asked her "Don't you need time to plan a proper wedding?"

"Nathan, I would marry you tomorrow. I don't need a fancy wedding. I would stand up in front of Bill with you, Allie and Archie and say I do."

"I would too but I want you to have the wedding day you deserve and I want to stand up in front of all our friends and family and let them hear me promise to love you forever." Sarah didn't think her heart could be anymore full.

As much as they didn't want their special evening to end, they were excited to tell Allie. Both of them tried to guess what her reaction would be. Sarah just prayed she would be happy.

They arrived at the Coulter's house and knocked on the door. It flew open and Allie was standing in front of them with an expectant look on her face. They walked in and four sets of eyes were on them. Lee had poured some sparkling cider for everyone in preparation to toast Nathan's promotion and Sarah's purchase of Dottie's but as soon as Sarah pulled off her gloves Allie squealed and then burst into tears. "Is that what I think it is?" Allie had suspected tonight might be the night her dad finally proposed.

Nathan and Sarah both laughed and confirmed that yes, her dad had proposed and Sarah said yes. Allie wasn't sure who to hug first but she somehow managed both of them at the same time. Cheers erupted from the other three and congratulations were shared all around. Rosemary gave Sarah a big hug and told her she wanted to help plan the wedding to which Sarah quickly agreed though she questioned how Rosemary would do that since they planned to marry shortly after her baby was due.

"Don't worry about me. I can do both. It will be so wonderful to have a wedding to look forward to. Between the baby and your wedding the dreary winter months will go by that much faster." Rosemary gave Nathan a hug too which he was unaccustomed to but appreciated. Lee and Archie both wished him well.

Archie got very emotional. "Son, I'm so proud of you. I know you'll both be very happy. She's a wonderful woman." Never in his wildest dreams did Archie think he would be a part of his son's life as he was.

"Thanks dad, I think so too." A few years ago Nathan never would have expected to be sharing this moment with his father but he was thankful he could. Tomorrow he would call his mother and let her know. She knew the call would come eventually since she'd been the one to send the rings. Nathan was sure she would be equally happy for him.

It was getting late so Nathan told Allie and Archie to go home and he would be along after he walked Sarah home. "Take your time dad. Nights like this only happen once." Nathan thought Allie was being cheeky but the look on her face told him she was serious.

"Thanks Allie, I'll remember that." As he and Sarah made their way toward town neither said much. They just basked in their mutual happiness. When they got to Sarah's door Nathan pulled her into his arms. "Good night to the future Mrs. Nathan Grant."

"I love the sound of that and I love you Nathan. Thank you for making me the happiest woman in the world." Sarah wrapped her hands through Nathan's black waves and pulled him close savoring every moment of their sweet kiss.