Hello fellow Proposal lovers! This story is going to show a side of Andrew the movie never showed. It begins with this chapter where Andrew first proposes to Gert. But don't worry! This is NOT a Gert/Andrew centered story...Margaret and Andrew will come eventually. I really wasn't sure how to begin this story, but eventually it came to me. I will not be following the movie at all, this is just a different way for Andrew and Margaret meeting and falling in love. If you have any suggestions for something you'd like to see or any criticism, go ahead and let me know. I want to make this story enjoyable for you guys. Anyway, on to chapter 1!

~jackielynn

P.S. Chapter titles will be based on song lyrics by The Fray...the first one is from a song called "Absolute" which I do not own at all.

I've seen this one before, the girl she gets away
Everybody knows it but no one tries to stop it
Cause she barely even knows him but if she could see inside
Everything is quiet as she waits to tell him who she is

~The Fray, "Absolute"

It was time; time for a new chapter in Andrew's life story. He was almost ready to make the next step in two different areas of his life. As he sat in his small apartment, Andrew thought back to all the amazing times he had in college and all the things he had learned. It had been six of the best years of his life. Yes, count them; six. Andrew had spent the last six years at the University of Alaska Southeast, majoring in Business, working to get his Master's degree. He also minored in English in hopes of becoming the editor in chief of his own book publishing company. But for now, at 24, he'd settle with almost being a college graduate.

It was the night before Andrew's college graduation and hopefully, the night of his engagement. He was convinced that if there was ever a time to ask Gert to run away with him to New York, it was now. They had been dating since their senior year of high school. She was the only one Andrew had ever had a serious relationship with and it had lasted for well over seven years. He hoped that tonight, she would accept his marriage proposal and they could start their new life together. Andrew's mom, dad and Gammy Annie would be arriving early tomorrow morning to see him graduate from UAS. In addition to his graduation, he would love to give them the happy news of his engagement, if only she said yes.

As he sat on his bed, his hands silently playing with a little black, velvet box, he thought about how much his future depended on what was in the box. Andrew was jolted out of his private thoughts when his roommate and friend Chuck excitedly opened the door.

"Dude, today is the DAY! Are you ready for this bro?" Chuck exclaimed.

"I hope so, it's been seven years. If I'm not ready now, I'll never be. I just hope Gert is as ready as I am," Andrew replied.

"Come on man, let's go out and celebrate your last day of freedom! Pretty soon you and Gert will be chained together at the ankle. You need a brewski or two to loosen you up for tonight."

Andrew thought for a second and realized Chuck was right. He stood up and put the ring in a drawer on his bedside table. After grabbing his jacket, he and Chuck headed to a local bar for an afternoon of beer and buds.

After three hours, five games of pool and a pitcher of Budweiser, Andrew was ready to head back to the house to get ready for his big date.

As they walked in the door of the apartment, Andrew was shocked to find his parents and grandmother waiting for him. Grace and Gammy Annie came running toward him to give him a huge hug and as usual, his father stood silently off to the side. It took Andrew a few seconds to get his bearings after being tackled by the female members of his family and he went and shook hands with his father.

"Mom, what are you guys doing here? I thought you weren't getting in until tomorrow?"

"Well, when Chuck told us your amazing news, we decided to leave early."

At this, Andrew froze and turned around to face Chuck, "Oh really? What…amazing…news…might…this…be?" he said, through gritted teeth, glaring at his roommate.

"Oh, you know dude, about you proposing to Ger…oh…whoops."

"Yeah. Whoops."

"Sorry man."

Andrew reminded himself to kick Chuck in the balls later for spilling his secret.

"Honey," Grace said to her son, "You were going to tell us about this weren't you?"

"Yeah, after it happened! I didn't want to tell you and get you all excited, or have you come early, like you already did."

After spending an hour with his family, getting advice and tips for the night ahead of him, he went and changed for his date with Gert. He was taking her to a quiet Italian restaurant, not too far from the house she shared with four other girls who attended Southeast. After putting on his tie and jacket, he reached into his pocket to make sure the ring was still there. The rest of his life started tonight, depending on whether Gert accepted his proposal or not. He hoped to God she would.

When he arrived at her house, he went to go knock on the door but was surprised when it opened before he could. There was Gert, surrounded by her roommates who were giggling uncontrollably. Andrew's heart almost stopped at the sight of her, her hair, her makeup, her dress. She was gorgeous and pretty soon, she would be his fiancée. For now, he couldn't take his eyes off of her and only barely noticed her roommates gathered around her. "Evening lades," he said politely, his gaze still remaining on his girlfriend. They giggled again and closed the door behind Gert, leaving the couple alone on the front porch.

Andrew went forward and placed a soft kiss on her lips, "You have no idea how good it is to see you. I love you," he whispered, gathering her and in his arms.

"Well, I love you too Andy," she responded. "But right now, I'm starving. Can we go?"

Andrew was a bit taken aback by her sudden declaration of hunger in response to his declaration of love, but politely obliged and they made their way to the restaurant.

When they walked in, they were immediately directed to a romantic table in the corner of the restaurant. Andrew was pleased to see that it was decorated with candles and the white roses he had asked to be put there. Gert looked pleased.

"What's all this?" she asked, smiling.

"Well, it's just a celebration. You know, it's our last night as college students and we're about to go off into the real world."

"Well that's very sweet Andrew. There's no one else I'd rather be spending this night with. Can you believe we're going to be graduating tomorrow? It seems like just yesterday we were seniors in high school. Remember the day we met?"

"Yeah, Stephen was sure we'd hit it off right away. Boy was he right."

Gert smiled lovingly at Andrew and was surprised when a waiter brought out her and Andrew's favorite Italian dish and dessert. After eating as much as they could, Andrew decided that it was time. "Gert, I have something for you," he said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope and handed it to her.

"What's this?" she asked, looking at him.

"Open it."

When she ripped open the envelope, she was shocked by what was inside. Two plane tickets to New York. "Andrew! You're taking me to New York? I've always wanted to go there."

"There's more."

"What is this? Oh my God…"

Before she could respond, Andrew pulled out his chair and knelt down on the ground before her. "Gertrude, you are the only woman I've ever loved. From the day I met you, I knew you were going to be the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. We are so similar, it was like I had found a missing part of me I never knew I had. I've loved you for a long time and now, we're about to go out in the world. You're the only one I want to go out in the world with and pass through life with. Gert, will you marry me?"

"Andrew," she whispered.

After a few seconds of silence, Andrew was beginning to get nervous. Everyone in the restaurant had turned their direction when they saw him get down on his knee and they were waiting for her response.

"Honey?" he asked worriedly.

"I – I'm sorry Andrew. I can't."

Andrew's eyes fell to the floor and he closed them. He slowly got up and walked out the door and Gert followed.

When they got outside, Andrew's anger was about to spill out, but he did his best to keep it inside.

"Gert, what's going on? You just said you've always wanted to go to New York."

"Yeah, to visit. I didn't know you wanted me to live there! Andrew, I can't marry you. You know you don't want to marry me."

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to marry you. God! Can't you see that? I love you, I want to be with you. What'd you think? We were just going to date for seven years and then just write it off as if nothing had happened?"

"No, of course not, but why did you have to go buy an apartment in New York City when you already live in Sitka?"

"That was going to be our apartment. I got a job in New York at a publishing company and I want you to come with me. They called this morning to confirm everything. I bought the ring a few weeks ago and I've been planning this for months."

"Andrew, you know the only thing I want to do is teach at home. I don't want to go to New York. This is your dream, not mine. I love you, but we've been going down two separate roads for quite some time, and I think it's time that we realize that. We want different things out of life and I'm just not ready for what you want."

Andrew could feel the tears threatening to spill from his eyes as a look of disbelief spread across his face. "So what?" he said quietly. "Is this it? Are you leaving me? Are we over?"

Gert took a step closer to him and put a hand on his cheek. "Andrew, I will always love you. But right now, we are two very different people. No matter what, nothing will change the fact that you were the first guy I ever loved. I have to think about my future though. Who knows, maybe in five or ten years, we can try again and things will work out. But for now, the only thing I want to do is teach. I'm not ready for marriage. We're so young Andy and we've got the whole world before us. Even if you do meet someone else, just know that I will always love you."

"So that's all, you're just going to walk away?"

"For now, yes."

And with that, Gertrude walked down the dock that led up to the restaurant and left Andrew with a ring and two plane tickets to New York.

The drive home was hell for Andrew and when he reached his apartment, he hesitated. There were going to be four very disappointed people waiting for him. He opened the door slowly and quietly and was immediately greeted by his family and friends who were expecting Gert to walk in behind him. When he shut the door, their faces fell and he turned and headed toward his room, tuning out the cries and clamors of his mom and Gammy Annie. Not even bothering to change or turn on a light, Andrew went to bed and hoped he didn't wake up for a very, very long time.