He realised she had been antsy for weeks and was resigning himself to the fact that this was going to be a longer absence, maybe even the end of this particular run. It had already lasted much longer than he had ever expected. She dragged him out for a walk down by the lake, and he could see that she was battling to find the words for whatever she had on her mind. It almost made him want to say goodbye, just so she didn't have to, but something held him back. He didn't want this to end, and he wasn't going to make it easy for her, not this time.

She stood staring out across the shimmering water, lost in her thoughts. He watched her for a while, drinking in her beauty, imprinting this moment on his mind, sure that this would the last time in a long while. She looked so alone though, that he was impelled to go and put his arms around her. She leaned back into him, savouring his warmth, before she twisted in his arms to face him. Looking more vulnerable than he ever remembered having seen her, she looked into his eyes, and whispered "Yes."

He could only stare at her, still thrown by her vulnerability and not really understanding what she meant by the single word.

Her eyes downcast, she continued, "If you still want me, of course. I realise the offer may not be open any longer. I can't say I blame you if it isn't, but if it is, then my answer this time would be yes."

He sorted through her babbling, and thought that maybe, just maybe, he knew what she was talking about. It seemed a little unbelievable, but Amanda had always specialised in surprising him.

This time it was his turn to silence her with a gentle finger to the lips.

"Give me a moment." He looked around them again, and let his mind go back to that day, two years ago, two years ago today if he was correct.

"Are you saying that we came here, to this place, on this day, for a reason?"

Her eyes still on the ground, a small nod was his only answer.

"And that if I asked you a question, the answer would be yes?"

The small nod again.

He hooked his finger under her chin, gently raising her face to his. He waited until her eyes were forced to meet his, before he leaned in to brush a gentle kiss against her lips. Still holding her gaze, he stepped away from her. She looked a little lost, unsure as to what was happening.

"Then let me do this properly."

He took her hand, raised it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on her fingers.

"Amanda, my love, will you marry me?"

"Really?"

"You make my heart glad, you always have."

"Yes."