He was doing this. He was actually doing this.

Nick smiled, pleased that he'd apparently managed to surprise her, but in the best possible way. So far, so good.

In the time leading up to this moment, he'd wavered on whether or not he should have some speech, some big dramatic spilling-over of feelings, but ultimately decided against it, in favor of sheer simplicity.

"Karen," he said lowly - loud enough to be heard over the sounds of the party, but not so loud as to attract more attention than he already had, "every day I spend with you reminds me just how lucky I am to have you in my life. I love you so much, and I want you by my side, for as long as we're here together, in this place."

He dropped his hands from his grasp around hers, and fished in the pocket of his suit coat, producing a small wooden box. Opening it up, it revealed a delicate wooden ring, inlaid with iridescent shells. It had taken him forever to make, and involved a lot of trial and error.

Nick looked up at Karen, holding the ring out to her. "Karen Filippelli, will you marry me?"