Just a quick note to say: Thank you SO much for the reviews and HAPPY EASTER!

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That's when he moved so that he was knelt on one knee. He pulled a small black velvet box out of his pocket and my breath caught in my throat.

'Sky Bright, will you marry me?'

Did I just hear Zed correctly? Did he just ask me to marry him? My heart rate quickened and the nausea remained. I had only just finished highschool. Wasn't it only the girls that got pregnant that got married this young? Shot gun wedding and all that? Nothing against Phee and Yves, but they got married way too fast and now she was pregnant at twenty. Did we all have to grow up?

But then he was my soulfinder. We were destined to spend the rest of our lives together. Was saying 'yes' now going to be that much of a big deal? I'd say 'yes' eventually anyway. And I loved him so much. We had survived so much together. I was torn, but I had to reply. Zed's dark eyes looked wide with nerves and I knew he was freaking out on the inside. The colour surrounding him said as much. And the ring was beautiful. Tears brimmed in my eyes and I knew my answer.

'Yes.' I whispered. 'I'll marry you.'

Zed's worried face broke into a grin and he pulled me into an embrace before kissing me hard on the lips. He took my hand and pushed the beautiful ring onto my finger; the ring was a thin silver band with a small heart-shaped diamond and one small sapphire on each side. It was the perfect fit.

He pressed his forehead against mine. 'You have just made me the happiest man in the world. I love you.'

'I love you too.' I replied before kissing him again. Maybe things were going to be okay after all.

When the temperature started to cool off, Zed and I decided we'd head back to the watersports centre. This time, I paddled on one side and he paddled on the other; he wasn't hugely impressed, as he reckoned he would end up with one bicep bigger than the other, but I just wanted to feel useful.

'Did you have a nice day?' Courtney asked, smiling flirtaciously at Zed, after we'd dropped off the canoe with Bill.

'Yes we did!' Zed beamed, squeezing my hand.

'Well you certainly seemed to have brightened up. It's amazing what a bit of canoeing can do.'

'Courtney, meet by wife-to-be Sky.' He introduced me and flashed her my engagement ring. 'We're getting married.'

The green aura around her was glowing like crazy. Jealousy. She didn't say anything. Her mouth simply remained an 'o' shape, whilst I blushed.

Sorry, had to tell someone. Zed squeezed my hand and led me out to the car. He sent a quick text before setting up the Satnav.

'So how long have you had this?' I asked him as we drove towards Simon and Sally's house for dinner, twirling the ring around my finger.

'Um...' He paused for a minute, as if he was uncertain about continuing. 'I was going to propose that night after you'd been rescued. I asked Simon's permission when you weren't around. Told him I couldn't live without you, which is true.'

'Simon gave you permission?' I was taken aback by this information. Simon had always been protective of me and I'd never been able to tell if he actually liked Zed or not. Sally did, of course, but my dad was difficult to read.

'Yeah.' Zed laughed. 'It took a lot of convincing. I felt like I was at a job interview.'

'You were.' I replied with a smile. 'To be his daughter's husband.'

'Huh, I guess you're right.' He grabbed my hand and kissed it as we headed out of the city.

Simon and Sally's house was a fifteen minute drive from Vancouver in a small town. It was near a small river and the town was surrounded by natural beauty. It was the perfect place to go hiking. Zed pulled up outside their house; it was a small stone house with a white-fenced porch out the front. The house was two storeys and had a rosebush-lined path leading up to the front door.

We stepped out of the car and I pulled on my cardigan, starting to feel the chill now. Zed put his arm around me and we walked up the steps to the front door. I jumped as the door opened and a chorus of 'SURPRISE!' rang out.

Inside the house were Simon and Sally (as expected), as well as the whole of the Benedict family plus soulfinders. They all stood smiling, amongst the balloons and the 'Congratulations' banners.

'Did you do this?' I asked Zed, blushing.

'Actually, we did.' Saul smiled.

'We've had it planned ages, just been waiting for someone to man up and do it.' Xav winked as we stepped inside the house. 'And when he said to me on the phone the other day that he was planning to do it on Saturday... well we had to fly out and surprise you.'

'I'm just glad you said yes or this would've been so awkward!' Phee laughed, hand over her now-showing baby bump.

I was suddenly crowded by everyone trying to look at the ring and embracing Zed and I; I lost him in the crowd of family straight away. We sat down and had a party buffet dinner, before retiring for drinks in the lounge.

'I'd like to make a toast.' Zed smiled, standing up. 'To my beautiful soulmate.'

'To Sky.' Everyone raised their glasses in response, including Sally who was close to tears- she obviously had no idea how true the term 'soulmate' was when it came to Zed and I. It wasn't just my other half trying to be romantic.

'I can't believe you're getting married.' Phee said to me, sitting beside me later that evening. 'How crazy is that?'

'I know. It's scary.' I replied, though I did smile at the thought.

'Let me know if you want any help with dresses.' Crystal smiled. 'I'd love an excuse to design one.'

'I might take you up on that.' I smiled. 'Though I'm not rushing into wedding plans yet.'

'Oh?' Diamond raised an eyebrow.

'Well he only proposed this afternoon!' I laughed. 'I think we'll settle into our apartment and college and then see what happens.'

'That's a good plan.' Phee smiled, supportively. Crystal nodded in agreement, though Diamond looked uncertain. Was I crazy for not rushing into marriage? I wanted to make sure we had some money and plenty of time to plan things so that the day was perfect.

'May I borrow my fiancee?' Zed grinned, rescuing me from my thoughts. He grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet before dragging me off to the kitchen, where he leant forwards and softly kissed my lips.

'May I help you?' I giggled, suddenly feeling a little tipsy from the wine.

'I just wanted some time with you. Besides, you looked like you were over-thinking something.'

'Over-thinking is what us girls do best.' I smiled, kissing his cheek.

'What's up?' He tucked a lose strand of hair behind my ear.

'Well Di thinks I'm crazy for not wanting to get married straight away.' I explained. Zed looked a little taken aback so I continued. 'It's not that I don't want to get married. Of course I do! I just want to settle into our apartment and get started in college, get a part-time job and save some money up towards it. And I want it to be perfect, not rushed.'

Zed's smile returned. 'That sounds like a good idea. I want it to be perfect for you too.'

'Perfect for me? It's our day.'

'I know, but you're what counts.' He kissed the tip of my nose. 'Just promise that when you do start planning it, you won't go all Bridezilla on me!'

I laughed. 'I hate that programme! Don't worry, that won't be me.'

The next few days were spent spending time with the Benedict family and my friends, before they all flew back to their homes at various places in the world. We'd been kayaking- and I hadn't killed myself doing so- as well as had girly shopping trips and gone for walks in the country; naturally, Phee and I had ended up at the back, but that was only to be expected!

Before we knew it, it was our first day at college. My leg had fully recovered by then and I was ready to move onto the next part of my life.

'Nervous?' Zed asked as he drove us towards campus. I hadn't said anything the whole journey.

'Yes.'

'You'll be fine.' He squeezed my hand before returning his hand to the steering wheel. 'Everyone is going to be starting new.'

'I guess you're right.' I smiled. At least we were going through this together. I don't know how I would have coped without him.

The campus was huge. We had to park a few blocks away as it was so busy, and if it hadn't been signposted we would have been lost walking there. As the weather was heading into autumn, it was cooling off slightly now. I'd chosen a knee-length sundress, black riding boots and a black leather jacket today, which had me at the perfect temperature and covered my hardly-visible scar. Zed was wearing black jeans, with a grey v-neck tee, looking gorgeous as ever.

Those girls are totally checking you out. I nodded in the direction of a group of three brunette girls, all wearing short plaid skirts with vest tops and cardigans. They looked him up and down as we walked past, glaring at me.

I don't care, I've got my fiancee beside me. He squeezed my hand and smiled. Besides, you're turning heads too.

It had to be a lie. Like anyone would look at me? Granted, I looked OK today, but no better than that. Zed had convinced me to wear my hair down in its natural blonde curls, which was something I wasn't used to, and I'd worn natural make-up.

A few guys walked past, looking at my face, down to my boots and then back up again before making eye-contact with me. Oh my god he was right.

'Freshmeat!' One of them called out as we passed.

Zed tensed beside me, so I squeezed his hand before mimicking him. Honey, jealousy doesn't suit you.

I don't like the way they were looking at you.

Come on fiance, let's go and sign in. I led him in the direction of the sign in tables that were spread around the old-fashionned courtyard. The courtyard was busy with students, teachers and the odd-parent, all rushing about with welcome packs and huge maps. Zed grabbed my hand and pulled me to the table marked with a 'B'.

'Names please?' A woman with a whiny Canadian accent smiled.

'Sky Bright and Zed Benedict.' Zed said on behalf of both of us.

'What interesting names!' She scanned the list before ticking us off. Then she started searching through the named packs. She handed us each a pack and I couldn't help but notice her looking at my ring. 'Oooh are you two engaged? Congratulations!'

'Thank you.' We chorused with a smile.

'Now, there's a few welcome tours on today, as well as some talks in the library and the theatre. There's also a welcome party this evening in the Student Union, so make sure you're around for that. If you head over there now, they've set up a Fresher's Fair and sign-up lists for the different clubs. Any questions?'

We both shook our heads.

'Have a good day.' She nodded and we set off with our packs.

'Man, I should've brought a rucksack.' Zed groaned as I placed my pack in a satchel. 'What is even in this thing?'

He opened it up and pulled out a map, a few leaflets and some coupons.

'So where did you want to head first?' I asked, placing my left hand back in his right.

'Guess we could have a tour? Then at least we'll know where we're going for the talks.'

And off we headed to explore our college, which would help us make the transition into an adult. Eeek.