Brooklyn loves it when it snows in the city. There's something magical about it. She does find a lot of things pretty magical, but this is definitely at the top of her list. Albert's been playing pro ball for two years now and moved into his apartment a year ago. She graduated this past spring and is happily working at the little bookstore she loves so much. Life is great. Yes, there have been many ups and downs. One of them being she's now known in the public eye and being terrified of going out alone without someone. On the more positive side, her relationship was in a good place. She had her insecure moments but they weren't as frequent as they used to be.

Right now she's going to soak up every free moment Albert has. Though he's still on the clock with off season training, among other holiday things like going to events and such, right now he was all hers and she was going to do whatever it takes to keep him locked up. She didn't care how much Race whined. Girlfriend card trump's best friend after all. At the moment they were settled on the couch watching Christmas movies with popcorn and hot coco. There was a comfortable silence between them as the movie played. Though Brooklyn's attention was mostly on the steady beat of his heart.

"Why do you like these so much again?" his deep, low voice rumbled through his chest and sent a tingle through her ears.

"Cause it's magical," Brooklyn replied.

"Nah, you're magical," he said in that husky voice she loves so much. Shifting so that they were chest to chest she moved up, delicately placed her hands on his cheeks and pulled him in for a kiss. Which he happily went along with. His fingers thread through her hair, one hand landed on her neck and she shivered when those rough calluses scraped against her skin. He was warm and she loved the way his body fit against hers.

The kiss was soft, yet needy in some ways. All those months apart with so little time to themselves. When they do go out Albert always has to wear a cap, facing forwards, and sunglasses just to be safe. She can do with the sunglasses, but the front-facing cap was an unnatural sight. That was only in the summer. Thankfully in the winter, scarves and knitted hats did the job just fine.

She took a moment to soak in his scent. Something both manly and soft. She still couldn't tell if it was orange or not but it doesn't matter because she loves it. His body was strong, solid, and she can easily let herself drown in the soft cotton of the well worn t-shirt. Not to mention that boyish smile of his when he's far from that. Well ok Albert still has his boyish ways but on the outside he'a manly. Large hands and those not so subtle muscles he has. That lazy smirk and eyes that look right into her soul. All in all she scored in the boyfriend department. Dare she say, almost like one of her books but even better cause it's real. Ok so maybe she's a bit of a hopeless sap. Just a little bit.

She felt his lips capture her jaw, then her neck, which was soon followed by the sweet spot that made her gasp. A few years ago Brooklyn would never allow this kind of moment to happen. It was too intimate, scary even. But now she welcomed it. More or less. His nose brushed against her cheek, the happy high she was feeling came crashing down. When she opened her eyes he had this sleepiness to it.

"Hi," his deep voice said, breaking the silence.

"Hi," she whispered back.

"Brooklyn?"

"Hmm."

"Marry me."

"Ok," she replied softly.

"No. I really mean that." his hands moved down to the small of her back, gently holding her in place while his fingers traced patterns. "Marry me, gorgeous." he bit his lip, his features turning sheepish. It was an adorable look. "I got the ring in the night-"

"WHAT!" Brooklyn's high pitched screech made Albert wince. Yeah, he should've seen that coming. Well, guess he can add proposing to the list of things that she freaks out about. The number one spot being of course were her books. The boys still made fun of the time he ran into the girls bedroom in his underwear armed with a baseball bat when Brooklyn screamed at the top of her lungs all because of - and he wasn't going to get into that right now. It was the least of his problems. "What do you mean you - when did you? Albert Nathaniel Dasilva, explain yourself."

Oh look at that, she fully named him. That would be a first.

"One of the nights I headed out with the guys back turnin' training' camp we passed by a jewelry store, and when I saw that ring, I knew it was made for you. Ok, I may have been a little tipsy-"

"Define little."

"But drunk words are sober thoughts. I had it all planned out too. We'd go to your favorite restaurant, walk around the city, then at the end I'd ask ya." he started to play with her fingers. "Bein' here with you now made me realize that I can't wait another second. I want the world to know you'remmy girl. Marry me gorgeous."

Oh Albert. Words were never his strong suit, especially when it came to the romantic kind that didn't involve her face turning twenty shades of pink. Then again, he can do that without even trying to. Still, something like this wasn't his forte, their love confession is just proof of that. So, when he does get all sappy, Brooklyn knows he means every word of it. So that's why she leaned back in, hands cupping his face once more. She moved as close to him as possible until their lips were just centimeters apart. "Ok," she whispered, then kissed him.

He surprised her by tightening his grip around her, standing up and spinning her around. Her legs wrapped around his waist to help steady herself. Albert wouldn't let her fall though. If she falls then he'll be going down too. That's the guy he is. "I love you," he murmured against her lips.

She hummed in response as her hand tangled in his hair. Eventually, air was a much needed thing. A big, stupid smile spread across Brooklyn's face, lighting up her eyes in the process. "I don't want to shotgun this wedding like my brother and Feisty did."

"Good, cause neither do I." he smiled. "You're gonna look so pretty in your dress….then after everythin' is done, you're all mine." she let out an adorable squeak. Her cheeks turned a deep pink. "Freckles, don't go lettin' that pretty little mind wander too far."

"You're the one who started it," Brooklyn mumbled.

"Should probably go get the ring fore ya change your mind."

"Albert I don't care if it's a ring pop."

That made him chuckle. After one more quick kiss Albert set her down on the couch. A few seconds later he returned with a blue velvet box. Instead of sitting next to her he got down on one knee. Though it didn't matter at this point, it didn't feel like a proper proposal. The band itself reminded her of stems from a rose bush with how it twisted. Close to the center were little diamonds that looked baby buds just starting to bloom. And in the middle of it all was a perfect round diamond shimmering in the light. It looked like it was made from fairies who lived in a woodland forest. An object that's given to the main character that's told she is the long lost princess of the forest, and only she can unlock the secret powers hidden inside.

"Albie," Brooklyn whispered quietly. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

The redhead only smiled as he said, "then you haven't looked in the mirror lately, cause the the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on is you."

"Well look who finally decided to come home," Mush said when Brooklyn walked into the kitchen. Her cheeks were a rosy pink due to the winter weather

"It's only been two days," Brooklyn pointed out as she sat down on a stand. She rested her arms on top of the cold island top. The sleeves of her - Albert's - hoodie covering her hands. "It's not my fault Al still has baseball duties." this one being making an appearance for a children's organization. Which would soon be followed by the fundraiser ball. She still needs to find a dress because these things are ten times fancier than the alumni events she attended. Ok maybe that was a stretch, and she had only gone to two in total. For freshman and sophomore year she had gotten sick, but she forced him to go on without her. Race took the spot both times and the story goes that the blonde had too much fun at the open bar.

"You missed out on Feisty's stir fry. There was beef and chicken."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Mush was about to reply when his lovely wife came strolling in. Her hair was down, a rare sight for her, but a welcomed one. "Oh hey Brook. Didn't think you'd come back, all that free time Al now has and all." she waved a hand in the air.

"You guys make it sound like we did something incriminating." she tried to play it off cool, praying that her poker face was up to par. It wasn't bad…but there was a lot of making out. One of the hottest sessions they've had yet. Albert's shirt may or may not have been taken off, hands roaming up and down her body and - she snapped back to reality because that's all they did ...she was still on a happy high. The boy knows how to kiss. Breathtaking, spark tingling, mind - and she did it again,

"I don't know, did you?" her brother asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Not as incriminating as what you do." saved by Kid Blink. Oh and Feister slapped Mush upside the head. But she was more focused on Blink. She doesn't care what anyone says, he has the best timing in the world. "Seriously, I should've invested in soundproof falls with you two lovebirds."

"It's not that loud," Mush defended.

"Oh gross," Brooklyn groaned. "Can we not talk about that part of your love life? It's already bad enough we know it's happenin'."

"Yeah but-"

"Mush, shut up," Feister cut off. "Ignore him, I do it all the time." in response Mush wrinkled his face and stuck his tongue out at her. To which Feister slapped him upside the head again. "Real mature Meyers."

"Good thing telepathy isn't a thing then," Brooklyn smiled softly. She tugged on the sleeve and held it in place from the inside. They had agreed not to spread the news just yet…aside from Feister, if Brooklyn wanted too that is. She wasn't the best at keeping secrets and telling someone would help lift the weight of letting that bomb explode. It was already bad enough she had been caught on camera going about her daily life. Thankfully she wasn't hunted down as much when she was with Albert. But that was a given, he was the superstar and she was just the average civilian who happens to be his girlfriend. Now soon to be wife, but again, nobody needed to know the news just yet.

Maybe if they played their cards right it'd be a small thing that wouldn't end up on every sports news station in the world this side of the planet. The problem was that Albert knew a lot more people than her and cutting that list down would be hard. Perhaps a decoy wedding, but that'd take more time and money. Which wasn't really a problem in the grand scheme of things but she still felt uncomfortable with that thought. These were all things that they could worry about later. That's what he told her when her mind started to spiral.

"Hey how's things with Sophia, " Brooklyn asked, changing the subject.

"They're ok," Kid Blink shrugged.

"Just ok?" Mush asked, a knowing look creeping up on his face. "I caught you with your tongue down her throat."

"Like I haven't walked in on you doin' the same thing' too Feisty," Kid Blink protested.

"Seriously you guys," Brooklyn groaned. Despite the…topic of conversation she really can't judge…that much. But she absolutely will. That's her brother for crying out loud. She has every right to be grossed out by that stuff.

That's another reason why this living arrangement wasn't the best. But her old apartment where she and Feister used to live had caught fire shortly before the wedding, and while the plan was always to move in with the newlyweds and Blink, it still felt weird being the only one away from her lover. When Sophia came into the picture she felt just a little left out when Albert was away. Mostly for games or training, and when he graduated it was even harder. Being engaged made her feel better though. It wasn't about the ring or finding her dream dress, it was knowing that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

Mrs. Brooklyn Dasilva. It has a nice ring to it.

Author's note

Despite this and the next few chapters being a bit of a struggle, I really enjoyed the sweeter aspect of it. I always knew I wanted Alblyn's proposal to be spontaneous, that Albert had everything ready to go but waited for the right moment even if he didn't know when that may be. Yes, I'm aware of the slight time jump, but for the sake of the plot I had in mine it needed to be done. Trust the process people. Hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading and I'll see you soon.