The Proposal

Today was Taylor's birthday. Today was the day that Aaron was going to propose. He felt things he couldn't remember ever feeling. Excitement - being the first, nervousness, happiness, and everything in between. His mind was nothing but a blur, he had no idea what was going on around him or what he was saying half the time.

He looked around at the people that surrounded him. Jack had helped him plan a party for her birthday and of coarse the entire island was there. He could see Sayid and Shannon, with their daughter Mia and son Chris, Jack and Casey were together as well as Will, Marie and baby Bailey. Sawyer and Tina worked their way into the group as well. Taylor was mingling with everyone excepting many 'happy birthdays' from people and small gifts. Nothing would beat his though.

Aaron had to find the right time to do it. He had to have the most precise of moments to ask the question that would change the rest of his life. He decided to do it closer to sun set. It was Taylor's favorite time of day. She had told him the colors were absolutely spectacular and with everything tinted different shades of oranges while shadows cast a different persona to the island; everything about it was just unreal. He remembered her telling that to him as if it were yesterday. Yes, sun set it was then.

He drank juice and ate different foods and talked to different people. He couldn't recall what he'd said to them even if he wanted to though. It was as if he body was on automatic pilot. Something else was doing the thinking for him and before he knew it the sun was sinking lower in the sky. He went to find Jack so that they could get everyone's attention.

"Is everything ready?" Jack asked as soon as Aaron came into view.

"Yeah…I think so." Jack gave him a stern look.

"You think?" Jack decided to do a quick check off. "Where are you taking her?"

"Just right out in front close to the ocean right over there." Aaron pointed to the spot.

"Okay and what are you going to say? Do you know?" Aaron shook his head.

"I want it to be sincere and spur of the moment." Jack smiled. He liked this boy already. "From the heart." Aaron laid a hand on his chest.

"And where's the ring?" Aaron smiled and patted his from pocket. Suddenly his smile faded and his eyes went wide. He quickly stuck his hand in his pocket and moved his hand around violently.

'Where is it,' he thought. 'I put it in my jean pocket this morning.' He brought he hand to the other pocket and searched in there and found nothing. He patted his back pockets and felt nothing and he wasn't wearing a button up shirt so he had no pocket on that either. Panic influenced his every move. He couldn't think clearly and he couldn't do that form the start so now was especially bad.

He looked down to see if he had pulled out on accident and dropped it on the ground and noticed he was wearing dark jeans. Wait he had put the ring in his pocket this morning before he went to cut wood…in his other jeans.

"Jack! I have to go." He said in a state of utter panic. "I left the ring in my other jeans!" Jack nodded and told him he'd make sure no one left before he got back. With Jack's final words Aaron took off in a sprint down the beach. He had to get to his 'house' and back before the sun set completely.

He turned the corner and thrust open the door of the makeshift house and turned the corner to find his jeans sitting on the ground in a big heap.

He tore them off the ground and checked the pockets to find nothing. Frustration came over him as panic once again took over. He got down on both hands and knees and pushed all of the clothes he had on his floor around. Soon he heard a 'clink' against the table leg that sat to the left of him. He picked up shirt to see the ring on the floor. Sudden relief was suddenly set upon him and he got up quickly from the uncomfortable position on the ground and dashed outside again.

The sun was now touching the horizon…he had to hurry. He ran passed the familiar trees and fires he had before. One thought in his mind…don't be late. He had a sudden surge of energy and sprinted the rest of the way to the crowd of people.

"Aaron!" Jack stuck out and arm to catch him. The young man stood for a second with his hands on his knees, catching his breath. He held up the ring and Jack grinned as wide as he'd ever done. He patted Aaron on the back and let out a chuckle.

Aaron finally stood up and headed toward his girl. She was talking to Shannon and Sayid. He would politely interrupt their conversation for this, he decided as he glanced at the sun, which was now halfway hidden by the horizon.

"Taylor?" He asked quietly. "Come here." He took her hand and led her down to the water's edge.

She was so afraid he was going to tell her he was sick or something horrible by the look on his face. She had thought about it the last few days and after the conversation he had with her father and he father not telling her anything about it…she figured it had to be something bad. She fought off tears as he got down on his knees. What was he doing?

"Taylor…I've known you for as long as I can remember and for that long I've known something more." He reached into his back pocket and left his hand there for a moment.

Taylor was terrified what was he doing? He wasn't sick. He expression softened at the new information. His face was relaxed and a gentle glow glinted in his eyes. His face looked pink because of the sunset and everything seemed happy for some reason and she figured bad news couldn't have an aura like this. She waited for what he would say next.

"I love you Taylor Shepard. I always have and I want to share the rest of my life with you." He pulled out the ring and put it on Taylor's finger. He eyes began tear. "Will you be my wife?" A wide smile spread across her face and she kneeled down to his level and kissed him like it was nobody's business. Taylor pulled away when she heard clapping.

"Can I take that as a 'yes'." Aaron asked with his arms rapped tightly around he waist.

"Absolutely." She said with a nod. Then kissed him again.