Author's Note: This is a short chapter, but do not fret. There is. So. Much. Fluff! We've got one more chapter left! Enjoy! :)

I step into his room, biting my lower lip at the sight of him. There was a bandage covering his chest, but oddly enough, he looked peaceful. He was asleep and I was sure that this was a much needed slumber.

I sit at the chair near his bed, reaching for his hand immediately. I bring my legs up to my chest and let my cheek rest against the back of his hand.

I listen to the beeping of the machines as I keep my eyes solely focused on Denny. After a few minutes, I feel my eyes begin to droop and finally succumb to the slumber that I was in need of.

The next morning, I feel a slight nudge on my shoulder. As I look up, my breath catches in my throat at the sight of Denny awake. I rub the sleep from my eyes and take his hand into my own, kissing the back of his hand gently.

"You're – "

"You're wearing my sweater," he points out.

I smile. "I missed you."

"I feel like a brand new person," Denny grins.

Slowly, I stand from the chair and sit at the edge of his bed. I lean down and kiss his forehead, shutting my eyes as I feel tears brim the corners of my eyes. He was here. He was okay.

"Jess?"

"You're okay…"

"I've got a long recovery ahead of me, but I'm fine. Take a listen. Come here." Denny gently nudges on my hand and I slowly lie next to him. I rest my cheek against him and smile at the sound of his normal heartbeat.

"It sounds amazing…" I say, glancing up at him.

"I feel amazing."

We remain in each other's arms for the rest of the day. I only get up to allow Dr. Stevens to inspect him and to also get us food. It was much different than the previous days. We both knew that after Denny was safe to go home, he wouldn't be coming back to the hospital unless they were for check-ups.

I shut my eyes, comforted by the sound of his heartbeat and his arms circled around me. I could lie next to his side forever if I had the opportunity to.

"So… Can I touch a boob now that I'm healthy?"

I arch my brow and look up at him, laughing quietly. Without responding, I take his hand and push it underneath my shirt before allowing his warm hand to cover my breast. I bite my lower lip and watch his reaction, looking directly into his eyes.

"Wow, okay. I was not expecting you to do that." Denny grins, squeezing me gently which causes a quiet whimper to escape my lips.

"That's enough. You just got a new heart. We can wait." I blush, pulling his hand from my shirt. He playfully pouts, but breaks his façade by allowing a small grin to line his lips.

"Thanks for staying by my side," he adds.

I grin, "I would do it all over again if I had to."

"Well, let's hope you won't have to. I'm done with this place. Once I'm discharged, I'm not coming back unless it's to make sure my heart is doing what its intended."

"I know. I just meant that I don't regret my decision with staying here."

Denny smiles, bringing a hand to cup my cheek. I instantly lean against his touch. There was no way I was going to ever let him go now that he was healthy.

"I'm so glad I bumped into you that night," he says.

"Me too, even if you were a bit of a smartass. You were charming and very straightforward."

"It's all part of my charm," he winks.

I quietly laugh, burying my face against his neck. He tightens his arm around me, but remains mindful of his fresh scar.

"Are you doing okay?" I ask.

He nods, "You'll know if I'm not. Besides, Dr. Stevens has been checking up on me every other hour."

"That's because Dr. Burke is still cautious. He says you're prone to blood clots, so they're keeping a close eye on you."

"Better to be safe than sorry, I suppose." Denny kisses my cheek and lies back against his pillow, letting his fingertips run along my arm. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, of course," I reply.

"Marry me."

I clear my throat, looking into his eyes. He was serious.

"That wasn't a question."

Denny playfully rolls his eyes, chuckling quietly.

"And I'm the smartass."

"You are that night when we met," I tease.

Denny smiles, looking directly into my eyes. The silence overcomes us and we both were stuck in a trance. Nothing else mattered now that he was back here in my arms.

"Will you marry me, Jess?"

I feel tears cloud my eyes. I swear I have cried more times in the past few months than I ever did in my entire life. What he went through and the constant arguments and late night crying made it all worth it.

He wanted me.

"Jess?"

"You're being serious…"

Denny nods. "I want you by my side for the rest of my life."

He brings a hand to cup my cheek, wiping away a fallen tear. I cannot believe I'm crying right now.

"Oh, come on. Being married to me won't be that bad," he teases.

I laugh quietly, leaning in to peck his lips lightly.

"Of course I'll marry you," I respond.

He pulls back with a big grin on his face.

"I love you," he replies.

"And I love you too."

The next few days were smooth sailing. Dr. Stevens continued to check up on Denny, and after a week, Dr. Burke said he was recovering rather well. He would always wink in Denny's direction before leaving the room.

"Why does Dr. Burke always wink at you?"

"Why? Are you jealous?" He asks, scooping a small amount of apple sauce onto his plastic spoon before he lifts it to his lips.

I narrow my eyes. "Oh, you're funny."

"That is what I told you when we first met, didn't I?" Denny replies. "I told him I was going to ask you to be my wife if I made it through the surgery."

"Does he know that you already did?"

Denny shrugs, "Who knows?"

"You do! Obviously," I reply.

"Mm, I'm full."

"Denny, what are you hiding?"

He bites back a smile, "I have no idea what you're talking about. Now, come up on here and cuddle with me."

"You may be charming, but you're not a good liar." I tell him, climbing onto the bed and lying next to him. He smiles and kisses the tip of my nose.

"You're right. If you look behind the pot of flowers, you'll see something."

"What are you up to?" I ask.

"I thought you wanted to find out what I was hiding." Denny grins.

I narrow my eyes before turning to grab what was hidden behind the flowers. When my fingers feel the velvet box, I bite my lower lip and take it from its hiding spot.

Denny looks up at me, smiling to himself.

"Open it," he tells me.

I slowly open the small velvet box to reveal a beautiful ring. I couldn't believe it. He really wanted to marry me.

"We've gotta make it official, right?" He says, taking the ring from the box. Denny takes my left hand and gently slides the ring onto my ring finger.

"Perfect fit," he grins.

I bite my lower lip and instantly press my lips against his. He chuckles against my lips, wrapping his arms around my waist. Our lips move against one another for a few moments and I whimper when I feel his tongue flick against my upper lip.

"Denny…"

He growls, "I cannot wait until you're mine."

I clear my throat, looking into his eyes to see it filled with lust. He needed to wait. Dr. Burke didn't say he was in the clear yet.

"I'm already yours," I reply.

"You know what I mean," he pecks my lips.

I smile, looking down at the ring. I rest my head back against his shoulder. He rests his own against the crown of my head and shuts his eyes.

"Jess Duquette. I think it sounds perfect," Denny says.

I look up at him to see that his eyes were closed. I kiss his cheek and settle back against him.

"I think it sounds like it was meant to be."

He grins.

"Damn right it was."