Holding hands, holding hearts

No words needed

When he woke the next morning Fletch turned towards Jac to find her lying with her hand out in front of her admiring the ring.
"Beautiful" he said
"It really is"
"I wasn't talking about the ring"
Jac rolled her eyes "you're so corny Fletcher. It's a good job I love you" Taking his hand and kissing his palm
"So do you want me to take this off until we tell people"
"Erm well I don't know. Hadn't thought it through. Hadn't even thought about asking you until 10 minutes before I did"
"Well technically you didn't actually ask me!' She said cheekily
"Didn't I?"
"Nope"
"Jac" he said getting out of bed and walking round to her side. He got down on one knee in front of her
"Will you marry me?"
Jac couldn't contain her laughter
"You are an idiot Fletch"
"So what's it to be Jac will you?" He crawled onto the bed and began tickling her. She was squealing "stop stop stop. Fletcher stop" but she was laughing
He suddenly stopped and looked at her questioningly and raised an eyebrow
"I've already said yes you fool. There is no one else in this world that I would rather be with..... well, now George Clooney's off the market"
"Oh charming so you'd swap all this for the fame, fortune and the rugged handsomeness of George Clooney?"
Jac laughed she loved the messing about and the teasing. It just wasn't usually her but with him it was unavoidable and the sarcasm and affectionate ribbing of each other was the basis of their relationship in the beginning.
"Anyway back to my original question from about 4  hours ago. Shall I take this off till we decide what the hell we're doing" Jac asked
"What do you want to do?" he said
"I don't want any big announcement but I also want to prove to you that you are everything to me"
"Jac" he whispered. Every time she showed emotion like that he was taken aback "wear it for me sweetheart" he drew her into his arms and kissed her deeply
"Come on" he said eventually "need to get up and sorted. Walk on the beach this morning Naylor"
Jac loved finding out their traditions.
Soon enough everyone was downstairs having breakfast before heading out.
Eagle eyed Evie spotted the ring and caught her Dad on his own
"Dad you went ahead and asked her?"
"Yes"
"I thought you were going to wait"
"I didn't see the point in waiting darling. I did tell her  it was ok if she thought it was too soon. But she said yes. It's totally out of character for her Evie so the fact that she said yes really means something to me"
"Well I guess I'm happy for you then. Considering she's been your main topic of conversation for the past year it's hardly surprising"
He hugged his daughter "I'm so pleased you're happy for me"
"You're a big softie" she said batting his arm
"I know" he was now looking over at Jac wrestling with the 3 youngest children to get their coats, hats and gloves on but she was playful with them, turning it into a game.
He beamed, so impressed at how much she was opening herself up to all this
During the day the other children found out about the engagement and honestly not one of them was fazed  by it.
"See I always told you that the kids would take this, us, in their stride"
"Yes yes you were right. I hate it when you're right Fletcher"
"Don't worry babe it is a very rare occurrence"
"I have another wish Fletch"
"Are you allowed another one?"
"I get a bonus"
"Alright"
"I wish you wouldn't put yourself down. You cover it well with cockiness but deep down..."
He just hugged her. She wasn't the only one who had protective walls in place before all this . He didn't need to say anything everything was conveyed in that embrace