I was in the most comfortable atmosphere for sleeping than I had been in months, but I still couldn’t sleep. Dana and I lay in her bed, one of my arms draped across her the other being used to prop my head up. Holding her and watching her sleep gave me so muchsecurity. When I was around, nothing could touch her.

I run two of my fingers down the side of her face, “I love you Dana Fairbanks.”

I feel her stir against my body, turning around so we are now facing one another. She slowly opens her sleepy eyes, “Hey”

I smile, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

She flings an arm over my body, “I’ll forgive you this time,” she presses her full lips against mine, “but don’ let it happen again.”

I laugh lightly, “sure thing.”  I bring two fingers to my temple, saluting her.

“Good.” She smiles, snuggling her head into my chest. “I’m so lucky to have youYou’re going to be my wife.”

I run my hand over her head, “I know. What do you think? Alice Fairbanksyou know keep it simple or Alice Pieszecki-Fairbanks? Is it too much?”

She laughs, “Well I don’t know about all of that. I’d call you anything as long as you’re mine.” She raises her head, with a sly look on her face, “You don’t have to brand yourself with my name to be my property.”

“Oh is that so,” I lower my hands to her sides and begin to tickle her, “your propertyis that so.”

She tries to push my hands away, small tears of laughter running down her face, “Okok you win. You’re my life not my property.”

I cup her face with my hands, pulling her in for a passionate kiss. “You know, I’d be your property if you just asked.”

She laughs, resting her head on my chest again. “I know.”

We both drifted off quickly after this. Morning came and I knew the doctors would be calling soon. We shared an intimate breakfast. I tried to make her an omelet, but it horribly failed. She tried to push it down anyways. God, I love her.