"Veux-tu m'épouser?"

Dry mouth. Sweaty palms. Racing heart. Stomach full of butterflies.

Yep, Ryan Atwood had them all. No, he wasn't coming down with a cold, or the flu.

Tonight was the night he was going to ask Taylor Townsend to be his bride.

Ryan wiped his hands on his jeans, trying to rid them of their clammy feeling as the cool ocean breeze ran through his hair. He could feel himself shaking as he listened to the faint roar of the ocean waves being masked by the sound of his pounding chest. He reminded himself to breathe as he looked down at his watch for the billionth time in the past few minutes. He couldn't believe he was actually here, doing this. The thought of it all scared him until he pictured her face and smiled quietly to himself.

She did that to him. She had the kind of effect. She was like no one he had ever met and while that sometimes scared him beyond belief it was also intriguing and exciting and new. He never thought it was possible to fall for someone so completely, so quickly, to have butterflies in your stomach every time they said your name or softly touched your lips to theirs.

After Marissa's death he truly thought he'd never love again or smile or laugh. But like he said, she had that kind of effect, she brought him out of his darkness with her shining light and she saved him. He no longer was the one doing the rescuing, he was the helpless one and she had saved him and taught him how to love once again. She taught him how to laugh and how to smile, how to cry and to know that it's okay to let your guard down. She broke down every wall Ryan had spent all his life building up and he was thankful for that.

He remembered their first kiss and the undeniable spark he was surprised to feel as his lips found hers. He remembered the way she clung to his arm afterwards and the way he held on too, if only for a split second, before releasing her slender hand because a part of him never wanted to let go.

He remembered the anxious excited feeling he had when she asked him for one kiss and how all his worries floated away when he felt her lips gently touch his and felt her hand slide briefly through his hair. He remembered the way she looked into his eyes after the kiss- full of passion and worry and doubt. He remembered her apologizing and running out of the pool house and how he tried to call her back to him, but her kiss had literally taken his breath away.

He thought about how their relationship had started off as fun and flirty but how it had quickly grown into something so much more, something that ended up meaning the world to him. He remembered when he told her he loved her and how utterly adorable she looked, pleading with him to stop teasing her. The way one perfect strand of hair fell across her face and how on impulse, he swept it away to get a better look at her sparkling hazel eyes. How the words 'I love you' just slipped out and how although he felt scared he knew he meant what he said the minute it became real.

He remembered when the earthquake happened and how he did everything in his power to protect the one thing that mattered most to him. He remembered their difficult goodbye when she went off to France. And how he checked her blog regularly, only to find himself reading past posts she had written about their relationship and smiling as he read about how in love with him she had been.

He remembered bumping into her at the airport after all those months only to feel all those emotions he had come rushing back to him as he fought the urge to hold her close and never let go. He remembered asking her if they could be friends and in an instant finding himself in bed, making love to her so full of passion and love. He remembered kissing her in the train, so happy in that moment just to be with her. All of the fun they had in the sleeper car, how she asked him to stay in Paris with her for a few days and how he said yes without hesitation. How years down the road at Seth and Summer's wedding he looked over to find her looking back at him. How simple it had been to make a promise to one another that they would be together always, without either having to utter a single word.

He remembered every single thing she ever did or said and the way he felt when she did them. Every little quirk of hers he found so endearing, he couldn't help but smile and kiss her. He was standing here, now, in this moment waiting for her to come to him so he could ask her to spend the rest of her life with him. There was nothing in this world he wanted more than that.

Taylor Townsend was more than a little creeped out. Yep, most definitely creeped out. Summer had abandoned her at the side of the road less than five minutes ago and Taylor had been standing in the same spot since, expecting to see Summer's silver BMW convertible come back into sight. She looked up to see the sky full of stars and turned her head towards the sounds of the gentle waves slowly crashing against the rocky cliff that stood in front of her. The bright full-moon stood out against the dark night backdrop illuminating everything around her. Something red, shining brightly in the light of the moon caught Taylor's eye and she walked over to see thousands of beautiful rose petals lining the wooden stairs that led down to the beach. At the top of the staircase she saw her name spelled out in small pebbles. She slowly descended the stairs, careful to take in the beauty of the carefully placed rose petals and candles lighting her way.

When she reached the end of the stairs she removed her shoes and let her feet sink into the cool, damp sand. She'd always loved the beach and the way the sand felt between her toes. She remembered all the time she spent at the beach with her father as a little girl, splashing around in the water, building sand castles. She remembered the way he held her close as they ventured out into the waves and how she was scared and yet brave all at once. How her mother watched them from her chair at the beach, waving to her as she clung to her father's neck, the large waves tickling her back as they passed them by. She smiled softly to herself as the memory faded away and she began to walk along the path of roses that extended along down the beach. She followed the path around one of the cliff walls and when she looked ahead she saw Ryan standing in the distance, holding a single long-stemmed rose.

"Hey," Ryan said, handing her the rose and kissing her on the cheek. Taylor smiled at the feel of his scruff tickling her cheek, something she had become so used to.

"What is all this?" Taylor asked, motioning her hands towards all the candles and roses, the romance of it all.

"Well our anniversary…," Ryan began, "Is not for another week," Taylor finished, her right eyebrow raised.

"I know, but I wanted to surprise you, so surprise?" Ryan said, a half smile forming on his face.

"Well I wish you would have told me we were getting dressed up, I look like a mess compared to you," Taylor said.

"You look beautiful," Ryan said simply, and it was true. She was wearing a pair of old jeans and a green tee. Her hair was loosely wavy and her face was free from makeup. He'd told her time and time again how she looked best when she didn't try, and seeing her now, the moonlight perfectly lighting her face only solidified that.

Taylor looked at him and couldn't help but smile widely. He looked unbelievably good standing in front of her in a pair of faded jeans, a blue collared shirt, and a black blazer. The slight ocean breeze blew through his hair and his shirt only served to make his piercing, intelligent blue eyes sparkle luminously in the moonlight.

"Well who knew you were such a romantic Ryan Atwood," Taylor joked, as she wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled herself into his neck. She kissed his neck as she breathed in his scent; a mix of beach, mint, and the cologne he always wore because he knew it was her favourite.

"You smell good," she murmured as she nibbled on his ear lobe and planted soft kisses all along his cheek.

"You do too," Ryan said, enjoying Taylor's kisses as he breathed in the familiar scent of the woman he loved. She always smelled good, a combination of sweet shampoo, faint perfume, and something he had never been able to place, but always drove him wild. After several minutes of kissing Ryan pulled away, his lips raw and tingling. He smiled into her lips as he kissed her gently once more and took her slender hand in his, intertwining their fingers.

He led her over to the blanket he had set up for their dinner and they sat down, Taylor cuddled into Ryan's shoulder. He ran his fingers through her hair as she wrapped her arm tightly around his waist. They sat in silence for awhile, cuddled against one another, enjoying the sounds of the ocean and each others beating hearts.

"Are you hungry?" Ryan asked, putting his arm around Taylor and pulling her closer.

"Starving actually," Taylor replied, only now noticing her growling stomach. Ryan untangled himself from Taylor to reach the picnic basket and bring it over to the blanket. Taylor looked on as Ryan pulled out china dishes, cutlery, champagne glasses, and champagne.

"Someone planned quite the fancy dinner, did they?" Taylor teased, rubbing Ryan's back as he unloaded the rest of the picnic basket.

"Dinner is served," Ryan said, picking up the two plates and placing one in front of Taylor along with a glass of champagne.

"Ryan!" Taylor said, surprised, "what is this?"

"Its dinner," Ryan smiled.

"A Big Mac Meal?" Taylor questioned, with a hint of laughter in her voice.

"You told me it was you're favourite," he replied, remembering the night she told him.

They had been cuddling in bed, Ryan's arm wrapped around a snuggled in Taylor when she rolled out of his grasp and lay on top of him, her head resting on his chest. "Let's play a game," she said, reaching up and running her fingers along his face.

"A game?" Ryan repeated, tracing slow, small circles on her back, "Okay, what game do you want to play?"

"I'm not sure," Taylor said, looking up into his eyes as she rested her chin on his chest, "what's your favourite song?"

"Umm, I guess it would be…Journey- Open Arms"

"Oh, how does that one go again? It sounds familiar", Taylor said, a quizzical look on her face.

"Townsend, you have got to be kidding," Ryan proclaimed his mouth open in shock, "you know, I run to you with open arms, etc. Best Journey song ever."

"Mmm, still not getting it," Taylor said, "Maybe if you sing the chorus it'll ring a bell?."

"Yeah right," Ryan said with a small laugh.

"No seriously," Taylor said grabbing Ryan's hands, "come on, you said it's like the best song ever and I know you can't resist educating one in the ways of Journey."

"Not going to happen," Ryan stated, releasing Taylor's hands.

"Come on Atwood, this is nothing, it's just you and me. Please?" Taylor begged, looking up at Ryan with the sad puppy dog eyes she knew he couldn't say no to.

"Oh god, I can't believe I'm actually going to do this," Ryan said, rubbing his forehead with his hand, "Fine, but only the chorus and no more favours ever."

Taylor smiled up at Ryan, taking joy in the fact that he was so nervous and the fact that she had gotten Ryan Atwood to sing for her.

"So now I come to you with open arms. Nothing to hide, believe what I say. So here I am, with open arms. Hoping you'll see what your love means to me," Ryan sang softly.

"Tell me this. Have you ever considered trying out for American Idol?" Taylor joked, even though she was truly moved by Ryan's mini serenade.

"Actually…yes," Ryan joked back, sticking his tongue out at her.

"One more thing…I totally know that song, it's one of my favourites," Taylor smiled, "I just wanted you to sing to me."

"Okay liar, what's your number one favourite song?" Ryan asked.

"Hot Girls in Good Moods- Butch Walker, and no I'm not singing it for you" she smiled.

"No need, I'm all too familiar with it," Ryan commented, thinking back to the days when that song accompanied his fantasies about Taylor.

"Favourite colour? Let me guess, black?" she joked, sticking her tongue out at Ryan.

"Actually no, smart-alek, blue is my favourite colour" Ryan said, tickling her chin, "and you?"

"Well you do happen to look extremely sexy in blue," Taylor replied, kissing his neck, "Favourite colour? Purple, definitely."

Their conversation went on for hours. Talks about favourite tv shows, favourite movies, favourite actor, favourite actress, favourite candy. They layed on the bed, cuddled up together, just talking, for hours, Ryan never knew he could have so much fun just talking.

"I think we've covered just about everything," Ryan said, staring down at Taylor who was cuddled into his side.

"What about favourite food?" Taylor asked sleepily, her eyes shut.

"That's tough, I like steak but you happen to make a mean peach torte," he complimented, "What's Taylor Townsend's favourite meal?"

"You want to know my real favourite meal or what I tell everyone who asks?" she questioned, sitting up.

"True favourite," Ryan answered, sitting up to face Taylor.

"Okay, well, I tell people my favourite meal is a nice garden salad…" Taylor explained, "but the truth is, well I'm not sure I want to say."

"You tease!" Ryan said, rolling over on top of Taylor and pinning her down, "You know you're going to tell me."

"Nope," Taylor said, shaking her head back and forth, "I'm sworn to secrecy."

"Oh really?" Ryan questioned, his eyebrows raised, "then I'm sorry but I'm going to have to resort to torture." Ryan began to tickle her as she pleaded for him to stop, but she could hardly get a word out, she was so out of breath from laughter.

"Okay, okay. I'll tell you," Taylor gave in, as Ryan collapsed on top of her with a triumphant smile.

"I tell people my favourite food is salad, but there's nothing I like more than a Big Mac," she stated, "Are you happy now?"

"Very," Ryan replied with a smirk, "I happen to like a girl who can eat."

"Ryan!" Taylor exclaimed, slapping his arm.

"What?" Ryan asked innocently, rubbing his arm before pushing Taylor back down on the bed and leaving a trail of kisses all down her body.

"Is it good?" Ryan asked, taking a bite of his own Big-Xtra and looking over to see Taylor take huge bite out of her burger, lettuce and sauce falling everywhere.

"Mhm, very good," Taylor said, in between chews, "So Mr. Romantic tell me, did you happen to bring any napkins?"

Ryan looked inside the picnic basket and saw the pile of McDonald's napkins that lay there, "No, I guess I forgot, sorry."

"Oh well," Taylor smiled, wiping the sauce off her face and beginning to lick her fingers clean.

"Don't worry about it T," Ryan said, pushing his plate to the side, "I can help you with that."

He crawled over towards her and took her hand into his, slowly raising her fingers up to his lips. He gently licked each finger clean of the sauce and began to make tiny kisses along her fingers, palm, and arm.

"All better?" Ryan asked, "All better," Taylor replied, with a giggle, nodding her head slightly as she leaned in, pressing her lips against Ryan's. Ryan smiled into her lips as he felt the butterflies form once again, for a brief moment, and he liked it. The fact that after all this time, kissing Taylor still made his stomach do back flips and the fact that each kiss with her was exciting and new. He laid her back on the blanket, his hand cupping her head, fingers running through her hair. He ran his other hand along her cheek, deepening the kiss, feeling her tongue exploring his mouth. He ran his fingers through her hair as she pulled him down closer to her, leaving short, sweet kisses all the way down his neck, to his fingers, kissing each one tenderly. Ryan smiled widely as she did this, kissing her cheek.

"What?" Taylor asked, noticing Ryan's wide smile.

"Nothing," Ryan said, kissing her lips softly.

"No really, tell me," Taylor said, cupping Ryan's face in her hands.

"I was just going to say," Ryan began, grabbing Taylor's hands in his and interlocking their fingers, "that you've never looked more beautiful than you do right now."

"Ryaaan," Taylor smiled speechless, a small glistening hint of a tear in her eyes.

"Close your eyes," she whispered, placing her finger on his lips.

"What?" Ryan asked, "Why?"

"Just do it Ry," Taylor replied, unlocking her fingers from his.

Ryan closed his eyes obediently and could feel the heat of Taylor's body move closer to him. He felt the touch of her soft hands on his skin as they slid up to rest in his hair. He was met with the feel of Taylor's soft, luscious lips pressed tightly against his forehead.

"I love you Ryan," Taylor said, when she finally released her lips from his skin.

"I love you too," Ryan responded, before their lips re-connected once more.

They lay on the blanket for what seemed like an eternity. Soft, sweet kisses underneath the star-filled sky, softly caressing each other's bodies. Their kisses became more passionate as time rolled on, Taylor quietly moaning from the feel or Ryan's skilled hands exploring her entire body. Ryan loved the way they knew each other so well, every inch and every curve of one another's body, every touch, every kiss seemed familiar and yet new. Taylor rolled on top of Ryan and began to unbutton his shirt, leaving a kiss on each new piece of revealed skin.

"Taylor," Ryan tried to interrupt, "Tay, wait."

"I'm kissing you and you ask me to stop?" Taylor commented, "Huh, well that's new. I mean usually you're like an animal rearing to go, all hot and bothered, like a wild bull with me as the red flag…"

"Taylor, believe me it's not that," Ryan replied, "I just wanted to give you your anniversary present before things got carried away."

"Oh, Ryan, that's so sweet but I mean I didn't get you anything, I didn't think we were celebrating until next week…"

"It's okay," Ryan said, "You can give me yours on the actual day of our anniversary, something to look forward to."

"Right and I promise it won't be any sort of grill and I won't tell you to do anything to your face using said gift," Taylor laughed, scrunching her nose up in same cute way she always did when she smiled or laughed.

"Oh, well aren't we too funny Mrs. Comedian," Ryan joked, tickling her stomache as he stood up to get Taylor's gift.

"Okay," Ryan said, walking over to Taylor "Put this on."

"A blindfold?" Taylor questioned, "kinky, but I thought you didn't want things to get carried away…" she added with a wink.

"Very funny Taylor," Ryan said sarcastically, "just put it on. I want it to be a surprise."

"Whatever you say master Ryan," Taylor said with a laugh as she put the blindfold on and tied it tightly.

"Is it on tight?" Ryan asked, "I don't want you peeking."

"Yes, sir," Taylor said, sending a firm salute towards Ryan's general direction.

"Okay, don't open you're eyes until I tell you to," Ryan said with a racing heart, placing the gift in front of her.

"Okay, you can look," Ryan said, untying Taylor's blindfold for her.

"Aww, Ryan that is so sweet, it's just like the one you gave me…" Taylor began, smiling at the cute gift, "Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh. My. God."

Sparkling tears began to form in her eyes as she looked at the gift in front of her. A teddy bear, just like the one Ryan gave her all those years back. White and cuddly and soft.

"Marry me?" Taylor whispered, focusing on the balloon the bear held in its arm, with the words "Marry me?" written across it. She was at a loss for words. She noticed the mug in its lap that said "Look inside". Her finger was met with the cool touch of silver, instead of the soft feel of gummy bears as she reached inside and pulled out a beautiful diamond ring.

"Ryan, I-I, I don't know what to say," Taylor said, speechless, her voice quivering.

"Taylor, these last few years with you have been the best of my life. I never thought it was possible to be so in love with another person that you would do anything to keep them safe and to be with them. You make me smile more than anyone and you've taught me so much in the time we've been together. If it hadn't been for you I don't know where I would be right now. You saved me," Ryan whispered, grabbing the ring out of Taylor's hand.

"You mean more to me than anyone and anything in this entire world and I love you so, so much and I want to spend the rest of my life and after, with you," Ryan softly spoke, getting down on one knee.

"Taylor Townsend, Je t'aime, veux-tu m'épouser?" Ryan asked, one small tear glistening in his eye as he looked down at the woman he loved.

"Oui! I mean yes, yes of course I'll marry you!" Taylor exclaimed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Ryan smiled widely as he slid the ring delicately on to her finger and she jumped into his arms, wrapping herself tightly around him as he held her close and kissed her head.

"I love you so much," she whispered softly.

"I love you too, more than you'll ever know," he whispered back, feeling Taylor's tears fall wet and soft on to his face.

They stayed sitting on the cool sand of the beach; bodies completely entwined as if one for a long time, Taylor nuzzled into his neck as he kissed her head softly and stroked her soft hair.

"I don't usually ask this," Ryan began, "but do you want to dance?"

"I'd love to," Taylor said as Ryan wiped the tears off her cheeks and helped her up. He walked over to the boom box and pressed play, before coming back to Taylor and wrapping his arms around her waist as Journey's Open Arms began to play. Taylor wrapped her arms around his neck and sank into his chest as he tightened his hold around her. They slowly turned around the beach, Ryan's chin resting on the top of her head.

"So here I am with open arms," Taylor smiled into Ryan's chest as she heard him softly singing in her ear, "Hoping you'll see what your love means to me."

When the song finished Ryan bent down and softly kissed her lips, pulling away slowly but Taylor pulled his lips back to hers, coming together in a wave of heat and passion and love.

"Taylor…" Ryan began, but his lips were met with the warm touch of Taylor's finger.

"Shhh," she whispered as her lips connected with his once again and she pushed him down on to the blanket, slowly removing his shirt to reveal his bare skin. She held Ryan's arms down as she kissed his neck and moved slowly down his chest leaving soft kisses along the way. Ryan grabbed her head and pulled her back up to his face, pressing his lips against hers passionately, tasting the faint flavour of her strawberry lip balm. Taylor moaned slightly as he rolled over on top of her, holding his body up as he planted kisses all along her slender collarbone. He slowly undressed her, taken aback by her naked beauty, her perfect figure shining in moonlight.

"I love you Taylor," Ryan said once again, as he planted a soft kiss on her bellybutton.

"I love you too Ry," Taylor whispered back, smiling as Ryan continued kissing her body all over.

They made love on the beach, underneath the full moon and star-filled sky. So full of love and undeniable passion. Full of short sweet kisses and thousands of I love you's. Both so incredibly happy to have found their one true love and to know that they'd be together for eternity, and then some.

FIN