Jo sighed softly and pulled the pins from her hair, letting the short, silky brown tresses tumble down around her shoulders. The cool February breeze swirled past, brushing errant wisps against her cheeks and rustling the satins folds of her dress-the dark red one that Meg had given her for Christmas a year before.

She leaned back in the porch chair, smiling slowly. The children had been so sweet to plan that surprise Valentine's Day party for her. And remembering to include Meg, Amy, Laurie, the twins, and Harrison Bridger as well!

Yes, she was surprised...very much so.

And, the night had been perfect-except for one thing. Every dance had been danced with one of the boys, Laurie, or Harrison; she had not had a chance to take one with Nick. Though she was sure that it hadn't been intentional, she couldn't help feeling just a little disappointed...

"Hey, Jo."

Jo straightened with a start, that familiar voice breaking through her deliberations as she moved to pull the fallen shawl up around her again. She smiled slightly, suddenly even more thankful for the evening darkness as a light flush colored her cheeks.

"Nick, I-I didn't know you were there," she confessed.

"I ain't been here long." He shrugged his shoulders with an air of nonchalance, leaning casually against one of the many posts that supported the roof. A slow grin crossed his mouth, and Nick crossed his arms.

"Nice party back there," he commented, making a slight tilt of his head towards the house. "Kids did a nice job o' surprisin' ya, eh?"

"Yes, yes, they did." Jo laughed. "And Nan-she'll be one scary girl to mess with when she grows older."

Nick chuckled along with her. "Yep. She got on ta Tommy pretty good when 'e dropped that plate. Ya shoulda seen the look on yer face; ya looked just as scared as ya did when we saw that "bear" in the woods."

She wrinkled her nose and stuck her tongue out at him. "Very funny. Besides, I am not the that said there was a bear."

"Yeah, we just heard one is all." He grinned easily at the look she have him. "Well, hey, I figured a bear might be more fittin' than tiger, seein' as you are a Bhaer yerself," Nick pointed out, putting extra stress on her last name.

"Bad joke, Nick." Jo nodded her head. "Very bad joke."

"Hey-," he put his hands up, " -I ain't the one that claims ta be a writer."

"Are you saying that I am not a good writer?"

"'Course not." He grinned again.

Breathing a small sigh, Jo stood up and walked to the side railing, gazing out over the yard, now bathed in the silvery glow of the moon. "It's a beautiful night," she said absently. "Just perfect for Valentine's Day."

Nick raised his brows. "Yeah, I s'pose so."

A moment of silence lingered between them, and Jo shifted, lightly pursing her lips, a nervous habit she had picked up over the years. For some reason, it made her a little anxious; though, one look in Nick's direction said that he felt completely the opposite. Cool, calm, casual - at ease, as he always seemed to be.

It's just Nick. Don't be silly, Jo, she silently chided herself. She tightened her shawl, folding her arms inside its warmth.

"Jo?"

"Y-yes?" Her cheeks warmed. Don't be silly. Hah! Easier said than done.

"Seein' as ya were passed from one person ta the next, I didn't git much o' a chance ta talk ta ya tonight..."

And? she wanted to prompt, but kept quiet.

Nick straightened and took a step toward her. "Well, I just wanted to say…" He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. Dropping to one knee, he clapped a hand over his heart and looked up at her. "Be mine?"

"Nick, I-I..." Jo moistened her lips, feeling her heart start to pound with short, quick beats. Surely he wasn't?!?!

"Jus' open it," he encouraged, holding it out to her, palm up.

"A-all right," she agreed, reluctantly, extending a quivering hand to accept his small gift. "You really didn't have to-"

"Just open it, would ya?" Nick sighed with exasperation, but she could see the excitement gleaming in his eyes-those baby blue eyes that made her knees melt.

"Oh, Nick, it's beautiful," Jo said sincerely, her lips curving into a smile.

He got to his feet, grinning like a little schoolboy. "It seems fittin', don't it? Now ya don't gotta go lookin' fer a bear. He's right there."

Quite the charmer, Nick leaned down to place a light kiss on the back of her small hand. It amazed him, that, despite the endless work she did, how soft and gentle they always were, whether comforting the children, or handling Penny.

"I-I...um, t-thank you, Nick. But you really didn't have-"

"Would ya just stop tellin' me what ta do, Jo? I know thet I didn't have ta do it. But I wanted ta do it." He tilted her chin up, his eyes twinkling with merriment. "'Sides, this way, ya won't ever ferget thet bear o' yers."

"What if I want to forget it?" she asked teasingly, deciding to play along.

"Well, then, I s'pose you'll jus' have ta deal with it." Nick took the box from her and, carefully pulling the silver chain from the velvet, he turned her around, clasping it around her neck. "There, now. You'll always thet li'l bear at yer side, wherever ya go."

"You're never going to forget that animal, are you?" Jo fingered the tiny silver charm, tediously sculpted in the shape of a bear, and smiled at him.

"Nope. 'Cause if I did, then we wouldn't 'ave nothin' ta be laughin' 'bout now."

"No," she laughed, "I suppose not."

He held her gaze for a moment, studying her face. He loved the way her lips curved into a smile; the way her hair, so soft and silky, bounced slightly on her shoulders as she took each step; her inquisitive brown eyes, constantly reminding him of melting chocolate; the way she spoke, cared for, and loved the children, like they were her own.

She was beautiful, and he loved her not only for that, but for she was-a strong, determined, and stubborn woman who was not easily discouraged by the ridiculous regulations of an unfair society. A woman who had fought-and continued to fight day after day-to keep her school open, despite the odds that were always against her.

He loved her.

And, because of that, he would wait-wait a thousand years, if need be. One day, though, he truly hoped, if the future promised it, that she would - could be his. Be mine. To love, and care for, to comfort, and wipe away her tears.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Mrs. Bhaer," Nick said softly, tenderly, leaning forward to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. Jo closed her eyes, her dark lashes fluttering against her cheeks.