A/N: Hi folks, sorry it took me so long to update but this chapter was really hard to write. This is all I may have time for in the next couple of weeks because I'm starting a new job and I want to make some money! I'll update when I can, I just don't know when that will be. PLEASE review.

Chapter 23

"Daddy?" I ask as we're walking back up the stairs to where the lab and the other lab people are. "What are you doing?"

"Almost to my office space," he mumbles. When we get there he sits me down in a chair and reaches into his desk. I see him pull out a little black box. I've seen those before, but I don't actually know what's in it. It's made of velvet.

"Can I see, Daddy?" I ask, reaching for it.

"Yep, just be careful," he places the box in my hand. I open it gently. That's what Mom always tells me, 'gentle gentle'. So I am... I always make sure that I hold things with two hands. Now I see what's in there.

Daddy's bought Mom a ring.

CSI NY

I'm walking down the hallway, looking for Maddie. I'm not worried, though. I know that if she were to get into trouble, she's in good hands. I trust Mac and Stella, and yes, I'll admit, Danny too. I would trust everyone from the crime lab with my life. I've always had a special bond with these people, and now that I've come back with Maddie, the bond is even stronger.

I still don't have a place to stay, so I guess Maddie and I would be crashing at Danny's place. I can't go back to Montana now, Maddie is to attached to her dad. That's all well and good, but I do wish we had more time so I could move all our things out of the apartment and put it up for lease. I guess I could ask my sister to do that... Maddie and I are by no means extravegant, and it shouldn't take her very long.

Oh, I see Danny and Maddie walking down the hall hand in hand. I don't know what they have planned, I... is that a smirk I see on my daughter's face?

CSI NY

Hee hee, this is so cool! Daddy's gonna surprise Mom. I didn't like that we were going to move to New York before, but now it's not so bad. If Mom and me can stay with Daddy and be a family I wouldn't mind that one bit. I could go to school here and make new friends and just be Maddie. Sure, I would miss Grandma and Grandpa Monroe, but they'd still visit at Christmas and Easter. Grandma and Grandpa Messer don't seem like very nice people though. Maybe it's just because I'm not used to them yet and I don't know them very well.

Daddy and me have this plan now. He's going to hide in his office and I'm going to run out to find Mom. I have to tell her to close her eyes and I'm going to lead her to Daddy's office. When I tell her to open her eyes I'm gonna move over and Daddy is gonna ask her to marry him. I hope she says yes! I love Daddy, and I know Mom does too. Sometimes she just doesn't want to admit it.

I know Daddy is nervous, he's jumping up and down and up and down. Not big ones, little ones.

"Okay Maddie, there she is." Daddy whispers.

I walk out and grab her hand, like I'm supposed to. She asks me what I'm doing.

"Close your eyes, Mommy," I say.

"Okay..." she says, playing along with this little game I'm leading. I take her to Daddy's office and I don't let go. I sit her down in a chair, and I wait until Daddy says it's okay for me to let go of her hand. When he says okay, I let go.

"Okay Mommy, open your eyes." When she does I jump out of the way and Daddy still hasn't taken the ring out.

"Lindsay..." I hear him say. "I am so happy that you have come back into my life and brought this... this little miracle with you." I guess he means me. There are tears in his eyes, and Mommy's hand is covering her mouth.

"I... I can't imagine my life without you and Maddie, Lindsay. Will you marry me?" he says, taking out the ring.

"YES!" Mommy nearly shouts. Daddy slides the ring on to her finger and pulls her up. He kisses her.