Stay Strong Sorellina...

Chapter 3

The man crouching down on his knee was her true love... Gilbert. The ancient nation stared into Aqua's teary eyes and just grinned. His blue haired girlfriend just hid her face in her hands and ignored the fact that her charm bracelet, given to her by Gilbert, pinched her cheek as she quickly covered her face. The room was full of her sobbing and sniffling. Her white-haired boyfriend pulled her in for a hug and held her tightly. Oh how she missed her boyfriend so very much. Aqua threw her arms around his neck and continued sobbing into his very neat black uniform, with a white dress shirt, and bowtie underneath. It took her longer than everyone expected to silence her sobs of happiness to have her boyfriend back by her side again. The albino Prussian pulled away from his girlfriend and lifted her head with both of his hands caressing her cheeks in a comforting manner. Aqua's eyes were red and puffy with some tears still creeping out of her sparkling chocolate brown eyes. The trail of tears that fell down her mocha colored skin left a trail down her now red cheeks. Gilbert smiled and wiped her tears away. Aqua tried smiling, but whenever she tried she'd look down. He kept holding her gaze and finally spoke.

"Hello Schöne... I'm sorry for everything I said..." the albino Prussian began as he moved his hands from her cheeks and gently held her hands, "you know I would never try to hurt you... I was very stupid and I didn't mean to snap at you like that... I hope you'll forgive me". Aqua saw her boyfriend begin to tear up and smiled. She leaned in and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"I do forgive you…" his blue-haired girlfriend said in a soft and comforting voice. The Prussian smiled and returned the kiss on her cheek. Aqua blushed a light shade of pink and giggled. Italy jumped on the couch and sat next to his little sister.

"Ve~ I'm so happy you two have worked things out! Let's celebrate by making pasta~!" Aqua laughed a little about her big brother Italy's sudden outburst of something random, just as he always does to make her happy. Her other brother, Romano, sighed with frustration and dragged Italy by his ear back to his spot in line.

"Idiot! Wait until this damn thing is over!" Romano snapped at his brother, who was rubbing his ear in pain, and turned back to look at the couple at the couch. Gilbert looked back at the love of his life and smiled.

'I know I can do it… I just have to do it just as I had practiced...' the white-haired man said to himself as he felt the small, black velvet box he had hidden in his pants pocket. He cleared his throat and stood up, also helping Aqua up at the same time. Gilbert held her soft hands and took a deep breath and began his speech:

"Aqua ... when I first met you, I thought you were just another loud and obnoxious Italian, but boy was I wrong. You are a beautiful, intelligent, and very patient. I know I can be a handful at moments, but I love that you are able to deal with me when others have given up on me… you have stood by my side through thick and thin, even on our worst nights and I say I don't care if you left me you knew I didn't mean any of that. The majority of the crap that comes out of my mouth isn't true and you know it, but you continue taking my harsh blows and insults. I never want to lose you and I want to be by your side forever until I die. I want us to able to face the worst of problems together as if we are one country… I want to able to take care of you if you're sick and sad… I want to be yours and only yours for the rest of my life… and so with that being said…" he stopped speaking as he pulled out the small box he had hidden in his pocket and knelt down on one knee. Aqua's chocolate brown eyes began to tear up again as she placed a hand on her mouth with shock. All her friends were smiling and forming a semi-circle around the happy couple. Gilbert opened the box, revealing a beautiful, pure silver engagement ring with a ruby stone to match the color of his eyes. Aqua felt her knees getting weak, but remained standing and remained staring at her kneeling boyfriend.

"Aqua Veneziano… will you marry me, and make me the happiest man on earth?" He said as he held her left hand while showing her the ring. The blue-haired girl stared at him with a few tears flowing out of her eyes.

"Oh Gil… of course I'll marry you!" Aqua said as she threw herself at him, giving him a hug and knocking him off his feet. He landed on his back as she landed on top of him, with her head buried in his chest as she cried tears of happiness. Gilbert hugged her back and kissed her forehead. He placed the silver ring on Aqua's right hand and kissed her hand. Aqua looked up and had the biggest smile on her face. She couldn't believe that she was actually going to marry the man she loves. Everyone around the two engaged couple began to cheer and clap. Gilbert helped his fiance up and put his arm around her shoulder. Aqua looked at her two brothers who looked happy, especially Italy. She never expected to see Romano so calm and happy, with the exception of him being with Spain, it really pleased her.

"Vell, I believe ve have somezing to celebrate today" Germany said as he put his hand on his younger brother's shoulder. Aqua and Gilbert smiled then nodded. America dashed off with Canada and England to get food, obviously, while Germany and Russia went to get party supplies. Leaving the happy couple to spend some time with each other and appreciate what has happened to each other these past years of them dating which led up to this momentous occasion.