"Thank you, Duo," she said, hugging him and giggling.  When she pulled back, she checked her watch and said, "Oh, we've got to be at the club in a bit for Kira's birthday party.  I brought a few outfits over to choose from, so I'm going to go change."  She began to get up, but was hindered by Duo's arm, which had suddenly clamped around her waist.  She soon found herself practically in his lap.  "Duo!" she nearly shrieked.

"Relax, there's just something I wanted to ask you before we leave."  He took her left hand in his, a twinkle in his eye and a roguish grin on his lips.  Hilde looked at him expectantly.  "Can I dirty dance with you tonight?" he asked after a suitably long, suspecting pause.

"Duo!" she groaned, bopping him over the head.

"I was just kidding!" he exclaimed, laughing at the look on her face.  "No, no, but seriously, that wasn't it," he said, suppressing a grin and taking her hand again.  "What I meant to say is—you can't expect me to do this seriously—okay, okay . . . Hilde, will you marry me?  Wait! Before you say anything, I just want you to know that I've been thinking about this a lot, and I've never been more sure of anything in my life.  I mean, we've already taken care of each other for three years, why not 63 more- or more if we live longer!  So anyway, what do you say, Hilde-babe?"

During this speech, her stern look had vanished and been gradually replaced by a dazzling smile, which had grown wider as his nervousness became more apparent.  When he finally allowed her to have her say, at first she only laughed and threw her arms around his neck, smothering him with kisses.  But just to make sure her answer was perfectly clear—"Of course I will, you idiot!"

His arms around her waist, he laughed and fell back on the couch, then slowed her attack by kissing her on the mouth.  She sighed happily against his lips, eventually pulling away to smile down on him. 

"Here," said Duo, digging in his pocket to pull out the ring box, "I did get you a ring."

He sat up and put the ring on her finger, Hilde declaring how beautiful it was the entire time.  "I have to get ready now, but—" she placed both hands on either side of his face and kissed him one more time on the mouth, "I love you so much, and I will be right back."  With that, she hopped up and literally half-ran, half-skipped to her room.

He watched her then fell back on the couch again and sighed blissfully.  While staring up at the ceiling with unseeing eyes, Max came to stand next to his head and began to lick his dazed face.  Duo blinked several times.  "Duo! I need you!" called Hilde from her bedroom.  He reached up and grabbed Max's muzzle mid-lick, his tongue stuck halfway out of his mouth.

"What is it this time?" he yelled, rising from the couch and releasing the bloodhound.  Max barked, his ears perking forward.

"I can't find anything to wear!"

Duo gave Max a significant look.  "We're coming," he answered.  Dutifully, both boys ran down the hall to the aid of their lady, ready to protect her from all manner of evil fashion.  Soon more laughter could be heard from the bedroom, and with this welcome intrusion of sound, the house could be said to have officially turned back into a home.

**********

The End

Began October 2002

Finished January 2004

Author's Note: Sad, isn't it, that it took me so long to write something only about 50 pages?  Oh, well.  Anyway, I'm not sure what's coming up next.  Technically, I should write Quatre's story because it comes next chronologically.  Either that, or Heero's, so give me some feedback and I'll consider it.  Thanks so much for reading.  I hope you enjoyed it, and please review.  If you haven't read "Trust in Me" yet, it comes right after this story and has a few Duo and Hilde moments, so check it out.