I woke with a grunt, feeling as if a weight was holding me down, restricting my movements. I blinked experimentally a few times, my eyes adjusting to the morning sunlight shining through the window. Glancing down, I poked and prodded the lump of man firmly attached to my person. He mumbled incoherently, burrowing closer to me. His large body completely engulfed mine, adding more weight since his efforts to be closer meant be practically on top of me, more so than he already was I sighed, knowing from past experiences that this was going to take me a while.

"Hey, Alex. Get off me, you're heavy. Hey," I said, shoving at his shoulder a few times. Again, he mumbled gibberish before tightening his hold on me. I shoved at him a couple more times then gave up, shaking my head with a soft chuckle. My stomach began to ache for food, so I glanced at the clock on the night stand. It was Sunday and we both had the day off so we slept in a few hours, but now our time for indulgence was up, and I was hungry. I poked at his cheek rhythmically, waiting for some reaction to show his coherence, poking more fervently when he didn't move. Alex popped an eye open at me, clearly annoyed by my antics. I smiled broadly at him, and he rose an eyebrow at me, waiting for my explanation as to why I disturbed his sleep.

"Morning sleepy head!" He grumbled at my exuberance, mumbling something about it being too early, when it was already ten. I ignored him, shooting him another broad smile, to which he didn't return, and continued with my demands. "I'm hungry and I want pancakes. Go make me some pancakes." Alex rose his eyebrow higher and I giggled. "Please?" I added. He rolled his eyes before pushing away from me to stand up. "Oh and coffee, too!"

"As you wish, m'lady," he joked with a mock salute, making me giggle, before leaving the room with me trailing behind him, stopping at the bathroom while he continued on.

When I got to the kitchen, Alex had already made the pot of coffee and was prepping the pancakes. The kitchen was pretty nice considering how cheap my apartment was. Alex stood at the counter to the right of the stove, both of which were part of the island in the middle of the kitchen that extended out to a raised counter, a bar of sorts, that you could eat at. I made my way to the bar across from where he worked, a cup of coffee waiting for me at my spot, made just the way I liked it. I leaned across the island to give him a kiss. He smiled against my lips and I pulled away, allowing him to finish the pancake mix. Alex watched me as I took my first sip. I hummed in approval and he shot my a wide grin then finished the mix. He glanced at me thoughtfully while buttering the pan with a spatula.

"Hey, Julie?" He asked before pour the mix onto the pan to make the first pancake.

"Hmm?' I answered him with a mumble, to engrossed with my coffee to give him anymore than that.

"We should get married," he said nonchalantly. I rose an eyebrow at his statement, looking at him over the rim of my mug.

"Really?" I said in response. It was more of a statement than a question. I wasn't completely shocked that he suggested such a thing. This was Alex, the king of spontaneity, but suggesting marriage was a new level for him. "We've never really gone on a date before, and we've never discussed if we were a couple before."

"So?" Alex challenged, checking the pancake on the pan, deciding it wasn't ready to flip yet.

"So, most people go on dates and become 'boyfriend and girlfriend' before they discuss marriage," I answered. I wasn't really opposed to marrying Alex, but I wouldn't be Julie if I didn't argue all the problems. Alex knew this, so he was prepared to counter anything I said.

"When have we ever been like most people?" He asked rhetorically. He was right, I had to give him that. I nodded my head and he continued, flipping the pancake in the process. "Think about it, we are already a couple of sorts. What's the point of putting that kind of title on it? We should just skip that part and get married."

"Enlighten me." I countered. It was my turn to challenge him.

"Well," he began, looking up at me. I held his gaze, sipping my coffee, waiting. He checked the pancake and continued. "We've know each other our whole lives; we know everything about each other; you are my best friend, I am yours; I am in love with you and you are in love with me." He gave me the sweetest smile at that statement and I returned. I mouth 'I love you' and his smile widened. Alex plated the pancake, started the second one, and continued. "We have crossed the line of friendship plenty of times." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at me and I stuck my tongue out at him. He laughed loudly, a great big belly laugh, and flipped the pancake. I gave a small snicker and prompted him to continue. "We already live toge-"

"Technically," I interrupted- Alex shot me a looked, clearly miffed that I interrupted him when he was on a role-, "you don't live here. You have a place downtown with your brother. You just spend all your time here, sleep in my bed, and eat all my food."

"Hey! I resent that!" Alex shouted, gripping his chest in mock pain. "I'm the only one that cooks here. You wouldn't last one day without my delicious, love-filled food."

"Yes I could!" In all honesty, I would most likely die if he didn't cook for me, but he didn't need to know that.

"Really Julie? Really?"

"Okay, fine. You win. But that's all you're good for." Again, that was a lie, but my pride was wounded here. I needed to defend my self somehow.

"Not true," Alex retorted, starting on pancake number three. "I take wonderful care of you, since you can't take care of yourself." I threw my slipper at him in retaliation, which he caught effortlessly and chucked it into the living room. He leaned the island and kissed me on the cheek, and then on the lips. "And," he whispered into my ear, "I provide great entertainment." He pulled away and flipped the pancake. I snorted in response.

"You're not that great," I said dismissively, flicking my hand as if I was brushing something away. He looked at me appalled.

"Julie! You wound me so! My pride! My dignity! Gone!" He cried dramatically and I laughed, taking a drink of my coffee. He waved the spatula at me and cried, "take it back!" I laughed harder, tears streaming down my face.

"Okay, okay," I gasped, "I take it back. Stop doing that, you look ridiculous!" He pouted as my laughter died down, starting on the last pancake.

"Anyways," Alex said loudly." As I was saying before you interrupted me the first time and hurt my manly pride," I snickered under my breath and he shushed me, "I take good care of you, and ever since I can remember, I have never pictured myself being with anyone else but you." He turned of the stove and put the pancake on the pile, and split them up between two plates, not looking at me. He buttered and syruped the slowly, letting all he sink in. I held my breath, watching him grab forks and knives out of the drawer, everything he said swirling around in my head. He put a plate and silver ware in front of me and then looked me straight in the eye. "So what do you say, Julie? Let's get married."

The look in his eye surprised me. I've have never seen him look so... vulnerable. I held his gaze for a few more seconds, and then gave him my answer.

"Okay." I smiled

"Okay?" He asked, unsure.

"Yeah. Let's get married." Alex beamed at me. He looked so happy as he leaned towards me, cupping my face, and kissed me. We stated like that for a minute before he pulled away and smile a wide smile, his hand still holding my face. I smiled back a watery smile. "But first, feed me pancakes."

"Feed you?" He gave me a confused look and I smirked mischievously.

"Yes, feed me. I want you to feed me pancakes. As my future husband, your job is to take care of me. And feeding me falls under the take care of category." Alex shook his head and chuckled.

"You," Alex said, cutting of a bite of pancakes from my stack, "are very demanding." I smiled innocently at him before opening my mouth. He forked the food in and I chewed it slowly. "How does it taste?" I gave him a thumbs up and he laughed, kissing me after I swallowed.