Emma sat on the bench is the park, smoothing down her hair constantly and watching. It was unlike her to get this excited for a meeting, but she had felt a connection with him, in a way she had never felt. And hope was a dangerous thing, but it only grew more powerful within her.

Their conversation the day before in the tearoom had been nothing special, but it was lovely to be reacquainted with the man she knew so well and yet not at all.

Her head immediately perked up when out of the corner of her eye, she saw a uniform and a head of bright blond hair. It was him, and he was quickly approaching her.

"You're here!" she said excitedly. "Why were you so late?"

His eyes flickered downward. "Sleep is hard to come by in France, I'm hardly awake as it is. I only woke an hour ago and I rushed as quickly as I could to get here. I'm very sorry."

"Don't be," she reassured. "I'm not the most sympathetic person in the world, but I can understand a need for sleep."

"Shall we take a stroll around the park?" he asked, holding out his hand for her to take.

Surprised at the easy gesture he made, she hesitantly took his hand and smiled at his as brightly as she could, her pounding emotions contrasting with her outward ease. He was so casual, and they had only met twice before. But then again, she felt like she knew him, thanks to their letters. "Why not," she replied.

"I feel like I know you much better than I probably do," Matthew began, speaking aloud Emma's exact thoughts. "I'm sorry if I make you feel uncomfortable."

"No, not at all!" Emma said fervently. She enjoyed the contact, and there was no discomfort with him. He was so respectful and after past experiences, a respectful man was definitely a desire that Emma harbored.

Matthew nodded. He seemed slightly nervous, at a closer glance, but Emma decided to ignore it. "I'm glad. I'm glad to have met you, because I've really enjoyed getting to know you." He smiled tightly, and squeezed Emma's hand. Emma relished the contact. "I've felt like I've...been between earth and hell in a sense, and you...you've kept me on earth."

"Well it's good I've been able to do something useful. It would be a first," Emma sighed.

"You've been more than useful. I really needed someone like you, a savior of sorts, and...I still need someone like you," he said, almost choking up at the words. His grip on her hand grew tighter but Emma didn't mind. "I truly need you still, and I know we hardly know each other and it's unconventional but..."

"Matthew, what on earth are you talking about?" Emma interrupted, her heart pounding too fast for thought.

He shook his head. "I'm doing this horribly, of course I am. I'm sorry, I doubt this is the way you thought it would happen but, well..."

Emma's eyes widened in realization and met his. "You can't... Is this real?"

"I know it's rushed but I don't know if I have time and well..."

She smiled and squeezed his hand back, tears beginning to pool in the corners of her eyes. "Go on. Don't be afraid."

"Emma Swan, what I've been trying to say is, will you marry me?"