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●WARREN POV●

I wanted to make sure I had everything in order . I bought the house that Aria had gushed over . The ring had been burning a hole in my pocket ever since I got it and my parents were so excited they almost gave it away when we visited Trip. There was one final thing left before I can get down on one knee . And for some reason I was more nervous about this than anything I've ever faced before.

There I stood, in front of the Lawson mansion nervously rubbing my hands together in front of me . It felt like minutes when it was probably seconds before the door opened. I am always surprised that , as large as the house is, and as much money they are worth, they don't have a fulltime maid and butler . "Mrs. Lawson," I say.

"Oh, Warren, it's a pleasure to see you here . What can I do for you?" She asks warmly . After we explained the whole fiasco to our families about how Aria faked a relationship with Alex but was really with me, they got over their anger quickly . We've had plenty of dinners with them , and them with Delilah and Henry since then.

"Is it alright if I spoke to you and Mr. Lawson?"

She nodded with a look of worry in her eye. She brought me into his study which he also mimicked the same look, "is Aria okay? That psycho didn't escape did she?" They were still concerned about that but I assured them that Brittany was still locked up and far away.

"So, what brings you here , son?" Aria's father asked me.

Again I felt my hands get clammy as my fingers fidgeted with each other, "I know that Aria and I haven't been together long but as you know , we've known each other since we were kids . You know my family and how much we love her," I begin.

"Mike," Aria's mother gripped his shoulder as her eyes grew big. He looked at her as her excitement began to grow and he finally understood why she began to tear up.

"I have loved Aria since we were young . I continued to love her even when we were apart. Even though I tried to move on without her, I couldn't. That was why I threw myself into work and distanced any thoughts of marriage to any woman," I swallowed , "but then my brother brought her back to us . And although it was strange at how we reunited, my heart knew right away. It began to beat again and the ice that people said I had around my heart melted ."

"Awe ," her mother sighed.

"I love her and I don't know a life without loving her . And I promise to always protect her , to always love her unconditionally. With that, I want to do right by you and ask first your permission to have Aria's hand in marriage. May I marry Aria?"

Who knew grown men still had tears they can shed because Michael Lawson stood up with his wife and they hugged before turning to me , "Son, I was hoping one day that Aria found the man that matched her soul . Like we said to your brother, we always felt that it was suppose to be the two of you. Of course you may and welcome to the family."

They came to me and we all hugged and I shook his hand. These people were going to be my in-laws . And I felt fuller and fuller as all the things I needed to do was being checked off . After I left, I called her sister and asked if I could meet with her .

Delilah was my next stop.

She had sent me the address to their home . I hadn't expected that they would have a visitor, but I couldn't get mad . When I got in , I saw Dylan sitting on the couch talking to Henry. They looked over at me and Henry got up to shake my hand, "what brings you over? Sorry , I had no clue you'd be here today," he says as he looks over at Dylan.

"Oh, really it's my bad . I kind of sprung it on Delilah last minute ," I say , "I can come back later if this is a bad time."

Delilah answers, "no, not at all, it sounded important . Is Aria okay? No more psychopaths coming after her?"

"No, Brittany is still locked up," I tell her.

"Oh good. And thank you for that , to you and your brother," Dylan says gratefully, "you guys did what I couldn't. I should've been smarter."

I look at him, I know he cared deeply for Aria but he just wasn't the man to protect her . I nod , "I would go to hell and back for her."

"Does your visit have anything to do with my sister? I mean , I assumed so," Delilah brought my attention back.

I looked at Dylan again and he held his hands up , "I will always love Aria, but I know my place . I know I don't have a fighting chance to win her back. Not after everything you've done."

I turn to Delilah and Henry, "I need your help. And it needs to happen tomorrow night. Do you think you're up for the challenge?"

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The next day came and now I had everything in order . I felt calm through most of my day , especially since I left work early to begin preparations . One of the first things I did when I started my day yesterday was call Aria's bosses. They were extremely thrilled about my plan and were more than eager to help me get everything together.

At lunchtime Delilah would pop in for a surprise visit. To which Aria would be told that she should take the rest of the day off and spend it with her sister. They would go to their favorite restaurant and then she would 'drag' Aria to the same spa they went to for her wedding week outing .

Her sister had my credit card and I told her to get my girl the most beautiful dress, nothing too fancy but something that was just Aria . I wanted her relaxed and content for tonight. They would then go back to Aria's apartment where they would chit chat a little bit longer until I got there, so thay Aria didn't change out of her clothes.

Delilah texted me as soon as she was ready and so I left the area I had set up and made my way to her . I got into her building with the key that Aria had made for me and once I got to the front door , I held my breath. I could hear Aria say , "who could that be?"

And then my whole world came into view as she opened the door that separated us . She was a vision in that beautiful red sun dress . With the sweetheart neckline and bodice that hugged her perfectly until it flowed out from her waist, she was breathtaking . I looked at her , "hi love, you look beautiful."

Delilah walked over to me, "your lady is ready."

Aria had a look of confusion, "what's happening?"

"I wanted to do something romantic, was this a good surprise?" I ask, trying to keep any suspicions of anything other than a romantic date away.

"Awe, honeylove , this is more than anyone's ever done for me. Take me, I'm yours," she says with a smile.

I grabbed her hand and I brought her down to my car, "Before we go, I just need to do this," I caressed her face and then gave her a sweet kiss on the lips .

She moaned slightly , "mmmm, maybe we can do this a little longer."

"I wish. But I have reservations, my love."

We got to our favorite restaurant. We have had many dates here since our first . This was nothing too out of the ordinary , so it wouldn't raise any questions . We ordered our food and I held off on dessert .

Then just like our first date we drove around a bit until it was dark out . That's when I took her to watch the stars like that first night . We laid on the blanket and we talked about our dreams and goals, all new dreams and goals.

"I'll be made partner by the end of the month . It's official . I've achieved that goal and honestly, I never thought that my dream could come true," she says to me.

"How about now?" I ask.

"Hmmmm, I'd like to continue to grow with you. Set out for adventures and explore whatever is in store for us," she says dreamily .

"Have you ever thought about having a family?" I dared to ask.

"All the time , I want at least three kids , two boys and a girl . Before you ask, yes I've picked names, but that could change. I dream of living in that house I showed you, with our family and two dogs. You know, the dream . Just pure happiness ," she sighed with a smile and then turned to her side to look at me , "how about you?"

I pursed my lips together , "well, I'll take over the company early next year. My goal was to run it with my brothers, but having Alex by my side is more than I could've imagined."

"And beyond work? Family?" She pushes.

"I'd love to raise a family with you . One day , and live in that house that you showed me because it fit our personalities perfectly, " I tell her.

"I know, right?" She giggles. I love that sound.

"I love you," I say to her as I kiss her lips.

"I love , you," she says back with emphasis.

I looked at my watch and saw that it was almost 9 and I got up, "We have one more stop, shall we look up at the stars one more time and wish for our new dreams to come true?"

She nodded and stood up with me and we looked up and held each other while we made wishes under the stars. Then I grabbed the blanket and rolled it up. We got into the car and drove to our final destination.