Disclaimer: Do I really need to say it? It should be obvious by now.

"Marry you?" she whispered. I nodded slowly, focusing on her hand, which was still in mine. I pictured a thousand different scenarios in my mind. She says yes, and we live happily ever after. She says no, and leaves again. She runs and never comes back... I shook my head, trying to clear it.

"Our incomes combined would be enough to support Joey, and he would be released back into our care," I rationalized, hoping that, if nothing else, she would do it to get Joey back. "He'd have two parents who would love him, and support him. But also because I love you, Mitchie. So, so much. I never want to let you go. Every time we're apart, all I can think about is you. And I know that you still don't think it's safe for me to be around you, but to be perfectly honest, I don't care. It's a risk I'm willing to take, one that I'd take anyday. I would wiling sacrifice myself to keep you and Joey safe, and there is no way you can tell me that that isn't love."

"Shane..." I held a hand up, cutting her off.

"And I know that it's not the best time to be doing this, but I figured you deserved some happiness after everything that you've been through. So, will you marry me?" I pulled the velvet box out of my pocket and sat down next to her, letting her see the ring. She gasped in amazement, and cautiously reached out to touch it.

"Yes," she said, smiling broadly at me. I grinned back, and slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly.

(Warning contains profanities)

"You ready?" I asked. Lola, Nate, Caitlyn and Jason were all sitting in the living room- our living room- waiting for us to come out and tell them what was so important.

"Not at all," Mitchie said grimly. "Let's go." I tried to smile, but it looked more like a grimace.

"What are you guys whispering about in there?" Lola demanded.

"Yeah," Jason said. "I don't know wbout you, but I have to get back to work soon."

"You mean watching birds?" Nate, of course.

"That's still work, man. I'm paid to do it."

"No, it's not."

"Yes, it is."

"No, it's really not!"

"Yeah, it really is!"

"No!"

"Yeah!"

"No!"

"Ye-"

"Guys!" Caitlyn shouted at the same time I hear the unmistakable sound of someone hitting someone else with a newspaper.

"Sorry," they apologized together. I pushed the door open then, and Mitchie and I made our grand entrance. They all immediately looked up at us.

"So what was so important that you stuck me in the same room as these two?" Caitlyn demanded, pointing at Ntae and Jason. In response, I held up my left hand.

"We're married," I said, unable to find a way to soften it. "Last night, we went to City Hall and got married!" Chaos ensued almost immediately.

"WHAT?"

"No way!"

"Oh my God!"

"What the hell were you thinking?"

"Shane, you bastard! You didn't tell me you proposed!"

"Seriously guys? seriously?"

"Guys, please, calm down. I-"

"Calm down? Calm down? You got married! There is no way in Hell I'm going to calm down!"

"Hey! Everybody just shut up!" I roared. Not even five minutes had passed, and I was already sick of listening to them yelling at us.

"Yes, we got married, and no, we did not tell anyone," I said.

"But we'll have a formal ceremony eventually," Mitchie interjected.

"And we both wanted Joey to be there. He's my son too, now, and he deserves to be at his parents' wedding. This was the only way we could figure would work."

"And you can help me plan it, Caitlyn," Mitchie said, seeing Caitlyn start to open her mouth. Caitlyn closed her mouth again and settled for glaring at me.

"What?" I demanded.

"Did you even think about inviting us? No!"

"Well, we did, but-"

"Then why are we finding out about this just now?" Caitlyn shrieked.

"Whoa, Caitlyn. Maybe you should join the police or the FBI or somthing," Lola said.

"Yeah, can we stop questioning Shane, now? Please?"

"Whatever. I have to go." Caitlyn brushed past me, and the other three followed soon after.

"Jeez, what the hell is her problem?" I asked, flopping onto the couch.

"Well, back before I was kidnapped, Caitlyn made me promise that I would make her a bridesmaid at my wedding. But now, I've gotten married three times, and she hasn't been there for any of them," Mitchie explined, sitting down next to me.

"Oh." Well, I suppose that made sense.

"Don't worry about it. She'll get over it eventually." Mitchie yawn widely and sagged against my shoulder.

"Tired?" I asked, smiling. Mitchie nodded, yawning again. I laughed and picked her up, carrying her into the bedroom.

"Shane, I have two legs. I can walk on my own," she murmured sleepily.

"Uh huh. Sure you can. Should I remind you what happened the last time you tried to walk while you were this sleepy?" She'd nearly walked staright off the dock at camp. Knowing her, if I let her walk right now, she'd plow straight into a doorway or something. As soon as I set her on the bed, she rolled over, burying her head in the pillows. I couldn't help but laugh, but stopped when she kicked me.

"Hey!" I 'complained'. "What was that for?"

"You know very well what that was for, Shane Adam Gray." She sprawled all over the bed, leaving no room for me.

"What, now you're not going to let me on the bed?"

"No."

"Very mature, Mitchie." in response, she stuck her tongue out at me. "Well, then, I'm just going to have to... tickle you!" I ticked her sides and her stomach, and she squealed and tried to shift away from me.

"No! Shane, stop it!"

"Say you love me."

"Fine! I... I l-love you!" she gasped inbetween laughs. I kept on tickling her.

"And let me on the bed."

"Okay, okay! Just stop tickling me!" I obyed and she rolled back over to one side. I climbed onto the other side and gathered her in my arms.

"I hate you," she said, narrowing her eyes.

"Love you too," I said, and kissed her nose.

Okay, so the next chapter will be the last one, and then there'll be an epilogue. A sequel is possible, cause I have a few ideas for one. However, none of them are really catching, so don't count on one. PLease review!