Sara's apartment was bright and lively on the warm July night during which she and Leon hosted their engagement party.

It was a modest gathering with only a few guests present including their closest friends and Ingrid Hunnigan. Claire had taken the opportunity to introduce the others to a fellow TerraSave worker who had caught her eye while on assignment in the wake of the events in Japan.

The living room was aglow with soft overhead lighting and strings of twinkle lights. Upbeat music blended with the animated buzz of cheerful conversation. It was a rare moment of carefree happiness for all.

As he helped Sara prepare another batch of refreshments, Leon looked out at the small gathering with some wonder. After so many years of solitude and emptiness, it felt like the dawn of a new day.

"Hey, Leon, the piña colada's done. Help me get it out to the living room, will you?" Sara asked.

"Sure."

Together they brought out the drinks.

Claire approached them and took two glasses. "Hey, Sara, that cider-like drink of yours is a real hit!"

"The maví! Great! It's my grandmother's recipe, direct from Puerto Rico. I experiment whenever I can," Sara replied brightly.

"A woman of many talents," Leon remarked, nodding at her admiringly.

Sara blushed faintly, making him smile.

Chris approached them.

"Piña colada?" Sara offered.

"Nah, I'll stick with the beer. That cidery stuff was good, but that's enough sweet for me," he replied. "So, have you two set a date for the wedding?"

"Not exactly," Leon said. "But we were thinking about January."

"Ooh! A winter wedding!" Sherry chimed in, having stepped beside them unnoticed. "That's so romantic―cozy and chilly."

Jill came up behind Chris, resting her chin on his muscular shoulder. "Yeah, but no one's asking the important question: where's the honeymoon gonna be, huh?"

"We haven't decided yet," said Sara, "but I think it's safe to say we've ruled out Japan."

"Well, maybe for our Steel or Silk anniversary," Leon jested.

The group chuckled then dispersed to mingle again.

While chatting with the guests, Leon noticed Sara frequently checking her wristwatch and glancing toward the front door with anticipation. He made his way toward her.

"Hey, are you expecting someone else?" he asked.

Sara turned a disappointed countenance to him. "I was hoping Jake would come. But it's almost nine. I guess it's not happening."

Leon scoffed lightly. "I'm not surprised. This isn't his scene. I'm amazed he's stayed this long. Probably waiting for some lucrative trouble to get into."

"Well, I thought since everyone was here tonight… It was a good opportunity for him and Sherry to reunite."

Leon narrowed his eyes at Sara and smiled wryly. "You're playing cupid," he realized.

Sara grinned sheepishly. "Kinda."

Just then Claire rushed up to them. "Sara! Look who just walked in!" she said.

Sara quickly looked up toward the door. Leon followed her eager gaze.

Jake had arrived. His pale eyes swept over the group coolly, but he looked somewhat uncomfortable. Leon noticed his gaze suddenly fix on one location in the crowded room. Leon traced the direction of that stare and saw Sherry whose eyes had locked onto Jake from her place at the refreshment table.

"Mission accomplished!" Claire declared.

She slapped Sara a high-five.

"You were in on this?" Leon asked Claire, arching a brow.

Claire winked in reply. "I'm gonna go say hi," she said.

"I'd better welcome him in. I'm the hostess after all," said Sara.

Leon chuckled. "Women," he muttered, shaking his head amusedly.

"Aren't we amazing?" Sara said merrily.

She squeezed his arm excitedly then made her way over to Jake.

A small smile crept over Leon's face as he watched her. "Can't argue with that."

☆☆☆

Two hours later, the party had broken up. The apartment was nearly silent except for the stereo playing softly and the sound of Sara washing dishes in the kitchen.

Leon quietly gathered the trash into a large garbage bag, lost in thought as he cleared the residual mess.

Sara emerged from the kitchen. "I swear, the first thing on my appliance wishlist is a dishwasher," she mumbled to herself.

She stopped dead in her tracks, staring at Leon in surprise. "Leon! I thought you'd left with the others. You scared the crap out of me!"

"And you were supposed to lock the door behind us," he replied admonishingly. "Not safe."

Sara snickered self-consciously. "Oops. Man, I'm so distracted," she replied. "But you missed your ride."

"Yeah, well, it wasn't fair to leave you stuck with everything. It was half my party, too."

"But it's late, and neither of us can drive tonight," Sara worried.

"That's what cabs are for," Leon answered. "Besides, I wouldn't want you coming back home alone. I know you can take care of yourself, but still."

Sara smiled sunnily. "You're an angel."

Leon smiled back wryly. "I wouldn't say that. Anyway, you're stuck with me until we get all this cleared up. I'll take the trash when I leave."

He uttered those last words somewhat reluctantly, rather wishing he didn't have to leave. But Sara was adamant as ever about maintaining an abstinent relationship until their wedding―a stipulation that Leon respected and admired of her though it frustrated his manly desires wildly.

Sara beamed. "Thank you, Leon."

The two continued working for another hour until the apartment was back in order.

Sara tied the trash bag with a flourish and a relieved sigh. "Whew! Finally done!"

She turned to Leon. "That deserves an iced tea… and a break," she declared. "Take a load off. I'll get the tea."

Pleased to spend a little more time with her, Leon sat on the sofa and waited.

Sara returned promptly and handed him his glass. She sat close beside him and took a long draft of her tea.

"Thanks for the help. Frankly, I was just gonna leave the rest of that for tomorrow."

Leon shook his head. "Forget it."

"No; that deserves a reward," said Sara.

She leaned forward and brushed her lips against Leon's in a butterfly kiss. He returned it chastely, restraining himself with some effort. Sara's particular brand of allure was incredibly heady to him―a sweet, simmering passion and an exquisite softness that was more captivating than the white hot, racy seductiveness of the femmes fatales and alpha females in his past.

Sara surprised him by stretching out on the sofa and laying her head on his lap. He regarded her pensively, amazed at the sensations she stirred within him.

Sara looked up at him and flicked at his bangs playfully with her forefinger. "Hm. What's going on behind those serious eyes now?" she asked. "Not getting cold feet, I hope."

Leon shook his head. "Just a moment of introspection. Sometimes all this seems so… unreal. I'd say it's like a dream, but I don't really have dreams―only nightmares."

Sara caressed his cheek. "This is real―we're real. We'll share our strength and lean on each other when we're vulnerable."

Leon lovingly traced the curve of her face with his fingertips. "That's a promise."

A powerful yawn seized Sara, and she struggled to stifle it. "Sorry," she laughed. "I am beat. But it's a good tired; a happy tired. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but tonight, I'm happy."

Leon smiled softly. "Me, too."

A fresh, balmy breeze blew in from the nearby window, bringing in the scents of sun-warmed earth and fresh summer foliage.

"Mm. That feels nice. Such a beautiful, perfect summer night," Sara said drowsily.

She nestled against Leon with a contented sigh. "Let me know when you're ready to leave. I'll call you a cab."

A moment later, however, she was fast asleep.

Leon shifted uncertainly, wondering whether he should wake her yet loath to do so. After brief deliberation, he decided against it. Instead he watched her peaceful repose silently until his own weariness finally overpowered him, and he sank into a deep sleep.

That night, Leon experienced sound slumber such as he had not enjoyed in years; free of turbulent nightmares and false awakenings. For the first time, his spirit was calm, and his mind at ease.

The hours flowed past rapidly, but the pair slept through them tranquilly even as the first rays of dawn gilded the horizon.