Her eyes must be deceiving her.

It must be an illusion before her…

But no, it wasn't. There was her Jim running towards the inn, probably oblivious that she was peeking out of the curtain. But, he was safe.

All caught up in herself, Ariel threw the door open and ran out into the worst of the storm. Jim's eyes widened and his strides lengthened and he quickened towards her. She crashed into him with arms outstretched and ear pressed up against his rapidly beating heart held captive by his rib cages.

His arms held her tight to him, and they stayed there with the rain pouring on them. They didn't want to let go of each other-to break such a moment, but they knew they had to. And finally they looked at each other, foreheads pressing up against the others, and stared into each others eyes.

He spoke first, "I thought I lost you. I didn't know what I was going to do with myself if I had actually lost you."

"You'll never lose me, Jim. Never."

"Tell me something, Ariel, please."

"Something."

"You know what I mean."

She chuckled and blushed a bit, nodding, her water heavy bangs bobbing up and down.

"Ariel, did you mean what you said that night?"

"What part?"

"The part about loving me."

"Of course! Yes!"

"Then will you do me a great honor?"

"And what will this great honor be?"

Jim smiled softly at her as he got down on one knee and pulled out the box his mother had given him just moments before this occasion. He opened it, but not all the way so the ring would not get wet until it was on her finger.

If she accepted.

If she doesn't accept, I don't know what I'll do. I'll be so embarrassed and then this will be awkward… but I love her. And she said she loves me. What's not going to work out? Jim thought as he cleared his throat.

Ariel stared at him, awed, not knowing why he was getting his knee so muddy.

What on Montressor is he doing?! She wondered, staring at him peculiarly.

"Ariel… will you marry me?" he finally asked, exposing the ring so she could see.

She stared at him baffled, not knowing what to say. Her voice must have escaped her because she opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out. She tried again, and a rushed chorus of, "This must be a joke! Where are the cameras? Ok, fun's over everybody! Come on out, you got me! Ha ha ha. Come on out now!" instead pooled out.

Jim's eyes filled with anguish and hurt and maybe tears, but she couldn't tell the rain and tears apart on his face. She suddenly got down on both of her knees, ruining her dress in the mud, to be face-to-face once again with him. She looked him over; earring in one ear, hair pulled back in a now soggy limp ponytail, cerulean eyes waiting, scar under one eye, dripping hair. He was gorgeous, and she knew it.

She threw her arms around his neck, causing him to fall on his back with her on top of him. Her lips crashed onto his as her eyes closed and fireworks ignited behind her closed eyelids. His eyes bulged, alarmed, and his lips were a tense line. But he relaxed, wrapped his arms around her waist, kissed her back and let his eyes slip closed as well.

And that's how they stayed for a while, too wrapped up in each other to give a care about how muddy they were getting, how they were soaked to the bone. They had each other and that was all that mattered.

When they finally did part, all he saw was a beautiful maiden with crimson hair, aqua eyes and creamy skin. When they finally did part, all she saw was a handsome man with brownie-colored hair, sparkling blue eyes and battle scars in the reflection of a scar and earring.

"You still didn't answer my question." Jim teased, propping his upper body with his two elbows.

She looked at him, made a face and said, "What? The kiss wasn't enough of one?" in such a funny tone he just had to laugh. And she laughed along with him, loving the feeling she had in her chest at seeing him so… happy.

"Please, can we answer the serious question with an answer that contains words?" he laughed in-between gasps for air.

"Aw, but you know you love kisses better."

"Serious answer containing words first, kisses soon after. I promise."

And suddenly the laughing stopped and they were both quiet. This was decision time.

What are you waiting for? You know you love him. And yeah, maybe he has his flaws, but so do you and he deals with you. He is the one for you.

She looked up from the ground and stared at her anticipating love interest. Then she broke into a smile, tackled him in another mind-spinning kiss and as they finally broke for air, she whispered into his ear the answer to his question.

"Yes, James Pleiades Hawkins, I would love to marry you."