Well, I've been busy with things; life, work, working on my own IP novel, and the like. But I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share this little slice of SAO with you. It is set Post ALO, Pre GGO and Pre the ending of my last story. Not sure if it will be a one shot or not, cast your vote!

EDIT: Apparently Cardinal didn't like my story and tried to redact the whole thing. It should be fixed now.

I stretched, trying to work a kink out of my back. I'd been standing at this counter for far longer than I thought I would be and I wasn't even close to being done.

I wiped my brow and picked turned my attention back to what I was doing, glancing at the clock on the wall. I had about four hours before I had to leave if I wanted to get there on time and I wasn't sure how this would turn out this time. I had a few failed attempts that Keiko had agreed to help with later on.

The timer dinged and I opened the oven door, pulling the tray out and setting it on the cooling rack I had set on the countertop and picked up the pot I had sitting to the side, spooning out the melted chocolate that had been cooling slightly. Once I finished drizzling it, I rushed to my room and changed into on oversized pullover sweater and a pair of leggings. I walked back into the kitchen buckling a wide belt over my sweater and pulled the box out of the pantry and put some tissue paper inside.

As I put the chocolate coated treats into the box, I smiled. Though there had been a lot of times that I had wanted to do something like this, being trapped in SAO tended to focus one's mind to more important things. Not to mention that until recently I didn't have anyone to do this with made things a little difficult.

I closed the box and tied it with a red ribbon that reminded me of the dress I wore as a blacksmith. I couldn't help but smile at the memories. I wrapped the box in a black and silver cloth that I had asked Argo to help me find, matching the color of a particular coat and stashed it in my purse, wondering why I carried one despite only having a few things inside that I could easily tuck into the pockets of a light coat.

Pulling on a pair of tall socks and some boots I had gotten as a gift I hurried out the door, heading for the nearest bus stop. It was hard to move quickly in these boots given the height of the heels but I wanted to look as nice as I could and these made me feel great.

I got off at the Nagoya stop and walked towards the park, seeing a certain form lounging on the bench with some sort of technical magazine in his hands. He glanced up and smiled as I approached.

"Hey Rika," he said, standing. "You look great."

I smirked, even as the flush creeped up my neck. "You don't look so bad yourself, Kazuto," I said, giving him a quick hug and slipping a hand into one of his back pockets. "So what have you got planned, buster?"

"I was thinking a quiet dinner and a ride through one of the parks since they've got those carriages going tonight." He slipped an arm across my shoulders as we turned towards the park entrance. "That ok with you?"

I smiled and looked up at him. "Have I ever said no to time with you?"

"There was that technical conference I asked you to attend with me in November," he said.

"I'm not really as into tech aspects as you are, dear." I patted his stomach as we walked. "But I was more than happy to tell Yui about the information that you were getting while you were gone."

He smiled. "I wondered why she about knocked me down when I got back and visited. Now I know."

Dinner was amazing, though I did secretly worry about the price. The restaurant Kazuto took me too was rather nice and the menu showed that even the inexpensive dishes were somewhat pricy compared to the soba shops and burger joints I tended to hit when cooking was not high on my to-do lists. But the food was well worth the price even though we declined to have a dessert.

While we waited for the check, I pulled the box from my purse and slid it across the table.

"Happy Valentines Day, Kazuto," I said, suddenly nervous. "I hope they taste ok."

He unwrapped the gift box and tasted one of the homemade wafer cookies I had spent a good time making with some questionable results. His eyes opened wide as he chewed and swallowed. My heart was thudding as I waited.

"Rika, that was amazing! I didn't know you had learned to bake like that," he said,

I blushed in embarassment. After returning from the death game, I had tried my hand at cooking and baking and preferred not to think of the results. However, practice makes perfect, especially when you know someone that seems to be able to do it instinctively to tutor you…again.

"Well, you don't have to make it sound like I don't know what I'm doing," I said teasingly. He tucked the wrapped box into a jacket pocket and after paying the bill we left.

The carriage ride through the park was one of the most romantic things I had ever been treated to and we cuddled close with a warm blanket draped across our legs. As the driver started to turn around to return to the entrance, Kazuto shifted in his seat, turning to face me and taking my hands into his.

"Rika," he began, sounding slightly nervous. "I just wanted you to know that I love you so much."

I quirked an eyebrow. "I kinda guessed as much, considering how much time we spend together."

"Beyond that," he said, reaching into his pocket and producing a small velvet box.

My heart sped up and my vision misted over as he opened it, revealing a ring nestled within.

"Rika, I know we've been married for three years now," he said, holding my eyes with his. "But I want to make it official here, in the real world.

"Will you marry me?"

I pulled my hands from his to swipe at tears that streamed down my face, glad that I was never as big on makeup as Asuna or Keiko, otherwise I'd have mascara running down my cheeks.

"You big dummy," I said as I grabbed his coat and pulled him close for a kiss. "Did you truly think I'd say no?"

"No, but I wanted to ask for the authenticity." He took the ring from the box and slid it onto my finger.

I leaned into him as the carriage clip-clopped to the front of the park. I kept glancing down and admiring the ring as it caught lamplight and sparkled.

"You realize that Keiko, Asuna, and Sugu are going to freak, you know?"

He smiled. "Not so much," he said, squeezing me. "Keiko helped me find out your size, Asuna reccommended the shop, and Suguha went with me to narrow the choices down."

I stared at him. "How long have you been planning this, Kazuto Kirigaya?" I demanded.

"Ever since we got back from SAO," he said,

I gaped. I then kissed him and held him as I whispered into his ear.

"I think you deserve more than just cookies then," I then snuggled into him. "But first I have to plan my revenge on my four best friends for keeping this a secret from me for so long."

Good surprise or not, biggest wish or not, I still hate not knowing that something like that had gone on without my even getting a bit wise to it.

I then perked up.

"I'm not going to have to fend off them pushing wedding plans, am I?" I asked.

He shrugged.

"You know them, they'll probably help if you ask but they won't push."

"Good," I said, settling in again.

"I've got to get used to the idea myself first."