[Ella Robbinson]

There was another mutual factor in play here now. Ella then had to wonder if he had ever gotten any indication that she was in a similar situation; did he know she thought about the next steps as well? Was it really something to feel awkward about bringing up? It couldn't get any worse than a half exchange of love.

"It's logical, right? People don't just stop after they choose to move in together." Sure, there probably people who were, but that couldn't be the end of it. At least he knew that it wasn't what she wanted to do, "That's not what I want, anyway. I think if things are good and solid and perfect then why not lock it all together by getting married?"

[James Lawrence]

Nodding in agreement, James didn't add anything to Ella's first point. It was the logical next step in the relationship. Moving in together wasn't the final stages, the end game. There had to be something greater. Before, James might have worried about that stage but his only anxiety was over the how. How to discuss it, rather than marriage itself.

Hearing Ella's affirmation of what she wanted out of their relationship eased his inner tension. An alleviated heart rate started beating faster; not out of fear, or maybe it was. James couldn't quite place the sensation in his chest. By the sounds of it, Ella was suggesting marriage right here and right now. "You're right." James began, running his free hand along his jaw. "I mean, personally, I feel like we're solid and perfect." Maybe not perfect in the objective sense, but for them. And that's what truly mattered.

"So, we should get married." Was it a proposal? Definitely not in the traditional sense; James didn't have a ring as of yet. Or any planned heartfelt words, but maybe it was better this way. "I can't imagine a future that doesn't include us together. Marriage has to come at some point so why not now?"

[Ella Robbinson]

An opinion was thrown out there, and Ella then felt the shift in the rhythm of his heart. It carried a signal to some degree, and while she couldn't pin point the reason, she knew before he spoke that he was considering something.

It followed with a deep agreement to her words, like it resonated with him on a new level. As he continued, she very nearly tripped in her steps, forcing to a halt and ignoring the trajectory they were on. Evidently, they couldn't make it home without a series of revelations.

Her heart rate was spiked into her ears at this point, and even she couldn't control it.

"Did you just ask me to marry you?"

[James Lawrence]

The connection between James' heart rate and his deep thoughts gave indication of the idea slowly formulating in his mind. There was no preplanning; it was pure impulse off of a feeling. Only confirmed with Ella's own thoughts on marriage. He soon realized that his increased heart rate was not entirely out of fear, but excitement. The moment was a whole new revelation for James, and he couldn't help but to wonder why he didn't do it sooner.

Ella's stall forced James to stop a step later. At this rate, they wouldn't make it home before sun down. Love, marriage; what else could come up on the long walk home?

Suddenly, the loudest sound on the street was the sound of Ella's heart. It even drowned out the sound of his own. The sound filled James' ears and he couldn't help wincing at the sudden headache that coincided with a singular pulse. Composure was hard to maintain.

"Yes," James answered with a pause. Maybe it wasn't as straight forward as it ought to have been. "Ella, I'm asking you if you will marry me."

[Ella Robbinson]

Controlling her own heart was absolutely impossible at this point. Ella could feel it heavy and she knew he wouldn't lose track of it. She even knew trying to control it would flag his attention, like she wanted to send a different message. No, James Lawrence deserved every honest part of her at this point, because he was giving up so much and she hadn't expected it at all.

He was so sure; his heartbeat, rapid. Perhaps that wasn't anxiety he was expressing, but a kind of differed joy. Maybe he was happy. Ecstatic. Heartbeats altered themselves so effectively for many different reasons. His words said he wasn't scared in the slightest.

Dropping her jaw, she stalled briefly in a blank stare. Then her smile overcame her senses; her mouth, her eyes = they all depicted a particular kind of happiness.

"Sure."

[James Lawrence]

In this moment, James almost wished he had a telepathic ability. To be inside Ella's head, to know her thoughts, even for one minute, was what he wanted most. But to know through the sound of an out of control heart; to be as open and vulnerable despite knowing that she could at least try and manage her heart. Neither of them could read minds, but the unique rhythm of Ella's heart was a sound he could never forget.

Although the time between his question and Ella's answer was not long at all, the wait felt like an eternity. James' eyes remained fixed on her features, to the initial shock and undeniable happiness. She was glowing and the sight of her caused his own expression to light up in pure joy. It was overwhelming, but not in the anxious way he was used to. One simple word was the only reply required.

A hand moved to her cheek, fingertips running along her jaw to cup her chin. Leaning in, he brushed his lips against hers once, then twice. It was the only reaction James could give, until he remembered that there was no ring.

"To be honest, I don't have a ring yet. But there will be one soon."