Alan had spent a month searching Maury's steak house for a reservation opening. He was finally asking her the question. They had only been together for about three months, but Sophia was different from any other girl he had previously been with. Deep down, he knew this was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He wanted to grow old with her, make love to her as much as they wanted, have a couple of kids, and just settle down.

So when an opening popped up, he took it right away, it wasn't till right after Thanksgiving, but it would be perfect. He planned on taking her to the Winter Wonderland at Falls Park near the downtown area, and then warm her up with a nice evening at the steak house before proposing. He had bought a ring when they first started going out. He had met her parents around month two of them dating and asked for their blessing.

They thought it was a bit rushed, but they could see in his eyes that he was completely falling in love with their daughter. He had bought a small but simple ring, like Sophia's style. It was cubic zirconia, but it was pretty.

The night he had planned to propose he took her to the falls first. They had gotten hot chocolate at the Overlook cafe and walked around, listening to the Christmas music playing, and talking about what they wanted for the future. Alan looks so in love with Sophia, and vice versa. 

After they finished their walk they headed to the steak house across town. Alan had asked for the ring in the box to be brought out with the wine for the dessert, the head waiter was more than happy to do what Alan requested and even said the dessert and two wines would be on the house for this occasion. Alad tried to refuse but the head waiter insisted.

Alan and Sophia both ordered their food and then dessert came, it was chocolate cheesecake with chocolate and caramel drizzle along with two scoops of ice cream. When the waitress brought the wine out she discreetly handed the small box to Alan, and he silently thanked her.

"Sophia, where do you see yourself in the next year?"

Sophia looked at him, a little confused, but she cleared her throat.

"I would say with you, hopefully, we've moved in together by then"

She smiled as she responded. Alan's heart jumped into his throat. He twisted the box in his fingers and then stood up, and came around to Sophia's side. He got down on one knee. Sophia couldn't help but gasp slightly, the table surrounding them watched.

"Sophia, these past three months have been nothing but heaven for me. Sleeping over on the weekends, and one of us making the other breakfast the next morning. I've loved every second of it. But I don't want to keep sleeping over at one of our places, and I sure as hell don't want to be just your boyfriend anymore.."

He spoke with authority, he wanted her to be his, forever.

"Will you, Sophia Grant, be mine forever?"

She never broke eye contact. Tears welled up in her eyes. She felt something was different about tonight and her suspicions had been right. She took a deep breath and took her hands away from her mouth as she nodded and smiled.

"Yes, yes, a million times yes!"

She got off her chair and kissed him and hugged him. He reciprocated the kiss and hug and pulled away long enough to put the ring on her finger. They ate their dessert and drank the wine that the restaurant had so kindly written off their bill. Alan took Sophia back to his apartment and they celebrated with some ice cream, music, and gaming. 

This was it, they were engaged. Sophia couldn't take her eyes off the ring. Yes, by some women's standards, it was cheap and too small, but to her, it was worth so much more. They slept in Alan's bed that night and just snuggled. They both had the next day off, as it was the weekend.

This is just the beginning of their next chapter. What was wedding planning going to look like? Would they still both work at the library? What's going to happen between Sandra and Brad?