Reunited (Dawn)

[Cole Waters]

Rays of sun slipped through the clouds and hit the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley. A slight breeze blew through the crowded streets moving the clouds forcing the sunlight in different directions. Even though it was cloudy the day wasn't that bad. Wizards and witches alike walked the streets of the alley all with different purposes. Some were there to get school supplies early, some there on business, and still some there just to have a good time. Amongst the crowds that moved to a frow was a young wizard of about the age 17. His name was Cole Waters. Cole was a student of Hogwarts who had just returned from a trip to Bulgaria. Cole had spent a month there with his uncle. As he walked Cole's black robes swished in the wind. His hair had grown a little long and it too danced as the wind blew against his face. Walking over to a bench on the side of a street, Cole sat down and pulled out his wand. Giving it a graceful flick a cup of tea appeared floating on a small plate in front of him. Cole grabbed the cup and began to sip the tea.

Cole sat on the bench sipping his tea as he waited for Dawn to arrive. Dawn was his girlfriend and Cole hadn't seen her for a month. He had written her every day but that just hadn't been enough. Cole waited anxiously for her to arrive. As he waited many thoughts ran through his mind. I hope she recognizes me. he thought to himself. Although it was quite an exaggeration to think she wouldn't recognize him, Cole was right in the fact that his appearance had changed since he left. A month ago Cole left with his usual medium length black hair and with his boyish good looks on him. Now as he sat on the bench, Cole looked as if he was exhausted and had not been asleep in weeks. His completion had become even more pale than before and his hair had become a little shaggy. His eye's had black rings under them and the looked sunken into his head. And on top of all this Cole bore a cut along his neck that was close to healing.

Finishing his tea Cole flicked his wand again and the cup disappeared. Looking at a clock nearby, Cole realized he still had about 15 minutes until Dawn arrived. He began to think about his time in Bulgaria with his uncle.

The reason Cole had gone was because his uncle had a very old collection of books. In these books was very powerful ancient magic. Most of this magic was dark magic but this appealed to Cole even more. About 5 months ago Cole had decided to begin learning as much as he could to make himself more powerful. With a war brewing and a magic arms race at hand, Cole not only wanted to be able to protect himself, but he also wanted to play more of a role than just a pawn. While he was at his uncles he studied alot of magic that was never taught at Hogwarts. He studied magic that was only found in those books, magic darker than anything he had seen. He also studied Occulmency and began Legilmency. He spent countless hours reading and practicing. Even while he did all this though he had one person in his mind, Dawn. He wrote her everyday and now he would finally get to see her again.

Suddenly Cole snapped out of his day dream to the sound of his name being called. "Cole!" he heard across the street.

[dawn]

For the past year McGrogan Manor under went several changes; physical as well as ranking changes. Since Gregory McGrogan passed, Dawn was of course next in rank. Right out of school Dawn took the family business under her wing and ran with it. She knew she'd take over since she was a tot, and since then, her father was mentally and physically preparing her. Now a days, She was an anesthetic that could put you under so deep that you wouldn't even know where you began or ended. She was supreme and deadly. Yet, an radiant vixen that knew how to use her looks to stun. She had power, but desired more. She was powerful, but wanted more function. She was absorbed yet faithful. Everything you would ever want in a person in power.

Dawn Lynn McGrogan scratched away at a piece of parchment in a room as a child she rarely seen. She was banished as a young lass to ever step foot in these walls, yet now this was her domain. All that was lighting the room were a candle at her desk, and two sconces by the door. The less light the better, due to the fact, some things in her room shouldn't bore natural light, in which they needed to stay concealed until they needed to be in use. Several other secret rooms of the manor fell under this screened category. The den, where Dawn spent most of her time, was the lesser of all of them.

Her delicate hands crossed her desk in reach of a black ink jar. She only used this ink for the signing of her name. A specific color that could never been forged. Dipping her silver quill into the jar she tapped the excess ink off on the side of the glass. Scratching her name in a lovely unforgettable signature she wrote, "Dawn McGrogan." with pride. The fresh ink gleamed in the candle light. First, the color was invisible, but soon you saw her name practically bleed from the paper. Red and scarlet tones seeped through the creamy parchment into a dignified signature that most would never want to see. Folding the parchment up, she sealed it closed with a kiss. "Take it away." her voice ordered as a man walked from the corner to Dawn and swiftly took the letter out of her raised hand. The man, her colleague, turned to cross the room then opened the door to leave. Closing the door behind him, Dawn exhaled as she closed the top to the ink jar, and pushed it back to the wall in line with all of her other trinkets. A grandfather clock erupted from inside the house. Dawn had a date with Cole, in about a minute. Always behind on time. Never late, yet never early. She rose from her read with a slight grin on her face. Grabbing her wand from her desk, she made her way to the door of her den. stepping thought the deep corridor, she pointed her wand at the door. Which made the exterior of the doorway shrink and fill in the gaps between the doorway and frame, to make it almost impossible to to access the door. Turning on her heels. The unmistakable sound of high heels tapped the floor as she crossed the wooden house to the entrance hall. The house looked pretty much the same from the previous year when her father was running it. Yet, now in the entry hall Gregory's picture was framed next to his father's, in memory of. Bowing her head to her father's picture as she passed, she went to the hall closet to grab a traveling cloak. Dressed in long black pants, with black heals, and a soft cream colored short sleeve shirt. A charcoal summer cloak seemed ideal, since night was going to fall in the next following hours. Within a second of closing the closet door, Dawn vanished.

Appearing right outside the Leaky Cauldron, Dawn knew she was a few steps away from seeing Cole. Turning the corner, At Quality Quidditch Supply's, She saw him sitting on a bench alone, waiting. "Cole!" Dawn's vocal cords sounded as she neared him. His hair was longer, his body was thinner, his eyes, darker, yet she stilled loved him all the same. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and Dawn was with the only person that liked her for her, not for her power. Nearing Cole she bore a weak smile as she saw the scar on his neck. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she held him close for a well needed hug.

[Cole Waters]

Cole stood up as he turned around to see the blond beauty that made her way to him. Time seemed to slow down as he watched her walk with her elegant smile. Her hair swayed as a slight breeze caught a hold of it. She seemed to shine in the clouded light and her smile brought a well needed warm front into Cole's body. He couldn't help but feel like that past month had been a waist. Cole knew he had learned magic well beyond that of most people his age. He also knew how important it was for him to know this magic, but feeling like he hadn't seen Dawn in years and then the feeling he got when he finally did see her made him fell like he had abandoned her. Time finally seemed to catch up with them and Cole felt Dawn wrap her arms around him. All Cole could do was stand there and wrap his arms around her.

They stood there for what seemed like ages. Cole felt the warmth of Dawn's face on his. Standing there feeling her tight wrap on himself, Cole felt finally like he was at home again. Minutes past that felt like days, and Cole could feel everything that needed to be said between them passing through that hug. Finally after what seemed like an eternity they broke apart and Cole looked deep into those beautiful emerald eyes.

Cole said the first thing that came to his mind, "I've missed you." Then a smile crept across his face. Not needing the response, Cole grabbed her hand. "Let's sit down and talk a little bit." he said as he walked her to the bench he had just previously been sitting on. As they sat Cole flicked his want behind his back and pulled out a bouquet of flowers. Handing them to Dawn he smiled and said "For you ma'lady." Laughing he slid his wand back into his robe pocket. Cole's face showed emotion that he had been lacking for the past month. His eyes even though they were still sunken in, showed a joy that hadn't been seen in a long while. His pale skin glowed with passion. He seemed to be truly happy.

Cole couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he talked to her. "So what have you been up to lately? I feel like I haven't seen you in ages. Anything exciting happen?" Looking around Cole lowered his voice to a whisper, "Anyone we know die?"

[dawn]

Closing her eyes, she placed her head next to Cole's, she exhaled as they were vertically intertwined. His cold skin rested on her cheek as she felt his hands rub her back. She hugged tighter as the minutes passed. As the two slowly let go, Dawn almost spoke simultaneously with Cole as he said he missed her. "I've miss you too." she said softly as he lead her back to the bench he was previously seated at. Watching his tall yet skinny frame sit down, her eyes narrowed as she traced his body. She didn't like to see him malnourished but, such was what he chose to do. He decided to go against his dreams of a Quidditch Keeper. Remembering the old love of Quidditch they both used to share she smiled as she glanced down to Cole's right hand, the hand she broke once out of anger in the middle of the same. A short grin appeared in the corners of her mouth as she followed his fingers to his palm.

Looking up she noticed the bouquet of flowers. Hues of purple, magenta, and deep orange skimmed the pedals she Dawn looked up into Cole's dark eyes. A smile crossed her face, meaning thank you. But Cole already knew that, with out words. Taking the flowers from him, she lifted them up to her nose as she inhaled the darling scent of fresh flowers. Setting them in her lap she looked up at Cole as he began to speak. Her ears were sharp, so every word he spoke, Dawn understood. She was quite the multitask. She could listen and think a complete different subject at the same time. Dawn's eyes traveled from Cole's eyes to his lips, back to his eyes. She wondered if he was satisfied with what he underwent the last month. She was pleased he decided to follow something new, something she knew he always wanted but more over, something along the lines of Dawn's mastery. Her gaze fell back into Cole's as she felt the sensation of love in her heart, how she was so glad to see him. Astonishing, a month was thirty days too long.

"You know, The normal. Finding what needs to be done, following through. Pushing a few people out of my way to do the job..." Dawn paused as her firm yet matronly voice resonated for a moment. Her eyes wandered out into Diagon Alley to see if anyone decided to eves drop. "... But other than that, you know keeping busy. Never a dull moment in my life..." she signed as she gave a weak smile to Cole. She felt bad she had to give him the bare minimum of her life at the moment, so much was happening but, Diagon alley was on the place to talk about it. Cole above all other people understood what she did. 'need not ask any questions' really, but since such a time has passed- such a conversation was needed. He was probably worrying about her wellbeing, since that was her business. Cole's next question actually caught her off guard but, she wouldn't dare flinch in the least. She eyes narrowed as she thought for a moment. Closing her eyes, she head nodded softly. "This isn't the place Cole." she said slowly. "No one worth a worry, but someone worth a thought." She spoke vaguely. In Dawn's line of work, death was a thing to happen. Not so often, a matter of rarity, but a matter of expectancy. It is best to expect the worse when in reality it is the last means of action. There are more things a witch or wizard could do to get what they please.

Quickly changing the subject Dawn took Cole's hand in hers. "How have you been? You look, tired. Would you like to get something to eat?" she asked as she rubbed her thumb against his front knuckles.

[Cole Waters]

Cole smiled as he listened to Dawn talk. He hadn't smiled in a long time. He kept finding himself looking deep into her emerald eyes. It had been so long since the last time they had been together. "This isn't the place" he heard Dawn say. Cole new exactly what she meant when she said that. Cole just gave an understanding nod and continued to listen to her. When she asked if Cole would like to go get anything to eat he smiled and said "Actually I would, as you can tell I'm in need of a good meal." Cole looked down at his waist and laughed. "Let's go grab a bight and I can tell you about my trip." Cole said standing up and grabbing Dawns hand. He began walking to a restaurant and explaining his adventures.

"This trip was so great" he said to Dawn as they walked. "I learned so much. The first day Uncle Lucian sent me out into the woods and told me he had a spider problem. I get out there and there is this huge spider sitting in a tree. It took me 45 minutes to kill that thing." Cole looked so happy, so at ease. The color even began to run back into his face. "Thats how I got this" he said pointing to the scar on his neck. "Damn thing almost took my head off." Cole continued to explain his journey as they came to the front of the restaurant. "He had these books, these books with spells and curses that I had never imagined. He taught me so much. I even began to dabble in legilmency. I just feel so much more powerful." Cole smiled as he said this. He could feel his chest sticking out. "They only down side is I could actually feel the toll this magic was taking on my body. I'm sure you can see that though." he said looking at himself.

As they walked inside a hostess sat them at a booth near a window. Sitting down Cole stuck his hands in his pocket where he felt a box. Holding it still in his pocket he remembered something he had completely forgotten about. Shaking his head he thought Nows not the time. He looked back at Dawn and said "So thats enough about me what about you?"

[dawn]

"Enough about you?! Oh Cole. I want to know everything that happened... Legilmency, now thats something impressive." Dawn saying with a nod. "All within one month." she said wide-eyed acrossed the table to the only man that had ever had her heart. She felt as they could sit down and talk about anything and everything and there would never be a dull moment. "That is really impressive, darling." she paused with a smile. "I've been doing well. I have everything working smoothly. I find everyone to be quite pleased with my work and direction. Two fools decided to go behind my back..."Dawn said with a scoff, "... but, all is well now." she grined as she looked out the window and saw the sun begin to set. She felt bad she wasn't talking in detail, but Dawn knew Cole understood the situation, and no one close could be trusted in the least. Picking up her menu, she pulled it off the table in front of her to open it. Scanning the three pages of meals, Dawn glanced up to see Cole. It just seemed like forever they have been apart and she couldn't restrain herself but just to study every inch of him. She really did miss him. Looking back down at her menu she saw a pasta dish. "See anything you'd like?" she asked as she went on. "I'm not sure if want this cold pasta and pesto dish, or a salad. I'm not really that hungry." Underneath the table, Dawn crossed her right leg over her left, where in the action she rubbed the outside of Cole's leg with her foot, softly.

Looking up at Cole once again she saw the color start to brighten up his face, but something was still different. And she wasn't quite sure what, since he spoke of everything good except for his scar on his neck. "Are you okay, Cole?" she paused and looked at him worrysome. "It seems like something is bothering you. Is something in your mind?" she asked as they were soon interrupted. " 'Ello Mr. Waters and Ms. McGrogan, my name is Melody and I will be your sever this evening. Is there anything I can get for you?" Their tall pale, blond waitress spoke standing beside the table dressed in a black blouse and a black pencil skirt. Pleased she introduced herself keenly, Dawn gave her a smile. Looking at Cole she asked, "Are you ready to order?"


((It is very weak. I am sorry. But, I promise it will be great next time. ))

[Cole Waters]

(Not to fret my dear, we both know how it is)

Cole sat listening to Dawn speak about what she had been up to. He tried to stay in the conversation as much as he could but his mind kept drifting off onto the same subject. He couldn't help but keep his hand in his pocket feeling the box that rested there. He kept thinking of the discussion him and his mother had had earlier that morning.

"You're just to young Cole" his mother said putting the pan down in the sink. "I'm of age" he said taking another bite out of his apple. "You really can't stop me." His mother frowned and shook her head, "You know I love her to death Cole, it's really not that, I just don't want you to make a mistake. This is a serious thing your talking about, your not a kid anymore." Cole stood up and walked over to his mother, "I know mom, and I'm 100 percent serious. This isn't a game to me, this is what I want to do. I didn't come for your blessing, even though it would be nice, I came to tell you first." His mother blushed and put her hand on his shoulder, "If your mind is set then I can't change it. My how my little boy has grown up.

Dawn's voice snapped him back into reality. "I'm probably just gonna get a Dragon burger like I always do." Cole said sliding his menu to the side of the table. He looked out the window at the people walking buy. And old married couple moved slowly holding hands. "Are you alright?" he heard Dawn say. Turning to look at her he grabbed her hand and held it there smiling, "I'm great." There was a moment of silence. "There is something that I wanted to ask you Dawn." Cole said. Right then the waitress came to the table. "Umm yea I'm ready, "Cole said, "I'll have the Dragon Burger."

[dawn]

"Yes, I would like a pasta salad. No olives. Thank you." Dawn spoke as she closed her menu, gathered Cole's and handed the pair to the waitress. With a nod Melody turned and walked to the kitchen. The sun was setting Diagon Alley. Dawn's mood corresponded with the color of her surroundings. The sky burst with orange, red, maroons, mauves, and purple hues. She found it relaxing to watch the last rays of sun dance through the sky as it's core fell behind the west hill. Enthralled by the organic show outside of her window she smiled to herself as she remembered when she was younger, she used to sit outside on her back porch watching the sky line and converting her visions to canvas. Maybe it was her love for qudditch the drew her toward the sky but, it was something she adored since she was a young girl.
Low murmurs of the restaurant sounded like a string quartet to Dawn's wandering mind. She rarely had time to herself let alone, to spend time with anyone close to her. So, being in a place where nothing but comfort was expected of her was all too appealing to her. Dawn turned her head back to Cole and passed him a soft grin. She thought about how she rarely saw him these past few weeks, and how often she will see him in the future. They've been friends for almost eternity, and him leaving her life seemed absurd. Not seeing a friend so close to her heart was trying on her and her work. Also, not seeing a sibling she was so close to was very difficult to. Dawn lived with her brother, Aden, but being at two different points in their life- crossing each other's paths seemed to be not applicable the past few months as well. Dawn knew Aden was busy with, whatever he pursued, but she missed him. The distance between Dawn and her loved ones made her hard, which was good for her business she was running. She had to be cold. Dawn was always a reserved person, but time made her stone. The distance seemed to be a gift as well as a curse for the growing girl.

Picking up her glass of water, that was placed in front of her, she sipped it as she studied Cole's face. Something was on his mind, or bothering him and he wouldn't tell her. She already asked, but he denied anything was wrong. So, asking again would be pointing out a falsehood, something Dawn wouldn't dare do to Cole, because she would loathe if he didn't believe something she said. Tapping the side of her glass, the silence became known to both of them. Shifting in her seat, Dawn uncrossed her legs and set both of her heals on the ground. Crossing her arms at her chest, she sat back in her chair. The fouled and defiant personality of Dawn started to come through. She took a breath, and looked up a Cole. There was something in his eyes. Dawn was a good sense of character, and Cole's character did not please her right now. "So, What do you think you are going to be doing for the next few months?" she paused and added with a quick retort after a breath, "....back to Bulgaria? Or somewhere else? Romania, Morocco, Australia?" Dawn pumped a query. She was going to drag whatever was on Cole's mind out, because silence between the two was a rarity. And she wouldn't allow it now, after a month with no contact. "If you are going to go halfway across the country, you can tell me. Above anyone else, You should tell me those things." Dawn shot. "I can handle a lot of things, Cole Waters. And if it affects distance between us, I should know, because it affects me too."

Dawn was frustrated for the first time with Cole in years. She rarely shown emotion. To the public, Dawn is see as a cold-hearted vixen, who got her way one way or another merely by words. Her power was barely compairable anymore, but she prefered words in a fight to prove strength in more ways than one. When it came to Cole, he drug emotion out of her. Made her a different person when he was around. A different side of Dawn was only seen by Cole, but the emotional side of getting abrupt with him in a public setting was abnormal. Maybe she really wasn't fine with the distance. Maybe she wished he was closer, but he didn't go away to learn, he would never follow through with what he wants to pursue. Dawn would never stand between Cole and his dreams, because if he would do the same to Dawn, he would be tossed out of the way.... Dawn was stuck between a rock and a hard place. She wanted to get inside of Cole's head, since she didn't see herself there anylonger. Maybe that was what was eating at her... She didn't see the love from Cole she used to. He said things, but didn't show it. What was different from this dinner than any other...

[Cole Waters]

(Great reply)

Cole saw Dawn look out into the distance, her mind was wandering. Usually Cole would keep her mind on him, but he had things on his mind to. He stared at the table, so bland. He kept thinking of old times with him and Dawn. The time that she broke his finger playing quidditch. When she came to watch him play his first minor league game. The times that they spent together when they were young. They had grown up together. Cole looked up to see Dawn with her arms crossed. He could only smile because he knew what was going on. He had known Dawn so long that it was easy for him to tell when she was upset. This should have been an advantage for him, but it wasn't. Even though he could get Dawn to show emotion she knew that all she had to do was play the upset card and Cole would come running after her. She was the only one who was able to do that.

She began speaking of him going away. He could tell in her voice that she didn't want him to leave anymore. Cole wanted to stop her from talking crazy but he knew that if he interrupted her that he would lose a limb. When she finally finished Cole looked into her eyes. "That's what I'm thinking about right now Dawn, how I don't want to ever have to leave either." he said. His hands began to sweat and his mouth became suddenly dry. It was like someone had put a Jinx on him, usually he was so calm, but for some reason what he was about to say was getting to him. "Dawn we've known each other our whole lives." he said. "We've been through so many things together. We've shared quidditch, school, and love. You have always been there for me, I can't remember a time that you weren't. Like the time that I broke my dad's broom when I was 12, you took the blame because you knew he wouldn't be as mad at you. And the time that you first drank fire whiskey and you couldn't even walk so I carried you to my room so you could sleep. Now that we've been together as a couple for the past year or so I've really come to realize what matters in my life." Cole reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. Opening it he said "Dawn McGrogan, Will you marry me?"

[dawn]

The restaurant seemed to fall silent as Dawn finished chipping away at Cole. She never intended on such a big show, she just could not restrain. Dawn looked to a few onlookers. She narrowed her eyes and shot forcefully, "None of your business!" As she found her way back to Cole. He had a smile on his face, which lightened Dawn's heart the second she saw it. She knew what it was about, he was already three steps in front of her. He knew she was angry, he knew exactly what about, he knew she had no reason to flip out, and he knew she regretted the loud barrage of words and comments shot at him moments previous. But, of course Dawn would never show this in her own face. Cole just knew Dawn all too well to read her like an open book, and he enjoyed it. Metaphorically, he loved to sit with her book open every day and every night. After almost two decades of friendship, he loved to test how much he knew about her. And adored to find new things out. He hung on her every word, he was enthralled by her attitude, personality, history, beliefs, everything, normally. And that was exactly what irked her. She knew he was off in his own world, not giving her attention. Dawn, self-centered, of course. But who wouldn't want the one person she ever loved to love her and above all, show it as often as Cole did?! Everyone envied their friendship, Dawn knew it. She sometimes even figured it to be a lifelong dream she never awoke from.... who knows; she sure had no intention of waking up anytime soon.

Still sitting with her arms crossed a look of irritation still lingered on her face. Her light blonde hair swept the collar of her creme blouse as she tilted her head to the left with inquiry. She listened to Cole begin to speak, how he did not ever want to leave. "...And." she added ignorantly with a stubborn puck of her rouge lips. She noticed how Cole darted his eyes as he spoke, but within seconds his eyes locked with hers. With the deep meaningful gaze from his Grey eyes, she felt something within her. She knew something was knotting him up inside and he wanted to exalt himself from the torture of withholding something from her. Dawn held her eyes tight on his with the same wicked look about her.... Then..... He said it.... He asked her to marry him....

Dawn's eyes let up first. She sat wide-eyed gazing into Cole's heart that he set out on the table between them. Her heart felt like it swell quadruple it's normal size. Her head felt like a tornado started to wiz around it not giving her the ability to speak, move, or even breathe! She started to remember how close they were since the day they met. She remembered the girl Cole dated for the majority of his fourth year, and how he only spoke to Dawn about how much he wanted someone different and un-knowingly listed all of the character traits of the girl who sat in front of him right now. She remembered how she got so incredibly upset in school, and barged into the Forbidden Forest. Cole spent hours trying to find her and came running after her to make sure she was ok. She remembered how in the summer months they would go on adventures on their brooms, and play quidditch all day and all night. How Dawn's father, Gregory adored Cole over anyone she ever had her eye on. She thought about how when her father passed, Cole was here to hold Dawn together. She remembered their first kiss, Their last kiss. Finally, she exhaled.

It seemed like forever she held her breath. Her hands flew up to her cheeks and the second she felt her cold skin against herself, she realized, it was not a dream. Really, It was complete reality. A smile erupted from ear to ear as she began to laugh, and hold back tears at the same time as her eyes flooded with emotion. ".... What?!" she spoke as if she wanted to hear it again, to make sure she heard correctly. Another thought ran through her mind, Why here? Why now? At dinner? What is today? Is he sure? He hasn't even began to find a place in this world for himself? Is he sure? Why me? Why now? Why? ...... What would his mother say?!

[Cole Waters]

Cole sat in his seat frozen. He couldn't breath, move, speak. His hands trembled as he waited for the answer. It seemed like an eternity went by as he thought about what he was doing. The past few nights he couldn't sleep, all he could think about was being with Dawn. He had got the ring a week ago and every night since then he had thought about asking her. How he would do it, where he would do it, what would he say? Cole spent hours on end pacing his room thinking of all of these little details. Looking into Dawns emerald eyes, Cole for the first time in his life couldn't read what she was thinking. Had he done the right thing? Is this really what he wanted to do? Is it what she would want? He had already gone over this so many times but the questions stilled found themselves embedded in Cole's thoughts. This was going to be the biggest decision of his life, of their lives. But this is what he wanted, he was positive of it. The one constant Cole had in his life had always been Dawn, and that's what he wanted it to be. Finally Cole saw the smile creep across her face. Her muffled laugh brought air to Cole's lungs and the sound of her voice made him jump.

"What?!" she asked. Cole hesitated, this wasn't what he was expecting to hear. It was at that point he realized that he was still sitting in his seat. This wasn't how he had planned it at all. Standing up Cole walked over to Dawn's side of the table and got down on one knee. Holding the silver and emerald ring up Cole spoked softly. "Dawn, you have always been the one person in my life I could count on. This past month in Bulgaria made me realize how much I really couldn't live without you. We may be young but it's worth it to me to spend the rest of our lives together. No one could change my mind, I want to be there for you whenever you need me. I want to be the man that you need and the husband that you want. Dawn will you please marry me?"

A tear started to well up in the corner of Cole's eye. This was the first time that he had cried since he was 5. He tried to hide the tear but was unsuccessful as it rolled down his cheek. He sat there waiting for her answer. It was the most vulnerable that he had felt in his life, yet exactly what he wanted. This was the moment of truth.

[dawn]

Everyone in the entire restaurant seemed to be invisible at this point in time. The only person Dawn could see was Cole, thats all who she wanted to see, for now, forever. Dawn could see in Cole's face be became flustered and jumped from his seat to Enter away message text here.greet Dawn from the knelt down position. Dawn laughed as she saw her boyfriend, her best friend, and possibly her soon to be fiance go down on one knee in front of her. Her heart pounded as if it was a million marching bands walking in sync with each other. BUNDUMP... BUNDUMP... BUNDUMP! She could hear her heart echo through her ears. Eyes were wide-eyed as her long dark eyelashes blinked constantly trying to keep her refrained from crying, tears of joy. Her hands we're glued to her cheeks. Her reaction was priceless, a Kodac moment for all of the world to see. Time seemed to float as she watched Cole pull out the ring. It was a strong silver band with a large pear shaped emerald placed in the center. Simplicity at it's absolute finest. Dawn watched the ring glitter as Cole's hands fumbled with it slightly to maintain a grip. Dawn's eyes followed from his rugged hands up his arm, past his rolled up sleeve, over his strong shoulder. Her eyes danced as she traced the strands of hair that fluttered out of place framing his strong but supple jaw line. Finally, her eyes locked with Cole's. Her heart stopped.

She watched as a single tear flooded his eye, and found it's way to escape, although he tried so hard to retain it. Within that instance, the second the tear escaped his gorgeous Grey eyes, she leap forward to Cole. She was crouched down on the ground on Cole's level, grabbed the sides of his face and kissed him. Dawn's heart sank as her lips met her love's. The softness of his pink lips caressed hers as she let go. The passion between the two could be sensed for miles. Dawn wouldn't settle for anything less than that. Dawn's hands slid from Cole's face down to his shoulders. Her hands locked behind his neck as she spoke ever so softly, almost whispering, or mouthing a secret message to him, and him only. "Of course."

Tightening her arms around his shoulders and neck she embraced him with the tightest most endearing, and passionate hug. "Yes! Yes, Cole Waters. I would be the most luckiest of women in the entire universe..." suddenly, Dawn lost her breath. She began to cry. She was smiling the most blooming of smiles she as shown for years. "....to marry you." she finished her sentence as she pulled away from Cole to face him, face to face.

[Cole Waters]

Seeing the emotion in Dawn's eyes made Cole push another tear out of his eye. This was something that he wasn't used to, he was over come with emotion. Dawn rushed onto the floor and pressed her lips against his. Cole for some reason was shocked by the reaction and was still waiting for the yes or no answer. He finally heard it as she loosened her grip around his neck. "Yes" echoed through Cole's mind. His heart jumped as a smile spread across his face. "Dawn I am so glad to hear you say that." Cole said giving her another hug. A radiance seemed to seep from his skin as he looked deep into Dawn's eyes. He was speechless. He was the happiest man in the world and he had no clue what he should say. Then just as he opened his mouth he heard a "Uhmmm". Looking up he saw the waitress starring down at them. It was at that point that he noticed that everyone in the restaurant was looking at them on the floor. Cole couldn't help but laugh as he stood up. Grabbing Dawn's hand he lifted her to her feet. Then he slid the ring onto her finger and sat her down into her seat.

Sitting down across from her Cole couldn't stop smiling. He felt as if his life was complete, that he had reached his goal. The waitress set their food down in front of them, but Cole was to excited to eat. Pushing his food aside he looked Dawn in the eyes. "I'm so glad that we are going to do this." he said smiling. He reached over and slid his hand down her cheek. She was so beautiful.

"So how exactly do we do this?" Cole asked laughing. "I've never done this before. Should we start planning or do we have someone else do it? Should we tell people? Well of course we're going to tell people but I mean who first?" Cole kept rambling on and on not able to control his speech. Finally he calmed down and realized how fast he was going. Looking at Dawn and smiling he said "What are you thinking? How do you feel? I want to know your thoughts on this."

[dawn]

(( This post is closed now. We are picking it up here. It is now set 3 months after this post. ))