Chapter 10: A Day with the Family

Carter woke up to the smell of coffee and the sound of his children gurgling. He got up from the couch and walked over to the playpen to see his two children playing merrily with their toys. "It's about time you got up," Dana teased. Carter looked over his shoulder and smiled at her. She handed him a cup of coffee and he took a sip while looking at the twins.

"I just can't believe it," he murmured.

"Believe what?" She asked.

"I can't believe that I actually found you and that I'm a father."

Dana placed her cup down and wrapped her arms around his waist while placing her head on his shoulder. Carter tucked her head under his chin and breathed in her scent. "I have an idea," she stated. She let him go and then she walked over to the closet and took out the twins' stroller. "How about we take our children to the park today?" She suggested.

"You know what? That sounds like a great idea," he replied.

He got showered and changed. Then Dana showered and changed. She pulled her hair back in a half-ponytail and jumped when she felt his arms go around her waist. He placed a kiss on her neck and pulled her to him. "Be nice," she quipped. She walked out of his embrace and then she got the twins into the stroller.

As they walked down the street, Carter wrapped his arm around Dana's waist and placed a kiss on the top of her head. Dana smiled and then she placed the twins into the sandbox once they arrived at the park. They sat down and watched their children play. They saw a food cart go by and Carter stood up. "Want anything?" He asked.

"I'm craving for a pretzel," she replied.

"Do you want cheese with that?"

"Yuck."

Carter chuckled knowing that Dana despised the stuff. He went to buy her a pretzel not knowing that Jared sat next to her. "Hey, babe," he greeted. Dana looked at him with a glare.

"Jared, I told you time and time again that I have nothing to do with you," she snapped.

"Hey, no need to be harsh, sweetie. Just want to see if you'll reconsider that offer."

She pushed his arm off her shoulder. "I don't think so," she replied.

"Come on, Day, what's one date gonna hurt?" He asked.

"My reputation."

Carter turned to see Dana trying to get away from the guy sitting next to her. He decided to go and take care of it.

Jared was trying to push his luck when a shadow cast down. Dana grinned when she looked up at Carter. "What do you want?" Jared demanded.

"I believe you're in my seat," Carter replied.

"I don't think so," Jared stated.

"I think so."

He handed Dana her food and then he glared at Jared. "Would you mind moving, sir?" He asked. Jared was about 5' 6" while Carter on the other hand was 6' 2". When Jared stood up, he saw that Carter could squash him like a bug if he wanted to.

"Who are you?" Jared asked.

"Jared Leonardo, I would like you to meet Carter Grayson," Dana replied.

"Carter? That guy you left because he was with that other chick?"

Carter picked Jared up off the ground by his shirt and glared him. "Dana told me you've been bothering her. Do yourself a favor and leave my girlfriend and my children alone," Carter snapped. He let Jared go and watched as Jared ran off. Dana started giggling like a schoolgirl. "Do you think that was funny?" He asked.

"That was hilarious," she replied.

Carter chuckled when he started to think about it. It was kind of funny. He sat next to her and wrapped his arm around Dana's shoulders. They looked back over at their children, who were still playing like there was no tomorrow.

That night, Dana was having one of he friends from Angel Grove Hospital to watch the twins while she and Carter went for a walk on the beach. Dana sighed as she placed her head on Carter's shoulder as they walked along the beach. "What's going to happen now?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I don't want to leave Angel Grove, Carter. I love it here. I love the friends I've made here. I want to stay."

He sighed as he kissed the top of her head. "Maybe we don't have to leave Angel Grove," he told her. She looked at him confused. "Think about it, Day. I mean I can transfer my records and everything to Angel Grove's fire department, I can continue my job here," he commented. Dana smiled and then she stopped.

"Are you seriously going to leave Mariner Bay for me?" She asked.

He placed his hands on her face with a smile. "Dana, I'd give up my life for you and our children. You mean the world to me," he told her. She touched his hands with a smile. "However, we do have to go back to Mariner Bay for one thing," he stated. Dana looked at him confused. Carter smiled as he dropped down onto one knee, took her hand in his, removed the box from his pocket, and looked up into her beautiful face. "Dana Leigh Mitchell, I love you more than words can describe. I want to be there for you forever. I want to grow old with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" He asked. He opened the box before holding her hand again. Dana felt tears press against her eyes and a single tear fell down her face.

"Yes, Carter James Grayson, I'll marry you," she replied.

Carter slipped the ring onto her finger, stood up, picked her up into a carrying position, and spun her around. Dana laughed like a schoolgirl while wrapping her arms around his neck. Once they stopped, her long hair sat on his shoulder. Carter stared into her beautiful blue eyes before giving her a kiss.