Spring squinted at the bright sunlight. They hadn't closed the blinds last night, she realized, and morning light was flooding in. Colton was gone, his place in bed cold and Spring began to wonder if she had imagined last night. Then she shifted and found she was a little sore. Okay, so not all of it had been a dream.

Had she really agreed to marry him?

It was quick, she knew, but it was also right. They had something which transcended time and she wanted them to start their life together as soon as they could.

Pulling herself back into the here and now, she rose and made her way to the shower. The hot spray relaxed muscles which had been seldom-used and certainly never in the bedroom. She would have to work hard at being able to keep up with him as he was proving himself to be insatiable. Of course, she was as well - for him. It had never been like this for her. She'd never wanted someone so much that she'd felt like she'd die if they weren't together.

Hearing the shower door open, she turned and gave Colton a broad smile. "I came to wash your back," he said with a lascivious grin.

It was a long time before they got out of the shower and Spring was very clean when they did manage it.

"These pancakes are good," Spring enthused.

"I can manage a few things in the kitchen," Colton replied.

She eyed him. "You're being disingenuous," she said.

He grinned, pleased to have been caught. "Okay, I love to cook. I just don't get to do it very often because of the job, but I make a mean risotto."

"You'll have to make it for me," she said. "How's your arm? We were...well, we weren't gentle last night."

"No worries," he said. "Not even a tinge of pain."

"I'm relieved to hear it."

He watched as she ate a piece of bacon with her hands. "So do you think we should tell our families or wait for a while?"

She cocked an eyebrow. "You realize Sunshine will know. She'll keep our secret, of course, but that's not really fair to her. Why not tell our families right away?"

"Because things are so uncertain for me."

Spring waved him off. "It's no big deal, Colton. It doesn't bother me, if that's what you're thinking."

"I am," he said.

"Well, get over it," she replied tartly, although there was a telltale curl of her lips.

"I love you," he said suddenly.

Her eyes softened. "And I love you. So why wait? We could have a double wedding with Torah and Christian."

"That's a month from now."

"Or we can do it sooner," Spring said simply. "What's the point in waiting? I'm not averse to living in sin, but if we're going to get married anyway, why not do it now?"

"You'll need to talk to Torah and Christian," he said. "And I should probably be there for that conversation. Torah is going to have my...uh..."

"Yeah, she'll probably want them," Spring said, relieving him that she knew what he was trying to say. "I need to tell all my sisters. I'm just not sure if I should do it announcement-style like Torah, or one-by-one like Kennedy."

"If we do it in a group setting there's less chance of me being eviscerated, but I suspect all hell's going to break loose."

She gave him a long level look. "I'll have you know that my sisters can be rational and sane."

"At times," Colton prompted.

"At times," Spring confirmed. "I think-" She stopped when she heard her phone ringing. She scrambled for her purse which she had dropped on the floor last night.

"Spring Dixon."

Colton began to clear the dishes but turned to her when she gasped.

"Now? I mean right now?" Her eyes were wide. "Okay, yeah. I'm at Colton's and...do I have time to go home and change? Somehow I don't think me showing up in the dress from last night would go over so well." She paused. "Right. We'll be there in thirty." Another pause. "Yes, I said we, so get over yourself." She sighed. "Yes, I love you too. See you soon."

He arched his eyebrow as she ended the call. "Torah?"

Her eyes were alight. "Zephyra's in labour. The whole family is gathering at Mission Memorial. Except Sunshine and Hawk because they've already left for their honeymoon."

"And you think it's appropriate for me to be there?"

She grinned. "What better way than to announce our engagement than in a hospital? No way there will be violence or raised voices."

Colton wasn't convinced, but he reached for his wallet, keys, and jacket. "We're going to your place first?"

"Yes. Everyone will know what I was doing last night, but let's not rub their noses in it. Plus, doesn't labour take a really long time? I don't want to be in the hospital for hours in this dress and these shoes."

He wasn't going to argue with that. "Let's take my car," he offered.

She tilted her head.

"So that you'll have to come back here to get yours," he said.

"I would come back anyway," she said.

"I want a guarantee."

She moved into his arms for a quick embrace. "I'm a sure thing, Colton, don't ever forget that."

They were the last to arrive, Spring noted. They had taken over the waiting room in maternity and Spring hoped no one else would need the space. She held tightly to Colton's hand as she made her way over to Kennedy. "How is she?"

"Just about ready to push," Kennedy reported. "I think Rafe is the one having a tough time."

"Isn't this all a little fast?"

"Well, yes and no. She was having contractions yesterday during the reception, but she just neglected to tell anyone. Rafe was the one who had a hand on her belly when she had one. I swear, I thought he was going to pass out on the spot. Of course Rory the paramedic was there because she's a friend of Hawk's and she was able to assure Rafe that there was plenty of time. That was about eighteen hours ago."

Spring cringed. "Now, that sounds painful."

"Zephyra has been..." Kennedy grinned. "Alternating between serene and threatening to remove Rafe's balls."

That sounded like her sister, Spring thought.

"But I notice you're here with Colton," Kennedy observed. "I take it you went home together after you dropped Logan at the cabin."

"Yes, we did." Spring looked into her sister's eyes then leaned in. "When do you think would be a good time to announce our engagement?"

Kennedy sputtered. "Well, you sure don't let the grass grow under your feet, do you?" She pulled back and looked into Spring's eyes. "You've told Sunshine, right?"

"She knows," Spring assured her. "I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't have her blessing."

"I guess I knew that," Kennedy said, "but are you sure? Marriage is a really big step."

"I've never been so sure of anything in my life," Spring replied.

Kennedy stepped back, still holding her sister's hand. She nodded to Colton who had been trying to inconspicuously hide in the corner and beckoned him to join them. When he reached Spring, she tucked herself against him.

"Everyone, Spring has an announcement to make."

Trust Kennedy to take matters in her own hands.

Everyone turned towards them, but it was Colton who spoke.

"I know you're all here for Zephyra and Rafe and we don't want to try to outdo the birth of a baby, but I wanted to let everyone know that I asked Spring to marry me and she said yes."

There were looks of disbelief as well as knowing grins. Ted stepped forward to extend his hand to Colton. "Congratulations," he said, shaking the other man's hand. Then he engulfed Spring in a hug. "I hope this makes you as happy as I am." When he released her, he went to pull Kennedy towards him.

That seemed to break the ice as each sister, brother-in-law, and parent stepped forward. Spring heard Colton say to her father that he should have asked permission first, to which Brian Dixon laughed. "As long as you make her happy, I don't care about such things. Most of the others didn't ask either and they all seem to have worked out okay."

Spring's mother pulled her into an embrace. Moonshine Dixon's formerly black hair was now white, but she still looked years younger than her actual age. "I would never have thought Colton would be for you, honey, but it seems right."

"It is, Mom," Spring said, feeling tears prick her eyes. "It's never been more right."

Moonshine grinned. "I liked him as a son-in-law before, so I figure I'll adapt to having him back in the family." She gave her daughter's cheek a squeeze before moving on to Colton whom she also pulled into a bear hug. Spring turned to find Torah by her side.

Her sister didn't look pleased. "You don't have to marry him, you know. Maybe you guys could live together for a while and see how it goes."

"I love him, Torah," Spring said plainly. "He's my forever, just like Christian is yours."

Torah's eyes softened and she pressed a hand to Spring's cheek. "If you're sure."

"I am."

"Then I'll leave you to it." With that, she pulled Spring into an embrace which Spring returned with ferocity. "I love you."

Spring fought the ever-present tears. "I know. I really do." She felt Colton put a hand lightly on her back.

Torah pulled back from the hug and looked up at him.

Before she could say anything, he said, "I know how you feel about me, Torah, and your blessing would mean a great deal to both of us."

Momentarily flustered, Torah quickly recovered herself. "You know what will happen if you ever hurt her."

"I do," Colton said. "But I never will."

Mollified, Torah pulled him into a swift embrace, clearly surprising both of them. Spring hadn't needed Torah's approval, but this thawing of relations between her fiancé and her sister was definitely appreciated.

There was a quieting of voices and Spring turned to where Rafe was standing in the door. "It's a girl," he said. Then he flushed. "I mean you all knew it was a girl, but..." He was grinning like an idiot. He turned to Moonshine. "Zephyra's asking for you. Then she wants to see everyone."

Kennedy laughed. "She must be exhausted."

He nodded. "I might have tried to dissuade her, but she's adamant. She wants to introduce Constance to her aunts as soon as possible."

Now there was a smattering of applause, because up until now the group hadn't know which name would be chosen amongst the dozens suggested. Spring was relieved it was a normal name. She watched as Moonshine and Rafe headed back towards Zephyra's room. Then she felt Colton's breath against her ear. "Can we talk?"

She turned to face him and the seriousness of his expression nearly stole her breath. "Of course," she said. "Why don't we go outside and get a breath of fresh air?"

He nodded, taking her hand in his and leading her towards the door. Spring felt her nervousness ratchet up with each step they took. Something was up, she knew. When they stepped out into the cold November morning, she sucked in her breath.

"Sorry," he said, "but this can't wait."

Colton was standing just a foot away, but she felt suddenly like there was a great gulf between them. He ran his hand through his hair.

"We should have talked, I mean, this was all so sudden..."

His expression was desolate and Spring wished she had Sunshine's talent for reading people because she was completely baffled. "We have Torah's blessing," she said. "What else matters? We should call Mallory, of course, and Dorrie as well. Then there's Seth and Jocelyne-"

"Do you want children?"

His question stopped her mid-sentence. His look was so tortured, she felt her heart stutter. "Do you want children," she countered.

"I've always thought I would be a terrible father, you know?"

She didn't, but she nodded, silently encouraging him to continue.

"But, just now, I felt something. Like a yearning, you know?"

"Like you wanted to be Rafe," Spring supplied.

Colton nodded, seemingly relieved.

"And I am a little envious of Zephyra right now," Spring said. "But children aren't the be-all and end-all of my life. Sure, I would like children, but if we don't have them then that would be okay. What I do need is you, Colton." She stepped towards him, bringing them within inches of each other and she reached her hand up to place her palm to his cheek. "You'll make an amazing father, Colton, when and if the time comes."

He lifted his hand to hers, holding it in place. "When and if," he repeated. "But you would be okay with having kids?"

Spring nodded. "Constance will need more cousins."

"You mean aside from Morgan, Benji, Kennedy's baby boy, and Sunshine's twins girls?"

She grinned. "And I know Torah and Christian are trying. I don't know about Rainbow..."

He rolled his eyes.

"Okay, yes I want kids, Colton, I always have. But you're enough for me."

"And until yesterday I didn't think I wanted kids. But then I saw Jocelyne with Claudette and I felt something I'd never felt before. I felt like I might be missing out if I don't at least keep myself open to the possibility. You're my second chance at marriage and my chance at fatherhood."

As he finished, Spring reached for him. He pulled her to him and slanted his mouth over hers and she felt like everything really would be okay.

The kiss had barely started when Spring's phone rang. She gave Colton a sheepish look and he nodded. She pulled it out of her purse and glanced at the call display.

"Jessica Stone," she mouthed.

He frowned and looked like he was about to speak when his own phone rang. He nodded to Spring and she stepped away to take the call and she saw him answer his call.

"Jessica," she said.

"Hey Spring, how are you doing? I heard there was quite the showdown at Sunshine's wedding last night."

Was there nothing this woman didn't know? "Should I ask...?"

"I ran into Dorrie this morning at Tim Horton's and she was talkative. Well, I might have been a little coercive, but that shouldn't surprise anyone. Look, I hate to do this over the phone, but I have a proposition for you."

Colton ended the call, still stunned. Of all the things he had expected, this wasn't it. He looked over at Spring who had ended her call and she looked just as surprised as he did. He moved towards her.

"What did Jessica want?"

"To offer me a job," Spring said without preamble.

Colton's brow quirked up. "A job?"

Spring nodded. "She needs someone to join her production team as a writer and researcher. It'll be grunt work for the first few months, but it could lead up to being a segment producer, if I stick to it. Maybe even becoming a reporter, in time."

Her enthusiasm was clear. "This is a good opportunity, isn't it?"

She nodded again. "Yes, but it would mean tying myself to Vancouver. You said you might get reassigned, right? You said you might want to leave the province."

Colton held up his phone. "That was Greg."

Spring's expression became uncertain. "You're not going to lose your job, are you? I thought you had been reinstated."

"I'm not losing my job," he said hesitantly. "I've just been presented with several choices and I'm overwhelmed."

She must have sensed his discomfort because she lay her hand on his arm. "Talk to me, Colton."

"Well, I've been offered a position in homicide in Mission City."

"Not special victims," she said quietly.

He shook his head. "Not for now. Maybe later..."

She nodded. "Okay, what else is out there?"

"I can take a transfer to Fort McMurray in Alberta. I would start out as patrol, but they foresee me working my way back to special victims within a few months. It would mean a move, but it would be a fresh start."

"So that's good, right?" She was putting on a brave face, but Colton wasn't fooled for a minute. There was no way she wanted to move to the middle of the tar sands where the temperature would be well below zero in the dead of winter.

"Sure," he said, "I mean it's nice that there's a detachment out there willing to take me on."

She eyed him. "But there's more."

He nodded. "I've been offered a position with another force, but it would mean leaving the RCMP."

"But, Colton, you love being a Mountie. I mean, what else could you do that would bring you the same satisfaction?"

"Special victims with the Vancouver Police Department."

Spring gasped. "Really? With VPD? I know it's not the Mounties..."

"But it's still special victims," Colton said. "I would be working out of the downtown division, working primarily with people in the Downtown Eastside."

He knew by Spring's expression she was aware of just how much he wanted this. "That's going to be a tough environment to work in," she said. "There are a lot of victims down there."

"And working with Jessica Stone is going to be a walk in the park," he countered. He watched as a grin spread across her face.

"We could both be working in Vancouver," she said, just a touch of awe in her voice.

"If that's what you want," he said. "Because if not, we can always go to the badlands-"

She threw herself into his arms, catching him off-guard. He pulled her close and held on tight. The tightness which had gripped his chest during his call with Greg was slowly loosening. He loved Mission City, but he'd known the moment Belinda had come forward with her accusation, he would never work here again as a cop. Downtown Vancouver, though, was a different story. He would have to work hard to prove himself, of course, but it was a chance to start over. There was an anonymity working in an area of high crime, poverty, drug abuse and prostitution. This was his fresh start.

Spring pulled back. "Do you think we should live in Mission or move to Vancouver?"

He considered. "Jessica commutes, right? I don't have a problem with that. I want to raise our kids in Mission City, like we were. They'll be surrounded by aunts and uncles and cousins."

"I want to stay as well," Spring assured him. "This is my home. Plus, I'll just commute with Jessica. You know, good for the environment and all that."

"This is really going to happen, isn't it?" He gazed into achingly familiar blue eyes. "It seems too good to be true."

She grinned. "Sometimes good things do happen, Colton. I mean, what were the odds of us both getting phone calls with job offers at the same time?"

"Pretty slim," he said.

"So it's providential," she said. "Now, let's go meet my niece."

And Colton didn't feel daunted, he felt enervated. Suddenly, everything was looking right in the world, but he knew it had more to do with the woman at his side than any job offer he might get. No, Spring Dixon could have been his downfall, but she was proving to be his saviour.

For that, along with everything else, he was grateful.

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