1Hey. Just decided I would update this story because it's Christmas. Also, I update quicker when there are reviews, even if it's just one. I have chapter 4 all written and chapter 5 is almost done. Enjoy! Please read and review.

Reverie (Villa D'Este), Part One– Courtney and James's third anniversary

Courtney sat on the couch of James' house, waiting for him to come back with their desserts. It was their third year anniversary of dating and Courtney had never been happier. To celebrate James had brought her to his house, cooked her dinner, pampered her, and now he was getting desserts, her favorite chocolate mousse cake. And he still hadn't given her the present that he'd talked of nonstop for weeks. She wondered what it could be, but she knew it would be wonderful. Everything about James was.

"And here is dessert for the beautiful love of my life," James announced , carrying the two pieces of cake on a platter.

"This looks delicious," Courtney gushed as he handed her a plate.

James smiled mischievously. "Just eat it."

She started eating and he just watched her. She broke a piece off with her fork. A look of confusion came over her face as she saw a piece of paper under where her cake had been.

"What, did you drop the recipe in the cake or something?" Courtney teased.

He smiled. He couldn't wait for her to finish the cake and discover what his surprise was. "No. Finish eating."

She did as he said until finishing her piece of cake, revealing a sheet of paper. It was covered in chocolate crumbs, but she picked it up eagerly and read the message. "Turn me over," it said.

She turned the paper over, still feeling confused, but now she was excited. This had to be something to do with her surprise. And from the look on James's face, she knew it would be a good one. "Look under the pillow on the right side of the couch," she read aloud.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go on," James coaxed. "Look."

Courtney lifted the cushion and found a small, black velvet box. She looked up at James, stars in her eyes, and asked, "What's this?"

"Open it."

She lifted the cover of the box and her eyes widened as she saw the diamond ring there, just waiting to be put on her finger.

James took the ring from her and got down on one knee. "Courtney, will you marry me?" he asked, full of hope.

She grinned at him. "James, I can't believe you're doing this. Everything was so perfect tonight. And you know I want to marry you more than anything in this world, but I'm scared," she confessed, her smile fading. "Are you sure this is right? What if we end up like Jason and Carly? Everyone thought they were the perfect match and they didn't even last a month. What if that happens to us? Jason and Carly thought they were each what they other wanted, and it turned out they were wrong. What if the same is true for us?"

Just the Way You Are, Part Two

Don't go changing, to try and please me

You've never let me down before

Don't imagine you're too familiar

And I don't see you anymore

I would not leave you in times of trouble

We never could have come this far

I took the good times, I'll take the bad times

I'll take you just the way you are

I need to know that you will always be

The same old someone that I knew

What will it take till you believe in me

The way that I believe in you.

I don't want clever conversation

I never want to work that hard

I just want someone that I can talk to

I want you just the way you are.

"Courtney, don't even think for a single minute that you are not everything that I want in life. I know we watched our best friends go through a painful divorce, but that's not going to happen to us. Carly and Jason rushed into marriage without giving it much thought. And neither of them really wanted to get married in the first place. It was Jason's way of holding on to Carly, and Carly's excuse to stay with him. But that's not us. You know us, Court. You're everything that I've ever wanted, and more than I could ever ask for. I've never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. You and me, we're not perfect, but we don't need to be perfect. We have each other and that's all we've ever needed, perfection or not. We've been there for one another through the ups and the downs, the ins and outs, the good and bad, everything. We've made it this far, and from the way I see it there's no turning back, and I have no intention of ever doing so. You mean too much to me. But if getting married isn't what you want to do, then just say no. Just know that I want it more than anything in the world," James said, trying with all his might to persuade her that getting married was the best thing for them.

Courtney looked at the man she loved so much and knew that there was no one else in the world for her. "Yes, James, I will marry you–"

"Yes!" James exclaimed triumphantly. This was the happiest day of his life.

"But, you have to promise me that we can take this really slowly. I don't want to rush anything. I don't want to make any mistakes, because I don't know if I'd be able to bear living without you."

"I promise, Courtney. We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Everything is your call from now on. All I'm concerned with is your happiness and having you in my life."