We had plenty of time to clean up and change before heading out to meet with our best friends for lunch. Though they attended a different college, their campus was twenty minutes away. We agreed to meet up for lunch once a week at a spot in-between so that it would only take ten minutes each way on the commute.

"So, Leo…" Zoey began after the four of us ordered our meals. "When are you going to pop the question?"

I nearly choked while drinking my lemonade. Rick sent me a concerned glance and I waved a hand to let him know I was alright. He didn't look like he was entirely convinced I wouldn't choke to death.

"I know two years is a bit soon and all," the shameless woman continued. "But, you two are soulmates! If you already know you're not going anywhere, why not make it that official?"

"You...you just want to have an excuse to wear a party dress, don't you?" I questioned.

"Well, that too…" She admitted.

"How do you know I'm not the one waiting for Momo to propose?" Leo countered with a teasing grin.

"Out of the two of you, you're definitely the more romantic one," Zoey deduced.

"Hey!" I complained.

"If it makes you feel better, it's vice versa with us," Rick supplied.

"No, it does not make me feel better, it's like adding more salt to a wound," I responded while Leo broke out into laughter beside me.

"The point is that you both already know that's where you're heading," Zoey insisted. "So, why not plan sooner rather than later?"

"According to Kane and Gyro, we're not going to have enough hours in the day to sleep, let alone plan a wedding," Leo warned.

"Mm-hmm, 'sleep.' If that's what you want to call it…" She replied sarcastically.

That time, I was the one who ended up blushing.

::::

After we parted ways with our besties for the week, Leo suggested taking a walk through the park beside our campus. I couldn't agree more. Walking after a meal always felt great, especially on a sunny day. Being shielded from the heat by the trees was a bonus.

"As much as Zoey has her own agenda," Leo mused aloud as we walked hand in hand. "I really am looking forward to marrying you someday."

"We've already lived together for two years, so it's not like we don't already know what to expect," I taunted. "But, yeah...I'm not against that idea, either."

"Do you think Gyro and Kane will ever wed?"

"With the way they act around each other, you'd think they've been married for at least a decade. I wonder what's stopping them."

"Kane did mention something about his focus being on a complicated case," Leo recounted. "I just hope they're always careful."

"Mmm," I agreed. "The downside to having detective friends is worrying about their safety."

"On the subject of safety," Leo commented. "Do you think Prince Raemka and Nevis would have ever settled down had they been in a safer place?"

"I like to think they'd have eloped and run off to a peaceful little town," I responded. "I never thought I'd say this, but I actually miss seeing them in my dreams."

"Same."

Our chatter quieted down as we took in the colors of the fall leaves. The breeze that occasionally swept over us carried the slightest hints of the upcoming colder weather. I felt a gentle squeeze at our joined hands and I glanced over at my partner. His smile made my heart skip a beat, and I knew what he'd do just before he did it.

I closed my eyes as our lips pressed against each other. The kiss was gentle, but intimate. It brought to mind the first kiss the two of us shared, and the memory felt like it had been much longer than just two years ago.

As the sun filtered through the trees above, our shadows cast on the ground seemed to extend. Leo followed my gaze and gave a slight gasp as he noticed the same image that I did. At that particular angle of sunlight, our shadows looked very much like the silhouette of an Egyptian prince and his beloved tutor.

Raemka and Nevis were never truly gone. We were simply continuing their story...as ourselves. When Leo and I locked gazes once more, it was I who gave him a kiss in return. A memory rose to the front of my mind of something a younger Leo had promised.

We'll figure this out. We'll get past the fear; together.

END

A/N: A Happy Thanksgiving (and Inksgiving?) to everyone! And, of course, many thanks to Toma who allowed me to totally revamp this, one of our oldest and shortest stories!