Jack and Elizabeth danced slowly in the glimmering candlelight, exchanging glances and nervous smiles, both taking in what just happened. Jack brought Elizabeth's hand to his lips and then held it just over his heart and closed his eyes. Elizabeth sighed at his romantic gesture as she stared at his face, feeling so secure and happy in his arms.

When Jack opened his eyes, Elizabeth's was staring at him and he smiled slightly, "Ahh, I see the wheels spinning in that pretty head of yours," he touched his nose to hers, "can't we just enjoy this time without any questions," he implored, his voice low.

"Yes of course we can," she whispered and looked down. She glanced up to see if Jack was looking at her, then looked overhead at the lanterns, "but how did you do all this?"

"Elizabeth…." He had a warning tone to his voice, but he couldn't resist the curious look on her face, "okay, just one question."

"How did you do it?" she bit her lip, "and please don't tell me it's a secret!" she said playfully.

Jack tilted his head as he continued dancing, "I had help, my usual helper, Gabe set up the lanterns," he looked around, "although I'm pretty sure he recruited some of the other kids to help."

Elizabeth nodded and then stopped, "Jack, you mean the children knew what you were planning?"

"No…of course not," he was serious, "all I told Gabe was that I wanted some nice candlelight so you and I could talk. Besides, they're kids, they don't know anything about romance."

"Oh really?" Elizabeth's eyebrows shot up, "they know more about courtshippin' than you think."

"Courtshippin'?" Jack asked.

"Never mind," she loved his inquiring look. She moved her hand from his shoulder and ran the back of her fingers along his jaw, "Can you imagine what people are going to say about us being engaged?"

"No. I've really only been thinking about what you were going to say." Jack laughed nervously.

Elizabeth pursed her lips, "Oh, of course." She looked into his eyes curiously, "You knew I'd say yes didn't you?"

Jack nodded slightly, "I expected a yes, but you can surprise me sometimes."

"Hmm. Can I ask another question?" she whispered.

"Sure, you're way past one anyway," he smiled.

"Why now? What made you choose now?"

Jack stopped dancing, took her hand and led them back to the bench to sit. "I knew I wanted to ask you for a while. I didn't know if you were ready. I was afraid you might think it was too soon," he took her hand in his, "but when I was sick and you were there, you never left my side….." he inhaled deeply, "I knew I didn't want to wait any longer…things can change so fast," he moved closer to her, "I want to be with you Elizabeth, I have no doubts or questions about that. So why wait?"

Elizabeth felt like she couldn't breathe as he spoke, she listened closely to every word he said. "Jack…" she kept looking down, she found it difficult to look at him, "I want to be with you too…very much and I think an engagement is…well," she looked him in the eye, "it's right where I want to be."

Jack smiled, "Good," he leaned in and kissed her softly, but noticed her stiff response, "What is it? Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong. I just started thinking…what about my family?"

Jack sat straighter, "Elizabeth, I have every intention of asking your father for your hand and wherever you would like to be… I'll do whatever you want, what you think is best."

"I just wonder what they will say when I tell them I've accepted your proposal. It's a little after the fact to ask him isn't it?"

"I know exactly what I am going to say to your father," Jack stood and took her hand, "and I am confident that I am going to marry you Elizabeth."

She looked up at him, so strong and so determined, she stood up close to him, "Yes you are Jack Thornton, there's no backing down now. My parents will love you, I know they will. I'm not worried at all." She gave him a quick kiss, "Can we go back now? I can't wait to tell Abigail," she was giddy and covered her big smile with her hand.

"Sure, just one more thing," he took her in his arms and kissed her with a new sense of passion. "Just wanted one more kiss from my fiancé."

"I love you Jack," Elizabeth replied softly.

"I love you Elizabeth," he kissed her hand and then tucked it at his elbow.

They took a few steps and Elizabeth turned and looked up at the lanterns glowing on the tree branches….."I just want to remember the way this looks, I want to paint it into my memory forever," she inhaled deeply.

Jack also looked around and then looked at Elizabeth, her face full of wonder, "Beautiful…I'll remember how beautiful this is too."

They walked in silence back to the café, stealing glances at each other and smiles. Elizabeth kept looking at her ring. "Jack, when did you get this ring?"

"I thought you'd ask about that. I bought it a while ago, in Cooperton."

"That was months ago, you've had it all this time?" She was surprised.

"No, I haven't had it all this time. I saw the ring and I liked it and I knew it would look beautiful on you. I didn't have enough money with me at the time, but I did put the money I had on the ring," he looked at her, "I thought about it long and hard, so many things happened here, I thought I might not be able to give it to you, to ask you." His forehead crinkled thinking of the past.

"Oh Jack…"

"So last week when Bill Avery was heading to Cooperton, I gave him the money to pick up the ring, I didn't want any more time to go by."

The corner of Elizabeth's mouth turned up, "So Bill knows?

"Yes, but don't worry I told him not to tell Abigail," he waved his hand, "I know he didn't."

He stood in front of her, "When I was sick, I almost asked you then, just because I didn't want to wait any longer, I almost blurted it out, but I wanted to do it the proper way," he leaned and whispered in her ear, "the romantic way."

Elizabeth rocked on her feet, "And you did, in a very romantic way."

"I'm so happy … it was beautiful, just like you," he brought her hand to his lips and kissed the finger where the ring sparkled, "I was right, it does look beautiful on your hand."

Elizabeth looked at her hand, "It does, and it's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen." She jumped into his arms.

Jack laughed, almost losing his balance holding her. "We're going to have a beautiful future Elizabeth."

She grabbed his hand, "Come on, let's go tell Abigail."

Jack laughed, "Okay, let's go."

On the porch of the café, Elizabeth hesitated.

Jack reached for the door, "You okay?"

Elizabeth nodded, tears in her eyes, "Yes."

"Are you sure, because we don't have to tell…we don't have to tell anyone if you don't want."

"Jack! Open the door," she was almost jumping up and down.

Abigail and Bill were sitting on the settee when Elizabeth and Jack entered the room, "Good evening," Bill stood, his eyes on Jack.

"Good evening," Elizabeth said trying to contain her excitement.

"Yes, it is a good evening," Jack smiled, squeezing Elizabeth's hand, "Bill, Abigail, we have some news to share."

Abigail stood next to Bill, eyes big with wonder, "What is it?"

Jack brought Elizabeth's hand to his chest, "I've asked Elizabeth to marry me and she said yes." Jack and Elizabeth smiled and laughed.

Bill clapped, "Wonderful!"

Abigail looked at Elizabeth, "Is this true?" She clasped her hands together and then rushed to her friend.

Elizabeth held up her hand, displaying the beautiful engagement ring, "It's true, magically, beautifully…all true!" She and Abigail hugged, Bill and Jack shook hands.

Abigail took Elizabeth's hand and eyed the sparkling ring, "Oh my goodness! It's beautiful," she looked at Jack, "I'm so happy for you," she reached over and hugged Jack, "Congratulations Jack, I know you'll be very happy."

"I already am happy," Jack took Elizabeth's hand back in his.

Elizabeth was teary, "We couldn't wait to tell you."

Abigail wiped a tear from her eye, "This is the best news."

"It certainly is. When's the wedding?" Bill asked.

Abigail looked at him, "Give them time to be engaged!"

"Oh, why wait?" Bill was grinning at Jack.

Jack shook his head, "We have plenty of time, but within a year's time I think."

Elizabeth looked at him, "Really?"

"Like Bill said, why wait?" Jack grinned at Elizabeth and winked.

"Lets celebrate, how about tea? I don't have champagne, but one night we'll have to have some!" Abigail was happy for her friends.

After the four sat and chatted for a bit, "Well, time to turn in," Bill stood and stretched. "Have a lot of work to do tomorrow, have to start planning a wedding," he laughed and winked at Jack. Bill and Abigail went out onto the porch.

Jack and Elizabeth stood, "This has been such a wonderful evening Jack, I don't want it to end." She put her hands on his shoulders.

"Hmm, me either," he looked into her eyes, "I'm so happy, you've made me so happy." He pulled her close and kissed her.

"I love you Jack, I can't wait to be your wife," she whispered.

Jack raised his eyebrows, "That'll be fun." He chuckled.

"Jack!" Elizabeth gave his arm a tap, "behave yourself."

"Good night," he kissed her again and opened the door.

Abigail and Elizabeth went upstairs and sat on the bed.

"I thought you were going to tell Jack how you felt, I never expected this," Abigail said smiling.

"I actually did tell him how I felt, but then before I knew it, he swept me off my feet, it was very unexpected and very romantic." Elizabeth touched her ring. "He planned this ….romantic proposal," she looked down, wanting to keep the details to herself, but still share her happiness with Abigail, "… it was so wonderful." She held back her tears.

Abigail sighed, "Elizabeth, this is the most wonderful time of your life, so you enjoy it. Jack will be a wonderful husband." She tapped her friend's hand.

"Yes, I'm sure he will."

"You're going to wire your parents?"

Elizabeth's eyes grew wide, "Yes, I have to figure out how I am going to tell them. Jack wants to ask my father for my hand…"

"Of course he does, very proper," Abigail nodded.

"Do I tell them in a telegram and then we go there? I don't know how to do it Abigail?"

"Hmm, I think you tell them in a telegram and see what they want to do."

"They'll probably be on the next stage out here." Elizabeth said.

"Would that be good?" Abigail wondered.

"I don't really know," Elizabeth replied, "but we'll find out."