*A/N: I hope this will be a chapter you'll like just as much as I did writing it! Thanks for reading so far and please, don't forget to leave me a review!*

CHAPTER FOUR

One thing good about Alfred was the fact that Bruce didn't have to tell him things; he usually figured them out by himself, he could read him easily, and so, most of the times, he knew how to act depending on what Bruce wanted to do, without him actually needing to instruct him on anything. That night was no exception, as Alfred had 'coincidentally' wanted to work on the back garden, since the sun was setting and 'it was the perfect time to water the plants and tend them'.
It had been about a year since they had bought the cottage and now it was all furnished throughout. They kept it simple, not putting in too exquisite pieces of furniture, but nice and classy nonetheless. Bruce had cared for the technological equipment of the house personally, wiring the new communication system, connecting with the League satellite and other things, that neither Diana nor Alfred bothered to get busy with. He had set up a smaller replica of the Bat Cave's computer on the room he had selected within the first month of the purchase, not wanting to stay away from the world's villains, not even when on vacation.

The house grounds, though on a rocky mountain, were modeled in creating several levels of gardens, with the back ones being the biggest. Since they couldn't leave the Bat Jet out, on the helicopter carrier, they soon began the creation of an 'under-garden' place for the Jet. A lifted-open crypt door was out of the question, since Alfred had all kinds of plans for the garden there and a reclining level emerging in the middle of it every now and then would certainly ruin whatever was above it. So they went for a platform which would move upwards horizontally, along with the 'parking spot' of the Jet. Bruce would land the Jet underneath the platform and with the push of a button, the whole construction would move underground again, replacing the garden area that was lifted up and whatever was put on it intact. Alfred was okay with the idea and, under total secrecy, the work was complete within a month.

It was summer, and one of those days when the temperature was perfect. It was warm, yes, but not hot. It had a light, enjoyable breeze, but it wasn't too windy. It was ideal. Bruce and Diana had managed to steal three days off to visit their cottage, after being persuaded by Cassie and Dick that everything at the League was under control and they deserved some days to relax after working tirelessly throughout the whole winter. Alfred was once again worried about leaving Dick behind on his own at the Manor, but the young man managed to keep it tidy, no matter what he did when they were gone. Barbara helped put him under control and she was Alfred's greatest relief, for when they needed to go. He knew she could handle Dick and the house.

"Here." Bruce said, handing Diana a glass and taking a seat by her at the upper balcony. Diana sniffed the beverage.

"Mastic!"

Bruce nodded. "It's mastic liqueur. Alfred must have bought it."

"Cheers." Diana said, lifting her glass and they hit their glasses lightly, as the Greek tradition instructed, taking a sip afterwards. "It's nice." Diana commented, licking her lips clean.

"Yes…"

Several seconds went by, as the looked at the beautiful sunset.

"It kind of reminds me," Bruce said, clenching his fist over the glass, "of that day I came to find you in Themyscira."

Diana nodded in agreement. "Indeed."

"Are you glad I did?"

Diana frowned and looked at him confused. "What do you mean, Bruce?"

"If I hadn't followed you, you would probably be with someone else by now, leading a different life. But are you happy with how things turned out after I chased you?"

"What are all these doubts about my happiness all of the sudden?"

"I just want to know. Honestly. Are you happy, Diana? Truly happy?"

Diana huffed. "You're being silly. Of course I am. Have I shown you that I am not?"

"No."

"Then don't doubt it. Bruce." She said, turning to him and taking his free hand in hers, wanting to settle this once and for all. "You were the one I wanted from the very beginning and I got you now. I have everything, literally, and, honestly, not the house, not the Manor, not the jewels, not the clothes, not anything is what I want more. Nothing of that matters, because you are the only thing I desire the most. You, with everything that includes; your unusual habits, your mood swings, your peculiar sense of humor, your opinions, your likes and dislikes, your everything. I wouldn't change what we have for anything or anyone in the universe. Do you believe me?" Bruce simply took her hands in his and kissed them tenderly. "Then don't ever doubt that I'm happy again. If I have you, even if I have nothing else, I will still be."

Bruce heard her short monologue attentively. A warm, fuzzy feeling inside him made him feel quite uneasy; he still hadn't got used to it, even after three years. Yet, her words didn't make him feel any less nervous, but he hoped he concealed it successfully.

He dragged her to him and she came to sit on his lap. He cradled her closely. "Are you happy?" Diana asked, since the subject had gotten down to it.

"More than any man could ever ask to be."

"I'm glad."

"You're the most precious thing I've got. My treasure."

"And to think you had rejected me when I tried to give myself to you…"

"I told you it was a big mistake. Don't make me go over it again, please."

"I won't. It doesn't matter now."

"Yes, it doesn't."

Diana remained silent, sipping the remainder of her drink and rubbing circles on his chest. Bruce stroked her arm and sighed lowly. "I've been thinking…" Bruce said.

"About?" Diana asked, slightly alarmed by all his new concerns. It wasn't like him to commence many talks, but she guessed a good summer day can work miracles on anyone.

Bruce shrugged a bit. "The future, mostly."

"And what worries you?"

"Nothing. I said I was thinking, not worrying."

"Okay, my love. What exactly did you think about?"

"I told you, the future."

"What about the future, Bruce?" Diana asked, slightly frustrated. "Intergalactic communications? The progress of economy? The ecological destruction? What aspect of the future?"

Bruce finished his drink with just a quick sip, letting the drink burn his throat a bit and untie his tongue. "Us." He blurted out, regretting it immediately for some reason, even though he had rehearsed what he was going to say dozens of times.

"Oh. And what about us in the future? What kind of thoughts have you had?"

Bruce shrugged. "All kinds of thoughts. How do you see us in…a ten years' time, Diana?"

"Hm." Diana pondered for a moment. "Considering everything went well, we would still be living at the Manor. Dick might have moved out, with a girl maybe, who knows." Bruce thought that that wasn't what he wanted to hear, but he listened to her carefully. "We, um, we…"

"Yes?"

Diana felt her cheeks heat up. She didn't know if what she wanted to say would make him feel uncomfortable or not, but she decided that she shouldn't keep anything from Bruce, and spoke her mind. "We would have a child, maybe." Leaning on his chest as she was, she heard his heartbeat speed up.

Bruce subconsciously smiled. So she did see them as a complete family. That was good. It was a..'go'.

Bruce had spent three restless weeks, as his mind was going over the same thing again and again, never giving it up. Ever since that thought crept inside his thoughts, there was no way he could cast it away. He had been wondering where his life was heading to. Living with Diana for three years had definitely changed his perspective on many things, and the thought of a family with her didn't seem that repulsive at all. Not that they weren't a family already; she did act like a lady of the Manor, and she had been by Dick's and Barbara's side like a mother. Bruce also knew that they were completely devoted to each other, but the only thing that was missing was…something to make it a bit more official. It would solve many legal problems too, should anything come up.

"Yes, why not?" Bruce said. Diana almost sighed in relief.

"It'd be nice when the time comes."

"So, Diana." Bruce said decisively. "I love you."

"And I love you too." She said, turning his head a bit upwards, to meet his eyes. Could he really…?

"Do you want to spend your life with me, then?" Bruce asked, feeling his heart racing. Was he really doing this? Was he ready? All similar questions vanished, though, upon hearing her answer and having every fiber of his being rejoicing over it.

"Yes, yes, of course." She felt Bruce's hand shuffle in his pocket.

"Then there's only one thing left to ask." And so Diana saw the small, burgundy velvet box open before her and a stunning, platinum ring with a big diamond and two rubies framing it shone inside. "Diana, do you wish to become my wife?"

Diana lost her words for a moment. She hadn't expected something like that to happen-she couldn't say she thought it necessary either- but Bruce must have had his reasons. And truth was, she did want to spend her lifetime with him and being his wife would be…suiting. "Yes, I do." She finally said.

Bruce, from behind her, smiled genuinely, taking the ring out and placing it on her right index finger. "And so you are, as of now, Diana, Princess of Themyscira, fiancée to Bruce Wayne." They had indeed, taken the big step.

Diana fell on his chest again, flooding with all kinds of warm and exciting, affectionate feelings. "Thank you." She mumbled.

"I must thank you, for agreeing to grow old with me."

"I wouldn't like to grow old in any other way."

"You will grow old, right?" Bruce asked, remembering that Amazons were supposed to be immortal and he would absolutely hate it to be withering while she remained as beautiful and youthful as ever.

"Yes, Bruce." Diana replied, guessing his thoughts. "I revoked my immortality the moment I left Themyscira to defend the world of man."

"Although I'm not glad you get to die, I am glad to get to see your hair turn white, some day…"

Diana grinned and giggled a bit. She felt happy and blessed. Bruce wanted them to be together till the end of their days and, honestly, that was all Diana could ever wish for her personal life; him. "It's a very beautiful ring." She commented, not knowing what else to say.

"It…It was my mother's engagement ring."

"Oh, Bruce… You shouldn't have…"

"I wanted to. I bet she would want you to have it too."

Diana lifted her torso upwards, locking eyes with him. He had one of the happiest looks she had ever seen on his face. They were officially belonging to each other now.

Bruce gave her a light peck and lifted her up in his arms, practically running to their bedroom, for some post-proposal celebration.

OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO

Diana left Bruce to his calm sleep, silently getting out of bed, putting her nightgown on and heading to the kitchen. The sun had just risen, so she guessed it was pretty early. Alfred, predictably, was up already, drinking his tea over the oven. He was baking something.

"Good morning, Alfred." She greeted, taking a seat by the table, entwining her fingers over the table surface.

"Hello, Princess Diana." He replied, turning to her and placing his cup on a kitchen counter. The exquisite ring caught his fancy immediately and he couldn't contain a wide grin. "I suppose you have something to announce?"

"You suppose correctly." She said, with a playful smile. "Bruce and I are now…engaged."

"Oh, how wonderful!" Alfred exclaimed and bent down to share a hug with Diana and kiss both of her cheeks. It had been long ago since he last thought such a gesture was a little inappropriate for the lady of the Manor, as he now saw Diana as his friend, and she did so as well. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you!"

"Oh, my! We will need to start the preparations!"

"We are in no hurry, Alfred."

"When are you thinking of having the wedding, then?"

Diana shrugged. "Maybe next spring?"

"Okay. We have several months ahead of us. That is good."

"Calm down, my friend."

"Pardon me, Princess. It's just my excitement."

Diana grinned at him. "I understand." A captivating scent filled her nostrils. "What's in your oven?"

"Some sort of milk-pie. Galatopita, I figured they call it. I got the recipe from a lady I met in Larisa."

"It certainly smells fantastic…"

"Thank you! Oh, forgive me, Princess, I completely forgot about your breakfast!" Alfred almost squealed, turning to grab a dish and prepare her usual breakfast.

"No problem, Alfred. Don't worry."

"And where are you thinking of having the ceremony?" Alfred went on, grabbing bread and honey.

"I have absolutely no idea. We haven't discussed such details with Bruce yet."

"I see." Alfred turned to look at her again momentarily. "If my memory isn't failing me, I'd say this is Lady Martha's ring. Am I right?"

"Yes."

Alfred had noticed that Bruce had been searching around his mother's things lately and that something had been bothering him. When he saw him last night, he immediately understood that he would want to spend the night with Diana alone, and so Alfred was quick in finding something to engage himself until they secluded themselves in the bedroom. He hoped he would propose, but tried not to hope too much, in case he was just seeing things out of his excitement, because if he wanted one thing, that was to see Bruce as a groom. Then, he thought, he could die happy.

"It is a masterpiece, that ring." Alfred commented. "Sir Thomas Wayne had it specifically ordered for Martha. He wanted, he had told me, a classic diamond and two small rubies, as red was the Lady's favorite color. Platinum as the metal base, of course. Its craftsmanship is unparalleled, if you take a closer look, Princess. Mr. Parks, who made it, has passed away now and no rings like this are made anymore." He served her the breakfast dish and sat down too.

"I thought it must have been unique." Diana said. "I was surprised when he told me it was his mother's, to be frank."

"He was quite attached to her when he was little, I assume you know that."

"Yes, yes, I do."

"Well, now, let's not dwell in the past! The ring is worn on new fingers now, ready to accompany another bright, beautiful woman into the Wayne family." Diana smiled widely and then took a bite from her meal. "Have you thought of your bridesmaids?" Alfred asked, not being able to keep away from the subject.

"I have some ladies in mind…"

*Here it is, then! How did you find it? Leave me a small review below! Thanks for reading!*