I came home Allison's house, feeling a bit upbeat. I was going to stick with the plan. We were headed out for a family vacation in a few days, and I had been planning on proposing. Sure, it was a bit cliché to propose in front of the princess castle, but it seemed right. Our first family trip together, and I would officially make Kayla a part of the McKay family. Of course, unofficially she already was. I think my daughters, sister, and mother preferred her presence to mine. Not that I was jealous, it was just a testament to how awesome Kayla was. I walked into the house and smelled cookies. Baking was good, that meant Kayla was feeling better. She had been in such a funk since Greta blasted through our lives with her usual bullshit. That would never happen again. I had our divorce arrangement revised so that if Greta broke the restraining order again, she forfeited alimony payments. I was certain that the only thing my ex-wife loved more than drama was money. I came in and saw her behind the stove.

"Where are the girls?" I asked.

"They went over to Dom's tonight," she said. "They wanted to see their aunt before we took off tomorrow. We'll pick them up on the way to the airport. Don't worry-I made them pack and clean their rooms before they left."

"I never doubted you," I smiled. "So it's just us tonight?"

"I thought it'd be good to have a night alone," Kayla said. "I know I've been distant."

"Because I was stupid and let Greta hurt you."

"No," Kayla said. "There's always going to be something in our way: ex-wives or ex-husbands, crazy kids, sickness, work. Life happens, you know. And I can't just give up when shit happens. I have a new resolve. I am going to fight for us, you know."

"I do," I said. "And I, of course, would never stop fighting for us either."

"Part of my new resolve includes making time for romance. So, Mr. McKay, I've made us a romantic dinner."

"Ok," I said. "Should I help?"

"Nope," Kayla grinned. "The table is already set. However, I am going to go and change."

I looked at her jeans and tank top, which was covered in plaid apron. She had a little bit of cheese in her hair.

"I kind of dig this look," I smiled.

"Well," she said. "Wait till you see the new dress I am wearing for you."

"Ok," I said. "I am waiting."

She went upstairs and I smiled. Yeah, it was going to be a good night. I waited a few minutes, looking in the oven to see a pie baking. I turned when I heard her walking down the stairs. She was wearing a skintight red dress that hugged her in the all the right places and lifted her chest up. God she was gorgeous.

"I take it by your expression you like the dress." She grinned.

"Is that the dress you wore that one time?" I asked.

"What time?" she asked.

"When we went out dancing with Jerry and Allison...When you first moved in here."

"Oh, yeah," Kayla smiled. "You remember that?"

"It's a memorable dress," I said. "I mean, I just remember wondering how I was going to handle living with a supermodel."

"I am not a supermodel," she giggled.

"Only because you're too smart for that," I said. "You've got the body for it."

"So you don't wish I was... you know...bustier."

"No no," I said. "I wouldn't change a thing."

"Dean," she said, walking up to me. "You have that look in your eye, you know."

"What look," I asked, wrapping my hands around her waist.

"That caveman, I must have you now, look."

"Well," I said, moving in closer to her.

"I did all of this cooking," she protested.

But she didn't resist when I pushed her hair away from her neck and kissed her softly. Instead, she made a slight humming noise.

"If I promise to enjoy your dinner and behave later on," I whispered in her ear. "Can we be a little naughty now."

"Dean McKay," she replied. "Do you honestly have to have me now?"

I pushed her up against the kitchen table, picking her up so she sat on the edge. Her legs wrapped around my waist as she hiked her skirt up.

"Yes," I whispered. "You are so damn beautiful I need you right now."

"Let's go to the bedroom," she whispered, her voice a bit needy.

"Or..." I said. "We could stay right here...."

"You really can't wait," Kayla said.

I didn't say another word, but kissed her fiercely. It didn't take long before the dress was on the floor, and we had officially found time for romance.

*

*

*

An hour later, we sat on the kitchen floor in our underwear eating the pasta Kayla made.

"I can't believe we broke the Kitchen table." She blushed.

"It's fine," I said. "We'll order a new one and the girls will never know. I texted Jerry and he said he'd make sure the broken table was replaced before we come home."

"Did you tell him how it got broken?"

"I let him imagine, but he can probably guess." I smirked.

"You're so proud of yourself," Kayla said. "God, I've never seen you so possessive before. It was hot."

"Well, I like you in red," I smiled. "God, I can't believe we're here."

"On the floor, eating Fettuccine..."

"No, here," I said. "I never thought I'd have a partner who I could tell anything...who is like...my best friend. And then we have sex like..."

"Table-breaking sex," Kayla giggled.

"Yes," I replied.

"I know," Kayla said. "I love you too. I am honestly, so happy."

"I need to tell you something," I said.

"Ok," she said, her face a little flushed. Was she actually nervous?

"I want to marry you, Kayla," I said, my voice cracking a bit. "I mean, I am not proposing, right now...God, what a story that would be. Naked, on the floor, eating Italian food. But I just, in case I haven't made it clear...I will propose. Soon. I am not trying to ruin the surprise. I just want you to know my intentions."

"Oh," she said. She looked both happy and embarrassed. "And ummm...why tell me your intentions? I mean I've seen the ring, so I knew it was on your mind."

"I just...if any part of you wants to say no...tell me before then. I don't know what that would mean for us, but I want to know. Because I am all in."

"Oh wow," she said. "Well, I'm glad. I mean, god, I want to say yes but you haven't actually asked the question."

"So, we're on the same page?" I asked.

"I think we are absolutely on the same page."

Her eyes were lit up like diamonds and I felt a sense of calm and pure joy.

"So...when will you propose?" She asked me.

"That is classified information," I replied.

"Is there a ring in your suitcase?"

I took another bite of my food, grinning.

"Oh my god, there's a ring," she said, her voice full of delight.

"No comment," I laughed.

"I just hope it happens soon," she smiled. "God, I'm so nervous."

"Don't be," I replied. "I'll make sure everything is perfect."

And I truly meant it.