Oh my God this promo!

seriously!

how are we suppose to wait until the 24th now? uh?

Who wants to buy a time machine with me?

Kate, Rick and Alexis had been in the Hamptons for a few days when Martha joined them the day before Christmas. Jim would also be able to join them for a few days since he had gotten out of the center. He had decided to move not to be tempted again by staying in the old family house where there were so many memories of Johanna and his drinking problem. He had moved in Kate's old apartment which hadn't been rented yet and he was to join them on Christmas Day.

Kate was really looking forward to this family reunion. It would be the first time her new family would be together. Johanna would be there too in a way. Rick had framed a picture of her and put it next to the Christmas tree on the chimney mantle piece. She had found it really cute that he had thought of her mother on this occasion.

Alexis was really excited over Christmas and was running and jumping everywhere when they decorated the tree the day before Martha arrived. Kate had not had a Christmas tree since her mother had died and she was really happy to do it with them. After dinner, the three of them decided to watch Christmas movies and Alexis fell asleep on her father. Rick went upstairs to put Alexis to bed.

When he came back down, he stayed on the stairs for a few minutes, looking at her. She was standing in front of the French windows, looking outside, a hand against her still flat stomach. She watched the waves crash on the sand, a dreamy look on her face. Her face was lit up by the lights on the Christmas tree and she looked so … young, and beautiful and perfect. He slipped quietly in his office. He had planned to ask her when her father and his mother were here but seeing her like that, he just couldn't wait anymore. And it was supposed to be an intimate occasion anyway. Right?

He walked behind her without her hearing or seeing anything and got down on one knee. He cleared his throat to get her attention.

"Hey Rick, I was thinking … oh my God!" Kate said, turning to him and stopping as soon as she saw him. "What's happening?"

"Kate. I love you. I know we haven't been together for so long but I love you and I'm sure that's never going to change. I don't know what it is but I will cherish it for the rest of my life if you make me the happiest man in the world. Kate Beckett, will you marry me?" He asked, opening the ring box he had in his hands.

"Rick! Oh my God … yes. Yes of course I'll marry you. Of course." Kate said, tears rolling down her cheeks, her eyes shining, a huge smile on her face.

Rick got up and took her left hand. Looking at her in the eyes, he put the ring on her finger, brought her hand to his lips and kissed her ring. Kate couldn't look away from it. It was just … perfect. A square diamond and smaller stones encrusted along the ring. It was so beautiful.

All of a sudden, Rick saw her smile drop and panicked.

"Kate? You don't like it?" he asked, his voice high pitched.

"No, I love it. It's perfect Rick." she said.

"Then what is it? You're regretting your answer?"

"No... it's not that. It's just … You're not asking just because I'm pregnant are you? Because if it's the reason, I'd prefer not to do this right now. I'll marry you but not now and ..."

"Kate, it's not because your pregnant." he said, taking her by the hand and leading her to the couch. "The other day when I told you I had a meeting at Black Pawn well, I didn't. I went to pick up the ring. I saw it one day when I was walking on the street and it just stopped me. It screamed your name and I knew it would be perfect for you. That following day, I called your father to ask him."

"Ask him what?" Kate asked, looking at him completely lost.

"I asked him … I know it's cliché but I had to do it. I needed to have his blessing before asking you."

"And he just said yes?"

"Oh no." Rick laughed. "He gave me the full speech before. Trying to scare me away with threats of bodily harm if I hurt his baby girl. But he ended up saying yes."

"And what if he had said no?" Kate asked, curious.

"Well, I'm really happy that he said yes but if he hadn't I would have still asked you. Your father's blessing is important to me but your answer is all that matters to me." he explained. "I planned on asking you on Christmas day when everyone was here but I saw you there by the window … it was just the perfect moment."

"Thank you. I love it." Kate said, looking at her ring. "And I love you. I'd be honored to be your wife." she said before kissing him passionately.

"You gave me quite a scare over there, I have to admit." Rick laughed.

"I know, I'm sorry. But I didn't want to get engaged just before I am carrying our child. I'm very happy to do so but I didn't want it to … change what we had." She tried to explain.

"Don't worry I get it. But I swear I planned on asking you before I even knew you were growing a human in here." Rick laughed, passing his hand beneath her clothes and caressing hers stomach.

"Do you mind if we have a long engagement?" Kate asked almost shyly.

"No, I don't mind honey. We get married whenever you want." he said, kissing her.

"It's just … I don't want to get married while I'm pregnant and when the baby is really young, it's not going to be easy. And I'd like him or her on the pictures with us and Alexis."

"Wow, you already thought about this, didn't you."

"I may have imagined different scenarios." She admitted. "And all of them had a pretty intense engagement celebration at the beginning." she said, kissing his neck just where she knew it would drive him crazy.

here is Kate's engagement ring: www.tiffany.fr/Engagement/Item.aspx?GroupSKU=GRP10056#f+0/1003/0/0/0/1003

Anything to say on this chapter? I'm all hears ;-)