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The Contract

Popping The Question

Luke's P.O.V.

I told Dani I was doing something for press, but in reality, I'm just trying to make everything perfect for tonight. I rushed over to Ile D’Aix to make sure our afternoon picnic and swim was set up.
"Luke!" Vanessa called out.
"Ness! What are you doing here?"
"This idea needed a woman's touch." she smiled, she was glowing.
"So Rob sent you to make sure I was doing this?"
She just smiled, "So are you popping the question here?"
"No... I'll keep that a secret. I am 'popping the question' tonight." I blushed.
"Oh Lukey." she chuckled, "You're all grown up."
"Not even close." I laughed.
"I always thought it'd be you and Arz."
"So did she." I laughed again.
Ness smiled, "I'm glad it's not her."
"Me too. That was very toxic, and we both did some wrong."
"Including the girl you want to marry." she laughed, I blushed. "I'm proud of you. And I really like Danielle."
"Thank you, Ness. It means a lot."
"I'm really sorry for starting this back in Vegas."
"Don't be. It is by far the best thing that has ever happened to me. Can't say 5SOS didn't suffer a bit with this strange hiatus we didn't even know we're on."
She smiled, "Trust me, it won't hurt your fame at all. You getting married though..."
"Hey! They love Dani."
"Because she loves you."
I smiled.
"I'll let you keep 'adding a woman's touch', I have one more stop."
"Wait! Luke..."
"Yeah?"

Dani's P.O.V.

I heard a faint knock at the door. I checked the peep hole and quickly swung the door open.
"Ryan!"
"Dani! I've missed you!"
"Where have you been?"
"Around the world with the love of my life."
"How is Vanessa? Compliments to her breakfast gift the other morning."
"She's.. Well, I'll get to it. Are you engaged yet?"
"No.. I'm not really sure Luke wants to go through with it."
"I'm positive he does."
"Rae is engaged."
"She is! She called me the other day, probably after you." He chuckled.
"Probably." I smiled back. "What brings you here?"
"Vanessa, of course."
"Popping the question?"
"No. I do have news though..."
"Oh?"
"I wanted to tell you before anyone else."
"Well... What is it?"
"Please, don't be mad. I couldn't handle it, I already feel awful."
"Ryan! Oh my god."
"Vanessa is pregnant."
"Congratulations." I smiled, I can't say it was real, but I smiled.
"What?"
"Congrats, I'm happy for you. You're going to be a great dad."
"Really?"
"Really Ry. I had no question about it when it was almost me. I'm glad it's with Ness and you guys are happy. Seriously."
"What about--"
"About my loss? Can you just take a congrats, I'm fine. It'll happen for Luke and I eventually."
"Thank you, Dani."
"Dibs on being the favorite aunt."
"Absolutely." He smiled, pulling me in for a hug.

Luke's P.O.V.

"You're..."
"Yeah."
"Congrats! You are going to be the best mom."
"Thank you, Luke. I'm sorry to tell you right after--"
"It's really okay. Our time will come. You enjoy this, it's going to be amazing."
"It really is. You and Dani are the first to know."
"Dani knows?"
"I assume Ryan is telling her right now."
"Ah. Well, we have to be the favorite aunt and uncle, because the baby will have far too many."
"Deal." she smiled.
"I should really get going, I have a fiance to get."
I hurried off the beach to the final stop of our night. Amour in Annecy. The bridge, and walkway to it, were being covered in pink roses and candles.
"Mr. Hemmings! Everything is coming along smoothly."
"Perfect, we should be here around sunset."
"Lovely, we'll have the orchestra ready."
"Thank you for everything."
"Anytime sir."

Dani's P.O.V.

"Before I go, I'm supposed to deliver this."
Ryan pulled out a single pink rose with a note.
"If you're a bird, I'm a bird. Be ready by noon. -Luke"
"A Notebook reference?" Ryan asked.
"We're going to the ocean." I smiled, jumping off the bed. "Sorry to rush, but a girl's gotta get perfect."
"No worries. Good luck." Ry smiled, giving me a hug, then leaving.
I quickly changed and waited for Luke.

Luke's P.O.V.

I snuck into the room to hear Dani singing along to Death of a Bachelor. Fitting.
"Luke! You scared me."
"Sorry, love. Ready?" I asked, kissing her sweetly.
"Ready." She smiled, taking my hand.
We took a stroll to the sidewalk, then got a taxi to the beach.

***

"Luke this is beautiful."
I smiled, "Hungry?"
"Starving." she smiled, plopping down on the picnic blanket.
I pulled out some pb & j's, chips, and fruit.
"Whoa, Hemmings, you know how to put a picnic together?"
"Don't give me all the credit." He smiled, nodding to security.
"Lucas! Do you ever do anything on your own?" she chuckled.
"Maybe." I smiled.

Dani's P.O.V.

After Luke fed me grapes, as I leaned back enjoying the sun.
"You're a princess."
"Your princess." I smiled.
"Queen, really." he chuckled.
"How about we get in the water Hemmo?"
"Willingly or...?"
"Don't even think about it."
"I already did!" He jumped up, sweeping me in his arms.
"Luke! No!"
"Oh yeah!"
He spun us around a few times before plunging us into the water.
"Luke Robert Hemmings! You are a dead man!"
I chased him around the beach, but every time he let me catch up he would pick me up, tickle me, kiss me, then throw me into the water.
"You're not putting up much fight." Luke smiled, biting his lip and pulling his curls out of his face.
"I'm over it." I laughed, stomping out of the water.
"Would you like to see the second part of today? Sore loser." he smirked.
"Fine." I said, crossing my arms and gathering our things.
"Quick pit stop for an outfit change." Luke spoke.
"Is this not good enough?"
"I never said that, you're beautiful in everything." he smiled, kissing my cheek.
"Fineeeee. You win... Again." I sighed.
As we pulled up to the hotel and went in, Luke went a separate way then I did. I just don't understand that boy sometimes. I opened the door to find another single pink rose laid atop of a beautiful outfit. This note read 'I found a love for me, darling just dive right in and follow my lead. Sunset at Amour in Annecy. Laters baby.' I chuckled at his 50 Shades reference.
I had a little bit of time before sunset so I made sure to make the most of this outfit.
I made my way downstairs to find a car waiting.
"Ms. Henderson." the driver spoke, opening the door.
"Thank you."
A short while later, just as the sun began to set, we pulled up to a beautiful park covered in trees and lights. As I stepped out of the car I saw candles and pink roses lining the pathway to a bridge, where Luke stood in a tux, with guitar in his hand. Small speakers along the way let me hear Luke's serenade.
"Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms. Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song, when you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath, but you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight."
As he continued to sing 'Perfect' and I continued to walk towards him my eyes swelled with tears. Is this what I think it is?

Luke's P.O.V.

As the car pulled up and Dani got out, my nerves went crazy. This is it; this is the moment. I could feel my voice shaking as I sang to her. I haven't felt this nervous since my first show with the boys. I could see her trying to secretly wipe away her tears, I smiled. She met me right at the end of the song.
"What is all this?" She smiled, tears still in her eyes.
"Pont des Amours. 'Venice of the Alps'. Legend has it that after one kiss on this bridge you will remain together for life. Which is why I chose here... For this." I knelt down on one knee. "Danielle Henderson, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm not saying it's going to be easy; it's going to be hard. We're going to have to work at it everyday, but I want to do that. I want all of you, everyday, forever. I want to wake up to you every day I can, kiss you every chance I get, make you happy when you're sad, annoy you every moment I get, and love you like you have never been loved before. You're the type of girl I've always written songs about. You are my biggest inspiration; my best friend. Marry me?" I finished, opening up the ring box.
Her hands covered her face and she had been crying for the last few sentences. She nodded, but hand no words. I slowly stood up.
"Is that a yes?" I smiled.
She nodded again, "Yes!" she jumped into my arms.
I kissed her passionately as I set her down gently. She held her left hand out and I placed the ring on her finger.
"I love you." she spoke.
"I love you too, Danielle."