Riley's eyes widened as she stood in shock for a few seconds. She couldn't wrap her head around what just happened. She only looked from Lucas to the ring in front of her.

Finally, Lucas said, "Well?"

"Lucas, don't you think we should talk about this?" she asked, still in wonder.

"What's to talk about? I love you, you love me, we're going to stay together. What else is there?" he asked as he stood up. He took her hands and looked into her eyes.

"Riley, there is no other person in this world that I would rather be with. You are my future. And I know that no matter what, that will never change. So I see no reason why we can't get married."

"Lucas, I'm flattered, really. I love you, too," she said with loving eyes. "But I don't know how my parents would react to this. Oh my gosh, they're going to kill you!" she said, when the realization hit her.

"Don't worry about anyone else," he said softly. "This isn't about your parents or my parents or anyone else. It's about you and me. You said that you believe we'll be together forever. Why don't we start our forever, Riley?"

"But what are you going to do when my dad finds out?"

"I'll tell him that we love each other. And that we'll always be together. And that nothing in the world could keep us apart."

Riley smiled up at Lucas and had tears in her eyes from her happiness.

"So will you marry me?" Lucas asked again, showing her the ring again.

"Yes," she answered sweetly.

Lucas put the ring on her finger and picked her up to whirl her around. When he put her on the ground, she smiled widely. Then he leaned down and kissed her softly.

"I don't want to go anywhere else," Riley said. "I don't want this moment to end."

"Me either," Lucas replied, smiling his crooked smile at her.

"How about we just stay here then? We can just enjoy the moment together," Riley said. She pulled his hand to the bay window and sat down. He sat next to her and put his arm around her. She scooted closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder.

They simply sat in silence for a few moments, just letting themselves stay in the bliss that existed before they told anyone of their engagement.

Lucas finally said, "We need to tell them."

Riley sighed and said, "I know. But maybe we can just not tell them for a little bit. Let them keep their little girl for as long as possible. Then, when it's safe, we can tell them."

"What are you going to do, not wear the ring?"

"Well, not in public until we tell them."

"Riley, that's crazy. We just need to muster up some courage and go tell them. Besides, you know that if they found out we were engaged for even a few days without telling them, they would really kill us."

Riley sighed again. "Well then we'd better go break the news."

Lucas looked at her and stroked her cheek with his thumb and said, "Don't worry. It'll be okay. I'll be there."

"That's what I'm worried about," Riley said, sitting up. "My dad is going to kill you."

"On what grounds? He told me to follow my heart, and I did."

"Yes, but do you really think that this was what he meant?" Riley asked, holding her left hand out.

Lucas grabbed her left hand and stood up, pulling them both up.

He walked to the door and then, as he was about to open it, Riley yelled, "Stop!"

"Riley, we have to tell them," Lucas said.

"No, it's just that I don't really think you should be coming out of my bedroom and into the living room saying that you've proposed."

"Oh, right." Lucas said. "Do you want to come outside with me and we'll go through the front door together?"

Riley exhaled loudly. "Yeah, let's do it."

The couple then crawled out of the window and made their way to the street, where they walked into the apartment building. They went through all the hallways hand in hand until they got to the door of Riley's apartment. They stopped at the door and looked at each other, each searching for strength from the other. Finally, Lucas reached for the door handle and opened the door.