Chapter 1
Belle sighed heavily as she work up early on this February morning. It was Valentine’s Day, and she was wondering if her boyfriend of 8 years even remembered.
Knowing that Shawn was a romantic like his father Bo is, Belle had been asking him if he had anything special planned for the two of them for this day. Everytime she would bring up Valentine’s Day, Shawn would change the subject. And she couldn’t blame him for changing the subject most of the time. After all, Shawn had a new little sister that he loved spending time with.
Little did Belle Black know, that Shawn Brady was planning a Valentine’s Day that she would never forget!
After getting dressed and heading downstairs to fix breakfast, she noticed that Shawn was nowhere to be found.
As she arrived in the livingroom of hers and Shawn’s loft, she noticed three pink and three white roses on the couch. She smiled when she read the card, and saw that they were from her beloved Shawn.
‘He didn’t forget’ Belle thought, as she read the card that said: “ My dearest Isabella, sorry that I wasn’t there this morning to wake up with some good morning kisses, but I had to take care of some last minute things at work. I hope that these beautiful roses make up for it. I’m not sure if I’ll be home today, but I promise we’ll do something later tonight. All my love, Shawn.”
Belle just sighed, and went to put her roses in a vase. As she walked into the kitchen, the door bell rang.
~~Meanwhile at the Brady Pub~~
“So, she thinks you’re working tonight huh?” Hope said, as she looked at her oldest son.
Shawn had told his parent’s about his special evening that he had planned for Belle, and recruited his parents, Belle’s parents, and Maggie Horton’s help in making this an amazing night for his Belle.
“Yes, she thinks that I needed to help Uncle Mickey at the office.” Shawn said, while holding his baby sister.
“Are you sure this is a good idea? Don’t you think she’ll be mad?” Hope asked.
“Once she finds out what I’m going to do there’s no way she’ll be mad. She can’t resist the Brady charm.” He said with a grin.
‘So much like his father.’ Hope thought, as she smiled.
“Shawn, can I help too?” Zack asked, as he came over to his big brother. Zack loved Belle like a big sister, and he knew how much Shawn loved Belle. And he wanted to help his big brother anyway that he could.
“You bet! In fact, I have the perfect job for you.” Shawn said, as he handed his sister over to Hope and told Zack his part of the plan.
~~Back at Belle & Shawn’s loft~~
“Mom! Dad! I wasn’t expecting see you today. I thought you were heading out of town.” Belle said, as she let her parents in.
Well Izzy, we just wanted to know if you would like to join us for dinner tonight at Chez Rouge.” John said, hoping that she would say yes. As it was his and Marlena’s job to get Belle to the restaurant for Shawn.
“That sounds wonderful, but don’t the two of you have plans of your own?” Belle asked.
“We do sweetie, but your father and I wanted to spend sometime with you before heading out of town.” Marlena said.
“Alright. Shawn has to work tonight, so I’ll be able to go.” Belle said.
“Wonderful, we’ll pick you up at 5:30. See then sweetie.” Marlena said, giving Belle a kiss goodbye.
After Belle walked them out of the door, John made a phone call.
“Shawn, it’s John Black. Belle said yes. We’ll be picking her up at 5:30. Will that give you enough time to get there?”
“It sure will. And thanks John.” Shawn said, as he hung up.
~~Back at the Pub~~
“Zack, are you ready to go and make your delivery?” Shawn asked.
“You bet!” Zack said, coming down the stairs in a red sweatshirt that had a picture of a cupid on it.
“Okay, let’s go deliver this to Belle. We’ll be right back, mom.” Shawn said, as he and Zack went out to make a special delivery to Belle.
Chapter 2
It was now late morning, and since Shawn wasn’t home Belle decided to watch some romantic movies. Eventhough she usually had to twist his arm to watch any kind of romantic movie, Belle knew Shawn loved watching them with her.
After decided on watching “Sleepless In Seattle”, one of hers and Shawn’s favorites, Belle heard the doorbell ring again.
Upon opening it, she was surprised to see Zack on the other side.
“Well, hi there Zack! What are you doing here?” Belle asked, always happy to see Shawn’s little brother.
“I wanted to drop this off for you. But, you can’t open it until tonight before you have dinner with Sha...”Zack said stopping after his big brother, who was standing beside him and out of Belle’s site, gave him a little nudge. “I mean before you have dinner with your parents.”
“Thank you, Zack. And are these little conversation candy hearts from my mom and dad also?” Belle asked.
“Nope, those are from me.” He replied, with a big smile.
“Thank you so much, Zack!” She said, giving him a hug.
After making a play date with Zack for later in the week, Belle said goodbye since she figured that Bo and Hope were waiting for him.
Two hours later, after the movie was over. There came another delivery for Belle. This time it was a beautiful, long silk red dress with matching coat.
The card had said it was from John, but Belle was secretly hoping that it was from Shawn .
~~LookOut Point~~
“Well Shawn, are you nervous about what you are going to do?” Philip said, as he and Shawn got the red and white Christmas lights hung on surrounding trees.
“A little bit. But, I’m sure that I want to do this. I think that both Belle and I are ready to take this step in our relationship.” Shawn said, with a smile.
“And you got the ring, right? I don’t want you proposing to Belle and not have the ring.” Philip said, teasingly.
“Don’t worry, I’ve had the ring for weeks over at my parent’s house. I figured it would be safe there.”
“Man, I still can’t believe that you’re FINALLY going to ask Belle to marry you. It took you long enough.” Philip said, as playfully punched Shawn in the shoulder after hanging the last of the lights.
“I don’t know why I wanted so long to ask her either. Maybe I just wanted to wait or maybe because I was scared that she would say no. But, I do know that I’m ready to ask Belle to be my wife.”
“I’m really happy for you Shawn.” Philip said, smiling and shaking Shawn’s hand.
“Thanks man. Are you and Mimi going to go to Chez Rouge tonight?” Shawn asked, knowing that Mimi would love to hear Belle’s answer to his proposal pretty much right away.
“Yeah, she and I are having dinner with mom and Roman tonight. I’m still getting used to those two together, but I’m glad that my mom found someone who can make her really happy.”
“Me too. Since we’re done here, how about shooting some hoops before I head back to my parent’s house to get ready?” Shawn asked.
“Sounds like a good plan to me.” Philip replied, as he and Shawn headed to the basketball courts before Shawn’s big night.
Chapter 3
~~Shawn & Belle’s Loft~~
It was now late in the afternoon, and Belle had figured that since her parents would be there in a few hours that she should start getting ready.
After taking a shower, getting dressed, and working on her hair she had decided to call Shawn. However she was disappointed when she had gotten his voice mail instead.
Two hours had passed, and the doorbell had ringed. It was John and Marlena.
“Hi there, Izzy! Are you ready to go?” John asked, after giving his daughter a kiss on the cheek.
“Yep, just let me get my coat.” Belle replied back a little sad.
“John, don’t even think about telling Belle that Shawn’s behind this surprise for Belle. You gave him your word.” Marlena said to her husband.
“Awww, come on Doc! Belle’s so sad right now, and....”
“And she’ll be so happy once Shawn gets to the restaurant, and she’s having a good time. Don’t worry.” Marlena whispered, and straightened John’s bow tie on his tux.
“Okay, I’m all set to go.” Belle said, coming back into the room. And she grabbed the small box that Zack had delivered to her earlier.
The ride to Chez Rouge was quiet. Belle sat in the backseat, wishing that Shawn was there with her.
After arriving at the restaurant, Maggie was there to greet them. She showed John and Marlena to their table first, telling Belle that she needed to talk to her first.
Belle waited for Maggie to return, when she heard the voice that she loved.
“Are you waiting for someone beautiful lady?”
Belle turned around, and there stood Shawn. He was looking very handsome. He was wearing a suit with a red tie, and was holding a perfect red rose.
“Shawn!! I can’t believe that you’re here! I thought that you had to work tonight!?” Belle exclaimed.
“I just told you that so I could pull off this little surprise for you. Happy Valentine’s Day Belle!” Shawn said, pulling Belle into a deep and loving kiss.
Just then Maggie returned, and showed them to their table.
The table was in the center of the dining room, and around them sat their family and friends. Belle noticed that John and Marlena were there. As was Bo and Hope, Shawn’s sister Chelsea and her new boyfriend Nick. Max and Abby were there, along with Philip and Mimi, Roman and Kate, and Lucas and Sami.
“So, I take it that you were behind this little gift that your little brother delivered to me today?” Belle asked, smiling and beginning to figure out that Shawn was behind the gift and most likely the dress.
“Yes, that was me. And I arranged for the dress to delivered as well. Why don’t you go ahead and open the gift.” He smiled back.
She did, and in the small box was a set of beautiful diamond earrings.
“They were made from a couple of the diamonds that my parents gave to me on my 16th birthday. And I had two of them made into earrings for you.” He told her. What Belle didn’t know that the engagement ring that was in his coat pocket was also made from one the diamonds as well.
“Oh Shawn, they’re beautiful! Thank you so much.” She said, as she got up from her chair and gave Shawn a sweet kiss.
She then told him that she was going to go to the ladies room, so she could put her earrings on. After she left Sami, Mimi, Abby, and Chelsea all excused themselves and got up to followed Belle and see what she got from Shawn that put such a big smile on her face.
~~Five Minutes Later~~
When Belle had returned to the table, she saw Shawn talking to Maggie. And she was beginning to wonder what else her Shawn had up his sleeve.
Two hours had pasted, and Shawn and Belle were enjoying a nice dinner and a bottle of champagne when Belle heard a familiar song begin to play.
“Would you like to dance, Miss Black?” Shawn asked, as he stood up and held out his hand for Belle.
“I would love to, Mr. Brady.” Belle replied back, taking Shawn’s hand. And he took her to the middle of the diningroom and began to dance to the song.
“The strands in your eyes that color them wonderfulStop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
I'll Be your cryin' shoulder
I'll Be love suicide
I'll Be better when I'm older
I'll Be the greatest fan of your life
Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive and not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
I'll Be your cryin' shoulder
I'll Be love suicide
I'll Be better when I'm older
I'll Be the greatest fan of your life
I've dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead
Tuned in, turned on, remembered the things you said
I'll Be your cryin' shoulder
I'll Be love suicide
I'll Be better when I'm older
I'll Be the greatest fan of your life”
“I love you so much, Belle. And I always will.” Shawn whispered softly.
“And I love you too, Shawn.” Belle said, as she gave him a sweet kiss.
After heading back to their table, Shawn told Belle that he had one more surprise left for her. So they said goodnight to their family and friends, got their coats, and after promising to call Mimi the next day they left Chez Rouge.
Chapter 4
The ride to Lookout Point was filled with Belle guessing what Shawn had planned for her there. And everytime Shawn would smile, laugh, and tell her that she would have to be patient.
Belle was facing forward in the frontseat of their car wearing Shawn’s red tie now serving as a blindfold.
“Oh come on, Shawn! Please tell where we’re going!” Belle said, as she pretended to pout.
“Belle, just trust me. You’re going to love this surprise. I promise.” He told her, arriving at their destination.
After parking the car, Shawn walked over to Belle’s side, opened the door, and took her hand to help her out.
“Are we there?” Belle asked.
“Yep, here let me help you out.” Shawn said, as he scooped Belle into his arms and carried her to the spot that was all set up. He then gently sat her on the ground, and took her blindfold off.
“Oh Shawn! It’s beautiful!!” Belle exclaimed, as she looked around. They were standing in the middle of LookOut Point. As she looked around, Belle noticed some red and pink lights hanging from the nearby trees.
“No, you’re beautiful my sweet Isabella. And I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much I love you.” Shawn said, as he took her hand and led her over to a blanket that was on the ground near a bench.
After sitting down, Shawn started to get nervous. He had a whole speech planned out in his mind, but the closer it came to asking Belle to marry him the more nervous he became. He then decided to let his heart do the talking.
“Do you remember the first time we came here?”
“Of course. It was after the party that Lexi threw for Hope at the DiMera mansion. We decided to go for a drive, and we ended up here.”
“And then I built you that snowman all by myself. Since you didn’t want to help.” He winked at her.
“Well, it was cold. And besides, it looked like you were enjoying yourself. I can still picture you holding those two icicles up to your eyes like they were teardrops.” She laughed.
“And that’s when I told you that I loved you for the first time.”
“Yeah. Hey whatever happened to that paper heart that you made. I still remember taping it together when we got back together after the Jan breakup.”
“You mean, this one?” Shawn asked, as he pulled their paper heart out of his coat pocket.
“Where did you find it? I was looking for it the other day at the loft and I couldn’t find it anywhere!”
“I took it, because I had to add something on the other side. Turn it over.”
Belle did so, and as she read the two words her eyes filled with tears. For on the other side of their ‘I Love You’ paper heart were the words ‘Will U Merry Me’.
“Shawn, I....”
“Belle, I love you. And I truly believe in my heart and soul that we’re ready for this. I can’t imagine my life without you. And I want to marry you. I want you to have my children. And want to grow old with you. So, will you marry me?”
“Yes! I don’t have to think twice about it. Yes, I will marry you Shawn Douglas Brady!” Belle said, and smiled as Shawn picked her off of the ground and started to happily spin her around in his arms.
After sitting back down on the blanket, Shawn reached into his coat pocket again and pulled out a beautiful engagement ring and placed it on Belle’s finger.
The two spent the next hour cuddled up on blanket, looking at the stars, and always thinking how LookOut Point seemed to be their special place.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Shawn!” Belle said, as she leaned up and gave him a sweet and loving kiss.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, my sweet Isabella!” Shawn replied back, and returned her loving kiss.
The End!
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