Five years earlier

Cidney was bent over a coffee table covered in books, her hair falling out of a messy bun, mug of coffee cold beside her. The lines on the books were starting to swirl and the words were beginning to float off the page as she sat twisting her ring. She groaned and rubbed her temples.

"Have you been up all night?" Ward's voice was still filled with sleep.

Glancing at the clock she nodded, "Just wanted to make sure I know everything for tomorrow."

"If you don't get some sleep you won't be able to remember anything." He sat beside her.

"You're right...just stressed...what if…what if I fail them Grant?" her right hand wandered to her ring.

He took her hands pulling her to his side and she rested her head on his chest, "Then you'll just be some dumb, small, business owner with a B.S in business management and in accounting."

"Grant" she started up annoyed and he shushed her.

"I'm sorry" he soothed. "I know you want this." She settled back down into his chest, "You were worried about all your exams these past two years. You'll pass these too and get your Master's." he ran his fingers lightly over her back to calm her.

He felt her growing heavier against him as she was slowly overtaken by sleep.

"I know you'll get this. And one day you'll have your own business." He kissed the top of her head, "I'm so proud of you, Cid."

"I love you, Grant." Cidney whispered

"I love you too." He answered softly resting his chin on top her head till she fell asleep. Gently he scooped her into his arms and carried her to their bedroom. He laid her on the bed and pulled covers around her. After settling in on his side he draped his arm over her. She stirred and snuggled closer to him with a sigh of content.

….

"You should eat something" Ward prompted.

"You know I can't eat when I'm nervous." She stopped twisting her ring and gathered her mess from the coffee table.

He sighed and shook his head, "Come on. Five bites." He pushed his bowl of oatmeal into her hands.

Cidney wrinkled her nose, "I don't like food that looks like it's already been eaten."

Ward rolled his eyes, "Fine have some cereal. Or a granola bar."

She shoved a few grapes in her mouth.

"You need more than that. You barely ate dinner last night."

She wrapped her arms around his waist stilling him, "Grant, I'm fine." she spoke assuredly "I promise." She added when he looked down at her doubtfully.

"I don't want you to make yourself sick." He stroked her cheek.

She smiled widely at him and took his face in her hands "I know...I'm sorry. How about three bites of the oatmeal?"

"Four." He countered, "And they can't be small ones."

"You have yourself a deal."

She turned to the counter and he wrapped his arms around her as she ate. She showed how hungry she really was when she ate more than four bites. "How about" he kissed her shoulder "I take you to dinner tonight." He kissed her neck, "To celebrate."

Cidney giggled as his breath tickled her neck and leaned into the affection, "I won't have my results back by then."

"Who cares?" he whispered in her ear, "We can celebrate your hard work." He squeezed her tighter.

"Okay." She turned in his arms and ran her hands over his chest, "My last exam starts at 3. I should be home by 5:15 at the latest."

"Taking your time on the exam I see."

"Better safe than sorry." She replied

"Agreed. Alright I'll see you tonight. I'll make the reservation for 6:30. Does that give you plenty of time?"

"Mmm better make it seven."

"You seriously need that much time to get ready?"

"Hey like I said better safe than sorry. Besides beauty takes time."

"You always look beautiful to me, sweetheart."

A blush crawled up her face and he laughed, "We're engaged and I can still make you blush as easily as I did when we first started dating."

"Well Grant Ward you just have that affect on me." She stood on her toes and pulled him down for a kiss, "I'll see you tonight."