Title: List of Ten Things

Summary: When Alex has to go away to New York for a month and won't be able to see Walker at all, Walker comes up with a way for Alex to remember exactly who she is.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. They belong to whoever owns the rights to Walker Texas Ranger.

Author's Note: Hope you enjoy. Also the first few chapters are about BEFORE they were dating but now they are ENGAGED!

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Chapter 8: The Key to My Heart

Their wedding was coming fast. Christmas had pasted and Walker and Alex's wedding was a little over 3 months away. They had finally decided on the dishes and all the other stuff that went along with that. Alex was still looking for the perfect wedding dress although Walker had assured her she would look gorgeous in any dress.

Walker's latest case was almost over and the trial Alex was working on we set to end in a few short days. They decided that this would be the perfect time to go on a getaway. They would finally get to spend some much needed time together.

Walker and Alex planned a weekend getaway to Lake Ebby. They decided it was the perfect place to have some time alone and just get away from all the pressures of work. Though they both enjoyed their jobs and all the parts of their lives, they did need a break every now and then. Walker and Alex could both remember a time in their lives when even if they took a vacation (which was rare) they would always end up doing work or running into bad guys. But now that was all in the past. Walker and Alex could now go away for the weekend and enjoy themselves.

So it was all set. Walker had left the office an hour before Alex on Friday. They had both planned on leaving at 4 that afternoon so they could get packed and stuff and be at Lake Ebby by 7 at the latest. But Walker got off at 3 because he had a pit stop to make before going home to pack and that pit stop was at the jewelry store.

Walker picked Alex up at her apartment, 2 ½ hours later and they arrived at Lake Ebby a little before seven.

Walker and Alex sat up the tent and got everything out of the truck that they would need for that night and the following morning. They had decided that they would get everything else they needed from the truck the following afternoon, but tonight, they just wanted to spend time together.

After the tent was set up, and their sleeping bags were laid out, Walker and Alex headed down to the lake, hand in hand.

They sat down on a log overlooking the lake.

"It's beautiful out here isn't it Walker?" Alex said as she tried to remember the last time she and Walker were together somewhere and she felt this great.

"Yeah it is. We should have left Dallas a long time ago and headed out here. I can't tell you how much I've missed you the pass few weeks." Walker said as he leaned over and kissed Alex.

"I know, I've missed you too honey. But we both had work to get done and so many other things going on, trying to plan our wedding, doing our jobs, not to mention the HOPE Center and Kick Drugs Out Of America." Alex said and leaned against Walker, now completely at ease and content in her loving Cowboy's arms.

"I know we have other things going on in our lives Alex, but sometimes I just wish we could spend more time like we are right now, out in the middle of nowhere with just each other. I mean I know we have other responsibilities but I miss you so much when it feels like we only see each other at work and the time we do spend together is talking about criminals or something. I just wonder…" Walker stopped mid-sentence, not sure, if he should continue and tell Alex exactly what was on his mind. He had opened up so much since he met her and now there wasn't anything that he hid from Alex, but he didn't really what to say the one thing that concerned him the most.

"You wonder what Walker?" Alex said as she sat up and looked at her so-to-be-husband.

"I wonder how it will be once we are married. I mean right now, we are always so busy and don't hardly see each other. Once we are married, I know we'll see each other at home and stuff, but I don't ever want to get so busy that we can't find time to spend together or with our children." Walker told her.

"Oh, so now we're having kids." Alex started to say, trying to get Walker to smile. It worked. "Honey, I will never get too busy to spend time with you or any of the kids you think we're having. You will always be the most important person in my life and I love you so much. True, sometimes we are going to be more busy then others, but just know that no matter how busy we are, not a day goes by when I don't think of you honey."

"I guess you're right, it just feels weird not spending so much time together now that we are engaged. And yes Alex, I want to have kids with you. I can't dream of not having kids with the most beautiful woman in the world. And just so you know, I love you too and not a day goes by when I don't think of you either."

"You're so sweet honey."

Walker and Alex spent the night, wrapped in each other's arms, enjoying the smell of the lake and the smells of the first early signs of spring. This was one of Walker and Alex's favorite times to spend together. Just when winter was ending and spring was beginning, sitting by the lake, miles away from the distractions of the busy city life, and just able to be together and not worry about warrants or some bad-guy who was causing harm to the community. They loved every part of their lives, but there was still times when Walker and Alex were glad to get away from their busy lives.

A few hours later, Walker and Alex made their way to the tent and got ready for bed. They slept peaceful through the night, Walker had his arm around Alex, and Alex cuddled closer and closer to Walker all night long.

Walker was out of bed early the next morning. He went to the truck and got his surprise for Alex from it. It was a little box from the jewelry store but this time it didn't have one letter but two.

When Alex woke up, she found Walker staring at her.

"How long have you been there?" Alex asked as she tried to sit up, still a little tired.

"Not long enough. I love watching you sleep." Walker replied and leaned down to kiss her.

"You know what?"

"No what?"

"I love watching you sleep too. Maybe one day you'll sleep in and let me wake up before you so I can enjoy it too." Alex said and smiled at her loving Cowboy.

"Maybe. But I'm going to start breakfast. Hurry up and get dressed for we can go."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see." Walker said as he left the tent and headed out to the fire to start breakfast.

Alex turned over to find her clothes. But instead, she found a little black box and two envelopes. One envelope was attached to the box and the other was lying off to the side. She opened the box first and found a silver key. Alex looked at it for several moments before deciding to open up the envelope that had been attached to it. Inside it read:

SWEETHEART,

I KNOW I'VE NEVER SAID IT ENOUGH BUT I LOVE YOU. ANYWAY I WAS IN THE JEWELRY STORE THE OTHER DAY (I CAN SEE THE SMILE COMING TO YOUR FACE AS YOU READ THAT) AND I SAW THE PERFECT THING THAT REMINDED ME OF YOU. NOW I KNOW YOU'LL PROBABLY NEVER WEAR IT, BUT I DIDN'T CARE. ALEX, YOU HAVE THE KEY TO MY HEART AND I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE YOU WOULD LIKE THIS. LIKE I SAID, I KNOW YOU'LL PROBABLY NEVER WEAR IT, BUT STILL YOU DO HAVE THE KEY TO MY HEART. AND IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU GOT THE KEY TO MY HEART, READ THE NEXT ENVELOPE, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY.

I LOVE YOU

YOUR COWBOY

Alex opened the next envelope. It read:

THE TEN WAYS ALEXANDRA CAHILL GOT THE KEY TO CORDELL WALKER'S HEART

1) SHE STOLE MY HEART FIRST

2) SHE LOVED ME JUST THE WAY I WAS

3) SHE GAVE ME EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED IN LIFE

4) SHE RESPECTED ME

5) SHE ALWAYS MADE ME FEEL GOOD

6) SHE'S THERE FOR ME WHEN I NEED HER THE MOST

7) SHE LOVED ALL MY FAULTS

8) SHE BRIGHTENS UP MY WORLD

9) NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENED, SHE STUCK BY MY SIDE

10) SHE LOVED ME FOR THE DIRTY COWBOY I WAS AND NEVER TRIED/TRIES TO CHANGE ME

Alex read Walker list over and over again, not really sure what to say. Alex got dressed and then headed out to see Walker and see what he had up his sleeve his time.

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Sorry it's taken so long for me to get another chapter up. I've been having major writer's block and will try to get more up sooner. But yeah, hope you all like this chapter. Please review and let me know what you think. Thanks.