His heart jumped as soon as his eyes landed on her. She was behind the bar, bantering lightly with Craig, and dressed in a blue tank top with the Bucket of Suds logo on it. Her long, chestnut pony tail swung freely behind her as she washed glasses and handed them to Craig. He sank to a bar stool and his long day disappeared when she noticed him and her eyes lit up brighter than the fireworks he’d taken her to see the month before.

“Hi,” she said coyly as she set an icy cold bottle of beer in front of him. “Long day fighting crime?”

“Something like that,” he grimaced. “Almost done?”

She smiled and nodded, pony tail bobbing up and down. He watched her complete her duties then walk around the other side of the bar and plop down next to him. She leaned over and kissed him chastely and his dark mood lifted. “I’m ready whenever you are,” she told him.

He drove her back to the apartment, mind on the task he’d set for himself. He’d done this type of thing once before, but it hadn’t worked out and he definitely wanted better results this time.

It’d been a little over eighteen months since they closed Erik’s case and about a year since the trials and Ella had come to terms with his death and moved on. After plenty of soul searching, she decided to sell the house and move in Cory’s apartment. They’d spent the majority of their free time this summer searching for a house they both loved.

“Why are you so quiet?” she asked, voice breaking through the silence in the car. Only the cool air blowing through the vents could be heard as he hadn’t even turned on the radio.

“Just thinking,” he said. He didn’t want to clue her in on what was actually on his mind.

“Well if you’re concentrating so hard on what to get me for my birthday next week,” she said playfully, coy smirk on her lips. “I have a few ideas.”

He grinned and took her hand. “I know. You’ve been telling me for a month.”

“Hey,” she protested. She ripped her hand from his and pouted sexily in her seat. He pulled the car into the parking garage and killed the engine. “Just trying to make things easier on you.”

He leaned over and kissed her long and hard and when he pulled away, they both gasped for air. He winked at her and grinned. “I appreciate it.”

She dashed down the hall as soon as they entered the apartment, calling over her shoulder that she was hitting the shower. Only a few minutes later, he could hear her singing over the spray of the water. He smiled proudly, wishing she’d finally go to New York. He knew she’d knock those judges off their feet. But she declined again this year when Pete sent a video, same as she declined last year. Cory pestered her relentlessly until she finally broke down and told him she wasn’t ready. She admitted that she didn’t have the heart, especially since one of the last things her brother ever said to her was that he’d hear her on the radio someday. She turned her tearful eyes to him and promised one day she would and he held her and promised her he understood.

She’d called her favorite Chinese restaurant on the way home and placed an order. The delivery boy was buzzing the intercom just as Cory was shedding his shirt and tie for something more comfortable. He didn’t exactly have a takeout Chinese dinner in mind for this evening but he found that he had a hard time telling her no.

He paid for the food and set it out on the coffee table when she reentered, smelling like wild strawberries. His heart picked up speed and he pulled her in for an impulsive kiss.

“What was that for?” she asked, wild-eyed.

He kissed her again. “Because I love you. Do you have a problem with that?” His eyes sparkled mischievously.

“Not at all,” she said and snuggled further in his arms. “I’m not complaining. But our food is getting cold.”

He kissed her nose and released her so they could sit down and eat. His hands had a tiny tremor to them as he thought about the gift he had for her in his pocket. She’d hinted around for the past few months what she’d really like for her August birthday and he intended to oblige her. He just wanted to throw her off a bit and do it a little early. His mind had come up with all sorts of romantic scenarios but she was such a down to earth type of girl, she’d hate too much flair. And let’s face it; he wasn’t a very romantic guy.

Too bad she didn’t have a cast this time, he thought with a grunt.

“What’s the matter?” she asked, eyes laced in concern. “Something is on your mind, Cory, I know it. You’ve been quiet and preoccupied all night.”

He set his fork down and cupped her cheek. “I love you, Ella, you know that right?”

“Yes,” she said as her eyes grew with fear. “And I love you, too.” She gulped a huge amount of air. “You’re not leaving me, are you?”

His face softened as his thumb caressed her cheek. “Never.” He dropped his hand, sank back in the sofa and dug in his pocket. “I want to give you your birthday present early.”

She crinkled her brow. “My birthday is next week.”

“I know,” he sighed. He took her hand and carefully slipped the ring on her finger. “But I can’t wait that long to know if you’ll marry me or not.”

She blinked slowly, staring at the glittering diamond winking at her. “I…umm…”

Cory frowned. “Is that a no?”

Her eyes tripled in size as her jaw fell. “No!” she gasped. “I mean, yes!”

He hid his amused smirk carefully. “No or yes? I don’t understand.”

She jumped to her feet, hands on her hips. “You know what I mean Cory.”

He stood and placed his hands over hers and eased her closer to his body. “I think I do. I’m thinking that you will marry me, right?”

She ran her hands up his chest and connected them behind his neck. “Yes, definitely.”

His lips met hers tenderly as he held her gently in his arms. When they finally broke apart, he studied her beautiful brown eyes. “I’m so sorry that we had to meet in such a horrible way. But I’m not sorry we met.”

She bit her lip then gave him a sad, sweet smile. “My brother was such a sappy romantic,” she explained. “I’m sure he had something to do with it.”

He held her to his chest and rested his chin on her head. Her arms snaked around his waist and held him just as tight. “I promise to take care of you, Ella. Always.”

“I know,” she muttered.

He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes. For a second, he could have sworn he saw a grinning Erik Marley saluting him from the doorway. He opened his eyes and glanced back to that spot and sighed when he found it empty. “Come on,” he urged. “I’ll let you call my mom.”

A/N: I had a horrible time ending this epilogue but there, it’s done. I won’t be posting anything else today because I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do next. I’m leaning toward RJ’s story. I’ll probably take them both down and rework them so be prepared.

Anyway, this story was different than the others I’ve done and I appreciate you all giving it a shot. Thanks again!