I waited outside worriedly. Keefe was taking a LONG time.

Finally, I was able to breathe, when I saw his unruly hair bobbing as he jogged over to me, the biggest grin on his face.

"How'd it go?" I asked, trying to contain my excitement, but failing.

"Great!" He smiled happily, leaning in to give me a kiss.

"Hey, what'd you get?" I tried reaching for the paper, but Keefe held it above me teasingly.

However, I gave him a little zap of pain, and used telekinesis to steal it from him.

"Ha, I win," I smiled smugly.

"That's not fair! You were using abilities," he muttered, not really caring.

"All's fair in the name of love and war."

"Wow Foster," he chuckled.

"Anyway, are you going to tell me, or am I going to have to find out myself?"

"Depends," he said coyly.

"On what?"

"On this," he said quickly, grabbing the scroll out of my hands, and running away.

"KEEFE!" I shouted, laughing, as I ran after him.

"Race you home!" He called over his shoulder, jumping over a bench and lightleaping away. The nerve he had! 

Slightly annoyed, I pulled out my crystal, and calmly entered the warm light.

~*~*~*~*

My jaw dropped.

"Hey Foster," Keefe whispered in my ear. His voice lower--nervous.

I didn't say anything and just stared in awe. Vines of blue and violet vibrant flowers were strewn across the yard. The waterfall was glowing a bright blue, and all of the trees were wrapped in colorful lights.

"You okay? Do you hate it? Oh you hate it. I knew it was too cheesy. God, I'm so stupid!" Keefe ranted, covering his eyes in embarrassment.

I turned around, grabbing his hands.

"I love it," I whispered, pecking his lips.

He seemed to relax, but still seemed on edge.

"You want to eat?" He asked, taking my hand.

I nodded eagerly, and he lead me up the path and to the top of the waterfall. A little picnic blanket was bunched up on the ground and a tray of mallowmelt, ripplefluffs, and other treats were stacked in a pyramid. 

"What's the special occasion?" I teased.

He didn't answer, and turned a little red. However, I was too focused on the mallowmelt to look into it. We settled down and were halfway through our 'meal', which was basically just desserts.

"So, are you going to tell me what jobs you're thinking about selecting?" I asked, licking the icing off of a trufflenut.

"I actually already decided what I was going to do," he nodded happily, blue eyes twinkling.

"What?"

"But first, I want you to know, just cause I was proud they even considered me a good candidate, they did want me to be an Emissary," he beamed.

"That's great, but I'm guessing you declined?"

"I did, because I've already signed up to train under Grady to transform this place into an animal rehabilitation and training center."

"Oh my gosh! That's wonderful!" I smiled, tackling him in a hug.

"Easy there Foster," he muttered, his hand playing with my hair.

"You're already so great with animals, it was practically a given! You're going to be the best in the business!" 

"Oh please," Keefe tossed the idea away.

"No you will! I can already picture it, but don't tell Grady," I joked. "But seriously. You have this way with animals that I've always been slightly envious of."

"Oh please, now you're seriously pulling my leg! You're Sophie Foster, queen of mystery and you have a boat load of powers!"

"I know, but you're special," I said, kissing him.

"So what did you choose?"

"First, they wanted me to be a Councilor? Can you believe that? ME! A councilor! I said no immediately, cause I couldn't imagine myself not marrying you," I laughed, but then turned red when I realized what I said.

"You want to get married?" Keefe whispered quietly.

"Um--I uh--I thought--" I couldn't form sentences.

Keefe nodded, his eyebrows drawn in, his lips pursed in a thin line.

 "Don't you? Like at some point?" I whispered, scared.

"Foster, you don't have to sound so frightened," he laughed, taking my hand. "I do want to get married. Just shocked me, that's all."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Hey? What's that?" Keefe asked worriedly, pointing at something at the bottom of the waterfall.

"What?" I was ready to inflict at the first signs of trouble.

"That, in the water," he whispered, pointing at the pool below.

I saw something glimmer, but we were too high up to really see.

"We should check it out."

"Are you crazy?" I hissed. "Haven't you ever heard the phrase 'Curiosity killed the cat'?"

"Come on, it'll be fun!" Keefe laughed, mischievously.

"Keefe!" I whisper hissed, scrambling after him. "Keefe! Maybe we should get help! What if it's the Neverseen or something like that?"

He still was hurrying down the hill. I sighed, running after him.

"You sure this is a good idea?" I asked, still worried.

"I hope so," he mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Then Keefe jumped into the water.

"Keefe!" I hissed.

"Come in!" He encouraged, smiling and splashing me.

"Fine! But stop splashing," I muttered, blushing.

I hesitated before jumping in, immediately feeling the cold water flood my veins.

"It's freezing," I muttered, teeth chattering.

"Baby," he teased, splashing me.

"So what is it?" I ignored him.

"I don't know," he shrugged.

"Making me do everything myself," I complained, before diving under.

I saw a tiny box wedged between two smooth stones. It seemed like it was strategically placed there. Grabbing it without a second thought, I swam up to the surface.

"Did you get it?" Keefe asked almost immediately, the nervous look back on his face.

"Yeah, just some random box," I shrugged, tossing it to him absentmindedly.

"Sophie," he said quietly, while I was swimming towards the edge.

"Hmm?" I turned around to look at him.

Keefe opened the box, and inside was a tiny ring. 

"I figured now was the best time. I know in my heart it'll always be you. When I think of my future, it's always with you in it. I could never see myself living the rest of my life with anyone else. I love to make you blush, make you angry, frustrated, and I love to make you happy too. And I just know that I will make you happy and that we will be happy. I want to live with you, I want to have children with you, I want to grow pointy ears with you, I want to tease you, love you, and I want to marry you. And if you want a future with me in it, and you're looking for those things too, will you marry me?" He asked, a hopeful smile on his face.

I got out  of the water, and trudged back inside. Keefe hurried, running after me.

"Sophie? Sophie? What's wrong?" He asked worriedly, grabbing my arm and making me face him.

I couldn't help but start crying, and he hugged me. Me, blubbering into his tunic.

"Hey, it's okay. I understand," he whispered, kissing the top of my forehead.

I just cried.

"What's wrong?"

"I--I why now?" 

"I had a feeling it was time, and I'm in love with you. If it's too soon, I can wait," he whispered.

"It's not that," I cried, holding onto him.

"Then what is it, Sophie?" 

"I'm happy," I mumbled.

Keefe looked at me confused, "I'm not following..."

"I'm happy, I want to marry you I'm just--"

"Scared?" he offered.

"No, it's not that. I'm worried," I whispered.

"About what?" 

"About everything. Just, I've always imagined myself getting married and my human parents would be there. My dad and other dad walking me down the isle, and I realize how impossible that will be. And it just made me sad. Amy won't be there, and just--I wasn't ready. And I guess I am scared of something bad happening if we get married--"

Keefe cupped my face, "Sophie, listen. I won't let anything bad happen to you ever. And I promise I'll find some way to get everyone you want there, and we could get married in the Forbidden Cities if you want. I just want to marry you, and that's all I want. I want you to be happy too, but I love you."

I nodded, "I love you too, and I want to marry you. Sorry for freaking out."

"It's fine," he laughed, wiping my tears with his thumb. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

I rolled my eyes, before kissing him.