This marks the end of Act 6, with one more act to go. Hope you're all well and safe. Happy reading!

May 29, 1998

He had made a plan. He'd taken her out to their favorite French bistro; the same one he'd taken her to on their first date, unofficial as it had been.

During dinner he kept slipping his hand into the pocket of his jacket. Proposing seemed somehow long overdue, even though they'd been together less than ten months. September seemed like a lifetime ago; back when Brumby circled her as a vulture and she was trying to deal with it. Back then, he'd taken her out to get her mind off it, make her laugh. He entertained her with Academy tales, and made her laugh until the tears were rolling down her cheeks and she gasped for air.

Things had been brewing for a while by then, although he didn't want to admit it to himself. They were definitely friends, but the elephant in the room had yet to be addressed.

Then Brumby had attacked and everything changed at lightning speed.

He'd gotten the ring the Tuesday after they'd gotten back from California. Since she was so specific on preferring something already worn, he'd gone back to the shop where he bought her Christmas present. The sales lady was more than helpful and he found a perfect set. Elegant, sophisticated, an almost simplistic design. He'd been terrified of losing it ever since he'd stepped out their apartment door.

The other part of his plan included taking her back to the park where they had gone on their second date, after they'd moved in. Teagan was setting up to take pictures, and besides Jack -who was keeping an eye on Tally- she was the only one who knew tonight he was (finally) popping the all-important question.

Harm hadn't expected to be this nervous about it. Sure, it was the most important question he could ever ask her, but he'd been here before, for heaven's sake. He'd done this!

Not with her, though, a tiny voice in the back of his head said. You haven't asked her this question before, and until she says 'yes', there will always be a chance she'll say 'no'.

She studied him as he spooned up a bite of what was technically 'her' chocolate soufflé. "You're a little different tonight," she concluded.

Harm arched an eyebrow. "Different? How different?"

"Awfully happy."

He smirked. "I'm always awfully happy when I'm with you."

"So you tell me." She smiled, reaching for his hand. "Are we going dancing?"

He shook his head. "Unless you insist." Which he hoped she wouldn't do.

"No. Can we do a walk, though? It's gorgeous out."

"Absolutely." He let his breath out, brushing his thumb over her knuckles, grateful she loved the simple things as much as he did.

There was something uncomplicated about their relationship, something he hoped to keep and nurture forever. All she'd ever wanted was simply his attention, and that he could give. Everything else, to her, would always be the icing on the cake.

It was quiet in the park, after dinner. They strolled along, talking about her upcoming meeting with Claire and Teagan. About how she wanted to help, make a difference where she could, because one day they too, would be veterans.

When he felt her shiver, he slipped out of his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Then softly, she started speaking about how she was sure she would never see her mother again, and that she was going to be okay with that.

"She can't offer me anything I don't already have with your parents," she said. "I'm sad Tally won't know her grandmother, but that's a choice Deanne made when she walked out. Again."

"Would you let her get to know Tally if she wanted to?"

She was silent, then shrugged. "Not without either of us there. At this point, and I've said this to Vera too, Deanne doesn't deserve to know any of you. She wasn't interested in who and what I'd become as long as Joe wasn't dying. The fact he was, doesn't change the narrative. She's seen your face, she can guess as to who you are." She hesitated. "Although the other part of me wonders if I'm not a terrible mother for keeping Talls from her."

Harm tightened his hold on her. "I don't think you're a terrible mother at all. I think this shows how protective you are of her and being protective is never a bad thing."

"Thank you." Her lips pulled up and she leaned into his shoulder. "I think it'll always be a sore spot. I can't fathom being able to leave Tally, for any reason, at all."

"I don't think it's something any good parent will understand," he offered. "Then again, I can't imagine doing to you what Joe did to her."

"You're not that kind of man, omram. I wouldn't be here if I doubted you."

"I know."

She nudged his side. "But, enough with the sad topics. We have far happier things to talk about."

"We do?"

They came up to the clearing they had picnicked and Harm stopped.

Sarah looked up at him. "Don't we?"

Licking his lips, he nodded. This is it. "We do." Taking a step into the direction of the tree, he pulled her along, quickly checking he still had her ring in the pocket of his slacks.

"Someone put up lights." Her voice was filled with wonder.

He nodded again. Teagan had outdone herself, wherever she was hiding. He turned back to Sarah, taking her hands in his, searching for the right words. He might have prepared a plan but he hadn't actually thought about what he was going to say, wanting the moment to be genuine and heartfelt rather than rehearsed.

"I want to ask you something."

Surprised, her eyes locked with his. "What?"

He swallowed. Words were going to fail him, because she meant so much more than he would ever be able to verbally express to her.

"You know I love you, right? More than anything?"

"I do." She didn't even hesitate.

"And that I want to spend the rest of my life with you?"

Her eyes softened. "I do."

Reaching into his slacks, he sank down to one knee and showed her the ring. "I could make an entire speech, but words will never do us justice and I doubt it'll add anything to what you already know. Sarah, will you marry me?"

Her eyes had grown wide, then filled with tears and she covered her mouth with her hands. "Are you sure?"

"As you're the only woman who's gotten me on one knee… I'm sure."

Wiping a tear from her cheek, she nodded, happy beyond words. "Yes. Yes, of course I'll marry you!"

He grinned, both relieved and overjoyed, and got up. Kissing her, he pulled back and slipped the ring onto her finger.

She admired it in awe. "It's absolutely beautiful."

He brushed hair out of her face and cupped her cheeks. "So are you."

"We're really getting married."

"We're really getting married," he echoed.

Her smile nearly split her face in two. "I can't wait."