Chapter 87

Ten minutes later after much bickering over which movie would be best, Pitch Perfect was in the DVD player. Alan found himself watching his girlfriend more than the film; she was much more captivating in his honest opinion. When the credits scrolled down the screen, Jessie stopped the DVD and got up to take the disc out and return it to its case. The iPod sitting on the dock was turned on causing soft music began to play. Jessie then returned to the warmth of Alan's chest, snuggling into him and sighing contentedly. Alan felt overwhelming gratefulness and wonder that the remarkable woman in his arms chose him. He could not imagine his life now without her and did not want to.

Alan had been thinking a lot recently about when and how he should propose, trying to come up with some kind of plan. He had been carrying around the ring in his pocket, just in case. He and Jessie had not talked about marriage directly but he knew that she loved him, and he most definitely loved her. He hoped she would say yes. He mulled over it again; what would Jessie like most – planned or impromptu? Small and intimate? He figured, based on what he knew about her that she would not mind, just as long as the question was asked. He rubbed his free hand's palm on his jeans. Thinking about this was making him nervous. He looked down at Jessie snuggling into him. He realised that he didn't want to wait – not knowing. Alan wanted to be her fiancé.

Alan leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Hey, can we talk about something?" He asked, gently tapping her arm.

"Yeah, sure," she replied, sitting up to face him.

"Okay," Alan began. His heart was pounding. "I've been doing a lot of thinking about us, our relationship and what the future holds and… I've concluded that I want to live the rest of my life with you," he took her hands. "I love you, Jessie Louise Mills," he took a deep breath and slid from the couch onto one knee. He let go of one of her hands to grasp the ring box. Jessie's eyes widened and a gasp escaped her lips as she realised what was happening. A smile graced the face hidden behind her hand.

"I love you with all of my heart, Jessie. Will you marry me?" Alan asked. He opened the ring box. Jessie grinned and nodded.

"Yes," she replied simply.

An enormous grin spread across Alan's face as he brought his, now, fiancée's mouth down to his for a loving kiss. When they finally pulled apart, Alan slid the ring across Jessie's finger.

"Oh my God," Jessie said in disbelief, realisation dawning on her face. Reality setting in. "You just proposed. We're getting married!"

"We are, Jess," Alan grinned, kissing her again. Jessie beamed at him. Alan lifted off his knee to sit back on the couch.

"I was so not expecting that when you came over this evening," Jessie laughed.

"Neither was I," Alan responded. "It just felt right,"

Jessie took a moment to admire her ring. It was simple but elegant – a larger diamond in the centre, with two smaller ones either side.

"I know it's cheesy, but I got it inscribed," Alan said gently. Jessie raised her eyebrows. Still smiling, she eased the ring off to look at the inside.

'May the Magic never end'

"I love it," Jessie said. "and I love you,"

OoOoO

The following morning when Jessie went into work, Anna instantly noticed the change in her disposition from the day before. Jessie was radiant from happiness. Hunter, thank goodness, was again off site.

Jessie hummed as she shuffled papers around her workspace.

"Alright, what has you in such a good mood?" Anna asked lightly.

Jessie sighed happily and spun around to look at Anna. With a grin, she lifted her left hand up, the ring sparkling in the light. A smile spread across Anna's face.

"Congratulations!" she exclaimed, embracing her colleague tightly. She pulled away. "It's beautiful. So, when did Alan propose?"

"Last night, right out of the blue! Afterwards, he told me that he had been thinking about it for a while…I can't believe we're going to get married! You know for a while, I didn't think I would meet someone who accepted me – all of me, you know. My last serious boyfriend, as soon as he knew my secret, high tailed it out of there – he never told anyone, but…"

"I understand. Fortunately for me, my boyfriend changed at the same time as I did," Anna gave a half-smile. "But Alan accepts and loves you for you,"

"I know," the beam returned to Jessie's face. "I love him so much – I can't wait to spend eternity together,"

"Okay, you have to tell me everything. Details!"

OoOoO

After a long discussion, including the comparison of proposals, Anna and Jessie actually started working.

A few hours later, the receptionist, Tracy, knocked on the office door.

"Hey, Anna, Mr Preston would like to see you in his office,"

"Okay, I'll be right there," Anna replied, "Thanks, Tracy,"

Anna hoped that this meeting with her boss would be about the Hunter problem. She hoped Hunter wouldn't try anything stupid.

OoOoO

Anna knocked on the door of Warren Preston's office before going inside. Preston gestured for her to sit down and she did so.

"As you are aware, Mr Tasman's application for transferral is currently being processed. I need to go over everything for the reports," Preston said. Anna nodded in response. "You suggested the transferral because, and I quote, you 'believe that his talents would be better put to use elsewhere," Preston continued. "Anna - that is a rather vague answer. The fact that you've asked for the process to be sped up tells me that you're keeping something from me. I've known you long enough to know that there is something else bothering you. You are usually one to shy from politics and movement of staff – why is this time different?"

Anna opened her mouth to say something, but she did not know what to say. Her mouth shut again. Preston sighed.

"Okay, I understand that you don't want to draw attention to whatever this is, and I think it is noble that you want to send Hunter on his way without character assassination, but I need to know the truth,"

Anna nodded. She knew she wasn't going to get out of this one.

"Sir, I'd rather not explain the exact nature of what happened, but the reason I filed for his transfer was because he has made Jessie and myself uncomfortable in our workspace. He has made is particularly uncomfortable for Jessie. She asked me to put a word in; she did not want attention drawn to herself,"

"What is the nature of the discomfort? Has he assaulted her in any way," Preston asked.

Anna paused. She needed to word this carefully.

"No sir," Anna replied. Preston looked visibly relieved. "He has been making crazy and unsubstantiated accusations, and he has been making threats and become increasingly obsessed,"

"What kind of accusations," Preston asked. Anna took a deep breath. She needed to play the 'crazy' card.

"He has been accusing Jessie of being a mermaid, sir," Anna cleared her throat, uncomfortably, "and has threatened to expose her and do whatever it takes. Recently, he poured a glass of water on her in the printer room to prove his point, only she just ended up wet. I am finding his obsession is hindering my team and upsetting us,"

Preston's eyebrows were raised.

"Mermaids?"

"Yes, sir," Anna replied.

Preston started chuckling.

"No wonder you don't want him around, wow, mythical creatures? Please," he chuckled again, shaking his head. Anna was relieved at his response. "Has this obsession hindered his ability to cope with his workload?"

"No, sir, he is still capable. It is however, affecting our workloads,"

"Right, a transfer still seems like the best option. Hunter will be joining us in a few minutes – to discuss his impending transfer and his behaviour recently. I'm sorry,"

"Okay," Anna replied. Her nerves began to build again.

OoOoO

The door opened and Hunter walked in. A scowl crossed his face when he saw Anna. His expression quickly changed into a façade of professionalism. Preston welcomed him in.

"Mr Tasman, would you please take a seat,"

A/N: Hey everyone! Look it's another update! It's a miracle! :P Consider this my Christmas present to you all :D I hope you enjoyed it.

I hope the proposal lived up to your expectations. I was going to write it last chapter, but I ran out of time and I wanted to upload that day.

Anyway, I hope you are still enjoying the plot line. My next update won't be until sometime in January. I'll see you then.Please review - they inspire me to write faster and better.

Thanks so much to YaleAceBella12, HybridsRose, Mermaids Forever, Mrinetooth101, Sammiloveschocolate, CrazyHayniac, and Acgisme for reviewing the last chapter. I really appreciate it!