RICKY'S POV:

I let the hot water cascade over my body and shut my eyes, an image of Brax and I that had been popping into my head ever since Heath and Bianca had announced their engagement a week and a half previous. Swallowing a lump in my throat as I got to the part where Brax handed me the ring box, I opened my eyes and sighed heavily, switching the water off, grabbing my towel and wrapping it around my body before making my way out of the shower cubicle…

"Ric, you almost done in there?" Brax's voice questioned

Making my way out of the en-suite bathroom, I smiled at him warmly as he stood leant against the wall waiting for me to finish…

"You okay?" he asked

"Tired, it's been a long day" I replied "looking forward to climbing into bed"

"You know I'm proud of how far you've come, don't you?" he questioned "today and coming off your medication is just another step"

I nodded my head, signalling yes… "Thank you for being there every step of the way"

He reciprocated my smile and kissed me softly… "Nowhere else I'd be. I won't be long"

"Okay" I stated, watching as he made his way into the bathroom and shut the door behind him

By the time Brax was done in the bathroom I was about to climb into bed. Watching him as he pulled his t-shirt from his body, I smiled contentedly and pulled back the bedcover, swallowing a lump in my throat as I saw a box on my side of the bed…

"Brax…" I spoke, finally finding my voice

"Yeah?" he questioned

"What's this?" I asked, picking up the box

"Why don't you open it and see?" he suggested, raising an eyebrow at me

I glanced at him and then back to the box, slowly opening it, being greeted by a white gold band with a simple and understated diamond set in the middle. It was perfect…

"Is this what I think it is?" I inquired

"What do you think it is?" he asked

"Are you asking me to marry you?" I questioned

"What do you say? Fancy it?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow at me

"Only if you ask me properly" I replied, smiling at him warmly

"Where's the Ricky Sharpe who was or wasn't bothered about me asking her to marry me gone?" he asked

"You heard that?" I questioned

He nodded his head, signalling yes, a smirk on his face as he moved onto the bed and kneeled on it opposite me. Taking the box from me, he pulled the ring out and held it in front of me…

"You know I'm no good with words" he admitted "so I'm just gonna come out with it. Ricky, will you marry me?"

"Yes" I replied, pursing my lips together as the tears filled my eyes

Smiling at me warmly, he slipped the ring onto my ring finger on my outstretched hand and pulled me down onto the bed on top of him, a squeal escaping my lips…

"I love you" he informed me

"I love you too" I mirrored, pressing my lips against his softly

RICKY'S ENGAGEMENT RING:

. /0005428/18ct-White-Gold-Diamond-Solitaire-Engagement-Ring/p

Happy engagement, Ricky and Brax…