O.O

Jade could hear a slight tone shift in Dan's voice and she wondered what it was. Nothing sounded wrong or bad, just... different. A serious question? She sits up a little straighter, growing confused.

Had she really meant forever? "Yes..." her answer was hesitant, wondering what he was getting at.

The front door? Jade's heart skips a beat. For a moment, she hardly dared to think Dan had actually come all this way for Christmas. Had he? Surely not...

Hesitating, Jade gets up out of the chair and walks around to the front door. But looking out the little window in the top, she didn't see anything. Nah... he hadn't come. It had to be something else. Doing as told thought, she opens the door.

Seeing Dan on his knee with the ring, Jade barely hears his question. Just staring at him, her eyes are wide and she blinks, her mouth opening slightly. The phone goes crashing to the floor as she puts both hands to her mouth, muffling a little shriek.

Backing up a step, something between another shriek, sob and a laugh comes out, her hands still over her mouth. As tears fill her eyes, she steps forward again, this time daring to reach down and touch Dan's hand as if checking to make sure he's real.

Starting to tremble, it wasn't from the cold. Taking the little box from his hand, she stares at the ring, a tear rolling down her face. But anyone could see it was not a tear of sadness. By no means.

She swallows hard and looks back to Dan, waiting for him to get back up, then gazing up into his eyes. "I... I... it... I..."

Stopping, she can't help but let out a laugh at herself. Throwing herself into Dan's arms, she wraps her arms around his neck, giving a little squeal. "Yes, yes, yes!"

Drawing back, she kisses his lips quickly but with passion. "You turkey! Coming all the way up here and and and...." She kisses him again. "... giving me a heart attack!" Pausing to catch her breath, she just stares into his eyes. "But I forgive you," she concludes a little more calmly.

Still shaking, she kisses him again before pulling away to look at the ring again, still twinkling in the little box. "Oh, Dan..." Another tear escapes. "I love you so much and..." All she can do is hug him again, burying her face against his chest and feeling that feeling she'd only ever had around him and no one else.

From further inside the house, Jill's voice could be heard. "Jade? Where are you? Are you holding the front door open?"

Jade gives a startled jump and looks up at Dan again. "Uh-oh...." A giggle gets caught in her throat. "Who's gonna tell her?"