Chapter 23: Proposal

Benjamin and Eric were talking - looking out over a field where two male tigers had been living for the past couple years. I glanced back at Madeline to see her scratching the red panda's belly before it took off with the bamboo shoot. She had just got through explaining to me that they named her 'Joy'. She didn't trust a lot of the workers here, not even my grandmother and a lot of it was because of her mistreatment.

"She's endangered," Madeline sighed. "You want to make the world a better place in the future but," she shook her head, "there's only so much someone can do."

I turned towards her as she sat down by me and rubbed her stomach.

"You seem distracted?"

"Sorry," I shook my head and let out a nervous laugh. "It was just something that Eric and I were talking about in the car."

"Did you want to tell me about it?"

I sighed and thought about it for a while. I turned back towards Eric and Benjamin who were still in conversation. "Maddi, you've been working here a lot, for a long time," I commented. "Do you know who my grandmother plans on leaving in charge when she, you know," I sighed and closed my eyes, "when she passes?"

Madeline started to laugh lightly. "About three months ago, she and I had a long discussion about it. I don't even think she knew she was talking to me."

"Why is that?"

"Because she rarely talks about how much you and Blossom disappointed her," Madeline turned to me with a smile.

"Disappointed her," I questioned. "I don't understand..."

"You and Blossom are so much like her, so much like her daughters. She used to bring the two of you here all the time, down to the lake or at the diner or," Madeline smiled, "anywhere in Amity. Blossom's mother only came back here to raise Blossom here. Peter never liked it so he got to stay with his father in Candor. And you, well," she shook her head, still smiling, "you were wild as they came for a place like this."

"Gamma Cammie never told me anything," Blossom muttered, looking over to where Gamma Cammie sat with Jess.

"This is the best part," I said, getting her attention.

"Blossom went and followed her dreams, but she never got rid of her nightmares. At least that's what she was saying," Madeline explained. "And you, well you gave up on your dreams when you decided you wanted to marry Cain. She had such high hopes for the two of you, thought that you both would change the world and make it a better place, make it like Amity." Madeline touched her stomach again. "She wanted the two of you to run this place after she was gone."

"The wildlife sanctuary," Blossom questioned. "That is her life's work. Why would..."

"Because she believed that out of all her grandchildren, the two of you had the most passion, dedication and drive," Madline replied.

"She never reprimanded me about leaving Amity," I tried my best to remember.

"Your grandma thought you were in love. I guess when I walked into her office that day she was reminiscing, she thought you'd have come back to Amity after your plans with Cain had fell through," Madeline winced and then looked up, "sorry about putting it that way but..."

"I'm pretty sure those were my grandmother's words," I rolled my eyes, "so it's fine."

"But still, I shouldn't have repeated it."

"It's alright," I assured her. "Honestly Madeline, I'm getting to that point where I don't care about him, about what people say about the situation, about how as my grandmother put it," I nudged her playfully, "how my plans with him fell through. I spent months crying over him. I wasn't eating or sleeping. I just cried all the time. And now," I shook my head and smiled. "I don't know why I cried that much over someone who didn't even love me."

"You look better and not just physically," Madeline nodded. "It's like there's something in the air around you. I don't know how to place it but it almost looks like you, the real you."

"I feel better," I agreed, "inside and out."

"Could that have anything to do with that luscious human being walking with my husband?"

"Perhaps," I smiled.

"Yeah, he looks like the type that could make any woman feel better, both inside and out."

I began to laugh. "Okay who are you and where did sweet, quiet Madeline Carr go?"

"She became Madeline Rossi and by association gained Jordan Summers as a friend."

"I told Eric my brother's friends were goofy," I said as we both started to laugh.

"They had to put up with his sister, what do you expect," a new voice interrupted.

We stopped and I turned to see a familiar face. "Gregory," I smiled and stood up to give him a hug. "Oh wow, look at you," I pulled back and hugged him again.

"Look at you," he whispered.

When we finally were done hugging, I shook my head and continued to smile. "I've missed you."

Gregory Mitchell, one of the few close friends I had before Cain had moved into town and into my life. He smiled back and glanced over my shoulder, a slight frown appearing on his face. "I heard that you were dating again," he nodded and then tried to force his smile this time, "I'm happy for you."

I nodded and looked behind me, knowing that Gregory saw Eric. "Well, I didn't intend to start dating again," I turned away from watching Eric. "But he's an honest and caring person. He's helped me to," I paused and my smiled widened, "he's helped to become me again."

"Well, I'm glad," he said quietly before nodding. He shuffled his hands into his pockets and glanced over at a nearby exhibit. "Have you seen the wolves we just got?"

"Wolves," I asked, grabbing onto the change of topic like a lifeline.

"Yeah," he nodded, grateful that I had and walked me over there.

Madeline, Gregory and I were discussing the wolves that someone had turned in to the sanctuary when Eric and Benjamin had made their way back to us. It was feeding time and Benjamin assisted Gregory in releasing the back of their pen. Gregory explained that they were still wild animals and once in a while, Gus - his father - wanted them to hunt like the animals they were. I didn't want to ask if it was rabbits or deer that they were chasing after. I remember me and Blossom protesting it when our grandmother told us that it was the way animals ate and we couldn't stop them from being something that they were.

When Gregory came back with Benjamin, he introduced himself to Eric and the two of them looked to be hitting it off - at least better than Cain had taken to anyone here.

"Where were we heading after this," Eric asked me as we had finished touring all the animals that were there.

"It's almost dinner," I picked up my phone - smiling that my grandmother had gotten wi-fi at the sanctuary. "Why don't we head over to Johanna's?"

"Sounds great," he smiled and turned to everyone else, "did you all have plans?"

That was a first and I was a bit shocked. The shock of the invitation also showed on the rest of their faces. Gregory decided to join us - and after asking if it was okay to invite two other people - brought along with Alice Whitfield and Felicity Rogers. Benjamin called my brother Jordan to come down and Jordan invited Felicity's brother, Stephen - who was one of his goofy friends. They all met Eric and it was like he was a part of their group.

"I can't even recall the last time I sat down in Johanna's diner with you, JoyAnna," Alice smiled across the booth.

"Must have been our junior year," Felicity nodded, "the time our brothers won State," she leaned over to me and shook her head.

"Yeah, I remember they kept ordering those root beer floats," I added.

"They were putting them away like crazy," Felicity smiled before her face turned serious. "That was one of those few times you came out with us, without Cain," she whispered the last part before a few of them turned to look at one another.

Alice cleared her throat and leaned forward. "I heard that Hannah wanted you to be one of her bridesmaids," she said as Felicity pinched her side but she turned back to me. "I know that we weren't that close that Senior year and all but it wasn't right what Serenity did. I heard that she didn't even apologize."

"Even if she apologized," Eric spoke up, "I don't think it would make up for all the hurt it caused Ana," he began to rub my back and I was glad that he was there.

"I didn't say that it would," Alice shook her head. "It's just that," she blushed and looked down. "I guess Jordan didn't tell you but Cain wasn't the only boyfriend Serenity slept with our Senior year. In fact, rumor is that she broke up a marriage the year after you left."

"What," I questioned as a few of them shifted uncomfortably at the alarm and volume of my voice. "I'm sorry, it's just that..."

"It's unheard of," Felicity nodded. "It took the town by storm. Especially since," she paused and looked at the group.

"Especially since she didn't feel any remorse for that incident either," commented Benjamin.

"I never thought Serenity would," I stopped, feeling totally shocked that she would do something heartless and feel no regret over it whatsoever.

"I'm guessing this sort of thing doesn't happen," Eric added.

"Not in a place like this," Jordan nodded. "And Serenity Fields," he scoffed, "she was kind of the poster child for good deeds. Parents loved her, kids enjoyed her and she was just an overall student in high school who did it all and made friends easily."

"Hannah has been trying to do damage control since word got out about Serenity's indiscretions a couple years ago," Madeline added. "Serenity is all she has left and..."

"That's why she and Jack called it off a couple years ago, because of the rumors," I finished, glancing at Jordan who nodded to confirm my thoughts. Felicity wasn't wrong, something like this would take Amity by storm, especially if it broke up a marriage. I turned to Eric and attempted to change the subject. "In a community this small, you can see why they had us drive my dad's truck around town. A rental car might cause a scene," I smiled.

"And that's how we found them," Madeline smiled, latching onto the new topic. "We saw Jonah's truck parked out by the Duke's field."

Benjamin just finished sipping his soda pop and placed it down on the table. "Yeah, what were you two doing out there anyway?"

I blushed and looked down.

"Ana was showing me some of the fine things that Amity has to offer," Eric replied with a slight suggestive tone in his voice. I nudged him but that only made him pull me closer into his side.

"And she brought you on over to this place last," Johanna came by then, refilling our drinks and tutting at me. "For shame, JoyAnna," she smiled while scolding me, "I thought for sure I'd be the first to meet your new beau."

"Well, they do say to save the best for last," Eric turned to her and smiled - the same smile that made Myra pause and jabber about. "And so far, I have to say this is one of the best diner meals that I've had."

"I'm glad," Johanna grinned. "You look like one of those guys that drinks a lot of those muscle drinks or whatever you kids are calling them these days," she looked over at Jordan and Benjamin before turning back to Eric. "And JoyAnna, you are looking mighty thin. Do you eat at all in Dauntless?"

I ended up blushing again at her compliment. Johanna always had a way of making me feel better about myself.

"I actually don't drink a lot of those muscle drinks," Eric smirked.

"So, how do you stay fit," Stephen eyed him out, as did my brother - as if they believed that Eric took some sort of steroids to get his physique.

"Well, Ana and I do a lot of walking together and once in a while we'll go to a gym," Eric rubbed my back.

"You go to the gym," my brother questioned, looking at me with an incredulous look on his face.

My body shifted in Eric's as he smiled down at me. "I told her that she didn't need to. I like a woman that has a little something I can hold onto," his smile widened when he noticed my reddening cheeks.

"Eric," I lightly hit his chest, "why would you tell that to my brother?"

"So that he knows I like you just the way you are," he leaned down and brushed our noses before turning back to Stephen. "Ana decided that she wanted some sort of exercise just to maintain her weight and I wanted to help her achieve that meaning that we both go to the gym every now and then. But we enjoy walking or jogging together in the late afternoon and early evening."

"So, a routine then," Stephen nodded. "And I'm assuming no sugary or fatty foods?"

Eric chuckled. "Actually Ana and I kind of eat a lot of junk food."

"We love food too much to go on a strict diet," I shook my head. "We just don't overindulge. Well," I tilted my head, "we did eat the entire ice cream carton the other day," I smiled at him, "and that was after dinner and dessert with Myra and Edward."

We were so caught up in the memory of me and him eating on the couch in his office at his father's house - naked - that we forgot other people were there. That was until Jordan aimed a spit ball right at my nose.

"Ew, Jordan! How old are you?"

"Five," he retorted as I threw a dirty napkin at him.

Eric and I stayed back after everyone had left. Johanna had asked if I could help her with something in the back for my brother's wedding party. As we left, Eric decided to clean up the diner. We had so much fun with Jordan, his friends and of course the other kids who I had gone to school with. I didn't think it was possible. I also watched as Eric placed the chairs on the table and began to mop up.

"He's a keeper," Johanna came up on the side of me. I had to bite back a smile. "There's something about a man being willing to get his hands dirty," she turned to smile at me, "let's you know that they don't mind working hard. And," she placed her hands on my shoulder, "if a man is going to walk with you, eat junk food with you, it tells me that he is patient and comforting."

"How do you get that much out of only speaking with him for a couple hours, Johanna," I smiled at her.

"Because he's not making you run a mile, JoyAnna Summers," she answered as I tilted my head. "You remember when I told you that there is beauty all around you, sometimes you need to stop running and chasing after the horizon and just," she paused, "just walk. He sees that beauty in you, in being with you. And almost everything I've heard him say, he adds that you two do it together. He's going to go through the good and the bad with you, JoyAnna. It sounds like he's willing to. But I can see it in your eyes, something is holding you back."

I looked down and sighed. "I'm just scared. What if..."

"Honey, I've known Cain Banner far longer than I've known Eric Coulter," she shook her head and walked towards the counter, grabbing the small box. "And I don't get that weird vibe from Eric the same way I did with Cain," she handed me the box, "that is for your mother. I don't care what the Doctor said. She deserves to treat herself every now and then."

My mother had to adhere to strict dietary orders because of her age and pregnancy. The combination was not a good one.

"Perhaps she'll stop having children and begin to have some beautiful grandchildren someday," Johanna smiled mischievously at me, nudging me towards Eric. She held out her arms just as we approached him. "Now, don't you hesitate to come back here, young man," she wrapped him in a warm hug.

"Oh, I will," he smiled, hugging her back.

After Eric and I were finally allowed to leave, I decided to take the pie back to my mom and then show Eric one last thing. We entered the kitchen and saw my dad talking quietly with my mother. He was sitting next to her and had his hand resting on her belly as they both smiled about something.

"Hey," I called out as my dad turned to me with another warm smile.

"You two are back kind of late," he noted. "Though Jordan did say that Johanna kept you two after closing."

My mother turned around then. "I'm so glad JoyAnna took you there, Eric. She used to be a waitress there in high school. There's so many good memories there. And Johanna is such a delight."

"I'm glad I went there, too," Eric kissed my forehead before taking the pie from my hands. "Johanna said that Ana and I were to bring this home for you."

A little delighted scream left my mother's mouth.

"One slice, Jubilee," my father smiled as he began grabbing some plates and forks. "You two are welcome to join us."

"Actually, I was going to take Eric to look at my fort," I said, putting my hand in Eric's and tugging him away from the chair he was about to sit in.

My father chuckled as he put the two plates back and only took out what he would need for him and my mother. "Be careful, Eric," he warned, "JoyAnna and her cousin Blossom would be in there for hours, a few times they spent days out there."

Blossom reached over and started hitting my shoulder, my arm and then even let out a frustrated scream. I tried to shush her but she kept shaking her head and pretended to throw up.

"Will you calm down," I told her as other guests at the wedding started looking over.

"No, I will not calm down! We promised each other that there would never be any boys in our fort," she said in a loud whisper.

"We made that pact when we were seven," I rolled my eyes. "And if I remember correctly, you and Don were making out in there before you left during our Junior year," I whispered, looking around to see everyone had gone back to their meals.

"At least I didn't violate the place by having sex in it," Blossom said loudly.

"What makes you think Eric and I..."

She held up her hand and shook her head at me.

"All I said was that I took him to our fort," I tried to finish but Blossom gave me an incredulous look.

"You and I are obviously not looking at the same man because," she stopped and turned to spot Eric, glancing our way with an eyebrow raised. "Because even with that scowl the man looks like he's sex worthy. You violated our fort. I may have kissed Don there when we were sixteen but in no way did I 'Fifty Shades' the place."

"Eric and I don't 'Fifty Shades', whatever that is," I replied as she looked at me again. "What? So, I'm probably the only woman who hasn't seen the movie. Sue me," I rolled my eyes.

"Why see the movie when you have your own Mr. Grey right there," she pointed to Eric, "who helped you dishonor my holy retreat," she finished with a smile. "Of all the unspeakable things to do."

"If it's unspeakable, why are we talking about it," I questioned as we both started to laugh.

"For one thing, I did say that I wanted details, so," Blossom pointed at me to continue my story.

"Alright," I sighed, knowing she was going to get her way.

Eric looked around as we walked into the barn. I explained to him that my father doesn't really have any animals here and neither does my mother. It was just built when my great-grandfather had lived here. My father was working on a vintage motorcycle some years ago and had finished it. I pointed it out to Eric who spent a good hour, looking at the bike and talking about it.

"This is the second one that I believe he's put together. It's from when he and my mom would cruise around in Amity during their early years of marriage," I said with a smile.

"Your mom would ride with your dad," Eric chuckled.

"I know it's hard to picture it, but yes," I smiled, "my mother was quite the free spirit back then."

Eric nodded towards the next stable area over in the barn and I pointed out that this was my brothers' work station. I told him how bright Jordan and Jonathan were. Jordan enjoyed the human aspect of things. But Jonathan enjoyed the science of it and so he would buy these things that my father felt had no true purpose other than on his 'gizmos'.

"My grandfather went travelling during his early adult years. That's how he met my grandmother. They settled in Erudite for some time," I added which got a surprised look from Eric. "So of course when Jonathan was offered to go work for the Banners in Erudite, my grandfather encouraged him to go. He told my father that not all of his children were made for life in Amity. I think that's why he and Gamma Cammie didn't mind that my aunts had gone away for college."

He pushed back from my brother's work station and looked over at me. "The Banners hired your brother to work for them, right?"

I nodded. "And then fired him a couple months after I became a runaway bride."

Eric nodded and stepped out of the area. "Jonathan is brilliant at his job. His numbers were good. I didn't understand why they let him go, why they let several people go."

"That I can't answer for you," I shrugged. "I always thought - and so did Jonathan - that they let my brother go because I wasn't going to marry Cain anymore."

Eric scoffed before walking further into the barn. "It was you that they wanted, not your brother. He was probably collateral."

"What do you mean?"

"Stay with Cain and your brother gets all these fancy things," Eric turned around to face me. "Break up with Cain and they take it all away."

"They were going to use him to ensure my relationship with Cain," I whispered, looking down at the ground.

And that might have worked, I thought silently. If I did marry Cain, then Jonathan would have been working longer for them. He might have established himself further in Erudite. What if he had gotten married and then they threatened to fire him? I knew that I wouldn't put my brother or his wife through that situation again. I was told that there were some families who were completely put out when the Banners let them go. Eric had moved in there and gave them their living back. If...

My thoughts were interrupted by Eric's hand moving to cup my cheek. I don't know why but I had to ask. I wasn't going to let it rest until I had asked.

"I know that you told me about your Aunt, your mom and all the things in your past," I began. "But if Marcus had never attacked me, if the police had never gotten involved in my life, if..."

"You want to know if I would have told you or hid it like Cain had," he finished. I nodded before he raised his other hand to the other side of my face, holding my head in place gently but firmly. "I'd never keep that from you."

"When would you..."

"Once things had become serious," he answered, interrupting my question. "I wouldn't have hidden a secret like that for longer than necessary. To me, you deserved to know. If you're going to be with me, then you get all of me. Remember," Eric smiled. "When I asked you to be my girl, I told you that I wanted the good and the bad. I want you in my life, to be a part of my life and so you get everything that is in it. What happened back then isn't who I am now but I know that you would have every right to know what helped to make me the man I am, the man I want to be," he leaned in and my eyes fluttered close, "the man you need."

The last part was whispered but it spoke volumes. It echoed in my heart - that's how strongly he believed them and made me believe them. Eric crashed his lips to mine and I forgot everything else in that moment. Our kissing wasn't desperate or hurried. No, it was comforting and reassuring. And every sort of contentment flowed through me as Eric's hands lightly ran up and down my side, held my face or felt his warm lips on mine. I pulled back immediately, knowing exactly what I was going to say in this moment.

"Eric, I..."

"No more talking, Ana," he ran his hand down my arm, grabbing onto my elbow and pulling me back.

"No," I placed my hand against his chest, "let me get this out first," I looked up at him as he nodded.

Glancing behind Eric, I noticed the entrance to mine and Blossom's secret fort and dragged him through there. It was a tight fit and I wondered if Eric was going to make it inside. He did eventually get in and we both had a laugh about it. The fort still looked the same - a bit dusty and worn. I found a couple spare blankets, dusted them and laid them out for the two of us to sit on. Once we both settled, I turned my head to look up at him.

"The last time I was here, I had just turned eighteen. Cain asked me to go to Dauntless with him," I began. "I came in here by myself and sat all alone, thinking about the decision."

Eric just looked down at me, allowing me to speak.

"Did I ever tell you that he didn't comfort me about the move? I sat in here, scared and uncertain, about what I was going to face. And he did not have any ounce of compassion those two days I stayed in this fort, mulling the idea around in my head," I sighed before turning my body completely so that I could sit up with him. "All I have to say right now Eric, is that I'm sorry I made you wait so long."

"What are..."

I placed my fingers on his lips to quiet him. He nodded that he would allow me to continue. "I made a decision without being told that everything was going to be okay. No one really told me that I would be fine," I smiled and turned my body so that we could sit up, facing one another. "I was scared about you asking me to move with you, too. I didn't want to risk my heart getting broken again. But now I know," I laughed as I reached out to ouch Eric's cheek. "Now I know that the only risk I'm taking is watching my heart beat again. You fixed it Eric. Five years ago, I wanted to be told that things would be okay and I sat in here, all by myself determined that I would be. I assured myself on that account. And I think that's why I had this huge amount of self doubt. Ever since you've asked me, you've always been building me up, building us up. I went around with you in Amity for one day and almost everyone could see it. And I'm sorry that it took me so long to tell you that I would move with you, that I would go to the ends of the world with you because there's no place else..."

Eric moved, pulling me into his lap. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

My head nodded slowly as Eric began to smile. "I'll go to Erudite with you, Eric."

"Ana," he smiled and let out a relieved chuckle.

"I mean it. You've done nothing but tell me that I'm going to be okay and that things are going to be great. You've been my side through it all and I know that no matter where we go, you'll continue to be my side. I was just so scared to see it, so much in denial to let myself be happy that..."

"Say no more," he said, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me in for a deep kiss.

Everything came off of my body slowly with Eric kissing and touching every single inch after it had been left bare to him. It was quiet in the night. A soft breeze, tree branches rattling, a few crickets chirping and just the sweet nothings that Eric and I murmured to one another were the only sounds. I desperately ignored the fact that we were both unclothed - in my family's barn. True, no one would come out here especially at this late hour. The way Eric touched, kissed and spoke to me made me feel like we were the only two people in Amity. Nothing could come between us right now.

"Say it again," Eric commanded as he glided through me slowly.

"Mm," I moaned, fluttering my eyes close, "Eric."

"Say it," Eric turned his hips in another direction as he sunk deeper.

"I'll, damn it Eric," sighing and moaning, I held onto him. "I, oh," another deep moan as Eric's hands gripped onto my waist.

"Tell me, Ana."

"Eric," I whispered.

"Tell me," he pressed his lips against my throat.

"I'll go with you," I sighed, tugging lightly on his hair. "I'll go," a gasp escaped me as everything exploded.

My fingers held on tight to Eric as I felt his release. His breath and smile still caressing my neck and shoulder. He continued to move - even slower this time - allowing both of us to ride it out. Eric pushed himself up to look down at me.

"There's only one thing left to do," his smile grew.

"And what is that," I wiggled my eyebrows at him.

I squealed when he rolled us over and gently pushed on my side so that I would sit up. "You need to come to Erudite with me as my wife," he smirked.

"Is that a proposal, Mr. Coulter?"

"Perhaps," he replied, sitting up and massaged my hip. "What do you say?"

"Can we get married here in Amity," I asked quietly as he brushed his nose against mine.

"Anywhere you want," he lifted us up and began walking us back towards a bench that we had in my fort.

He sat down on the bench first and kept me in his lap. I moved my legs so that I could comfortably straddle him. Eric and I made love once more before resting to look out at the moon. Then we were back at it again but this time it was rough and intense, up against the wall of the fort and I couldn't help but think that Blossom was going to be so angry with me for having sex in here.

"Ana," Eric groaned, thrusting into me.

It hit that perfect spot. Forgive me, cousin - I thought for a brief second. "Eric," I screamed, digging my fingers into his shoulders as the pleasure began to build, "harder."

There was no telling what came over me as Eric began to thrust at a pace that I had never experienced. He began to curse and pushed my leg from around his waist, bending it until it was higher around his back. I cursed also, demanding that he give it to me harder. And he obliged me. I knew that I was going to feel it later on but the pleasure outweighed the pain.

Eric told me that he loved me so much every time that he pumped into me. I replied with the same sentiment, adjusting my hips to meet his thrusts. It was no longer quiet in the night. Our sighs of passion became screams of desire and it was all so intense. When Eric and I had finally settled, my body curled in his as we faced one another - I realized that I had never felt more loved than I had in this moment. Eric held me so tenderly now and his eyes held so much adoration in them. I ran my fingers lightly down his arms and blushed, burying my head into his chest.

"What is it," he asked.

"You have a couple bite marks and a few scratches on you," I mumbled. I pushed back to look up at him, our bodies still molded together. "It looks like I tried to beat you up."

"Who knew my wife had a wild side to her," he teased, biting my shoulder softly.

Wife, I thought quickly. Oh hell! Eric had asked me during sex!

"No," I pushed Eric back.

"What?"

"I said 'no'."

His jaw tightened and his lips pressed together. Glancing down at his tightly clenched fists that were forming at my side, I realized that he was getting angry with me. I wouldn't have blamed him. My decision-making had been all over the place as of recently. I knew that he was probably thinking that I was rejecting him yet again.

"Wait, Eric..."

"You tell me 'yes' and now you're like..."

I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him quickly. Pulling back slightly, I smiled at him. "What I meant to say is that, you need to ask me again."

"Will you..."

"No," I shook my head, trying not to laugh. "You need to ask me when we're both not butt naked and just got through having wild sex in my family's barn."

Eric relaxed before pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Let me get this straight," he began, "I need to ask you to marry me a third time?"

"Just when we have on all our clothes," I suggested as he smirked.

"I don't know, I rather enjoy us without any of our clothes on," he began to grope my butt.

"I mean it, Eric," I tried to scold him as he moved us back to lay on the ground, beside one another. "My mom is going to ask how you proposed to me. My brothers, my cousins, Maddi, Myra, Hec," I listed as he began to laugh again and ran his hand down my cheek. "This is a story that our children or grandchildren are going to be told. How did grandpa propose to grandma? And what do we say? While we were..."

"While we were making love," Eric buried his face in the crook of my neck and began to nibble lightly.

"Eric," I squealed when he began to suck, rousing my body again. My hands pushed on his shoulders, causing Eric to pull back slightly and smirk down at me. "I want you to ask me again, so I can tell my mom and Gamma Cammie..."

"And our six children," he smiled.

"Two," I reminded him.

"Six," he leaned down again to kiss my shoulder.

"Two," I said, playfully pushing him back.

"I'll compromise," he pushed himself up to hover above me, "and we'll settle on four."

We both began to laugh until he leaned back and gave me a gentle kiss. I wrapped my hands around his neck and our kissing turned heated until he rolled over and I was on top of him. I sat up, scooting backwards and straddled his midsection. My hand moved my hair, tucking it behind my ear as I smiled down at him. He ran his hands lightly up my thighs and my side.

"People are going to ask, Eric."

"I know," he nodded, still touching me. "This isn't exactly how I planned on proposing to you. Then again, I didn't think I would have to ask you multiple times."

"Is it because you thought you'd immediately win me over with your charm," I moved back to grind my core against his growing erection.

"No," he groaned, throwing his head back. "I knew I'd have to work for you," Eric cursed and looked down at the space between our bodies. "It was worth it."

"Was it now?"

"I'm still counting us as engaged."

"Oh," I pushed his hands away and leaned my body away from his.

"Baby," he pleaded.

I smiled and moved so that I could continue to grind on top of him. Leaning down, I moved my mouth towards his ear and whispered, "beg me."

"Damn you," Blossom reached over again and began to hit me. "How many times you two fuck in there?"

A throat cleared behind us, causing both our heads to turn. Eric stood there with a smirk on his face. "I thought the whole reason why I asked you now was so that you wouldn't have to share that story?"

Blossom stood up, brushing off her dress and looking pointedly at him. "I loved to go to that fort and escape the stresses of my adolescent life. I begged Ana last night that we have a slumber party in there last night - just for old time sake - and she refused." Blossom narrowed her eyes at me. "I'm glad she told me," she took a step towards Eric, "you and her can have that place. I'm never going back in there."

"Bloss," I tried to protest but she shook her head.

"It's okay, JoyAnna. But just a heads up," she leaned down and looked at me with a devilish smile. "I am going to take my boyfriend Kenny and have sex by the lake."

I stood up quickly. "Wait, you know that I've always wanted to..."

"Have a nice picnic by the lake and make love in it and next to it," she lifted her glass of champagne and began to walk away. "By the way, I enjoyed that story and am so fucking glad that you're making my cousin enjoy life again," she kissed Eric's cheek, "welcome to the family, Eric Coulter."

Eric nodded to her with a smile before looking back at me. He pulled out one of his hands from his pocket and held it out to me. "Dance with me," he whispered.

I placed my hand in mine and he pulled me closer. He looked down at the ring, running his thumb over it before brushing against the charm bracelet he got me for Christmas that was on my wrist.

"I love you."

I smiled up at him and moved to press a soft kiss to his lips. "I love you, too."

JESSICA

I watched my brother dance with Ana, that silly grin on his face as though he were the happiest man alive. For a moment, I was scared when he had called her up to the front of the room. My heart was beating so quickly that I thought it would burst out of my body. I wanted him to be happy. I wanted him to have this great life with a wonderful woman. And the way he looked at her, talked to her or about her told me that she was the one - Ana Summers was the one.

"Again congratulations to Jack and Hannah," Eric lifted his glass to them. "I've spent only a few days with the Summers and that was enough to let me know that Jack is coming from two amazing parents. Jonah Summers is a unselfish, caring and strong father and husband."

Mr. Summers nodded his appreciation to Eric.

"I can see how he treats his wife and how he raised his children that Jack obviously learned from the best and Hannah is fortunate to find someone who will cherish her the way that Jack does."

Everyone clapped.

"I didn't know this until last night but Jack told me the reason why he chose this date to get married is because his grandparents were married during the Spring as well," Eric nodded over to the Summer patriarchs. "I was also told that they've been married for fifty-years. Congratulations to them!"

Everyone cheered and clapped again.

"Seeing a beautiful marriage like theirs, the family that they have," Eric looked around, "and the love that continues to grow made me think about who I want by my side when I'm cutting my wedding cake," he gestured to Jack, "when I'm watching our children get married," he gestured to Jonah, "or when I'm celebrating my fifty years of marriage. And there is only one person that I can think of," he turned to Ana who was standing next to him. "So, JoyAnna Ruth Summers," he began taking her hand and slowly going down on one knee.

I watched as complete joy overtook Ana's face as she covered her mouth with her other hand.

"I want you to walk down that aisle and meet me at the end. I want to cry and laugh with you as we conquered the bad and experience good things that life has to offer. I want to raise a family with you, whether there are two or six of them," he said as she began to laugh. "I want to fall off to sleep with you on the couch after watching a movie because we'll be too old to go out."

I wiped a tear away from my face before it ruined my mascara. A hand appeared at my side and I saw that it was Jonathan handing me a tissue. "You knew about this, didn't you?"

"Eric called my father a month ago, asking for his blessing," Jonathan replied as I placed a hand over my chest and turned back to them.

"I want to celebrate a fifty-year anniversary with you. I want to celebrate it all with you, Ana. I cannot promise you that life will be easy or that we'll have everything perfect but I will promise you that I will give it my all, I will give you my all. And that no matter what, we will do it together if you give me that chance," he smiled at Ana and that was when my heart began to ache.

What if she said no?

What if...

"I cannot think of any other way to say this that hasn't already been said," he smiled as did she as if they had some shared secret. "Marry me Ana," Eric held onto her hand, "and I'll love you how you deserved to be loved."

There was a moment of silence as I held my breath, praying to God that she'd not reject him.

She mumbled something softly and there was a nod.

"Yes," Eric asked.

"Yes," she smiled, covering her mouth again as Eric slipped the ring onto her hand. She stared down at it before looking up at him and I felt as if I was soaring with delight for my brother.

"To my sister," Jack stood up with his glass in hand. Eve caught me off guard as she leaped onto the table, clapping wildly.

"JoyAnna and Eric," shouted Jonathan next to me.

Eric got up from, wrapped his arms around Ana and pulled her in for a kiss. "Yay, Uncle Eric," Eve threw flower and confetti in to the air.

I couldn't help but smile too. My baby brother finally found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Again I prayed that the problems back at Dauntless wouldn't haunt them anymore. Eric was right. It was time for me to move on, time for him to move on. We'd started this new life - away from our Aunt. Now we were going to enjoy it.