"You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray."

Stephanie smiled. "My, my, Mr. Kirkpatrick, you know how to talk, or should I say sing, your way into a girl's heart."

"So it worked?"

"I didn't say it worked. I just said you know how to do it." She heard a grunt over the phone line.

"Are you sure it didn't work? I could have sworn you always fell under my spell."

"Think again. What do you want at," She looked at her watch, "quarter after midnight?"

"I want to know why you are still at work."

"I would be home if I had someone to come home to, but he's out of town at the moment." Stephanie sighed as she placed another envelope on the growing pile to mail.

Chris heard her sigh and smiled. "Why don't you just go home? I know I'm not there, but it's too late to be working. I bet you're dog tired."

"Nice use of words. All right. I give in. I'll go home."

"Good. You need to be home now. I'll see you soon."

"I know. You'll be home in a few days. Love you."

"Love you too, honey. Bye."

"Bye."

Stephanie hung up the phone and looked at her desk. She decided she'd straighten it up the next day.

As she dumped her stuff into the car her cell phone rang.

"Hello."

"You'll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. Sorry, just had to finish the verse."

"No problem. I'm used to your weirdness by now."

"Are you sure about that? I think I have a few things that could surprise you up my sleeve."

Stephanie shook her head. "Nah, I've got you pegged."

"If you say so. So where are you?"

"I'm sitting in the driver's seat in my car talking to you."

"Are you on your way home?"

"I will be once as I get this person I'm talking to off the phone."

"Stephanie, why don't you start on your way home. I know you can drive and talk on the phone at the same time. I've seen you do it thousands of times."

Stephanie sighed in defeat. "All right. I'm going. I'm going."

"Good. You need to be home."

Stephanie started the car. "Hear that? I started the car and now I'm backing out of my space. Hear me shifting gears?"

"I just love your sarcasm, Steph."

"I know. It's part of why you keep coming back."

Chris laughed. "You know it."

"How was the show?"

"Oh, it was good. It's always good in Miami. There was something wrong though."

"What was that?"

"I'm here and you're there."

Stephanie sighed sadly. "I know. I wish I could be with you all the time, but you know the rules."

"Yup. We keep quiet unless we're engaged or married."

"And we are neither so I guess both of us are going to keep up this charade."

"Uh-huh. Are you almost home?"

"Pulling onto the street right now."

"Good. You need your rest."

"All right. I'm pulling in the driveway. Can I call you in the morning?"

"Please stay on the phone with me? I want to hear your voice some more."

"Okay. Sometimes I feel like I'm dealing with a big kid."

"But you love it?"

"You got me. I love it."

"And..."

"And? And I love you too. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Yup. Is that the front door I hear?"

"Yeah." Stephanie walked over to the answering machine and was surprised. "Huh. There's no messages on the machine. You didn't by any chance call and get them? Did you?"

"Nope. I didn't call for the messages. Hey, can you tell me something? I think I left something on the kitchen counter. Can you check? Should be near the toaster."

"Sure. Let me check." Stephanie walked into the kitchen. "What does it look li..." Stephanie froze as she saw a small box sitting on the counter.

"Oh, it's small and holds something special. Stephanie? Can you tell me something else?"

"Sure," Stephanie managed to whisper. She waited for him to continue but all she heard was his phone disconnecting. She looked at the phone in despair. Stephanie quickly dialed Chris' cell phone number but was told he was out of the area or the phone was off. "Damn you, Chris."

She looked at the box and started to open it. An arm reached around her and grabbed it.

"Nope. No peaking. That's my job."

Stephanie's eyes widened as she turned to see Chris standing behind her.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were in Miami for a few more days."

"Well. We don't have a show tomorrow and I decided to come see you. The more I started thinking of you the less I wanted to be without you. So I decided to come and surprise you. Did I surprise you?"

Stephanie nodded her head. She was too shocked to speak.

"Now back to the question I asked before. Can you tell me something else?"

After another silent nod from Stephanie Chris sighed and knelt on one knee.

"Stephanie, I know we haven't been together that long but this is something my heart is telling me to do." He opened the box. "Will you marry me?"

Still not being able to speak Stephanie knelt beside him and took the ring out of the box and handed it to Chris. He proceeded to place the ring on her left ring finger which she held out. After he placed the ring on her finger she moved her hand to his face.

Chris moved his hand up her arm and placed his other knee on the floor. Slowly the two were pulled together until their lips touched in the sweetest kiss either had ever received or given.

"So I take that as a yes," Chris joked as they pulled away.

"Yes."

Chris led her into the living room and sat on the couch motioning to her to lay beside him.

Stephanie laid beside him and gazed into the fire place. "I knew it felt warm in here."

"I know how much you like cuddling by the fireplace and I thought-"

Stephanie silenced him with a kiss. "You think of everything."

"Everything and anything for you. Always and forever." He placed a delicate kiss on her forehead and pulled her closer.

The couple stared into the fire enjoying their time together. Neither felt the need to talk. After a while Chris turned to his fiance and smiled. She was asleep.

"The other night, dear, when I was sleeping. I dreamt I held you in my arms. When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken. Please don't take my sunshine away." Chris sang the end of the song that convinced him to propose and moved to pick Stephanie up. He carried her to her bed and laid her down, laying next to her. Soon he was fast asleep.