--- Disclaimer: I only own Frank and Lightning, nothing else. Don't sue please, I only have seven dollars... :'( ---

Tell Me How Much You Love Me

Between taking care of the foal and having to keep the ranch itself working as well as keeping the house clean and taking care of themselves, Jack and Ennis soon found themselves quite exhausted. Over that past couple weeks, the foal had begun to grow to look almost just like her mother with the exception that she was more brownish tan than the light mustang color the mare had been. Jack, whether to help himself cope with the death of his mare or because he just wanted to, had taken it upon himself to solely care for the little filly which he'd affectionatly named Lightning.

He'd come up with the name after watching her bolt around the pasture and then while brushing her had found she had a small lightning shape on her face, if you knew what to look for. Thus she was ordained as the little lightning bolt of the ranch. Ennis had taken it on himself to keep the house in somewhat order, (He was just a man after all), and had hired a couple more ranch hands to help the three they already had. This also helped for when Ennis needed some time to himself, which he'd been needing much more of lately.

He spent hours locked up in his and Jack's room, sitting on the bed, staring at the small black velvet box in his hand. He opened it every once in awhile, letting the sun reflect and glitter off the simple gold band in he box. He'd taken it out only once when he'd first bought it and only to make sure that his and Jack's names were inscribed correctly inside. Now he just needed to ask...

"Ennis? Ya in there cowboy?" A voice called from the other side of the door and Ennis jumped slightly, snapping the box closed.

"Y... Yeah rodeo. I'm in here." He responded and Jack opened the door a little to peek his head in.

"Whatcha doin' locked up in here cowboy? Frank says ya been here fer hours now..."

"Sorry doll... Guess I got caught up thinkin'..."

"Bout wha'?" Jack asked as he went to sit by him. Ennis stared at him for a moment then stood quickly, pulling the other back to his feet.

"Ennis, wha's gotten inta you?"

Ennis remained silent as he stood eye to eye with his mate then slowly kneeled down in front of him, never taking his eyes away from Jack's.

"E...Ennis...?" Jack stuttered quietly, knowing what was coming but not believing it was happening.

"Jack Twist... Will you... Will you marry me?" Ennis asked, holding the opened box up to him. Jack gasped silently and stared at the ring, tears filling his eyes.

"You... You mean it Ennis?"

"Course I mean it rodeo. You mean more to me then life itself..."

"God Ennis I... I don' know wha' to say..."

"Jus' say yes love... Tha' you'll be wi'me for the rest of our lives..." Ennis said quietly and Jack nodded slowly.

"Yes Ennis... I will..." He whispered and Ennis broke into a smile, placing the ring on Jack's finger before standing up and pulling his now fiance into a deep, passionate kiss.

"Ennis..." Jack moaned softly against his mouth and clung to him tightly, returning the kiss with vigor. They broke the kiss after a few minutes to breathe and stood there silently, staring into each other's eyes.

"I love you Ennis..." Jack whispered finally and Ennis smiled softly.

"Love you too rodeo."

"And we'll stay like this now right? We'll be just like this... Forever?"

"Yes love... If it's the last thing I do, I will stay with you forever."

Jack smiled then as tears again filled his eyes and pulled his lover into a tight hug, which Ennis gently returned. It was a hug to forgive and forget the bad times they'd been through, though they'd use the lessons to restart their new life together... One that would be as solid as the ring that now sparkled on Jack's finger in the fading sunlight of the musky twilight outside the bedroom curtains... Forever now and always.