Should've Been Us

I Need You

After driving Dixie and Zoë to the airport for their final three weeks in France, Antonio arranged a special picnic for her. Gaby had set everything up for him. They headed out to the lakefront and walked a short distance to the quiet spot he had picked. It may not have been what he had planned when he wanted to propose back then, but like they had come to the conclusion, they had changed. The one thing that hadn't changed was their feelings towards each other. Despite some people being against them getting married so soon, they were still going through with it because it was their life. Antonio felt his pocket to make sure the ring box was in it. He smiled, holding her hand as they drove to the park. He parked his truck and helped her from the cab. He then reached in the back seat and pulled out a picnic basket. He extended his arm. "I thought we could have a nice quiet picnic before heading back to the insanity of our wedding planning."

"I like that idea." Josie grinned, slipping her arm through his. "Lead the way."

Josie gasped when she saw the picnic site. There was a blanket set up with some twinkling LED candles. Josie suspected that Gaby had something to do with it. There was also a bottle of something chilling on ice. Knowing Gaby, it wasn't going to be champagne because of the babies. Antonio put the basket down and helped her get onto the blanket. "Antonio, this is beautiful." She grinned. "You remembered I loved picnics."

"I did... and I know you always wanted to have a picnic by the lake at sunset, so... here we are."

"Thank you." Josie took his hand. "It means a lot... to be able to finally do all the things we talked about... after all this time."

Antonio pulled her closer and kissed her deeply. "I can't make up for the years I've missed... but I can make things work now..." He reached into his pocket. He saw that the sun was beginning to sink under the horizon. Now was the time. He pulled out the ring box. "Josie, I've loved you since the moment I first laid eyes on you that day 16 years ago... I never wanted anything more in life than to spend my life with you. I've dreamt about this every day since I found out you were here, alive... with our children. I know you've already said yes, but... will you make me the happiest man alive and make it official? Will you marry me?" He popped open the ring box.

Josie gasped. The ring sparkled in the setting sun. The center diamond was a blush toned diamond in a tear-drop shape. On either side of it were two tiny tear-drop diamonds on their sides. The main diamond was surrounded by a thin halo of tiny diamonds and there were diamonds that went halfway around the band. "Yes, Antoino... I wouldn't have it any other way."