Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 17

"Dawn Elyse Jensen, will you marry me?"

The words were spoken so softly that Dawn wasn't even sure she'd heard him correctly. She stared at him in silence and in amazement. When he released her hand to open the box he held in the other, she knew her ears hadn't deceived her.

The diamond ring was beautiful. The cut was simple, and the jewel shined in the dim lamp light. The band was made of gold and as Nikolas slid it on her finger, she found that it was a perfect fit.

"Nikky, I don't know what to say," she said as she looked from the ring that was on the third finger of her left hand to the love and hope she saw in Nikolas' eyes.

"Yes or no is the usual response," he said softly, trying to gauge the emotions that covered her face.

"But...why?" she asked.

"I just told you. Because I love you," Nikolas said, as moved to hold her hand.

"I know. You love me and I you, but... Why are you asking me to marry you?" she asked, with a frown. "Why now? Is it because I'm pregnant?"

"I'm asking now because of the pregnancy, but I've always intended to ask you eventually. The pregnancy sped things up a little bit," he said, as he moved to sit beside her on the sofa.

"Getting married because I'm pregnant... I don't think it's fair to the baby or necessary," Dawn said. Her eyes became bright with unshed tears as she continued. "I didn't become pregnant on purpose. I didn't plan for this to happen to entrap you. I thought you knew that."

"Hey, I know that," he said softly. When she began to cry, he pulled her into his arms. "I think the pregnancy is affecting your hearing. I never said any of that. I want to marry you because we love each other."

"Everyone's gonna think I became pregnant to trick you into marrying me. Your uncle will swear to it," she sniffled against his chest.

Nikolas moved away from her so that she could look into his eyes as he said, "I don't give a damn what everyone else thinks and especially not my uncle. The only thing that matters to me is you and our unborn child. Call me traditional, but I want the three of us to be a family. In the eyes of God and man."

"I want that, too," she said, smiling through her tears.

"So, can I take that as a yes?" he asked.

"You bet your cute buns that's a yes!" she said, throwing herself into his arms.

Nikolas held her close against him as he breathed a sigh of relief. Soon, a hug wasn't enough for either of them, and they moved to seal their decision with a loving, passionate kiss.

~*~

"Hey, what's up?"

"Dawn? What are you doing out here? Is something wrong? Have you gotten sicker?" Lucky asked as he jumped down from the boxcar to grasp her shoulders.

"Gosh, Lucky! Back off! I'm fine," she laughed.

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you two doing out there?"

"Hi, Lizzie. I didn't see you in there. I thought you might be here. This is good. I can talk to you both at the same time," Dawn said.

Lizzie jumped down from the boxcar and asked, "What's going on?"

Dawn ran a nervous hand through her braids and said, "Well, I wanted to know if either of you would-"

"Hey! What's that on your hand? Lucky, look at this. Now, that's what I call a piece of the rock," Lizzie said, as she held Dawn's hand up to the streetlight to get better look at her ring.