"Morning, Denny," Lucia sighed, tying her apron. "Gosh, I'm exhausted. I stayed up way too late last night."

"Morning. What were you doing?" Denny asked with interest.

"Online shopping."

"Oh, Lucia. You know how impulsive you can be." Denny shook his head. "Bad time to be impulsive."

"Yes, very," Lucia chuckled.

"Were you sad or something?"

"Nah. Just felt like shopping. Found a cute yellow dress that I bought."

"Okay...cool, I guess."

Lucia chuckled slightly. "Yeah. So, what are your plans for after work? Are you going to see Paisley again?"

"Maybe. I might bring her lunch."

"That's sweet," Lucia smiled. "I'm going to pick up the dress I bought. It was in stock at Daisy's, so I just have to go get it. Other than that, I have no plans."

"Very nice. Spend time with Monica?"

"She's on a day trip with Jonah."

"Oh, I see. Well you're welcome to come with me, if you want. You could call Sean."

"Sean's working today," Lucia sighed. "Look, I really don't want to crash your date, so I can just hang out on my own."

"Paisley's working, so I'm just dropping lunch. You can come if you want or just hang by yourself. It's up to you," Denny said as he left to take care of a customer. When he came back he then said, "Lucia, I forgot. I have another errand I gotta run. Maybe tomorrow we'll be together."

"Oh, alright."

"Sorry."

"It's okay," Lucia shrugged.

Denny smiled a little and finished the drink for a customer.

—————

Monica twirled her blonde hair around her finger. "Are we almost there?"

"Yes. Patience, my Dear," Jonah chuckled while driving.

"I'm just so glad to be able to spend the day with you."

"I'm glad too."

Monica smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Don't distract the driver," Jonah chastised playfully. "You ready to kayak and hike?"

"So ready," Monica grinned.

"I love getting out of the city."

"Me too."

"You want to move?

"No. I just like vacations every once in awhile."

Jonah smiled. "I'd love to move into the woods."

"I'd never be able to do it. I'm a city girl."

"I like the city too. Good for you."

"Thanks," Monica chuckled. "I say that we hike first and then kayak."

"To cool down. Nice idea."

"Why, thank you."

Jonah nodded.

About ten minutes later, they arrived at their destination.

Monica hopped out of the car. "Oh god, it's hot."

Jonah chuckled and tossed the sunscreen at her while he smeared it on his face.

"You look like Frosty the Snowman," Monica chuckled.

Jonah smiled and rubbed it in.

Monica looked out at the lake. "Gosh, it's beautiful here."

"It is," Jonah nodded.

Monica smiled at him. "Thanks for bringing me here."

"Get some sunscreen on, Monica."

"Fine." Monica rubbed it on her legs. "There."

"Face too."

Monica complied. "Alrighty. Let's go."

They grabbed their bags and started up the trail.

—————

"Bye, Denny," Lucia smiled.

Denny waved as he headed out. He had to drop off the lunch for Paisley quickly so he wouldn't be late for his appointment.

Denny brought the lunch to the nurses' station on the first floor and waited for Paisley.

"Denny!" Paisley grinned, running down the hallway. "Babe, what are you doing here?"

"I brought you lunch," he grinned.

Paisley hugged him tightly, briefly kissing him. "Thank you."

Denny smiled brightly, his dimples showing.

"You're such a good provider."

Denny chuckled and kissed her cheek. "I have to go."

"Why?" Paisley whined.

"I have a very important errand to run. I have to go pick someone up from the airport."

"Fine," Paisley sighed. "We're going out tomorrow, though, right?"

"I hope so. Bye, Baby."

"Bye," Paisley smiled, kissing his cheek.

Denny left and drove off to meet Sean's flight. He waited for a few minutes before he saw Sean get off the plane.

"Hey," Sean smiled.

"It's good to see you," Denny nodded.

Sean and Denny hugged in greeting.

"How you doin', man?" Denny smiled

"I'm good. A bit nervous, though," Sean chuckled.

"Of course. Big day for you," Denny nodded. "You hungry?"

"Very," Sean nodded.

"Wanna grab a bite?"

"Will we have enough time? She doesn't have plans tonight, does she?"

"Nope. Monica and Jonah are out for the day, so it's not like she can hang with them. We can find somewhere to meet up, though. She just had to pick up a new dress she bought."

"Alright. What about the huge butterfly garden in the middle of town? I know how much she loves it."

"Oh, yeah. It's such a beautiful place. "

"It really is," Sean agreed. "Anyway, where's a good place to grab a bite?"

"Hm...if you want something quick, we could go to just a chain, or we could hit a local diner," Denny suggested, walking with Sean.

"I'm good with a local place. What would you suggest?"

"We could hit up Samantha's or Spearmints. Both are good."

"Samantha's is the place with the awesome milkshakes, right?"

"Yeah."

"Let's go there," Sean nodded.

Denny nodded as well. "Yeah. Let's go and chat," he smiled, walking off towards the car with Sean following him. Denny opened the trunk for Sean. "Hey, after lunch, do you want to drop your stuff off at my place?"

"Sounds great," Sean smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem, man," Denny smiled as they headed off to lunch.

—————

"I love kayaking," Monica smiled, setting her ore on the kayak. "Don't you?"

"It's so relaxing."

"It really is," Monica nodded. "How about we dock over there and go for a swim?"

"Okay. Sounds good."

Monica helped him to row over.

Jonah smiled, and once they docked, he jumped in the water.

Monica swam out a ways and gave a little smirk. When Jonah's back was turned, she pretended to struggle and go under. "Help! Jonah!"

Jonah whirled around and swam over. "Monica? Hold on!"

Monica pretended to pass out.

Jonah dove under. He wrapped an arm around her and swam towards the shore. Once he could touch the ground, he lifted Monica into his arms.

Monica opened her eyes. "Gotcha."

Jonah paused for a moment before dropping her into the water and swimming off.

"Hey!" Monica laughed.

"No."

"What?" Monica chuckled, swimming after him. "Babe, come on. It was a little joke."

"It was scary, Monica. Don't ever scare me like that."

"I'm sorry," Monica laughed. "Come here."

Jonah shrugged her off and dove below.

"Oh, dear," Monica sighed, still chuckling.

Jonah had been frightened. She could have drowned. He could have lost her. That was the worst fear he had right now. Besides snakes. But otherwise, losing Monica was the worst. His head was light and his heart was still racing.

And she thought it'd be a good joke?

Monica swam over to him. "Babe, come here. I'm sorry."

"No. You scared me bad. Do you know what I thought? I thought you died! I love you so much, Monica. God, I don't know what I would do."

Monica kissed him gently. "I love you too. I'm really sorry. I didn't think you'd take it so hard."

"Monica, I nearly drowned once. It's terrifying."

"I didn't know that. I'm sorry, Honey."

Jonah sighed.

"I love you."

Jonah sighed again. "Just promise me you'll never do it again."

"I promise," Monica nodded.

The two swam for a bit longer before Monica asked, "Hey, want to try cliff diving?"

Jonah looked at her. "How high is it?"

"Few hundred feet," Monica said nonchalantly. "Give or take."

"No rocks?"

"Whatcha mean?"

"Like rocks at the bottom."

"Probably," Monica chuckled. "Come on. It's fun."

"No way, no how." Jonah shook his head.

"Oh, come on. Live a little, Swinson."

"Leave it to me to get killed."

"Alright. I'm going to do it." Monica swam off.

Jonah sighed and followed.

Monica climbed up the cliff. "You jumping with me?"

Jonah looked down and sighed before nodding.

Monica grasped his hand gently. "On three?"

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

They jumped together and landed in the water with a great splash.

"That was awesome!" Monica grinned as she resurfaced.

Jonah didn't resurface.

"Jonah?" Monica frowned.

He wasn't coming up.

Monica drove under and pulled him to the surface. "Jonah? Come on. Answer me."

Jonah opened his eyes. "Boo."

"I knew it!" Monica laughed, pushing him under.

Jonah sighed.

"I love you," Monica chuckled, pressing her lips into his.

—————

Denny paid for the lunch and got up. "Ready?"

"Yep," Sean nodded. "Thanks for lunch."

"No problem. You nervous?"

"Very," Sean chuckled. "We're stopping at your place, right? I'd like to change. I bought a suit for this."

"You did? Really?"

"Of course. I can't propose in jeans. It just not proper."

Denny laughed. "Oh, man."

"She's a classy girl. I have to look the part," Sean laughed.

"Well, you're not wrong."

"You two are really close, aren't you?" Sean smiled as they both got into the car.

"Like siblings."

"I think that's wonderful," Sean nodded. "She deserves more than she gets in this sucky world."

"I agree. You ask her dad?"

"Not yet. I planned to right after I get changed."

Denny nodded and they drove back to his place.

Sean got out of the car and grabbed his bag. "I'm so jet lagged," he chuckled.

Denny smiled. "You guys gonna live here in Seattle?"

"Yeah. There's no way she'd move."

"Probably not. She says you hate the country?"

"With a passion. That's reason number two for not moving."

Denny laughed and opened the door to the apartment. "I do hope you'll stay with me this time. We can get Jonah and do some bro stuff, so we all get to be good friends."

"Sure, man. I'd be happy to." Sean stepped inside.

Denny smiled and sent him to the guest room.

Sean complied and quickly got dressed. "Alright," he sighed, stepping out as he adjusted his sleeves. "I hate to be a bother, but would you mind taking me to Mr. Matthews' place?"

"Of course. I love Leonardo," Denny smiled.

"I do too," Sean agreed.

Denny grabbed a water bottle out of the fridge. "Want one?"

"Yes, please," Sean nodded.

Denny grabbed another one and they headed off.

"Gosh. What if he says no?"

"I doubt it."

"But- but he could."

"If he does, ask why. Maybe you could kinda work it out? I've never proposed, so I don't know."

"Oh, dear. Now I'm panicking."

"Oh, Sean. Leo will say yes."

"I hope so."

Denny handed him the bottle of water. "Drink that and try to calm down."

"Thanks."

They drove over and Denny knocked on Leonardo's front door.

Leonardo opened it moments later. "Hi, Denny. Sean, it's so good to see you." He shook their hands.

Sean smiled. "Hello, sir. I've come to talk to you."

"Please, come in," Leonardo nodded. "What is it you wished to talk about?"

Denny went to some other room and Sean took a deep breath. "I want to marry Lucia."

"Alright," Leonardo nodded. "Why?"

"I never stopped loving Lucia. She's an amazing woman. She's generous, fun, empathetic, and always there to help you get back up. Her letters soothed me when I lost my mother. I lost Lucia once. I'm not letting that happen again," Sean explained, sitting on the couch.

Leonardo pondered for a moment. "You have my blessing."

Sean relaxed. "Oh, thank you, sir."

"It's my pleasure. Now, go make my daughter happy."

Sean smiled. shook his soon to be father-in-law's hand, and called Denny into the living room. "You gonna arrange a place to meet Lucia?"

"Yep," Denny nodded. "I'm going to drop you off at the butterfly garden and then go to pick her up."

"Okay. I'll text you where I am. Thank you again, Mr. Matthews. You made my year," Sean grinned.

—————

Lucia balanced the phone between her cheek and shoulder as she unlocked her front door. "Sorry, Denny, you want me to do what?" She asked into the microphone.

"I want you to get dressed in that pretty yellow dress so I can see it and then I'm coming to pick you up."

"Where are we going?"

"I wanted to go walk around the butterfly garden. We haven't been there in awhile."

"I'm tired, Denny," Lucia sighed. "Can't we go tomorrow?"

"No. You said you were bored, so let's go! Get changed and look nice."

"Fine. I'll be ready in ten."

Ten minutes later, Denny arrived at her house. He knocked and she opened the door after putting some mascara and lipstick on.

"You look awesome," Denny smiled.

"Thanks," Lucia smiled back.

"No problem. Got your purse?"

"Yep. Let's go."

Denny opened the door for her and they arrived not long after. He got a text from Sean and they strolled toward the main butterfly room.

"Where are we going?" Lucia chuckled.

"Just walking around. But I heard there is something really interesting in the main room." Denny opened the door to main room and stepped through.

Lucia looked around. "It's beautiful in here."

But Denny wasn't next to her.

Sean was behind some trees, waiting for her to step out further.

Lucia walked forward a few more paces. "Oh my gosh. Sean?!"

Sean smiled and stepped out. "Hello, beautiful."

Lucia hugged him tightly. "I thought you were working."

"I flew in this morning," Sean smiled. "You look so amazing."

"Thank you," Lucia smiled. "And you look very sharp."

"There's a reason," Sean grinned, getting down on one knee.

"Oh my god," Lucia said breathlessly.

"Lucia Matthews, you and I have been lovebirds for many years. Even when we were separate, there was something that held us together. When I rediscovered how full you made me feel, I wanted to marry you that second. I'm constantly reminded of every aspect I love about you. Your smile, the way your nose wrinkles when you laugh, and your care of those in pain, physically or emotionally. Every word of my first proposal still is true. You're an amazing young woman, and you'd make me the happiest man in the universe if you said yes. Will you marry me?" Sean asked earnestly, his eyes locking with hers.

Tears poured down Lucia's cheeks. "Yes. Yes, of course."

Sean smiled and opened the ring box.

"Sean," Lucia gasped, "it's beautiful."

He smiled and slipped it onto her finger before getting up, taking Lucia in his arms.

Lucia kissed him long and full on the lips. "God, I love you."

Sean cupped her cheek in his hand and kissed her again.

Denny had snuck in to take pictured and smiled at the two. "They really are perfect together," he thought.

"How long are you staying in town?" Lucia asked softly.

"About a week. Just long enough to spend time with you and get some basic planning done," Sean smiled slightly. "I wish it'd be longer. Unless Denny lets me move in with him...oh yeah, I'm also looking for a place to live until we get married.

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind that," Lucia smiled.

"I have to talk to him. But I wanted to propose almost immediately."

"You are the most wonderful man I've ever met."

Sean picked her up and spun her around.

"I love you more than anything."

"I love you too...let's celebrate."

"Of course."

"Should we celebrate as a group?"

"I mean...I think Denny might feel a little left out," Lucia chuckled, "if we don't include him."

"With Jonah and Monica?

"Sure. And we might as well invite Paisley too."

"Right. We could go to the Italian place. The really romantic one."

"Okay. Sounds good."

Denny came out from behind a tree.

"Denny, you knew about this?" Lucia smiled.

"We all knew," he chuckled.

"Wow," Lucia laughed tearfully. "That's- that's- wow. I love you guys."

The boys hugged her and she began to cry again.

"Sean, did I hear something about you wanting to move in with me?" Denny chuckled.

"You heard right. I want to move here and I don't want to wreck my savings account before getting married, so...could I move in with you?"

"Of course," Denny smiled.

Denny and Sean high-fived.

Lucia chuckled and dried her eyes. "I love you both."

"We love you. More than anything." Denny wiped her face and the three walked through the butterfly garden.

Author's Note: The pictures to follow show Lucia's hairstyle, earrings, dress, and shoes.