Chapter Fourteen

"Hey, Hermione?" Draco called, his voice carrying throughout the apartment. For once, he wasn't nervous. He knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that this was the most important question he'd ever ask, but it was also the easiest. This question gave him the forever he always dreamed of.

"Yeah, Draco?" Hermione asked as she leafed through the mail. She had just gotten home from work and her attention was divided, so she didn't see Draco sitting on their bed, spinning a beautiful diamond solitaire around his pinky.

"Do you remember me asking you about your wedding?" He questioned with a smile and a chuckle when her gaze snapped to him. Her small gasp was answer enough, and he wanted to smother her with kisses as he watched her eyes bounce between his face and the ring he continued to play with.

"Do you remember me telling you that I thought about one part of my own?" At her slow nod, he continued, "You remember me telling you that it wasn't important?" Again she nodded. "I lied."

Hermione's brow furrowed, she wasn't following him. She tried to redirect her attention, but her eyes were once again drawn to the sparkling ring he kept toying with. She could barely breathe because she was so, so eager to hear that question. The one question she felt like she'd been waiting her entire life to answer.

"I say I lied because I always knew the most important part, the only part I truly care about anyway," Draco murmured while standing and making his way to her side. "The one thing I knew, was that you would be wearing a gorgeous white dress, while Richard walked you down the aisle. To me."

Hermione didn't even try to stop her tears but swiped at her eyes furiously. didn't want to miss a second of this moment because of blurry eyes.

"You've been my whole world for as long as I can remember, Hermione Granger," Draco whispered, brushing his thumb across her lower lip."You're all I need, and I swear I will do everything in my power to make you happy if you'll just say yes. Please? Please, marry me?"

Twin smiles broke free when Hermione sobbed out a yes. Of course, they both knew what her answer would be, but it didn't diminish the excitement they shared. A year, or six months, or two weeks from now, depending on what they decided and how eager they were, they'd say those timeless words and become husband and wife. All because he had asked and she had answered. He could have asked a million times and her answer would never change.

"Hey, Hermione?" He whispered against her lips.

"Hmm?" She smiled.

"I love you. I love you in dangerous and terrifying ways," he said with a slow, blissful grin.

"Good," she laughed, her amber eyes radiating love and joy. "I wouldn't want you any other way."