Anya awoke slowly the next morning and for a second, she forgot the events of last night. The feel of the ring on her finger reminded her and she smiled. Last night, Marcus had proposed to her, and of course, she had said yes. She turned around to see her brand new fiancé asleep beside her. She really did feel at peace. A few years ago she never thought she would have this kind of life. Not only was the world getting closer to some kind of peace, but she was now going to spend the rest of her life with the man she had always loved. She remembered back to the days when Marcus was in prison. Life was hard without him and with the war raging on there were times when she thought that she may never see him again. But here they were still together against all the odds. She knew that their relationship was stronger because of it. She watched him sleep for a while, she didn't have the heart to wake him and it was quite early still.

Marcus slowly opened his eyes to the morning light, to see his beloved beside him already awake. He couldn't be happier that Anya had said yes last night. Part of him thought that she wouldn't, but then he always thought that he wasn't good enough for her. He knew that he had to work his hardest to be the best possible husband that he could be. He pulled her close to him, the two hadn't said a word yet but there was really know need. The shared happiness they felt said more than words ever could. It was a long and hard road but Marcus had finally found some kind of peace. He was so thankful to Anya for sticking by him over the last two years. For a while he hadn't exactly been the easiest person to live with. But she never gave up on him and he was so glad that she didn't.

"Good morning" Marcus finally said

"It really is" Anya replied.

Marcus gently took her hand in his to look at the ring. Anya smiled.

"Just making sure that last night wasn't a dream" he said.

"I don't think any dream could be that good"

Marcus smiled at her. She loved it when he smiled. It was something that he'd started doing more and more as the time went on. Anya couldn't wait to tell her friends the good news. But she wanted to check that Marcus was ok with people knowing.

"Marcus. I was wondering. Would you mind if I started telling people our good news?"

"Of course not. Why would I mind. We're not a secret any more"

"I don't think we ever really were. People knew"

"Yeah. That's true. But you can tell whoever you want sweetheart"

Anya smiled as he rarely called her that. He really was turning into a big softee. They laid there for a while until they knew it would be too lazy to lay there any more. They didn't have anywhere to be. Marcus had arranged for them to have some much deserved time off. He intentionally arranged it to be the week he proposed so they could spend some quality time together. Or so he could recover if she had said no. They both got up and dressed and made their way out to get some breakfast. On there way they ran into Sam.

"Hey guys. You enjoying your time off"

"Oh yes very much" Anya said. She couldn't contain herself as Sam was one of her best friends.

"In fact we have some news" she said.

"Oh"

Anya looked at Marcus and he nodded at her. Anya simply held up her hand to show Sam the ring. Sam wasn't a typical girly type of girl but she reacted the same way any woman would finding out that one of her best friends was getting married. Sam put both of her hands over her mouth in surprise.

"Oh Anya, I'm so happy for you two" She said pulling Anya into a hug. She knew Marcus wasn't really the hugging type so she just gave him a friendly handshake.

"Your the first one we've told. Well you were the first one we saw"

"Well, I'm honoured to be the first"

"So Sam, now that you know, would you mind keeping it quiet until we've told everyone?" Anya asked.

"Of course I don't mind" She replied. "Hey, let me see that ring again" Anya showed her the ring again. "Wow, it's so beautiful"

"It was my mothers ring" Marcus said. "I found it in my fathers belongings.

Sam was reminded then of all the people Marcus had lost over the years. She was glad that he had found happiness.

"Well congratulations to you both, and I wish you all the happiness in the world."

"Thanks Sam" Marcus said.

"No problem. Well, I better get to work. I will catch up with you guys soon"

"Ok. See you later" Anya said.

Sam went off to start the day. "I hope I can keep this quiet" She thought to herself.

Marcus and Anya made there way to one of the cafés on Azura. They ordered some coffee and pancakes.

"So" Anya began as they were waiting for their food. "Sam seemed pretty happy for us"

"Yeah. I knew she would. I don't think anyone will be shocked I'm sure they will all be happy for us. Is there anyone your afraid to tell?"

"Well, Maybe Hoffman. He is the closest thing I've ever had to a father"

"Shit, I should have asked his permission first" he chuckled. "But seriously. I hope he's ok with it."

"I'm sure he will be Marcus. He will probably be proud of you for it"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. He will probably say, it's about damn time."

"That does sound like him"

"Do you think him and Bernie will ever tie the knot?"

"I dunno. Maybe" he said. "Then theirs Baird and Sam to"

"Yeah. Who saw that coming"

"Oh, I did"

"Your kidding" she answered surprised. "They were always fighting and arguing"

"Yeah. But I reckon that was just their way of flirting. I don't think Baird is the romantic type"

"Well according to Sam, when there alone, he is quite different. And really sweet. I kinda find that hard to believe. Saying that, you can be sweet and I bet a lot of people don't realise that. It's ok, I won't tell anyone. Wouldn't want to spoil your bas ass reputation"

Marcus chuckled at that remark. But he certainly didn't want everyone thinking he had turned into a big softee. That was a side of himself that he saved especially for Anya. They enjoyed their breakfast and chatted while they drank their coffee. They got a few looks in the café as they has almost become a bit of a celebrity couple here on the island. Him being the famous war hero, even more so after the locust war. Her the daughter of the famous major Helena Stroud. They didn't like the attention, especially Marcus. He had been asked for his autograph quite a lot, especially by young gears who wanted to be just like him. He was famous alone for being the one who killed the locust queen. Of course the Fenix name would always be famous because of his father. That's something he had just gotten used to after a while.

"Does it bother you?" Anya asked

"What"

"The attention we get"

"Kind of. But I'm used to it. Does it bother you?"

"Honestly? I kind of like it"

Marcus rolled his eyes. "Really?"

"Yeah. Why shouldn't I enjoy a little attention. It hasn't been an easy life. Hey. Maybe we could get a free breakfast" Marcus gave her a look. "I'm kidding"

"Yeah. You don't want to milk it too much"

One of the waitresses came over to clear the table once they had finished. She couldn't help notice the ring on Anya's finger.

"Hope you don't mind me asking, but, is that an engagement ring?" the waitress asked.

Anya thought no harm in telling the waitress, but then Marcus surprised her.

"Yes it is" he said. "We are engaged as of last night.

Anya was surprised that he told her so freely.

"Oh well congratulations. That's great news for your both. Tell you what. Breakfast is on us today"

"Oh that's not necessary" Anya said.

"Please. We insist"

"Ok, well if you insist"

They shared a look after their waitress had gone.

"Looks like we did get our free breakfast after all"

Short update for now but I will update as soon as I can.