Disclaimer: I own nothing, ALL things Buffy and ANGEL belong to the evil genius Joss
Rating: G-PG
Spoilers: none really
Note: B/A future type fluffy fic, sequel/companion to "Window to the Soul"
Feedback: I'd really appreciate it! Please...
Distribution: My page: & Land of Denial Archive. If you have any of my other fics, you can have this too, just let me know you're taking it. Otherwise please ask. ;)
THANKS to those of you who did send me feedback, I wouldn't be posting this part if it wasn't for you guys...

I loved you forever, in lifetimes before
And I promise you never will you hurt anymore
I give you my word, I give you my heart
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow, forever has now begun.
This I Promise You, NSYNC

"Can we talk for a second?" Alyssa leaned over the back of the couch turning towards her boyfriend who sat watching television. They'd been together for 4 months now and things couldn't get any better.

"Hmm?" He replied distracted, his focus still on the program.

"I wanna ask you something."

"Uh, huh."

She stared at the side of his face for a moment as he continued to look forward.

"Brian!" she said annoyed.

Nothing.

She was just about to lean further forward to yank the remote out of his hand, when he turned startling her and placed a quick kiss on her lips.

He grinned wickedly. "What?"

She gave him a dirty look for teasing her, but he only kissed her again. This time longer and deeper and his hand reached up through her soft hair.

She moaned pleasantly, melting against his lips. They pulled away from each other and she stared at him dumbly. God she loved it when he kissed her like that...

Coming around, she took a spot on the black leather couch beside him. He flicked the TV off and waited for her to start.

"It's not that important really, I'd just forgotten to ask," she told him

"What is it?"

"The gallery is having this Christmas party type thing. It's the opening actually for those new pieces I told you about, but then after there's food and stuff. They do it every year. It's kinda fancy and I thought you could by my date," she explained.

"You want me to go with you?"

"Yes, what good is it to have a boyfriend if I can't drag him along to stuff like this?"

"I'll have to check my schedule. I might be busy," he lied.

She of course saw right through him. "You are not! It's a Friday night."

"But-"

"I don't even know why I asked," she interrupted him. "I'm telling you. You're coming."

He groaned.

*****

"Please Jacki, I need you to help me with this," Brian begged.

"I'm not letting you do this. It's too soon."

"Look, this is what I want. Why can't you just be a good best friend and be happy for me?"

"That's exactly what I'm trying to do!" she explained, ".be a good friend and I think you're making a mistake. You barely know her."

"I know that I love her," Brian replied honestly.

"Yeah, just like the last 5 women you dated."

"It's different this time and you know it! I never felt this way about any of those girls."

"Just because you've spent every second of the past 4 months with Alyssa doesn't make her any different."

"But what I feel is. When I'm with her, I know it's right."

"I have nothing against Alyssa, Brian. She is nice and sweet and I think she cares a lot about you, but this decision is not something you just jump into after a few months. It's HUGE."

"Have you ever seen me this happy before? Because I've never felt this happy before."

"Well you have been all sappy," she admitted, "and in love like and grinning too much, but-"

"But nothing! I know this is right. You think I'm crazy and rushing it, but already I can't imagine my life without her. I want this to be perfect and I need you to help me," he pleaded.

"When are you planning on doing it?" she asked softening a bit.

"There's this Christmas party at the gallery Alyssa works at. At first I was kinda dreading it, but then I realized it's the perfect opportunity."

She frowned, "But why do you need me? Why didn't you ask Nick to help you?"

"Jacklyn, he has no taste. Besides you're the expert when it comes to stuff like this."

"Are you sucking up to me?" she asked with a smirk.

"Maybe?" he answered weakly. "Is it working?"

She sighed and ran a hand through her long brown hair. "Fine. I'm still not too convinced, but I do want you to be happy."

He smiled broadly and gave her a quick hug. "Thanks. I love you, you know that?"

"I know," she grinned.

"Ok, first thing tomorrow we head downtown to the big name shops. Those little rinky dink jewelry shops around here are not gonna cut it."

"Ok," he agreed.

"You willing to spend?"

"Absolutely."

"Now we're talking. Don't worry, we'll find the perfect ring. There is no way she's gonna even think about saying no."

*****

"Come on," he whispered into her ear. Gently taking her arm he pulled her away from the guests. Alyssa stood by the lavishly decorated tree speaking with some co workers.

She excused herself and turned to Brian. "What is it?"

"Let's go," he told her.

"Honey, it's still early. We can't leave and you didn't even let me say bye," she protested as they headed to the door.

"They won't even notice we're gone." With his hand on the small of her back, he led her outside.

They stepped out, the night much cooler now then when they'd arrived. Alyssa's dress was long and shiny silver, with thin straps over her shoulders and a slit up one leg. It was simple and beautiful, but definitely not keeping her warm. She wrapped her arms around herself as she felt the cold breeze.

"Brian, what are you doing? We should stay longer. The party didn't turn out that bad."

He took off his suit jacket and gave it to her. "I know, but I have a surprise for you."

"What?" she stopped walking and looked at him. "What are you up to?"

"I just told you, it's a surprise," he answered mysteriously and put his arm around her shoulder. They continued walking towards his car.

"Is it like an early Christmas present? Do I get a hint?" she asked anxiously.

"Nope."

"No fair," she pouted.

***

"This is the surprise?" she asked a little disappointed. "We're at your apartment."

"Will you just wait till we go inside, please?"

She rolled her eyes. "Fine."

He pulled the door open and Alyssa peeked inside. She let out a small gasp.

"Oh... wow... Brian..." she turned to him and smiled lovingly. "This is beautiful."

The living room was lit up with candles and music filled the air. It was the song they'd danced to on their first date.

He took her hands and led her to couch. They sat down together and she slipped his jacket off, setting it beside her on the couch.

She gazed around the room. There were white candles everywhere making the whole room glow. She covered her mouth with her hand, not knowing what to say. She looked back at him, his face illuminated by the soft light. He was smiling that half smile she adored and she leaned forward and kissed him sweetly.

"Why... How?"

"Well I had a little help," he admitted. He really owed Jacki big time now, "But, I wanted tonight to be perfect."

"Well, it is," Alyssa whispered.

He saw the fire in her eyes and let her kiss him again, this time deeper. Brain wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his lap letting things get more passionate.

"Mmm, I love you...." she told him between kisses. Before he realized it, she was pushing him down onto the couch.

"Wait." He backed away slightly, their faces still close. Taking a deep breath he spoke, "There's more..."

She sat back up with him a little reluctantly. "What?"

"Tonight, isn't just about you and I having a romantic night alone together," he explained. "There's something else."

She stared at him waiting for him to continue. "You know that I love you," he began. "And since the day we met, I think we both knew that we belonged together. You felt, I felt it."

She nodded, her mind reeling at the thought of what he might be getting at.

"Falling in love with you was the easiest thing I've ever done. It feels like I've loved you forever. That might be crazy since we've only known each other a couple months-" he paused shaking his head, "But it's NOT crazy! It isn't because I'm so sure about this... about us. In here," he placed Alyssa's hand on his heart and raised his own up to his temple, "and here too. I think about my future and you're in it. You are it. You're the one that I see tomorrow and the next day and always. I want to wake up with you by side and want your face to be the last thing I see every night. I want you to be my forever."

Silent tears slid down her beautiful face as he confessed his deepest feelings to her. She'd known that he loved her more than anything, but to hear it come from his mouth so passionately, so fervently... he wanted his life to be with her. Not just today, but always.

Brian took a another deep breath and reached into his pocket finally. Holding the small black box up to her, he opened it revealing a gold diamond ring. "Marry me. Please be my wife."

Alyssa's wet eyes stared at the square shaped diamond. It sparkled in the candlelight and she was almost mesmerized. Without looking up she spoke softly. "Brain, I- I never really thought- Tomorrow, the future, wasn't really much of a concern to me." She hadn't given much thought to what was to come, she usually focused more on the moment. Alyssa never seriously considered anything more than that.

She met his eyes, those dark chocolate eyes she'd been lost in since the first time she'd seen them. "But, you're right. Everything you said made perfect sense." Blinking back more tears, she allowed a smile to grace her lips and answered his request. "I will marry you. I love you so much and I want to be your wife!"

Brain's face brightened and he let out small laugh. He pulled the ring out of the box and gently slipped it onto her finger.

"I will be the best husband. I promise-"

Her index finger on his lips silenced him. "I know. Just kiss me already." Her hand moved to cup his cheek and she guided his face to hers. A kiss sealing the unspoken promise.

*****

"That was a nightmare you know?" Alyssa commented as she came into the living room with 2 mugs of hot chocolate in her hands. Her boyfriend- no fiancée, was sitting comfortably on the black couch.

"Uh, huh," Brian agreed. "But at least it's over."

"Yeah, thank god," Alyssa mumbled. She handed him one of the mugs, "Careful, it's really hot."

She took her spot beside him and leaned against his chest with her own mug in hand. She sighed remembering their day. They'd chosen to tell their respective friends and family the news of their engagement. Needless to say most of them had been rather shocked and not too supportive. They all thought things were moving too fast and that Brian and Alyssa were only asking for trouble rushing into such an important life altering decision. The couple had done their best to defend their feelings for each other, but realized it was just going to take time for their loved ones to accept things.

"They'll realize it eventually," Brain reassured her knowing what she was thinking. He took a sip of his drink. "But let's forget about all that now. I think we've had enough today."

She nodded slowly against him. She just needed to stop stressing... and relax.

Brain set the mug onto the end table beside the couch and slid his arms around Alyssa pulling her close to him. He kissed her temple lightly, "Just think that next year by this time we'll be married. Husband and wife."

Her free hand reached up to caress his face. "Sounds perfect," she murmured closing her eyes and trying to imagine everything.

"We'll have our own home," he continued, "with a fire place so we can curl up together in front of it. And we'll get a real tree..."

Alyssa laughed as she turned to look at their little mini Christmas tree near the window. She'd insisted they get it since according to her, his place was lacking in the holiday spirit. It was maybe a foot and half tall with little shinny red, gold and green balls, little tiny bows and a miniature angel at the top.

"Ooh, and we'll put lights outside too," she added getting excited. She turned so she could face him, a big smile gracing her features. "And maybe a Christmas-y wreath on the door and a holiday welcome mat!"

He laughed, loving the way her face lit up. "Yeah, we can do all those things."

She set her mug down on the coffee table, content with their future plans. She curled back into his embrace thinking about the other things their life together would bring. "And, maybe the year after that we'll have a little baby or one on the way."

"Yea- Huh? What?" Brian tensed slightly behind her.

"A baby silly, you know a family." She turned to find a puzzled look on his face, his eye brow raised in thought. "Oh my God, you don't want to have kids." She gasped and got up off the couch.

"I know we never talked about it before, but I just assumed." She began pacing in the living room, speaking hurriedly. "I mean, you get married you start a family..."

"Lyssa, what? I never-" He got up and took her arm pulling her back to the couch with him.

"You hate kids don't you? I can't believe this, I should never have just assumed-"

"Alyssa! You're starting to babble!" he cut her off finally. She became silent, frowning she stated down at her hands in her lap.

"Lyssa," he began softly. He took her hands into his own. "If you'd calm down sometimes and not jump to conclusions..."

She looked back up at him, "You mean you do?" she asked quietly but hopefully.

"Of course I do."

"Then how come you got all weird and stuff when I mentioned it, like it was the worst thing in the world?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to. You just caught me off guard. I still can't believe that we're getting married," he explained sincerely, "I wasn't expecting kids to come up already. But I do want to eventually! Just... do you think it could be the two of us for a while first?"

"Ok," Alyssa nodded. "I'm sorry I jumped... and the babbling. I do that sometimes, you'll probably have to get used to that," she said sheepishly.

"I already am. Besides, you look cute when you babble," she glared at him, but he only smiled and leaned forward to kiss her.

They parted after a moment and she continued again cheerily, "So sometime in the not so far away future, we'll have a child, or two-"

"Or six."

"Or six, but we'll- SIX?!" She stared at him wide eyed realizing what he said. "Six?" she whispered.

"I guess I never mentioned I wanted a big family?" Brian informed her with a mischievous look. He kissed her quickly on the cheek.

"I'm not having six children, Brian!" She played along. "Three tops, although I think two is a nice rounded number..."

Alyssa trailed off noticing something in the corner of her eye. She turned towards the window and pointed

"Wha-?"

"Look," she said in awe

"It's snowing!" Brian said amazed. "It hasn't snowed in ages. Wow." The couple got up and made their way to the window, pulling the curtains open all the way.

They held hands watching the white flakes fall down from the sky.

"I guess this is just a special year," Brian suggested.

"Of course it is! Don't you see? This is sign," Alyssa explained. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder still allowing herself to be able to look out the window.

Brian held on to her, his chin resting on her head as he too continued to stare outside. "A sign?"

"Snow is like heavenly," she continued in all seriousness. "It's a sign from up there that we belong together."

Brain raised an eyebrow at that. "Oh really, how can you be so sure?"

"Because I feel it," Alyssa answered softly. She felt it inside of her, in her heart, deep in her soul.

He was silent as her words sank in. She was right, he could feel it too. The snow was a blessing. It was a blessing on their love and on their decision to share their lifetime together. It was a sign of new beginnings and everything they had yet to come.

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