The past few months since the shooting had been the best of Evangeline’s life. She couldn’t begin to understand how she and John had gone from being afraid to get involved to being in love with each other. Well, that wasn’t absolutely true. When she thought she was dying, she had regretted that it had taken so long for her to realize that she loved John. When she realized that she wasn’t dying, and he’d told her that he loved her as well, she wanted to embrace every moment. And she had.

She still had a heavy workload and, even though the Santi case was finally over and Sonja, Tico and RJ were behind bars, John was still very busy in Llanview. They didn’t get to spend as much time together as they would both like, but they spent any free time they had together, which included lunches, breaks, and after work hours.

When she’d been shot, the court had given her an extension for Kelly’s trial. Evangeline had already prepared for the case, so her doctor had insisted that she take a break. John had been adamant about her taking a break and had even taken time off to keep her company.

After both of them said “I love you”, they had shared details about their fears. John had shared details about his relationship with Caitlin. Evangeline had shared details about the mistake her father had made that had led to him losing his job and the failure of her parents’ marriage. Once those things were out in the open, they had decided to take it slow and court. Was that old fashioned or what? She smiled as she thought of it.

John could be quite the romantic when he set his mind to it. He’d brought her flowers and candy. He’d even cooked for her. He was also very protective. Overly protective, since she’d been shot months ago. Even though the FBI had identified and captured the man responsible for the hit on her, John still didn’t want her going many places alone. That hadn’t been a problem yet, but she could already see the writing on the wall.

A fight was on the horizon and she had to be ready for it. He could wear her down if she let him and she couldn’t afford that. She was too independent for that and she wasn’t going to let anyone dictate what she could and couldn’t do. Not even John, but she loved him and she knew that she never wanted to be without him.

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John was sitting in his office looking over case files and adding comments so he could get them closed and get home. He’d finally rented an apartment over looking Angel Square not far from Evangeline’s house.

He and Evangeline were going to dinner tonight and he didn’t want to be late. He was picking her up and they were going to the Palace. That was the first place they’d kissed and he wanted tonight to be special. He needed tonight to be special. It had to last in their memories for a lifetime. He glanced at the photo of her on his desk and smiled. She’d taught him to walk again. She had been extremely patient with him as he came to terms with his feelings. Never asking for more than he was able to give her. For that he would be eternally grateful.

While looking at the picture, he could see in his minds’ eye, little girls running around the park with ponytails and little boys trying to show their mom how to hold a bat. He prayed his timing wasn’t off. He thought she was ready for where they were going. She had to be. He couldn’t go by himself.

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Evangeline heard the doorbell from the master bathroom. Great today he’s early.

“I’m coming,” she said as she pushed her earring into her ear and stepped into her shoes.

The doorbell rang again as she was making her way down the stairs, “I’m coming”.

She opened the door and gasped. Standing before her was John McBain in suit and tie, holding a dozen red roses. They were a perfect match to the dress she was wearing. Instead of handing the roses to her, he laid them on the table in the foyer and pulled her to him, before he pressed his lips to hers.

“Hi,” he said breathlessly with a hint of smile when the kiss ended.

“Hi,” she responded.

“You’re beautiful.”

“Thank you. You’re not bad yourself.”

“I’ve been thinking about you all day.”

“Really?” she said with a look of pleasure on her face.

“Yes, I have.”

“What were you thinking?”

“Just how important you are to me and how much I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I know.”

“You’re a little cocky tonight. I could have made it up.”

”Some things I just know,” he said with a smirk and laughed, “Are you ready to go?”

“I just need to get my purse.”

They arrived at the palace and no one was there, except a live band was set up in the corner.

“Are you sure they’re open, John? I mean no one is here. Maybe they’re set up for a private party or something.”

“Just trust me okay?”

“With everything,” she responded seriously.

“Good. Now, come on.”

She followed him to a table that was set with dinner and champagne and realized that he’d done all of this.

“John, what are you doing?”

“You’ll know soon enough.”

They sat down and ate the dinner that was prepared. As they finished dinner, the band started playing “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion.

“Ms. Williamson, can I have this dance?” he asked with his hand extended.

“Of course,” she replied as she laid her hand in his.

They went to the make shift dance floor in the middle of the room. John pulled Van to him. She nestled into his body and laid her head against his shoulder as they moved together to the music. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin against her forehead. As they danced, he caressed her back. When the song ended, John pulled out a chair and seated Evangeline. He then got down on one knee. Evangeline’s eyes widened and her hands clinched. John took her hands in his and smiled at her. She couldn’t help but smile back.

“John, what are you doing?”

“I’ve got something to ask you.”

“What?”

“Well, I need to tell you something first. Months ago, we told each other I love you. At the time, while I definitely felt that, I wasn’t ready for a full blown relationship. I was scared of what could happen. You had just been shot and I was worried that something else would happen to you. Because of my job, Caitlin got killed. I know it wasn’t my fault, but I felt guilty for so long. I wasn’t ready to admit to myself that I could really love someone with everything I am again. But, you’ve been patient with me. More patient than I expected or deserved. You’ve taught me to walk again. Thank you for being who and what I need. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So what do you say, will you marry me?”

During John’s speech, Evangeline’s eyes had filled with tears. When he’d asked the question, one had spilled over on her cheek. He reached up and wiped it away with his thumb. She held his gaze.

“You know I was thinking earlier that I love you and never want to be without you. I guess I don’t have to worry about that anymore. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

The kiss John gave her in the next moment promised forever.