FOUR

...::~FOUR~::...

Frankly Grace had been a big ball of nerves all day. She'd asked Bruce to take her out on the bike, just the two of them riding out wherever he wanted. He'd agreed, but he wanted to take a nap first. She could understand that, that street fight had been a hell of an effort but the longer this was drawn out, the more nervous and blushy she got. It had been easy though to agree to nap with him, to be his 'pretty little spoon' and strangely enough, the nap had helped calm her nerves a little. But by the time they'd actually set out she was almost shaking, and she was sure Bruce could tell something was up.

She fidgeted on the bike, her arms tightening and then loosening when she realized what she was doing. She hadn't rested her cheek on his back like she liked to do. A hundred little things, and that corner of that darn little box in her pocket kept digging into her hip. She should have put it in her jacket, should should should... finally Bruce guided the bike into a nice little rest stop area so they could stretch their legs and she could tell by the set of his shoulders something was worrying him. She really hoped it wasn't her, but he was so sensitive to her moods or just... a thousand little things. Was she giving it away? Or had he already guessed and was trying to think of a way to let her down easy? Either way, the second he'd stopped and put the kickstand down Grace was off the bike and pulling her helmet off, skittishly setting it on the seat while she tried not to hyperventilate.

Bruce was slower to get his helmet off, and that look in his eyes behind his glasses was like a stab of a knife to her heart. She'd have given anything to know what he was thinking, but she didn't ask. She just stood there shaking like a leaf, looking around and found herself glad that the place was virtually deserted. Looking anywhere but him, and finally his accented voice came out soft, but with a touch of reluctance that about killed her where she stood. "Gracie? Whas' a matter, babylove? Yuir fidgetin' like a broody hen."

Her head snapped up and she took in his expression and he looked like a man waiting in line for the gallows. Her golden brows drew in, and she wondered.. Is he worried? Is he upset at me? Does he think... but she finally just dug the little box out of her pocket, putting it on the palm of her hand and taking a couple skittish steps back towards him, within arm's reach. Her lips worked, trying to speak but nothing came out and she saw that surprise and curiosity overcome whatever dark feeling he'd been working with. "Gracie... whit's this now?"

"You said..." she blushed bright red, she could feel her ears burning with it but now that she'd started, she couldn't stop herself. It took all she had not to bite her lip bloody, but she took a deep breath and another step closer. "You said, Bruce. You'd said I'd know."

She opened the box, revealing the ring she'd agonized over choosing. White gold, dark metal, and engraved with a Celtic-themed design. It had taken her over a week to decide, even though part of her had known this was the one the instant she'd seen it. His eyes went from her face to that box in her hand, and then there it was. She felt that fist that had gripped her heart ease up, because what she saw there wasn't rejection. It was that warm look, that hope he had sometimes, looking at her. "It's... it's for you, Bruce. Because..." Grace swallowed, and put it all on the line. "Marry me, Bruce McLeod. You're everything, I ever wanted. I love you. I really do."