In the weeks after Ivan was released from the hospital, things were looking up for everyone.

Jessica took care of Ivan while he took a few days to regain his strength at home, and he was as optimistic as ever by the time he went back to the church. They were also growing closer and closer every day.

Sarah and Gunnar were officially married, and Sarah's baby was born. Today, everyone was gathered for his baptism.

"What's the name of the child?," Ivan asked.

"Ivan Lambert Andersen."

'Aww, so sweet.'

"Ivan Lambert Andersen...," Ivan said with a smile, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen."

"Thank you," Sarah said.

"You're welcome. Come back," Ivan said.

"No time."

"We're going to Indonesia," Gunnar said.

"Interesting. Because of the tigers?," Ivan asked.

"No, I plan to play tennis again. They have the best courts."

"You're always welcome."

"We have to go."

"Don't you have to change?"

"I'll do it in the car."

"Come on, Gunnar," Sarah said.

Jessica went up to Gunnar and hugged him goodbye. She stroked the baby's hair and kissed his forehead.

"Goodbye, Ivan. Be good for mama and papa."

Ivan wasn't sure what it was, but he couldn't help but feel warmth spread through his body at the tenderness Jessica showed to little Ivan. He felt his heartstrings pull.

It was going to be six years since they had met in a few days, and he wanted to do something special for her. He was so grateful that she came into his life, that he wanted to convey exactly how he felt about her. Suddenly an idea popped into his head. A crazy one, but it would accurately let her know how much she meant to him.

August 7, 2006

Ivan and Jessica were enjoying a small dinner at home. Ivan was trying to contain his giddiness at what he had planned for his Jessica.

"You know today it's been six years since we've met?"

"I was just thinking about that today, actually. It seems like we've known each other longer though, I find."

"I concur. I think we should do something special, don't you?"

"I wouldn't refuse," Jessica said with a small laugh.

Ivan smiled and got up from his chair, holding his hand out to her. She took it, and he led her to the coat closet.

"Put on a jacket, then. We're going for a walk."

"But it's starting to get dark, and the sky looks like it's going to rain..."

"We'll be back before it rains. Now, put on a jacket. Trust me."

Jessica slipped on her red fleece jacket as Ivan put on a sweater over his oxford shirt.

They walked down the stairs and hopped into the van.

Ivan grasped her gift he got her in his pocket, saying a quick prayer that this would go smoothly.

"Ivan, are you okay? You seem nervous."

"I'm fine. I'm just so happy we're finally together," he said, reaching for her hand and bringing it to his lips.

"Ever the charmer," Jessica said with a smirk.

Ivan returned her smirk, still holding her hand.

'I'll need all the charm I can muster,' he thought to himself.

They pulled up to a small park. They both got out of the van, and began walking.

"This is pretty romantic," Jessica said, nudging Ivan with her shoulder.

Ivan grinned and halted their walking. He turned Jessica to look at him. They leaned their faces closer to each other, their eyes fluttering shut. Ivan lightly pressed his lips to hers in a soft kiss. He held her head in his hands as she hugged him.

Jessica pulled away slightly, smiling.

"I feel so lucky to have you," she said, nuzzling into his chest.

He held her head tightly to his body and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"And I feel privileged to call you mine, darling."

They continued walking hand in hand until it started to rain. Jessica let out a small squeak at the cold water coming in contact with her skin and began laughing. Ivan laughed along with her.

They ran into a small gazebo next to a pond.

"You're all wet," Ivan teased.

"We both know it's not the first time I've been wet around you," Jessica said flirtatiously.

Ivan looked at her in shock for a moment then began awkwardly laughing.

"You're not wrong."

They both laughed, then cozied up to each other as they watched the rain pour.

Ivan felt like now was the right time to give her what he got her.

"Jess, I have a gift for you."

Jessica turned to him and eyed him suspiciously.

"May I ask what it is?"

"Close your eyes, and when I say "open", open them."

Jessica closed her eyes and heard light shuffling.

"Okay, open."

When she opened her eyes, her breath froze. Ivan was on one knee holding a ring box.

'Oh... my... god...,' she thought to herself, unable to move.

"Ivan...," she said softly, her eyes starting to mist over.

"Jessica Nicole Larsen, words can't describe how much you mean to me. When we met I knew you would be a big part of my life, and it took me almost never being able to have you to make me realize that I never want to be without you. You took a broken man and made him whole again. And there's nothing I've ever wanted more than to make you my wife. Will you marry me?"

Jessica threw herself to her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck, crying.

"Yes! Yes, of course I'll marry you! Oh, Ivan," she said, crashing her lips to his.

She pulled away and rested her forehead against his. Ivan slid the ring onto her finger and pulled her into a tight hug.

"When would you like to have the ceremony? Do you want it to be just us? Where do you want to honeymoon?," Ivan asked enthusiastically.

"Why don't we go home and we can start planning?," she said with a glowing smile.

"Excellent idea!"

They ran back to the van and rushed back to their apartment. As soon as they parked, they booked it up the stairs and through the door. They entered the dark apartment. Jessica set the van keys on the table, then turned to Ivan.

"So to answer your questions: as soon as possible, we're pretty reclusive, so I think a small ceremony with Adam for a witness, and I'll let you pick where we go for a honeymoon. As long as I'm with you, I'll be more than happy."

Happy tears sprang to his eyes almost instantly. No one had ever made him feel the way she did, and she genuinely meant everything she said.

He grabbed her again and kissed her deeply, not wanting to let her go. She began to kiss back, her hands wandering down to his belt. He pulled away looking down at her.

"We've made it this far without having sex. I think we can wait a little while longer," he said, running his hand through her hair.

"We can, but that doesn't mean we can't do other things...," she said in a soft seductive voice.

"... Such as?"

She gave him a predatory grin and led him to the sofa. She gently pushed him down onto a cushion and delicately dropped to her knees in between his legs on the floor.

Ivan felt like he was going to burst with anticipation as he watched her unbutton and unzip his pants. He lifted his hips slightly so she could slide them off, along with his boxers. She took a moment just to look at him. He was already semi-hard.

She wrapped her hand around his shaft and gave it a few light strokes. She could feel his muscles tense and heard him take in rugged breath. He looked down to see she had him in position and was simply awaiting his approval. He nodded his head and watched as she parted her lips and took him in. He quietly gasped and gripped the edge of the cushion.

Once she adjusted to the feeling of him in her mouth, she began to slide her hand and her mouth up and down a little faster, earning a few groans from him. The sounds he made and the look on his face motivated her to pick up the pace.

"Jess...," he breathed out.

She bobbed her head up and down faster and faster as he knotted his hands in her hair.

After a few more intense pumps with her hand, she heard him let out a loud sigh, and felt him erupt down her hand. She glanced up at him to see he threw his head back and was breathing heavily, eyes closed and mouth slack.

As she was catching her breath, she felt herself being lifted into the air and slung over Ivan's shoulder.

"Anxious, are we?," she asked teasingly.

He took long strides to his room, walking to the bed, and flung her onto the mattress. He made quick work of stripping her bottom half and snaked up her legs until his head was level with womanhood.

"Beyond comprehension," he said, looking up at her through eyes darkened with lust.

He started licking and sucking between her legs with such fervor that she was taken breathless. He lightly grazed his tongue over her clit several times. When he knew she was at the peak of her arousal, he spread her lips apart and shoved his tongue inside her. He swirled his tongue around, hitting all the right spots.

Jessica's mind was blank. This may not have been what she was craving, but she was certainly not one to complain.

'Anticipation just adds to the satisfaction,' she reminded herself.

Ivan gently raked his teeth up and down, dragging his tongue along her slit. He slipped a finger inside of her as he went back to teasing her engorged bundle of nerves.

Jessica was hypnotized by the combination of wet sounds and feeling of his long fingers and mouth working magic. Her muscles began to contract, and a pleasant burn was forming in her stomach that reached her core. Her muscles clenched around his fingers, and with a couple of final long strokes, she let out a loud moan, gasping for breath through her orgasm.

Once Ivan was sure she was finished, he withdrew his fingers and mouth and scooted up the bed to lay his head on her chest. Her hands went to his hair and she lightly ran her fingers through the soft strands. He laid there listening to her heartbeat as they both caught their breaths.

"... I think we need to set the wedding for as soon as possible," Jessica said with a nervous laugh.

"I believe you might be right, darling," Ivan said with a hushed laugh. "Is there anyone I should ask for permission to marry you?"

Jessica thought for a moment.

"Nope. We can get married as soon as you see fit."

"How about in a couple weeks? It'll give us time to plan and we can make sure everything is in order."

"That's doable. I don't necessarily want to wait for sex another two weeks, but I'll endure," she said dramatically, making Ivan chuckle.

"Believe me, it won't be a challenge just for you."

Jessica felt her eyes getting heavy. She gave Ivan a warm smile, which he reciprocated, and started drifting off to sleep. Ivan moved his head up to the pillow and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Goodnight, Jess."

"Goodnight, darling."

They wrapped their arms around each other, and held onto one another tightly. Jessica glanced up at Ivan, who was fast asleep, and dozed off with a small smile.