Mal literally ran to Inara's shuttle, where River was. The Companion was having a tea ceremony with the girl. When Mal had finally caught his breath and they were done, he walked in.
"Hey, Inara. River." He stopped before Inara could yell at him to get out of her shuttle.
"What do you wish Mal?" Inara asked nicely. Everyone, besides River of course, knew about his proposal.
"Do you mind if I take River away for a little while? We need our privacy." Mal looked at River and saw her face light up.
"Sure. We were already done." Inara said as the two ran out of the shuttle.
Instead of going to his bunk they went to the extra shuttle. Mal let River walk in first and then followed her. Closing the hatch behind him, he went over to River where they started to passionately kiss each other. After some time and much needed air, they parted. Mal stared at her with love in his eyes.
"What?" River asked with a smile.
"Nothing." Mal said.
"There's something going on Malcolm Reynolds, I want to know." River continued with a playful pout.
"Do you love me?"
"You know the answer to that."
"I want to hear it though." Mal was serious. He loved River so much, but he wanted to know if the feeling was mutual.
"I'm in love with you, Malcolm." River said straight into his eyes. "For the rest of my life or until the Alliance catches me and Simon." She smiled at her comment but Mal didn't think it was so funny.
"I hope it really doesn't come to that because then it will be a great disappointment."
"Why is that?" River was searching his eyes for a meaning to his questions.
Mal took a deep breath, "If you could spend the rest of your life with me, would you?"
"Yes- yes I would."
"River Tam, will you marry me?" Mal spoke in a very confident way.
"Yes I will marry you Malcolm." River said with hesitation. She immediately threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. When they stopped, their foreheads touched and they stood there for some time.
Once the news spread that River had accepted Mal's proposal, the bride-to-be was immediately stressed. She wanted her parents to be there, but from what Simon told her a while back, they didn't seem to want to anything about their new life. However, she tried it.
"River, is that you?" Her mother beamed from ear to ear.
"Yes, Mother it's me." River felt very happy. Unfortunately, nervousness started to seep into her being.
"Why would you send a wave? Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything's fine. Actually it's great. I just wanted to see if you and Father want to meet my fiancée. And attend my wedding." River saw her mother's reaction before she said anything.
"Fiancée? When did this happen?" Her mother didn't hide her surprise very well.
"A few days ago. Would you like to attend the wedding?" River felt hurt as her mother hesitated an answer.
"We may be able to come. It depends on the neighbors' and when they have their parties. Also, your father's schedule."
River tried not to show she was hurt but could no longer hold it back. "It's alright then. I'll send you a wave or something later on."
"Say hello to Simon for me." Her mother cut off the connection. River sat in the seat for what seemed forever. She took several deep breaths before willing herself to get up and act as if nothing had happened.
