Leah leaned back into Jacob's arms on the couch. They had the house to themselves for the moment, which was a rare treat. She teased him, "Ya know, Jake, if I'd known that seeing me naked would capture your heart, I'd have phased in front of you a long time ago."
"Nah, I wasn't that impressed," he said with a smirk. "It was actually dancing with you that made me fall in love with you."
"Oh, really? You enjoy having your feet stomped on?" she laughed. Leah went to the stereo and found a light station, then motioned for Jake to join her. She snuggled her head against his warm chest and wrapped her arms around his waist and they waltzed slowly around the living room.
"Leah, all kidding aside," he murmured into her hair, "I have no intention of leaving our future up to some random pairing to be decided by fate. I absolutely know who I want to spend the rest of my life with."
Leah looked up into his face. "Anybody I know?"
Jake leaned down and kissed her tenderly, lowering her onto the couch. Before she could react, he bent down on one knee and took a small box out of his pocket. "Leah, I love you. Nothing on earth can ever change that. I want to spend every day of my life with you. Will you be my wife?"
Leah couldn't speak, She managed to nod as the tears started, and he slipped the ring on her finger. It was a small diamond in a simple platinum setting, and Leah thought it was the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen.
Seth flew into the room, leaving a startled Paris on the doorstep. "What did you do to her?" he growled in Jacob's face. He had only seen his sister cry once before, at their father's funeral. All through the imprinting fiasco, she had stubbornly refused to break down.
"Whoa, slow down, Seth! I asked her to marry me," Jacob laughed. "And I think she said 'yes!'" Seth grabbed his sister in a bear hug, then shook Jake's hand, muttering something unintelligible about women.
Paris came in just in time to catch the news, and she ran to Leah and hugged her, then admired her ring. Leah hugged back, murmuring "I'm so glad I have a sister to help me with wedding plans."
Just then, they heard Sue come in the back door. Leah put her finger up to her lips in a "shhh" gesture and went in the kitchen alone. Sue looked at Leah's tear-stained face in alarm. "Honey, what's wrong?" Not a sound could be heard from the group that was eavesdropping in the living room.
"M-m-mom, Jake's not my boyfriend any more," Leah whimpered. Sue put her arms around her daughter, patting her back and anticipating the worst. "What happened?" Leah held up her left hand and announced with a grin, "Now he's my fiancé!"
"Now I don't know whether to be mad or happy!" Sue declared, hugging Leah tightly. "Let me see that ring! Aww, Leah, it's beautiful. I'm so happy for you! Now where's your fella?"
As Jake came into the kitchen with a big grin on his face, Sue smirked "Oh, it's this guy? Get over here and give your future mother-in-law a kiss!" As she hugged him, she whispered "You'll never have any problems with me as long as you treat my daughter with love."
As he kissed her cheek, Jake whispered back "Then we'll be fine, because I will always love her, Sue." Seth, Leah, and Paris all smiled. They knew something that Sue tended to forget - there's absolutely no point to whispering in front of werewolves and vampires.
"This calls for a celebration," Sue announced. "Chocolate cake and milk or coffee, all around! Paris, I wish I had something to offer you," Sue said, filling the coffee pot with water. "Jake, would you get the cake plate from the top of the refrigerator?"
"Leah, I just have to be the mom for a minute. Are you guys sure you're not rushing into this?"
Leah laughed. "I guess it does seem sudden, Mom. I mean, we've only known each other for 18 years! But no, to answer your question, we both know it's right. And to answer the question you didn't ask, no, I'm not pregnant," she chuckled. Jake choked on his cake, and Sue jumped up and pounded on his back until his color returned to normal. She refilled his milk glass with a shake of her head.
"On a lighter note," Sue said, "have you made any plans?"
"No, it's all new to us too," Leah explained and added softly "There are just two things I know for sure. When we do get married, I want Seth to give me away, and I'd like Paris to be my maid of honor." She turned to Paris and explained, "You're like a sister to me, and I'd be honored if you'd accept." Paris beamed at her and nodded, not trusting her voice.
Seth embraced his sister and grinned, "I can't believe Mom is finally going to let me give you away! I've been wanting to do that for years!" He whispered to Leah "Dad would be thrilled," and kissed her cheek.