Soul Mates

Summary: From the time they meet to the birth of their child and then on. HM: A New Beginning-Rachel/Neil

Chapter Eleven - Proposing

It was now Spring 2nd as Ninian was carefully and nervously making her way up to the mountain summit where she knew Neil would be now. She fingered the blue feather she had purchased shakily. She spotted Neil up ahead and moved her hands behind her back hiding the proposing gift.

Neil spotted her and called her over. Ninian slowly walked over to him. She stopped right in front of him, avoiding eye contact and stammered a greeting. She knew her face was beat red and turned a more darker shade when Neil looked concerned and asked if she was okay and if she was sick.

"Um… Uh… Will you…" She stammered out and suddenly just closed her eyes tightly and thrust the blue feather towards him. "M-Marry me!"

She heard him gasp in shock. She finally had the nerve to look up at him and saw he was blushing just as darkly as her and was opening and closing his mouth like a fish as he tried to force words out of his mouth.

"H-Hey wait. With me? Uhh…" He finally sputtered out. "Oh, darn it! Nina, come with me!"

He led her over right in front of the Harvest Goddess pond. He looked nervous but was smiling slightly.

"Oh man, proposing out of the blue with no warning. It's too sudden!" He said and noticing Ninian's upset frown quickly reassured her, "But I'm not saying I didn't like it, so I guess it's fine."

Ninian looked relieved and was smiling again as Neil took both of her hands.

"I couldn't imagine marrying anyone but you." He said with a smile of his own. "You feel the same way, right?"

"Of course! You're the only one for me." She said and gave him the blue feather.

He accepted it and smiled, "Ah, Nina. Let's get married." He hugged her tightly to him and then teasingly said, "The cooking will be your job. Don't you forget it."

"Yeah, yeah." Ninian laughed and pulled back a bit to look at the man she now can call her fiancée.

Ninian felt tears of happiness fall gently from her eyes as she beamed up happily at him. He reached up one hand to wipe away her tears lovingly.

"Nina, I'm happy you proposed to me." He murmured to her. "I guarantee that I'll make you happy."

Neil leaned down to kiss her as she leaned up to meet him half way. The pulled back and smiled lovingly at each other.

"Let's go, Nina." Neil said taking her hand and started to pull her towards town.

"Go where?" Ninian asked looking confused but following him.

Neil looked back at her.

"If we're going to have a wedding, we'll need the townspeople to help us out." He explained.

"Oh!" Ninian said in realization.

…

After locating and gathering Dunhill and Hana to Ninian's house, the two newly engaged couple told the good news.

"You're finally getting married, aye?" Dunhill said. "Congratulations to the both of you!"

Neil and Ninian thanked him. Then Dunhill turned to look at Neil.

"Neil… It's so good to see you happy." Dunhill said. "Remember to appreciate your family."

Neil nodded smiling.

"You two have known each other longer than most couples nowadays. You share a deep connection with each other." Hana added. "I'm sure you two will make a wonderful family. Good luck."

"Yeah, please keep watching over us from here on out, will ya." Neil said sincerely. "Oh yeah, Dunhill, can I ask you to marry us?"

"Of course. You and Ninian have done so much for me. It's the least I could do." Dunhill said proudly. "I'll do the best job I can. Is there anything else you need help with?"

"Please let me handle the wedding venue. Oh, and you two will be needing wedding attire as well." Hana said. "It's been awhile since we had a wedding. This is so exciting. You two can count on me."

"What day is good for you? I think Spring 9th would be just about right." Dunhill said. "Is that fine?"

"That's sounds good to me." Ninian agreed. "What do you think, Neil?"

"Yeah that's good." Neil said and turned to Dunhill and Hana. "I want to give this girl a nice wedding. I'm counting on you two."

Neil turned back to face Ninian, "Nina, the wedding's not far away. Be careful not to get hurt. You're the star of this wedding after all."

"I won't get hurt." Ninian said blushing softly.

Dunhill and Hana smiled at the couple and left them to start preparing for their wedding in one week's time.