Twenty One

"Nyx-"

"Please, let me spoil you tonight!" He begged then I sighed and grabbed the dress. It was a simple white dress that hugged me from the waist up. The top had an off white lace design over the fabric, but the skirt was loose and ended just above my knees. The shoes that I had which would be a perfect pair for this dress were white platform pumps that had a silver sole.

"Fine!" I said and went to the bathroom to get ready. While I took a shower, I tried to think of why this particular anniversary was so special to Nyx. Maybe it was because it marked four years together for us, but I wasn't entirely sure. If anything, I'd think that the five years anniversary would be the special one. I got out of the shower then grabbed a hair tie, twirling my hair and putting it in a bun on the back of my head. I got the hairdryer then dried it like that to curl it naturally, then I let it down when it was dry and smiled as I saw the waves. I got my dress on then left the bathroom, going to the bedroom to get my heels.

"Nyx-" I stopped as I saw him then he looked at me, but I was blatantly staring. He was in a regular black suit with a white undershirt, but he didn't have the tie on yet and the top four buttons of the shirt were still undone. His hair was laying flat over his head, not yet styled the way he normally had it, but it still made me stop to stare at him.

"Uh, I'm not really ready yet, but wow. Sorren, you look-"

"Hot." We said at the same time then both started laughing, calming down and smiling at each other.

"Uh, I don't know how to tie a tie." He said then I went over and grabbed the strip of fabric, tossing it onto the bed.

"You don't need it, Captain." I said and buttoned all but the top button, smoothing out his shirt and jacket.

"There we go. Now, I've gotta finish getting ready." I said then turned, going to get my heels and getting them on. As I went back to him, I smiled as he was fiddling with his pocket, but I noticed something inside it and went to question him, but he gave me a smile that made me forget.

"Ready?" I nodded then he grabbed his keys, wallet, and held his hand out to me.

"Of course, Nyx." I smiled and we left, going to the restaurant for our anniversary.

~*-*~

"Happy four years, Sorrentina." He whispered and I smiled as I held his hand.

"Happy four years, Nyx." I said then the waiter came back with the food and we broke to eat.

"So, they brought up marriage again." Nyx said and I looked at him then shrugged.

"When we're ready, Nyx." I said and he looked at me.

"And are you ready for it? To be married?" He asked and I sighed, setting my fork and knife down.

"Well, I'm not not ready. I mean, I guess I'm ready, but only if you want to be married." I said and he nodded, looking at his food.

"Why are you asking?" I asked, but he simply smiled at me and shrugged.

"Just curious." He said and I nodded. After dinner, we walked down the road towards the park near the apartment, but I noticed a slight chill in the air.

"It's getting colder." I said and hugged myself, only to feel a warm jacket get draped over my shoulders. I smiled at Nyx as he held it there, waiting for me to slip my arms into it, then he grabbed my hand and we kept walking.

"I really enjoyed tonight." I said and he nodded. I felt my fingers getting cold then shoved my free hand into the coat pocket, trying to warm it. I stopped as I felt something soft yet hard inside the pocket then I grabbed it, pulling it out to see a ring box.

"Nyx?" I questioned then he looked at me and his smile dropped.

"Sorren-" I stared at him, finally understanding why he was asking me all those marriage questions, but he looked scared as I held the box.

"Is this why?" I asked and he hesitated, but eventually nodded.

"It is, but I wasn't going to ask you now. I-I was going to wait, until we got back home, cause I know you hate the crazy public proposals." He said then I let go of his hand and opened the box, staring at the ring.

"Nyx, this is beautiful." I whispered and stared at him.

"It looks like an antique." I said and he nodded.

"I had it custom made so it looked like an antique, because I know you like that kind of stuff." He said and I noticed he was fighting the urge to scratch his head.

"So this is why you made a big deal of tonight?" I asked and he nodded, moving to stand in front of me.

"I had this all planned out. I was gonna take you to dinner, we were gonna walk back to the apartment and have the cake that Crowe gave us, then I was gonna ask you. Guess the cold had a different plan for us." He said and I noticed he looked scared.

"Ask." I said and he looked at me confused.

"What?"

"You say you were going to ask me when we got home because I hate public displays, but I want you to ask." I said and his brow dropped slightly as he tried to see if I was baiting him or not. Eventually, he took the ring box from my hand and grabbed the ring, closing the box to slide it into his pocket. He grabbed my left hand then held it, the ring grasped tightly between his thumb and forefinger.

"Sorrentina Demose, will you do me the great honor of marrying me?" He quietly asked, careful of the passing people, then I smiled and nodded.

"Yes, Captain Nyx Ulric." I whispered and he visibly sagged as he slid the ring onto my finger.