Avalon hopped up the steps for the third floor. He slipped his cell phone into his back pocket, smiling. He had spoken to his family only briefly, making sure that they were prepared to come back to the States once the newest member of their family arrived. He slipped his hands into his front pockets, heading down the hallway to the coven leadership offices. He tuned his ears into the rooms, listening for her.

The sound of quiet music played from her office, and he grinned. He walked down the deserted hall, making his way to her door.

She'd been busy for several nights, often gone before he woke in the evenings and distracted when they were together. He knew she was preoccupied with working on a new strategy for supply lines and territories, but he had every intention of taking her mind off of work the rest of the night.

He knocked and opened the door slowly, finding her back to the door at her secondary desk that rested against the back wall. A handful of file folders were spread across her desk and the map on the wall for the state had new highlighted routes on it. He smiled as she continued to focus on what was in front of her, her head bobbing to the music. Avalon walked up behind her, his fingers resting on her shoulders gently. When her hand slowed from writing, he leaned down to kiss the top of her head before finding the side of her neck. He looked over her shoulder to see what she was working on, glancing at the extensive ledger for supplies.

Elizabeth sighed heavily when he kissed her neck again. "Hi," she whispered, her voice quiet.

"Hello, love," he answered just as softly, his accent apparent. "I was starting to think maybe you forgot about the rest of us out there," he teased gently.

"I'm sorry, it's just busy season," she apologized, "I didn't forget about you."

"That's good. You've been locking yourself away all week, and I was beginning to think you were leaving me in bed alone on purpose," he chuckled.

"I wanted to get this done before we coordinate with New York and Montreal," Elizabeth replied.

"Is that all?" Avalon asked, resting his nose against her dark hair. "You've been distant all week."

She withheld the need to sigh again, surrendering to the warmth of his hands as he caressed her shoulders. She turned her chair around to face him at last, looking up. Her hands settled in her lap as she stared up at him. "I think we need to talk," she said, her attention going over his shoulder to make sure they were alone, listening for movement in the hall.

"I agree. I have something I want to ask you," Avalon said, grinning down at her. He took in her tired but concentrated face, her business clothes wrinkled from sitting.

"No, let me," she said quickly, her hand rising to get his attention.

"Nope, I called it," Avalon teased, smiling still.

"Avalon," she sighed, not pleased he wouldn't let her talk.

"I'm serious," he said. "If I don't say this now, I don't know if I'll be able to get up the nerve again."

Elizabeth exhaled again, leaning back in her chair against the padded, leather backrest. "Okay."

He grinned again, lowering himself down into a crouch so their eyes were on the same level. "If there is anything I have learned in the past year of being here with you, it's that I want to be with no one else but you. Your spirit, your drive, and your dreams have done nothing but inspire me to be better. I am so grateful that you have accepted me as I am, and all my flaws. I'm so lucky that you are able to bring me back from whatever darkness we face. And I'm so very thankful that we have each other. You are a constant reminder for me to be the best man that I want to be..."

He paused and pulled the box from his pocket carefully, opening it to reveal the diamond and platinum ring within. "Elizabeth Anne Bartholomeu, I love you so much, more than anyone or anything else in this immortal life. Will you marry me?"

The dark-haired woman sighed heavily, her gaze moving from his to the ring, tears suddenly brimming in the corners of her eyes. She blinked heavily, looking up at the ceiling to keep herself from crying. "Thank god," she breathed, her voice strained.

He frowned, his head tilting to one side in confusion.

Elizabeth looked back at him, smiling as she wiped her eyes with the flat of her index finger. "I'm pregnant," she whispered, her voice still weak.

Avalon's grin couldn't be stopped, and he felt tears prick his eyes. "So, is that a 'yes?'"

She nodded excitedly, sliding out of the chair to join him on the ground. His arms immediately encircled her and pulled her body into his. "Yes," she answered into his shoulder. She gripped the back of his shirt in her fingers. She looked up when his mouth lowered to meet hers. She sighed heavily again, her lips opening beneath his in a deep kiss. "I'm sorry," she whispered in between kisses, "I didn't think it would ever happen this soon."

"Don't be," Avalon answered her. "This is exactly what I've always wanted."

He kissed her again and Elizabeth gave in to him. She gripped his button-down's material in her fingers, pressing her torso into him. She could feel her body react to his, her hormones heightened.

Avalon pulled back, looking at her again. "When did you find out?" he asked, excited.

She smiled, sinking back onto her heels from her position on her knees. "Just last week. I've been trying to figure out how and when to tell you. Doc was surprised we could tell so soon," she answered. "He thinks I might be in my second year already."

His jaw dropped open, trying to grin and contain his shock in the same expression. "That's amazing," he breathed. "That means, this whole time..."

She nodded. "Since a few months after..." Her words trailed off, unsure of how to say, 'since after the Wolf attack.' She bit down on her bottom lip. "Since last winter," she amended, meaning their time spent after they had first made up. "So, if we're going to do this, we'll probably want to have everyone together in the next few months before I start to show."

Avalon grinned again and nodded. "Of course. Damn, this is amazing," he said, unable to put any other words together. He leaned forward and kissed her again, gripping her face in his hands.

"I know it's fast," she continued to babble. "I just... I don't know what else to do but go along for the ride. I didn't think we would be worrying about this yet. And I have no idea what my parents are going to think—"

"Hey," Avalon cut her off, smiling, "I don't care. I get to love you, forever. And this is something I've wanted for a long time. We'll take it in stride. And we'll get everyone here and do something as small or as big as you'd like. No one needs to know yet until you're ready."

She sighed and nodded fervently, happy they were on the same page.

"Besides, this is just the first. I want more," he teased, kissing her. "More of me and you, terrorizing the world."

She giggled and nodded in between kisses. "Then let's call everyone tomorrow night."

He smirked. "You don't want to right now?"

Elizabeth grinned and shook her head. "No. I want you to take me back to our room. I want to enjoy my future husband for a few hours before I let the rest of the world in."