A/N: Today is December 23! (Christmas Eve Eve)! Tune in tomorrow for another great chapter! Read, leave a review, and reread!

ENJOY!

(Chapter Fifty-Two)

A Big Step

Seven o'clock rolled around and Jesse walked to the café to pick Clara up. As she opened the door, he stood in awe.

"Clara," he began, choking on the words. "You're so beautiful."

She smiled up at him, and took his offered arm as they walked out into the cold night.

"Clara, I – "

"Yes, Jesse?"

"I – I . . . I – Oh, Clara!" he faltered.

"What, Jesse? Is something wrong?" she asked, concerned.

"No, no. Nothing's wrong. I just," he paused. "I just need to ask you something," he blurted out.

"What is it, Jesse?" she held her breath.

"I – gosh, I didn't think it would be this hard. Just let me get it out all at once, please?"

"Alright."

"Clara Stanton," he started holding her hand and getting down on one knee. "I love you. Will you marry me?"

She stood there gazing at the man in front of her and the beautiful ring box in his hand.

"Please, Clara, please say yes," he pleaded in only a whisper. "If you don't want to marry me, just say so now and save me this agony of waiting. Please, say something."

"Jesse, I . . ." her voice was shaky.

Panic entered his eyes. Was she about to say no?

"I love you too, Jesse. Of course I will marry you. Yes!"

He jumped from his crouched position. It was rather uncomfortable, he had to admit. But Clara is worth all the pain in the world!

He kissed her and she squealed in happiness.

"I love you, Clara Stanton."

"And I love you, Jesse Flynn."

He slipped the elegant yet simple ring on her finger and pressed his lips to it.

"Now, shall we go have some dinner?"

She smiled at him. "Yes, but can we wait one moment?"

"Yeah. What for?"

She turned to him and kissed him, and he immediately reciprocated the feelings. That was definitely her answer and he loved it. He loved her. He loved her glowing smile, her beautiful green eyes, her sweet smelling perfume, the way she looked at him. He loved everything about her. And she was his now! What a thought! I will love her and protect her for the rest of my life!

He swung his arm around her shoulder and down her back as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

Neither one wanted this moment to end. The solitude. The love they shared. Once they stepped into the café, it would not just be the two of them and they would be watched by all the town gossips. Jesse knew he would not be able to hardly touch her without one of the ladies talking about them. And Jesse didn't want to make his fiancé uncomfortable.

My fiancé! What a thought!

They slowly walked into the café for their Christmas Dinner. Now there were two reasons to celebrate.