Marriage Proposal

Six months had passed since their miraculous survival, and the day had arrived—Rick's proposal, carefully designed to weave their shared memories into an unforgettable story.

Proposal: The NYT Crossword Proposal

It was a typical Sunday morning at the loft. Kate sipped her coffee while flipping open the New York Times to the crossword section, a shared tradition with Rick. Romey was on the floor nearby, playing with his toy seaplane and occasionally chiming in with commentary.

"Alright," Kate said, pen poised, "Let's see how impossible they've made it this week."

Rick leaned back in his chair, an innocently devious grin on his face. "I hear today's theme is particularly compelling."

Kate glanced skeptically at Rick but focused on the puzzle. The first clue caught her attention: "Aviation innovation allowing land and water landing" (9).

Romey looked up from his toy and frowned. "Mommy, what does innovation mean?"

"It means a new idea or invention," Kate explained. "Something that makes things better."

Romey's face lit up. "Oh! That's a seaplane!" he exclaimed.

Kate smiled and filled in the answer. "You're right, buddy. Seaplane it is."

"Seaplane," she said confidently, filling in the letters. She glanced at Rick, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Impressive start, Romey," Rick teased.

The next clue: "Northern landmass known for poutine and politeness (6)."

"Canada," Kate said, scribbling the answer. Romey perked up. "That's where our maple syrup comes from, right?"

"Exactly," Rick said with a wink.

Kate narrowed her eyes, starting to suspect something. She continued. "Layered structures essential to boreal ecosystems (5)."

"Trees," Kate muttered, jotting it down. The clues were challenging but oddly specific. Another clue followed: "Navigational tool aligning with Earth's magnetic field (7)."

"Compass," Kate said aloud, now glancing at Rick, who maintained an air of innocence.

Romey abandoned his plane and hopped onto the couch. "Mommy, what's the next one?"

Kate read aloud: "Profession for creating stories, often with a pen (6)."

"Writer," Romey said immediately, beaming with pride.

"You're good at this," Kate said, kissing his head and filling in the answer. Her pen paused on the next clue: "A person who saves others and is admired (4)."

Rick leaned forward, feigning curiosity. "Tricky one?"

"Hero," Kate answered, scribbling quickly.

The next clue stumped her momentarily: "Elemental reaction vital for survival in extreme conditions (4)."

Kate stared at the clue, her pen hovering above the page. "Elemental reaction vital for survival," she muttered. "Why am I blanking on this?"

Rick leaned over, his voice low. "Fire," he said simply, his tone carrying a mix of amusement and affection.

Kate filled it in, then leaned closer to him and whispered, "You're really good with fire."

Rick smirked, his eyes twinkling. "In the woods and in our bedroom."

Kate smiled, jotting it down. The clues became progressively more intricate. "Persistent determination in the face of adversity (8)."

"Survival," Kate whispered, filling it in. Her brows furrowed as she noticed a pattern.

Her pen hovered over the grid as realization dawned. The second-to-last clue read, "Declaration made with a promise of forever" (15).

Slowly, she filled in the spaces: W-I-L-L Y-O-U M-A-R-R-Y M-E. Her breath caught as she pieced together the letters, her heart pounding harder with each one. She could feel Rick's eyes on her, watching her every reaction. The room seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them at this moment. When the final letter was in place, her hands trembled slightly as she set the pen down, the enormity of what she'd just read sinking in.

She turned to Rick, her heart pounding. "You've got to be kidding me."

Rick grinned, pulling a small box from his pocket and kneeling before her. "Kate, every clue in my life has led me to you. You are my greatest adventure, my inspiration, and my heart. Katherine Houghton Beckett, will you marry me?"

Before Kate could answer, Romey yelled, "Say yes, Mommy!"

Through tears, Kate laughed and nodded. "Yes, Rick."

Rick slid the ring onto her finger, kissing her as Romey cheered and jumped on the couch.

Kate looked at the ring on her finger, "It's big."

"No, you just have remarkably tiny fingers."

"Rick leaned back with a thoughtful smile. "There's one last clue," he said, his voice soft, gesturing to the grid. "It's in the puzzle and the most important one."

Kate read the clue. "Legal process by which someone becomes a parent to a child who is not biologically their own (8)."

She turned to Rick, her voice catching. "Adoption?"

Rick smiled and reached for her hand. "Kate, I want to make this official. I love Romey as my own and want to be his dad—legally and forever. "

Kate nodded as her eyes glistened. "His father," she whispered. She paused, her voice thick with emotion. "Romey is so lucky to have you, Rick. And Alexis... she's going to be the most amazing big sister. We're so blessed to have this family."

Rick grinned and reached into his pocket for his phone. "Oh, and I should mention—I got permission to ask for your hand in marriage."

Kate's brows furrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. "You asked my father for my hand. Really?"

Rick chuckled, holding up his hands defensively. "Not exactly. Here, watch this." He played a video.

The screen showed Romey sitting on Rick's lap, his knight costume slightly askew. "Romey," Rick's voice in the video began, "you're the man of this household, and I wanted your permission to ask Mommy to marry me?"

Romey tilted his head thoughtfully, then grinned. "Only if you promise to always love her and treat her right."

Rick laughed. "I can see your uncles and Aunt Lanie have schooled you well. I promise to love your mommy until my last dying breath."

Romey jumped off Rick's lap and picked up his toy sword, striking a dramatic pose. "I, Sir Romey, knight of New York City, grant you permission to marry my mommy! But only if you promise to keep making her laugh and give me more bedtime stories."

Rick kneeled before Romey in the video, "I promise thee, brave knight."

Rick and Kate laughed and gave each other one last kiss before looking at Romey.

Romey smiled and asked, "Can we get married tomorrow and go on our honeymoon?"

Kate looks at Rick, "I don't want a long engagement, but a day seems kind of fast."

Rick laughed, "You pick the time and place, Kate and I'll be there."