_

Of course when Lizzie came home, there was obviously a home coming party waiting for her, planned by Livy. Everyone was there, from Jensen and Misha to her brother and sister, who she couldn't have been more happy to see. Everyone she loved was there, and that's what mattered most to her.

Later, when the sun had finally sunk below the high rise buildings of the city, Lizzie was sitting out on the balcony of her apartment, looking out over the city. She looked up when Jared slipped through the window and onto the balcony, smiling when his eyes met hers.

"Hey," She greeted, pulling her blanket tighter around her.

"Hey." Jared smiled, moving to sit in the chair next to her, taking her small hand into his large one. "You good?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Just wanted a little bit of quiet." She shrugged, playing gently with his large fingers.

"It is kind of loud in there, huh?" Jared said, looking through the large glass window where Misha and Kyle were laughing and telling horrible puns back and forth to each other.

"Just a little," Lizzie laughed softly, tipping her head to the side. "I wouldn't have it any other way, though."

Jared smiled brightly, bringing her knuckle to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss to it. "I love you," He murmured against her skin. "You know that, right?"

Lizzie giggled softly, rolling over on her lounge chair so she was facing him. "Yes, my dear, you've told me about a hundred times today." She teased. "Not that I don't enjoy it, of course. And I love you too."

Jared smiled, rubbing her arm in a loving way. "I can't help it. I love saying it."

"I love hearing it." Lizzie whispered, humming gently under her boyfriend's touch.

"Liz," Jared whispered, his hazel eyes boring into her bright blue ones. "Liz, I love you so much. And after everything that's happened, I realize I don't ever want to lose you. You mean everything to me, Lizzie." He said, pulling back gently and reaching into his pocket.

Lizzie's brow furrowed and she sat up, her blanket falling from her shoulders and pooling around her waist. "Jared..."

"That being said," Jared continued, kneeling down on one knee in front of her and pulling out a black velvet box from his pocket. He popped it open to reveal a gorgeous diamond ring that sparkled brightly under the gleam of the moonlight. "Elizabeth...I still don't know your middle name, Matthews," He said, making Lizzie laugh through the tears pooling in her eyes. "Will you marry me?"

Lizzie laughed, wiping at her watery eyes with the back of her hand and looking back into his hazel hues.

"It's Nichole," She whispered with a smile. "And yes."

Jared smiled brightly and lifted her into his arms, giving her a spin. Lizzie laughed, wrapping her arms tight around his neck and burying her face into his shoulder.

"She said yes!" Someone shouted, and they both turned their heads to see Livy practically tackling Jensen out of enthusiasm.

The couple laughed, gazing into each other's eyes again before pressing their lips gently and lovingly together.

"I love you," Jared whispered for what felt like the millionth time, though he would never get tired of saying it, and Lizzie would never get tired of hearing it. "I love you so much, Elizabeth."

"I love you too, Jay." Lizzie whispered, shivering in delight when she heard her full name roll off his tongue. "So, so much. But to be fair," She said, smirking. "I'm actually Lizzie. Just Lizzie."

Jared laughed, and pulled her into another kiss.