As difficult as it was for you to believe, it was almost the first anniversary of Richard stopping you from going face-first into the concrete inside the Magic Kingdom park at Walt DisneyWorld in Florida and although neither of you were bothered to return there, you still wanted to make it as special as possible, little knowing that Richard had his own surprise in store for you on the day and whenever you playfully asked if he had anything in mind, he simply stated that what he wanted was to spend a night at home with you, any communication forms disconnected.
But what you didn't know is that he was planning on taking you across the channel into France for a full week and a half before he had to head off to Australia for a new film role alongside Hugh Jackman and Bradley Cooper and you had to return to London to continue on with your work, even if it was completely removed from what the man you love had chosen to do with his life, but he often said that was one of the things he liked the most about you, that your career gave him something to talk about.
"Call me crazy if you want to (Y/BF'S/N) but Richard's up to something" you said during a fairly long phonecall between the two of you while Richard was out filming a pilot episode for a new TV series that he hoped would be picked up, and if it was he would be closer to home a greater deal more than he would be if he was on a film set, "I realise our first anniversary is coming up so maybe that's got something to do with it but it's not like him to have suddenly become as secretive as he is".
Now obviously your best friend knew what was going on, and because she had done a little in the way of acting in high school, she still knew the tricks to keeping her voice as neutral as she was possibly able to. "I wish I knew what he was up to as well because if there is or was anyone in your life past or present who knows how much you hate having surprises just sprung on you then it's me" she replied with just a hint of a laugh as she remembered a bygone Halloween where you nearly killed her.
"I really don't think I've ever been even half as angry with anyone as I what I was with you at that time even if it was meant to be a Halloween prank" you laughed in agreement as a few sounds came from outside the door. "Oh sounds like Richard's home" you said as the two of you very quickly said your 'byes', and you hung up just as the door opened and there your 6"2 man stood, a brilliant smile on his face as he walked quickly towards you, scooping you up into his strong arms and spun you around.
"It looks like ITV is interested in a season's worth of episodes darling" he whispered into your ear when he finally set you down, still holding on until your dizziness had passed by, which caused you to hug him tighter, your arms around his neck while he kept his firmly around your waist. "Which means I will be able to stay home more often with you than what I have in the past almost year since we first got together". You could see each time he had to go on a press junket how guilty he felt, but you understood completely.
Your first anniversary arrived and as expected, Richard tried (and failed) at acting as though he had completely forgotten it, especially when he came in the front door after his 'morning run' with a brown labrador puppy squirming in his arm, clearly intent on breaking free as soon as possible. You stood at the bottom of the stairs, shooting a quizzical expression in his direction, "Mrs Lange next door's been looking after him" he explained as the pup broke free and charged towards you, clearly recognising you, or your face at least, from its time spent in the neighbour's expansive backyard.
You didn't know whether to be mad at Richard or what but one look at the puppy's face as he sat at your feet and you broke, your body language and facial expression letting Richard know that it was safe to approach you. Sitting on the third stair from the bottom next to you as it was needed with your long frames, Richard scratched the puppy behind his ear causing it to look up at him, its pink tongue hanging out the side of its mouth, "He's about two and a half to three months old" Richard explained with a smile.
It was then that you noticed something hanging from the dog's collar. "What's that attached to his collar Richard" you asked as you held him steady while Richard unclipped the object in question. Turning it up the right way in his hand, you found Richard was in fact holding an aquamarine and diamond ring between two fingers, for which he promptly got down on one knee, taking your hand in his as the two of you kept the dog safe, "Y/N" he began, "I realise it's only been a year but I love you so much; darling will you marry me".
You sat there in a state of stunned silence for what seemed like an eternity to Richard until finally a smile broke out on your face and you could only nod in response as he gently slid it onto your left hand, kissing your fingers then your lips as the still nameless dog yipped to get your attention from Richard. "Attention seeker" Richard muttered with a laugh as he pet the dog on the head, "Now all we have to do darling is choose a name for this little critter of ours and no it won't be any part I've played".
