I knocked on the Villenueva front door promptly at nine thirty in the morning. My suit was dark grey and crisp, I was freshly shaved, and Jane's ring was securely stashed in my pocket.

The front door swung open. "Rafael?" Jane asked, surprised. "I didn't know you were coming over."

I wrapped my arms around her waist, kissing her on the cheek. "That's because I'm not here for you." I teased.

Alba bustled towards the door. "Dejar un poco de espacio para que el espíritu santo." Leave some room for the Holy Spirit.

I released Jane. "Of course. Are you ready to go?"

Jane looked between us suspiciously. "What's going on here?"

"I'm taking your lovely Abuela to church and lunch." I gave her my biggest grin.

"Sí, y tenemos que ir o vamos a llegar tarde." Yes, and we have to go or we'll be late.

"Of course." I replied, opening the door for her. "We'll see you later, Jane."

Jane looked like she wanted to say something, bit with that, we were out the door and heading towards my car. The service went well. Alba seemed to like having me there. After the service she introduced me to what felt like the entire congregation. Everyone seemed to be Alba's friend. As we got in the car I turned to her. After speaking Spanish for two hours, it felt like we were both speaking English.

"I had no idea how popular you are." I said, starting the car.

She smiled and nodded. "Not popular. Blessed with a close church family. You and Jane will have the same in time."

"We will." I said confidently. "I've been taking classes to get confirmed. Don't tell Jane. I want to surprise her."

"Oh, Rafael! That's wonderful. You'll have a full mass, then."

We pulled up at the restaurant, and were quiet as we were seated and as we ordered.

"So this has been a lovely morning." Alba said, before taking a bite of her food.

"I've really enjoyed myself this morning. But I did have an ulterior motive for asking you here."

Alba smiled. "It's about time. You've had my blessing since Thanksgiving."

I blinked. "That was easy. Thank you. I'm always amazed by your faith in me."

"Some people say you're the fantasy. But I think you're kind, generous, and stable. You're the obvious choice. I look forward to having a grandson." She nodded.

"Thank you, Alba."

"Once you're engaged, I'm Abuela."

"Of course." I replied. "Do you want to see the ring?"

She looked excited. "Yes! Let me see."

I pulled out the box and opened it. "Oh, Rafael! It's beautiful. She'll love it."

"I hope so." I replied. "It didn't go so well last time."

There was a fleeting twinkle in Alba's eye. "This isn't last time."

"It's not." I agreed. I told her about my proposal plans as we ate, and she told me the story of how her husband had proposed to her on the way back to her house.

We were laughing as we made our way to the front door. "Abuela, one more thing."

"Yes?"

"The in law suite? It's for you. I'd like you to live with us when you're done living here. Whenever that is."

"I don't want to interfere in your marriage." She demurred.

"It doesn't have to be tomorrow, it's whenever you want. Family is so important to Jane, and to me. We would both love having an ancestral home with you."

She put her hand on my arm. "Thank you, Rafael. I would love that. When the house is too empty for me."

The door opened in front of us. "What are you two doing out here?" Jane asked.

"Just talking." I said with a grin. "Did you miss us?"

Jane rolled her eyes as we followed her inside. Alba launched into the story of all the people I met at church, what all their reactions were, and how the service went while I played with Mateo.

After a few hours, I had to leave. There was an event for me to oversee at the hotel.

"I'll walk you out." Xiomara said, surprising me. Her smile seemed tight.

"Thank you." I replied politely, opening the door for her. We walked in silence to my car. She was going to say no. My heart dropped. How long would it take to get her approval? Would I ever get it? She looked down. "You have my blessing."

I stared at her, not understanding. "What? Why? I mean, I'm ecstatic. Thank you. But you seemed-"

"Unconvinced." Xiomara supplied. "I'm not sure you're right for Jane. But you make her happy. I can't stand in the way of that."

"Thank you. Thank you so much." I said, but she was already walking back to the house. It wasn't the blessing I'd been hoping for, but it was her permission. It was good enough for now.

Two weeks later it was here. The day was finally here. The construction was complete, and the house had been professionally cleaned. I was wearing the light grey suit Jane liked, and the ring was in my pocket.

I picked her up at six. "Have you seen it, yet?" She asked, getting into the car.

"Just for a quality assurance walk through." I replied. "Not to appreciate it."

"You must be so excited!" Jane exclaimed, rubbing my arm.

"I am." I replied. "You look pretty excited yourself."

"I am." She replied. "What are the chances they would finish it on Valentine's Day?"

Well, a ten thousand dollar bonus had certainly motivated them, but I kept that to myself. I pulled the car up in front of the house and we got out.

"Are you ready?" I asked, catching her hand in mine.

"Of course." She said, kissing me lightly on the lips. I opened the front door, revealing the new floors and paint. "Wow." Jane breathed next to me. "It's beautiful."

"Isn't it? I knew you'd pick well. Let's check upstairs first." Two bedrooms were now neutral colored guest rooms. "Should we ever decide to have more, we can repaint then."

Jane looked at me quizzically. "Would you want more?"

I shrugged. "I think so. We'd need to adopt or find a donor, and you'd have to be on board. But I love being a father."

"You're an amazing father." She smiled at me, nibbling on her lip. "I like having more kids on the table. In the future. When I'm published and done school."

I smiled at her. "Done." We went to the next bedroom.

"Rafael!" Jane gasped, marveling at the jungle themed mural on the walls. "Look at this! It's amazing. You're amazing."

"I'm glad you like it." I said, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her on the cheek. As she turned to kiss me back, I let her go. "We can't get distracted, remember? We have a dinner reservation."

Jane sighed. "Okay, you're right. Let's see the aquarium bathroom. I hope it didn't change too much, I really-" As we walked into the bathroom, she drew a breath in. "It's exactly the same!"

"Of course." I responded. "It made you happy, and Mateo's going to love it. I want you both to be happy."

She kissed me on my cheek as we passed what would be the twins' room, a pink room with a pink ceiling fan that had a pink chandelier attached to it. Jane laughed. "Not all girls like pink, you know."

"Call it an homage to the original character of the house. Besides, if they don't like it, they're the childen of Petra and Zaz. They'll somehow smuggle in paint, repaint it, then convince everyone that was always the color."

Jane laughed. "You're going to have your hands full."

"We're going to have our hands full." I corrected, kissing her.

We finished walking the hall down to the master bedroom, and opened one of the double doors. The walls in the master were eggplant, making the room feel intimate. Jane and I looked at the his and hers closets, appreciating the design.

I opened the door to the bathroom, hoping Jane would like what I'd chosen. She grabbed my arm. "Look at this place!" Gone were the pink chandeliers and the mirrored jacuzzi, instead the room was done in a Caribbean sand colored marble. The shower was glass enclosed, probably big enough for six. There was an excessive three showerheads. The jacuzzi was replaced by an oversized claw footed tub custom made from the same marble as the floors.

"Do you like it?" I asked as Jane walked into the room.

"Like it?" Jane breathed. "It's incredible! It should be featured on a design show!"

I smiled, kissing her chastely. "Are you ready to look at downstairs?" She nodded, biting her lip. I wondered if she was anxious about something. I cleared my worries from my mind as we got back to the main floor.

We wandered through the living room and dining room, marveling at the difference the floors and wall colors made.

"Rafael, look at the kitchen!" Jane gushed. "I can't believe you get to eat here! It's so beautiful." She lovingly stroked the quartz counter top of the island.

"Thanks to you." I murmured, lifting her hand to my mouth. Her eyes darkened with desire. "Come on, two rooms left."

Jane furrowed her brow. "Two?" I ignored the question, and dragged her in to see the in law suite. "Cherry." She said with that small smile of hers. "For Abuela. That's so thoughtful."

"I try." I said, forcing down the lump that was trying to stick to my throat. My nerves were finally arriving in full force. I ran a hand through my hair, before taking a deep breath. I put my hands on her shoulders. "Turn around." I murmured.

She did, and she saw the doors for the first time. She raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember seeing that there." She walked out of the in law suite, and grabbed the knob. The doors were heavy, actual Victorian antique. She pushed one open with a questioning look and we stepped in. I closed the door behind us as she stared at the dimly lit room in front of her.

There was an enormous dark cherry desk on dark cherry floors. Two entire walls were completely covered by built in shelving, which I had partially filled with Jane's favorite novels. The third wall was almost completely taken over by an enormous bay window, and the walls were crimson.

Jane turned to say something to me, but stopped. Behind me was an entire wall of white camellias. She stood there, gaping, as I got down on one knee.

"Jane, I've put a lot of thought into this. Today is 365 days that we've been together. I went back through the calendar and counted each and every day. So happy anniversary. Back in November, I told you I wanted you at your worst more than anyone else at their best. The week before I decided that I would do anything to get you back. Then, like a sign, this house was for sale. I bought it planning this proposal, knowing how perfect this writing room would be for you, hoping we would live in it as a family. I even had the in law suite renovated with the assumption that Abuela would come live here some day. Jane, I love you. I want forever with you, I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. I told you once that I've never felt this way about anyone before, and that's terrifying, in the best way. You make me feel alive, happier than I've ever felt, happier than anyone has any right to be. Jane, you are the most kind, generous, wonderful woman I've ever had the good fortune to accidentally impregnate." I pulled the box from my pocket, opening it to reveal the ring inside. The reasonably sized center stone was surrounded by three bands with pave diamonds that became one band at the bottom. "I knew this was made for you the second I saw it. The three bands becoming one represent the Trinity in marriage, you, God, and I making a promise to each other. Jane, will you marry me?"

"Yes! Yes! Of course!" Jane was giddy, almost shaking as I slid the ring onto her finger. I couldn't tell if she was laughing or crying. Then she launched herself into my arms, kissing me deeply.

"Thank you." I muttered against her lips. "I had to beg three people for permission to marry you."

Jane laughed, running her hands against my back. "Who gave you the hardest time?"

I kissed her soundly again. "Your mother. She initially asked for more time to think about it. Then almost a month later, about two weeks ago, she gave me permission."

"Well it's a good thing you asked me to grab your cufflinks, then." Jane teased, running her hands through my hair. Suddenly everything crystallized in my mind.

"You looked in the wrong drawer and saw the ring box?"

She smiled. "I wasn't sure. I mean, it could have been earrings or just an empty box you came across. I didn't open it. But I was so excited I could barely control myself. I texted Ma a picture right away. And the next week I think it was all I could talk about!"

I smiled and kissed her again. "Well thank you for getting me your mother's blessing."

"Well thank you for asking her. For asking all of them. It really means a lot."

"I'd do anything for you." I replied. "I love you."

"And I love you." She replied. "Now can we fool around?"

I kissed her again. I couldn't keep my lips off her. "I wish." I replied. "Everyone we've ever met is at the hotel waiting for us to show up and celebrate our engagement."

Jane grinned, the little wicked smile I'd been seeing more of recently. "Tonight, then. You and I are having a sleep over."

I took a deep breath in. Only three more months.

A/n: Eight chapters to find out the secret room is a glorified office. That happened. XD

If anyone is interested, Jane's ring is the Cartier Trinity Ruban. I did a garbage job describing it! -K