One night was all it took: Season 3 "One second was all it took"

Ring Of Love

There is a confident yet somehow nervous look mixed in her expression. She is slightly shaky while looking around the dance floor.

"Okay," I say, raising an eyebrow and nodding my head. "So, say it."

Shaking my head, she causes me to chuckle again. I look around at the beautiful snow-white sparkling and flowing lights. The ambiance of this club is soothing and makes me feel safe and relaxed.

Clearing her throat again, she slows down her dancing, purposely trying to look away from me. She is growing more nervous, and it is clear she has something planned.

"Come on Natalia! Just do it!" She mumbles while seeming more nervous than five seconds ago.

"Do what babe?" I asked with a half-smile.

She takes a deep breath. She holds it. She slowly exhales while staring into my eyes with a fiery passion I have never felt from her before.

"I now know what being in love means." She says with a shaky tone. "And it explains a lot. That very first night when I thought I was crazy for getting your address and forcing myself to find you...convincing Rya to give me your address! I knew then and there I was in love, but I didn't understand what love was or what it meant."

She exhales, staring deeper into my eyes. I did not understand it at all. But, when I touch you and feel aroused, I now understand it is not being 'aroused'. It is being in love. The touch of you makes me fall in love harder than I could have ever imagined. You have shown me a world that I never knew existed until I found you. And without you, it is not a world, it is hell. I don't think I'd ever be able to do this without you."

There is a growing knot in my throat as she continues. I have an idea of what is about to happen, but a part of me is hoping I am wrong, yet also hoping I am right.

"Umm..." She stutters and waves her hands like she's shaking the nerves off her body. She exhales another deep breath.

"I promised myself that I would never end up in another relationship again. Not anytime soon. I told myself to stay away from everyone. I met you and broke that promise almost instantly."

Glancing over at Rya and Gemma, I now realize they are paying closer attention to us. Rya shrugs her shoulders as I give her a look of question. They both are staring and are just as seem just as confused as I am.

I look over in Jared's direction and he is still dancing with his new guy, but his eyes are glued to us. He looks just as curious as the rest of us.

"Babe. Have you had too much to drink?" I jokingly ask.

Looking even more nervous, she shakes her head now. Her hands look shaky, but she begins sliding them toward her pants pockets.

"I broke a promise that I would never get back with you. But then I made another promise that I refuse to break." She says while reaching into her pants pocket.

"Babe?" I say with a questionable tone. "What promise are you refusing to break?"

I turn my head and glance over my shoulder. Derek has stopped dancing with the blonde girl. His eyes grow wide while he is staring at us. He looked in shock. I cough a small laugh and turn my head.

"What is his deal," I say, turning back to Natalia nowhere to be found.

Jared, Rya, and Gemma are all in my line of view and every one of them has their hands over their mouths.

Tears are trickling down Rya's face and I can see it from here. Gemma is frozen in place. Jared has one hand over his mouth, his eyes are bulging, and his other hand is fanning his face.

Realization dawns on me that Natalia is in front of me...but down on one knee.

Slowly, I lower my head, looking to the ground. Natalia is holding open a box with the most beautiful golden-white diamond ring I have ever seen. Her hands are shaky, and tears are streaming from her eyes.

"I promised you, one day I'd marry you."

My heart feels like it just stopped. The world is frozen to me. I try to say something, but nothing wants to come out of my mouth. I gasped.

As tears stream down her face, she exhales a shaky breath. "Lacey Martin..." She pauses, rolls her eyes toward the ceiling, and takes another skipping breath. "Will you marry me?"

Tears instantly flow down my cheeks. I feel so lost and did not see this coming. The shock has me covering my mouth and almost dropping to the ground. I look up to Gemma, Rya, Jared, and Derek who are all standing around the two of us now.

"I..." I gasp for a breath of air. "Yes! Natalia! Yes!" I announce as tears stream down my face. "I want to spend every waking moment with you! I do...I mean I love you! I do! I do!"

Lowering my shaky hand to her, I cover my mouth with my other hand. She pulls the ring out of the box, struggling as her hand continues to shake from her nervousness.

Quickly wiping her eyes with her wrist while holding the ring, she exhales. She slowly grabs my hand with her other hand, carefully sliding the ring onto my finger. The beautiful diamond ring fits my finger perfectly.

As she stands back up, I quickly pull her into me, connecting our lips, as the fiery passion burns through me. I wrap myself around her, squeezing her tighter than I ever have.

"Lord! I couldn't be happier right now." Jared blunders in a high-pitched tone. "I am going to faint. Derek baby! Hold me!"

Rya steps toward us, her eyes glued to the ring. "This is..." She pauses, looking up at the two of us. "Congratulations! You two are perfect for each other and I wouldn't want anyone else to be with Lacey!"

"We need to celebrate!" Derek announces, waving his hand toward a server. "Rounds for everyone!"