Most mornings Leo woke hard after dreaming about Isla. It was odd because most nights he fell asleep talking to Autumn. It was one thing he couldn't do if Isla was in his bed, not if but when. Only Zach knew he had a ring. The two had gone to the same jeweler where Zach bought Lilli's diamond. Isla's was smaller and less expensive. Although Leo had the commission from the Clark deal, he didn't have family money like his friend.

On Valentine's Day, he could hardly concentrate. It didn't help when Zach kept popping in asking if he was nervous. He shouldn't have been. It wasn't his first time. Never did he think he would propose again. The romantic evening was very different from sunset at the summit after hiking all day. His life with Isla would also be different from the one he shared with Autumn. He liked it that way, not only was he older, but he was done with taking risks. More than ever family came first. His kids were everything, especially since they were the gifts Autumn left behind.

He might have rushed things with Isla, but dating a virgin wasn't easy. The hurt on her face, when they talked about Reagan left an ache in his heart. She was his future, and he needed to prove it.

Zach walked in and sat in the chair opposite him. "Keeping this secret from Lilli is killing me."

Leo laughed. "You had a ring for a year."

"Not a year. Six or seven months, but she knew about it."

Leo shook his head. "Only you two. Isla's gonna be shocked."

"No way she'll say no. You set the ball in motion the day you hired her."

"I couldn't see past the bun and the wool. Then I found out about the shelter and saw her vulnerability. It wasn't wham."

"Mine was. I saw her and knew."

Leo rolled his eyes. "That was lust."

"Call it what you want, but I love every quirky thing about her."

Leo loved every innocent thing about Isla. "I was wondering. Do you think it's weird for her to be engaged, but still work for me?"

"What difference does it make you've been paying her for sex already, right?"

Leo looked at his desk. He felt the heat as he shook his head. "So how should I do it? In the restaurant or not? On one knee?" He did the knee thing on the mountain.

"Backup. Are you telling me you two haven't? You're a saint my friend."

"Isla is religious. I respect her too much."

"No wonder you want to seal the deal. You'll be married before me."

The wedding night couldn't come fast enough. "So in the restaurant? On my Knee? What should I do?"

"We should ask Lilli?"

"No, she'd tell Isla. What are you doing for Valentine's Day?"

"Is that tonight?" Leo shot daggers with his eyes. "Just kidding. Takeout in bed is an option."

"Seriously and she likes you."

Zach smiled. "Especially in bed. No, we're going out too. I have a gift for her."

"Skimpy garment?"

"No, I have class. A necklace."

"Then the bed. I'll admit I'm jealous."

"Don't be. You and Isla are perfect. This time marriage will work out for you."

Leo didn't bother to correct his friend. His intention was to be a loving husband to Isla just as he had been."

"Hey, this is a special day. I didn't mean to make you sad. I have some phone calls. You should do the dessert thing with the ring."

Leo didn't want to risk Isla choking on it. He would wing it. Chuckling, he remembered Autumn saying those words. He was the one freaking out as they discharged her from the hospital with their newborn daughter. He kept asking what they were doing and what they knew about caring for a small human. Autumn looked him in the eyes and said 'we'll wing it'. Hundreds of times after she left, he had thought I'm winging it.

After staring at the same manuscript all afternoon with little to show, he caught the earlier train. He didn't bother to pack up since he wouldn't be working later. Isla wasn't waiting at the station because he had driven himself. His text to her about the early train went unanswered.

The house was quiet. It was unusual for the kitchen to be empty and dark. The light to the basement was on. He called down the stairs. "Hello. I'm home."

Cody came running. "Daddy."

"What are you doing?"

"Playing."

"Where's Riley?"

"With Isla. You can't come. Riley said no boys allowed."

"What about you, Code?"

He shook his head. "Not allowed."

"Come upstairs while I get ready to go out."

"Why can't we go out to eat?" The boy pouted.

"Because it's a grown up restaurant."

Leo considered a shower but opted for a fresh shave and a clean shirt. He completed his look by putting on a sports coat after opting against the full suit.

"Go see if Isla is ready."

Once his son ran out of his room, he took out the card he bought. It took him a few moments to find the right words. Once he slid it in the red envelope, he put it in his inside pocket with the small box. He tried to chuckle at his shaking hands but failed. Nerves.

Downstairs he took out the macaroni Isla had made the night before and heated it up in the microwave. When the doorbell rang, he let the babysitter in and called the kids.

"Dinner is ready. Bedtime is at..."

He lost all coherent thought. Isla appeared with Riley and Cody, but his eyes were on his date. Her dress looked new. The v-shaped neck showed creamy skin and the black fabric clung to her curves. Her hair hung around her face, but his chin dropped.

"You cut your hair. It's. It's. I like it."

Her thick hair fell to her shoulders instead of halfway down her back.

She smiled and turned to the teen to complete the instructions he couldn't finish. She sounded like their mother as she spoke. The memories of their night would always include how beautiful she looked. A year before she wore brown wool and contemplated leaving her home in the convent.

Silently, he helped her with her coat after kissing both kids on the head. Their lives would change for the better too. With his hand on her waist, he led Isla out. The bitter breeze felt like snow was on its way.

"It smells like snow." Isla said.

He laughed. "I know, but the forecast is only calling for a dusting."

Once he held the door for Isla, he went around to enter on the driver's side. After he turned the key, he looked to Isla.

"You look beautiful."

She giggled. "You do too. I mean handsome."

"Thank you." He leaned over and brushed her lips. "Hello."

"Where are we going? I've never been out on Valentine's before."

Leo backed out of the driveway. "I'm your first Valentine." And last. "We are going to a restaurant I've heard wonderful things about."

Isla filled him in on things at home while he drove. He parked in a lot behind the small Italian trattoria. The review said it was a gem hidden in the suburbs.

He smiled as he opened Isla's door. It was something he only did when they were alone, but she sat expecting it. With the kids, they all piled in and out of the car on their own. When they stepped inside, warmth and aromatic smells greeted them, along with a man who asked if they had a reservation.

Leo gave his name, and he smiled. "Your table is ready."

He led them to a table in the corner. Leo hadn't wanted to create a spectacle. He held the chair as Isla sat.

She looked around. "This is nice."

Leo took her hand. "The food is supposed to be amazing."

They both opened their menus. Isla looked up. Her teeth bit her lower lip. She whispered. "It's so expensive."

"Don't worry. It's your first Valentine's day. Next year we can stay home with the kids."

She giggled. "Next year is a long time away."

Next year, you'll be my wife, and we can celebrate in bed. "Let's focus on tonight." He needed to keep his thoughts calm.

He ordered two glasses of wine instead of a bottle. They talked softly after they ordered until the salad arrived. All around them were couples of varied ages. After their entrees arrived, his nerves kept him from eating very much.

"Do you like your saltimbocca?"

"It's good. I shouldn't have had the bread." He had eaten crusty bread dipped in oil. "I can bring the leftovers home."

"When I was in high school, I lived with an Italian chef, with his family. The food was good, and I learned to cook."

"What happened?"

She shrugged. "Their own child had some trouble, and they needed all their energy for him. So I moved on."

"You never have to move on again."

She bit her upper lip and push her food around her plate. "I was thinking I should."

Leo felt the bread turn to lead. "Should what?"

"Move out. People will talk and assume. Marcia said I could stay with her."

"You talked to your friend and not me." He sounded like Riley.

"I'm talking to you now. Everything has changed and living in the same house seems wrong."

Leo enjoyed knowing she was in the basement, but he also fantasized about going to the down the stairs in the middle of the night. "Can we talk about it later? At home?"

"Okay. Sorry."

He smiled. Even if she moved, it would be temporary. He hoped. He waited until the chocolate torte was served. One dessert with two forks. Leo fed her a bite. It was very rich, but creamy and delicious. He reached into his pocket and took out the card.

"Happy Valentine's day, Isla."

She took it. "I don't."

He smiled. "It's okay. This is special."

He felt nauseous as she opened it and read his words. Isla, I love you. Fate brought us together. Will you marry me and share my life?

As she looked up at him with wide eyes, he took out the small box. "Please say yes."

He opened the box. She looked at the ring and covered her mouth with her hands. She croaked, "No string."

"No." He couldn't laugh, the lump in his throat stopped him. Autumn reacted right away. Isla looked stunned. He picked up the ring and took her left hand. Carefully he slipped the ring on her finger, pleased it fit. "Please tell me yes."

As she nodded, he saw the tears. Tears were good. "Do you mean it?"

He nodded. "You want to move out and I want to plan a future together."

The server appeared. "Complimentary champagne."

Isla laughed. "I'll have a headache."

Leo smiled. "It's one glass. To my beautiful Isla, sent by God. Will you be my wife and mother to my children?"

She nodded, "Yes, yes." She looked at her hand. "It's beautiful. Will you pinch me?" He squeezed her hand instead. The ring sparkled in the candlelight. It was less than a carat and had two chips on each side of the diamond. "You picked this out?"

He nodded. "Zach came to help."

"Lilli knows."

Leo laughed. "No, I didn't trust her to keep the secret. Lean in and hold up your hand." Leo took a selfie. "I can text it to Lilli and Zach and my mother."

She frowned. "I don't..."

"Yes, you do. Send it to Marcia and Helen."

She smiled. "I can't wait to tell Riley."

"She chose you and wants you to be Cody's mother, her stepmother."

"She told me."

The check came, and he paid. When they stepped outside the flurries had started. Leo pulled her in his arms and kissed her, binding their engagement.

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