AN: Nope, no ownership yet… deal with it

Proposal of Engagement

The next morning Raven awoke and looked out the window. It had snowed, but just a mere dusting. It was pretty sad, actually. She sighed and slide out of her warm bed to get dressed. She wondered why Beast Boy hadn't woken her up so they could talk before going to sleep, but she guessed that he was pretty tired after the flight and encountering her grandfather.

She went downstairs and saw her grandmother cooking breakfast. She knew that she would have to cook something for Beast Boy, so she worked beside her.

"How'd you sleep?" asked Mary.

"Good," said Raven. "And, if you're wondering, no, he didn't bother me during the night."

"Good, I was nervous all night," said Mary.

"You don't need to be nervous," Raven sighed. "He's a good person and he'd never do anything to harm me."

"I know," said Mary.

"Then why are you so nervous that he's here?" she asked.

"Because every grandmother worries for their granddaughter," said Mary. "I just want to make sure you won't get hurt."

"He'd never hurt me," said Raven, firmly. "Of that I am sure."

"Okay," said Mary. "Oh, Paul's coming over today."

"What? Why?" asked Raven.

"He's going to take you out into the city for a little while," said Mary.

"Wait, is he taking me or me and Bea-Garfield?" asked Raven.

"Now why would he want to take your friend out on your date?" Mary laughed.

"Date?" Raven said, caught off guard. "You didn't say it was a date."

"Well, does it matter?" asked Mary.

"Yes," said Raven. "I didn't agree to a date."

"You don't need to agree," said Mary. "It's all set up, all you have to do is go with him."

"And what's Garfield going to do?" asked Raven. "He and I were going to spend the day together."

"Raven, it's time that you made more time for suitors than for friends," said Mary.

"Suitors?" said Raven. "Paul's a suitor now?"

"When has he not been?" Mary laughed.

Raven stopped what she was doing and looked her amused grandmother. "Grandmother, I appreciate that you went me to have a boyfriend, but I would feel more comfortable if I chose him for myself," said Raven.

"Dear, Paul is a good man," said Mary. "He's going to be making a lot of money soon thanks to his book and he's a good Christian boy."

"I don't care how much money he makes or if he's Christian," said Raven. "It's who he is that matters."

"Raven, just go out with him today," said Mary. "I'm sure you won't be disappointed."

"I don't want to leave Garfield all alone, though," said Raven.

"It'll only be for a few hours," said Mary. "I'm sure he'll be fine."

Raven sighed and said, "Fine, but leave him alone. I don't want to come back and have him tell me you did nothing but belittle him."

"I would never do such a thing," said Mary.

Raven rolled her eyes and finished making Beast Boy's breakfast, who just happen to walk in at the very moment. She turned and gave him a smile, to which he smiled back. But there was something behind his smile; something sad.

"Good morning," Raven said to him as she handed him a plate of tofu eggs and bacon. "Sleep well?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess," he said, yawning. "Thanks."

"No problem," she said, sitting down next to him. Her grandmother gave her a plate of real eggs and real bacon. "Listen, um, I know we had plans today, but I have to go out with Paul."

"You're ditching me?" he asked, hurt.

She waited until her grandmother had turned the water on to the dishes then leaned in. "I don't want to go, I'm being forced," she said softly. "It'll only be for a little while. And then when I come home we can go out, okay?"

Beast Boy sighed and said, "Yeah, okay. Hey where's your grandfather?"

"At work," said Raven. "Don't worry, I told my grandmother to leave you alone while I'm gone. Just stay in your room and listen to music or something. I promise I'll make it as short as possible."

"Oh, no, you won't," said Mary, who could now hear the conversation. "You're staying as long as Paul wants you to."

"Okay," said Raven, but once her grandmother turned around she looked at Beast Boy and shook her head.

Beast Boy knew they were controlling her. He was glad that she was resisting, but he didn't like the thought of them trying to manipulate her. How dare they try to do that to his Raven? Well, who he hoped to someday call his Raven. Who he should already be calling his Raven. He sighed and took a bite of his breakfast.

A few hours later Paul came by to pick Raven up. And now the two men met for the first time. And there was an immediate hostility. They looked each other up and down and sized them up. Beast Boy was sure he could take this guy. And Paul didn't look intimidated at all.

"So… you're a superhero too, huh?" said Paul. The two were waiting for Raven to finish getting ready.

"That's right," said Beast Boy. "I've saved the world countless times."

"That's cool," said Paul, not really impressed. "I've just published a novel."

"Oh really? About what?" asked Beast Boy, who was also unimpressed.

"Trust me, you wouldn't be interested," said Paul.

"No, probably not," said Beast Boy.

Raven came down the stairs and saw the two men glaring at each other. She knew she had to separate them quickly, even if that meant she had to leave Beast Boy. "Well, I'm ready," she said with a smile, announcing her presence.

"You look great," said Paul with a smile.

"Whoa, real original," said Beast Boy under his breath at Paul's line.

"Excuse me?" said Paul.

"Nothing," said Beast Boy.

"Okay, well, let's go," said Raven, grabbing Paul's arm and dragging him out the door.

Paul gave Beast Boy a smug look that made Beast Boy's blood boil. Lord, how he wanted to pop him right in the face. He didn't deserve to have Raven on his arm. He growled as the door closed and Raven was separated from him for the afternoon.

Raven sat silently in the car. She really didn't want to be there, but she was being forced. She couldn't stop thinking about poor Beast Boy being abandoned back there. She looked over to Paul and saw him with a slight smile on his face. She sighed and just wanted this to be over.

They made it into the city and he took her to a nice restaurant. She did her best to smile and not jerk away when he wrapped his arm with hers. He gave the hostess his name and the two were taken to a table. Throughout all this time, they had still said anything to each other. But, after a few minutes, the silence was broken.

"So, did you have a nice holiday?" asked Paul.

"Yes, it was alright," said Raven, disinterested in the conversation already.

"Have you taken a look at my book yet?" he asked.

"No, not yet," said Raven. "I'm waiting for when I'm bored."

Paul laughed and Raven fake laughed, knowing that what she had said hadn't been sarcasm. She took a sip of her water and then was shocked to see her grandfather walk into the restaurant. Paul turned and saw him as well. But he was not as shocked. He stood up and waved him over. He saw them, smiled, waved back, and headed over.

"What's he doing here?" asked Raven, confused.

"You'll see," said Paul with a smile. Her grandfather walked over and Paul stood up to shake his hand. "It's nice to see you, sir."

"It's nice to see you, too," said Peter smiling and then sitting down.

"What's going on?" asked Raven. "I thought this was supposed to be a date of some sort."

"It is a date of some sort," said Paul.

"Raven, I've got wonderful news," said Peter with a smile. "Paul is going to marry you!"

Ravens eyes went wide with shock. "Pardon?" she asked, barely breathing.

"I've asked your grandfather for permission to take your hand in marriage," said Paul. "And he's said yes."

"Isn't that great?" asked Peter, smiling widely.

Raven just stared at them, looking from one to the other. "I… I don't know what to say," said Raven, speaking the complete truth. "Paul, I've only known you for a couple months. We've never even dated!"

"I thought we were dating," Paul laughed innocently. "I mean, we went out places along and had a good time."

"Yes, but I thought we were just hanging out," said Raven. "Like friends."

"I've never wanted to be just friends with you," said Paul. "I thought you knew that."

Raven felt like her head was spinning and she leaned back in her seat for a moment. Then she regained herself and quickly stood up. "I'm sorry, I need to get some air," she said and quickly left.

Paul stood up to follow her, but Peter stopped him. "I'll go talk to her," he said and followed after Raven.

She stood outside of the restaurant, pacing back and forth. This was all happening too fast. She couldn't believe it was happening at all. A sharp, cold wind blew and stung her exposed flesh. The little snow that had fallen had frozen to the ground, creating ice. It was very hard not to step in the wrong place and slip.

"Raven?" Peter said, coming out of the restaurant. "Are you okay?"

"How could you give him permission to marry me?" asked Raven. "I barely even know him."

"I've known him for seven years," said Peter. "And I know he'll make you a good husband. How could I not accept his offer?"

"But why couldn't any of you talk to me first?" she asked.

"What's there to talk about?" asked Peter. "A good man is in love with you and wants to marry you."

"But… but I don't love him," said Raven, looking the ground.

"Do you consider him a friend?" asked Peter.

"Yes," said Raven, looking back up.

"Then you have love for him," said Peter. "You can't be friends with someone you don't feel some love for."

"But I don't feel real love for him," said Raven. "Shouldn't I love the man I marry?"

Peter sighed and took Ravens hands. "Raven, you know I love you," he said. "And you know that I only want the best for you. And I know what's best for you, and that's Paul. Please, accept his proposal."

"Grandfather, how can I marry someone I don't love?" asked Raven.

"You will learn to love him," said Peter. "Or you will find that you already love him and are too stubborn to accept it. If you marry Paul, you won't have to be a superhero anymore, you can be near us, and you'll be happy."

"But…" said Raven, her mind racing.

"Your mother never listened to a word we, her parents, said," said Peter, sadly. "She refused to accept our help and preached that she knew what was right for her. I don't want you to end up like her, Raven. I don't want to lose you. So far, everything we've told you has been for the best. How is this any different?"

Paul sat alone in the restaurant, a small velvet box in his pocket. His leg was shaking nervously and he kept ringing his sweating hands. He looked up and saw Peter and Raven walk back into the restaurant and over to the table. He stood up politely and then all three sat down.

"Paul," said Raven, taking in a deep breath. "I… accept your proposal."