Ted and Suzanne had only started actually dating only a matter of a few weeks ago. Despite the short time, there was serious consideration being given by both as to where this was going to go, neither took it lightly, there was a lot at stake, and neither wanted to hurt the other or make a mistake. Since that first date they had been totally honest with themselves about their feelings, and with each other. Then one day at Suzanne's apartment, and about a week before her due date, Suzanne asked Ted if he really loved her and if he could see them together some day. Ted had been hoping for an opportunity to tell her what he really felt, and had been hoping she would raise the question as he felt it might be too much to place on her at such time. He looked at her though and said, "I thought about it a lot. I thought about it for months actually, probably since we really started talking at the diner. When I moved back here, I saw a young girl who was broken and discouraged at her state. I also saw that young girl mature by the week and become a woman." Suzanne stared at him quite intently, as though she was still so surprised that he had been so interested in her for all that time; and even after coming back to find her as she was. However, Ted hadn't finished his response, and continued, "Since that time, I wanted to be certain that my feelings weren't only because this is something I had thought about for so long; nor that your interest wasn't because you were looking for someone who could provide you and your child security. I think I am confident that both of those questions have been entirely answered." He then floored Suzanne with the rest of his response, "Knowing I have answered my questions and understand my feelings, I would feel perfectly comfortable walking into town hall tomorrow to marry you; this I know with all my heart." Suzanne sat, comfortably tucked into a chair across the room, her mouth hanging open; then responded, " I had to answer that myself. I am sure of my feelings, and I know I don't just want to be with you because you're stable, kind, and are willing to take care of us; I know I love you equally." She then continued, "I wish the circumstances around us being here together could have been totally different; I wish I had grown up on my own, without the need to, but I wouldn't change anything if it meant we weren't here right now. The only thing I wish I could change though if there was only one thing, is that this was our baby I was carrying. Her response carried about the same weight as his, Ted sat there nearly motionless, absorbing every word she spoke. Suzanne then concluded her response with, "If you are really willing to go to the town justice tomorrow, I would be honored to accompany you." The only thing that was left to be done was for the proposal to be made official. Ted walked across the room to Suzanne, knelt at her feet and while pulling out a beautiful antique diamond ring, looked into Suzanne's eyes and said, "If you are so inclined, I would be most honored if you would accompany me to the town hall tomorrow to exchange vows before our local magistrate." Suzanne giggled a bit at the way in which he proposed, but responded with, "I Am the one who would be most honored." With that, they made their plans for tomorrow and Ted wished his future wife a Goodnight, then left to go home for a good nights sleep himself. It is at their departure from the small dinner they had with family that this image was created. There is to be no honeymoon at this time, since they'll be becoming a family a little sooner than expected; but there is little chance that even a honeymoon in the most exotic location could outdo the wonderful experience of them going from a couple to a family in such a short time. Suzanne didn't realize it at first, but this is what she always wanted -- a loving strong husband and Ted never expected that what he once only dreamed about would one day become his reality; even if there was a twist.