AN: So this was written the same night I wrote the previous drabble. I know its not Hope Valey and it's characters but I hope you all will pardon me posting a When Hope Calls drabble here. So far, its my only one and I didn't feel like starting something knew just for this little tidbit. Sab02 - I do believe this will satisfy you a bit!

Maybe that's the reason why

It's so hard to say forever, babe

I can see ten years from now

But tomorrow's unclear

I get so afraid sometimes

That I don't know what to do

But I'm not afraid to love you

-Curtis Peoples "Afraid"

It was a beautiful day for a picnic. The sun was going in and out behind big puffy clouds. There was only a slight breeze.

But she couldn't seem to relax. All she could think about was Grace's words before she left with Gabriel.

"If he was so insistent on planning everything, I think he's got a surprise in mind. Perhaps there is even a question involved."

Grace's prediction had made her nervous. She liked Gabriel. No, if she was honest with herself, she loved Gabriel. Being his wife would make her happy.

But it would never work. She should have seen it before. She should have put a stop to this before it went this far and the only outcome was both of them getting hurt.

Those thoughts had taken some of the joy out of the picnic. Still, she put a smile on her face and tried to engage in small talk. She tried not to let him know anything was wrong. Perhaps Grace was wrong anyway. Perhaps Gabriel wasn't going to ask her anything and she still had time to end this relationship without breaking anyone's heart.

"Lillian, there is something I've been wanting to ask you," Gabriel finally said, when their meal was done and all that was left was the cleaning up.

She didn't reply. She couldn't. Instead she sat frozen where she was even as Gabriel reached inot his pocket and removed a small box. Moving to a kneeling position in front of her he continued.

"I fell in love with you the day I met you on the street carrying the leaking feed bag. I loved your independence and your wit. The more I got to know you, the more in love I felt. So, Lillian Walsh, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Gabriel asked, opening the box to reveal the ring inside.

Her breath caught and she felt the tears stinging her eyes. She wanted to say yes, but what came out instead was, "I can't. It'll never work."

She didn't miss the confusion on Gabriel's voice. "I thought you felt the same way about me."

"I do," Lilian admitted, feeling tears run down her cheeks.

"Then what's the problem? My job?"

"No," Lillian told him. "The problem is, the children. As much as I love you Gabriel, I could never leave them. Those kids aren't just in my charge, they're my family. I won't give that up."

"You don't think I already factored that in," Gabriel said. "I know what the orphanage means to you. I see everyday how much you care for those children. I know that asking you to marry me means making room for them in my life as well. I'd never ask you to leave Grace or the children. I just want you to make room for me in that life."

Lillian couldn't believe the words. She couldn't believe that any man would love her that much. She had figured it would always be the orphans or a husband and children of her own. She hadn't believed that having both would even be a possibility.

"So," Gabriel said, patiently holding the ring in one hand as he reached out to wipe the tears from her cheeks with the other. "Let me ask you again. Will you marry me?"

"Yes," Lillian said, nodding her head as she smiled through the tears.

This was the best day for a picnic after all.