The Quartermaine Estate

Once Charles and Monica arrived home from the casino, they had gone upstairs to the their rooms.

"It really was a lovely affair," Monica said, taking off her necklace.

"It was," Charles said, "The girls did a great job. It's certainly going to be the newest hot spot in Port Charles."

"I can't say it's really my idea of a night out," Monica said, "At least not very often."

"I'll let you in on a secret," Charles said, "It's not mine either."

"But I enjoyed being out with you for everyone to see," Monica said, opening her jewelry box to put the necklace away.

Charles noticed her pause.

"What is it?" Charles asked.

"It's nothing," Monica replied, putting the necklace in the jewelry box and closing the lid.

"It seems like a little more than nothing," Charles said.

"It's nothing to worry about," Monica said, "It's silly really."

Charles walked over and took Monica's hand.

"Even if it's silly, I'm still willing to listen," Charles said, "if you want to talk about it."

Monica sighed and through about it for moment before opening the jewelry box again.

"When I went to put the necklace back," Monica answered, taking out her engagement ring from Charles, "I saw the ring you gave me when you proposed and it just threw me for a moment."

"I can understand why," Charles said, looking at the ring.

"Maybe you should have this back," Monica said, "At least for now until we can decide."

"Monica, the ring is yours to keep," Charles said, "Whether we decide to get married or not."

Monica shook her head, "Getting us into an awkward conversation was not how I wanted your first night back home to be."

"Would you like to put the ring back in the jewelry box and pretend we didn't have this conversation?" Charles asked.

Monica looked at Charles for moment, thinking, before she burst out laughing.

"I want to say yes," Monica said, regaining her composure, "But I also have to admit how absurd this all sounds. What does one say do or say about an engagement ring you gave me right before a megalomaniac shot and kidnapped you while letting us believe you were dead for almost a year?"

"I really don't know," Charles said, trying to stifle a laugh.

"You see what I mean," Monica said, unable to refrain from laughing again.

Then both Charles and Monica were laughing. They ended up sitting down on the edge of the bed when they finally stopped laughing.

Neither Monica or Charles said after they regained their composure.

"What if we did decide to get married?" Monica asked, quietly, "Like none of this wait and see if it's something we still want. I can't quite believe I'm going to say this, but what if we continue with the engagement going forward."

"Are you serious about this idea?" Charles asked, gently, "or just considering the idea?"

"I'm actually serious," Monica said, surprising herself, "I guess I'm proposing to you now. If you need time to think about it…"

"I don't need time to think about it," Charles interrupted, "I'd hoped that we might eventually discuss marriage this soon, I wasn't quite expecting the conversation. But I'd love to marry you whenever you're ready, Monica."