[ fight to the death; ]

Emma hated to admit that she was shocked and at a temporary loss of words. She knew that one day she would want to get married to him, but today, all she was expecting was her to just tell him, and they would live their days the same, plus an extra person in their family. But, he really wanted to marry her, and he had been planning it for two weeks. A small gasp escaped her lips as she listened to the words falling out of his mouth, and she practically fell off the bed in an attempt to hug him as quickly as possible. “Of course I’ll marry you, Noah,” Emma said into his ear, her arms wrapped around his neck. ”I love you,” 

Noah chuckled when he wrapped his arms around her and realized that he was actually crying now. He didn’t do that often. At least not from happiness. It had been mostly heartbreak in his lifetime. He hugged her back, only pulling away to kiss her, “I love you too, Em,” He replied as he pulled away from the kiss momentarily and then kissed her again and again. He didn’t think he’d ever been this happy in his entire life, “Gods, I love you so much and I’m gonna love this baby just as much,” He said, placing a hand on her stomach, “I love you.”

Seeing his face light up made Emma feel much better about it all. Her worried expression disappeared and it was replaced with a large smile. Her grip on his hand becoming slightly tighter as she was finally able to look him in the eyes. “I love you too, Noah,” Emma said, she noticed that saying these words were much, much easier to say than telling him that she was pregnant. “Wait- what? You’re not just asking because I’m pregnant, are you? You don’t have marry me just because we’re having a child, you know,” 

“Crap,” Noah said. This was when he realized pulling out the ring would have been a good thing to do, “No, of course not. I mean, it’s perfect timing but, Emma, I’ve wanted to marry you since we got back together again. There’s no one I’d rather spend the rest of my life with,” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the box, “But I bought this two weeks ago, I was going to ask you tonight, at midnight when the last firework went off but now seems like a good time as any,” Moving off the bed, Noah got down on one knee, moving her hand so the palm was up and placing the now opened ring box in it. He still held onto the bottom of her hand as he asked, “Emma Reed, I want to keep on loving you for the rest of my life, will you make me the happiest gods damn demigod alive and marry me?”

Emma sat there waiting for his reaction, and when she heard it, Emma seriously regretted not planning out how she was going to tell him in advance- of course, it probably wouldn’t have helped much, she would probably still panic and spill it out anyway. Emma hated his reaction, she was expecting him to be shocked, but she wasn’t expecting him to not be able to form complete sentences. “I took the test three times, I’m sure,” Emma answered, trying to keep herself calm and collected as she spoke. “Why? Do you not want it?” She asked. In all honesty, Emma was already starting to get used to the idea of having a child in their lives, and she didn’t know what she would do if the answer to her question was yes. 

Noah suddenly really regretted his reaction. He should have been overjoyed straight away. Instead, his surprise had given the indication that he didn’t want to have a child with her. He shook his head violently, “No, no- I mean, yes, I want it. No as in I don’t not want it. Oh my gods,” He suddenly realized that his eyes were filling with tears and he grinned, “I want to have this baby with you, Em. You know I do, I love you,” He paused, suddenly realizing that he still had a question to ask her, “I love you, I have for... what? Ten years now? And before that I loved you because you were my best friend, you still are and I’ve always loved you. So... umm marry me?” He realized later that now would have been the moment to pull out the ring so she knew this wasn’t a proposal just because of the baby but he was caught up in the moment and still holding on her hand so he forgot to pull out the ring.

Emma used those few seconds to figure out at least a baseline of how she could tell him. He was right, there was nothing that she couldn’t tell him, and there was nothing that he couldn’t tell her- so why was it so hard for her to tell him? Emma followed him into the tent and sat next to him. “I’m pregnant,” Emma spoke after a few seconds of silence, her small bit of planning of how she was going tell him flying right out the window. 

Noah really wasn’t sure what he had been expecting but it certainly wasn’t that. He was silent for what felt like an eternity but it was only a few seconds. His eyes widened and let out a long breath after realizing he’d been holding it, “You’re... Oh, wow. Gods,” He paused. It was a horrible reaction. He’d always wanted to be a father but he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. He glanced at the ground and then back up at her, “You’re sure?” It probably sounded like he didn’t want it but if he was going to be happy about this he didn’t want to get his hopes up and then be disappointed.

“I’m glad they’re good,” She said, Emma didn’t think she was as close to Noah’s siblings than she was to anyone else, but she couldn’t deny that eventually, she had grown to enjoy their company and was honestly interested in what they were doing and how they were. Sometimes, Emma hated just how much Noah knew her, there was little to nothing that she could get away with. Emma wished that she was better at acting, at hiding things. There was no way that she would completely not tell him but she just wanted a bit more time to think about exactly how to tell him. “I-” She started, trying to look anywhere other than directly into his eyes, Emma hoped it would make it easier for her and her nerves to tell him, “I need to tell you something,” 

Noah was beyond worried now. He didn’t understand how her whole behavior could have changed in the few hours that he’d been seeing his siblings, nieces and nephews and old friends. She seemed fine on the way up. What could have changed? Noah took her hand and led her to the bed in the tent, where he sat them both down, “Whatever it is, you can tell me, Em. You know you can,” He said reassuringly. But his mind suddenly wandered to the last time he remembered her behaving like this. She had broken up with him. But surely that wasn’t the case this time.

Though Morgan didn’t rally care for romance, it seemed to be different with her brother. “Really?” She asked, excitedly. “That’s so sweet! Can I see the ring?”

Noah grinned wider and opened the box, “I think I’m gonna ask her just as the last firework goes off. They end around midnight, which I think is the perfect time because of how we started,” He glanced down at the ring.

“I’ll treasure it,” she smirked. Noah was the only sibling that Morgan actually kept in touch with after she left camp, so the news would be quite important if she had to wait to physically see him to find it out. “I’m listening.”

“As you should,” Noah replied with a grin. He then looked around to make sure Emma wasn’t around before pulling the velvet box out of his pocket, “I’m gonna propose during the fireworks.”

Emma tried to smile when she saw Noah, and was able to manage a small one, despite her nerves. When he moved to kiss her, Emma was quick to kiss him back, even if it was just a quick one. “Oh? How are they?” She wondered, honestly interested, but trying to keep the attention off herself. “What?” Emma asked, trying to keep herself in check to not make him worried- it didn’t seem to be working. “Nothings wrong, I’m fine.” She lied, trying to make the smile on her face larger to make him believe in what she was saying. 

Noah nodded, “They’re good,” He decided to be vague with his answer. She no doubt knew how Caleb was doing and Morgan was... well Morgan and their conversation was something that he couldn’t talk about. Not yet anyway, Brushing a piece of hair out of her face, Noah gave Emma a knowing look, “I know when you’re lying, Em. Something is wrong, let me help,” He’d seen a similar look before. One time being when they broke up all those years ago and a few other times hen they got back together again. So he knew that it was either bad news or she was afraid to tell him something, “What is it?”

Noah was more than right and he laughed before shaking his head. “We’re going to find out next week. I’m nervous.” he admitted, having worried about April even more when she got pregnant again. With the complications from Joseph’s birth, he had hardly left her side. “I know, Ares kids are the least cheesy of everyone.” he grinned before raising a brow at his brother. “Shoot.”

Noah clapped his brother on the shoulder, “It’ll all be okay, Caleb,” He hadn’t been around for all of the trouble with the last pregnancy but he was a little bit and he had been at the hospital when Joseph was born. It had been hard for all of them but especially for April and Caleb, for obvious reasons, “Well, if she says yes...” He paused, “When she says yes,” He had to be hopeful right? “I was hoping that you’d be my best man.”

“April will tell you it was both of us.” He grinned cheekily as his eyes brightened. “December. Christmas baby hopefully. They’ll be a good present for all of us.” he said before raising a brow and eagerly taking the box to study the ring. He was impressed. “Is that so? Didn’t think you were the sentimental sort, Noah. Coming home and doing it.” he joked with a sincere grin. “I’m happy for both of you.”

“Since your wife is rarely ever wrong, I’m gonna take her word for it,” Noah replied with a wicked grin, “Do you not know the sex of the baby yet? Is it supposed to be some kind of surprise or something?” He asked curiously. They hadn’t really spoken about this baby yet. He smiled sheepishly, “I wanted it to mean something but I also don’t want it to be too cheesy. Neither of us are the sort, you know?” He nodded, taking the box back after another moment and slipping it into his pocket, “Thanks,” Noah paused, “Can I ask you a question?”

“It’s something we both can do with her. She’s been begging to see you ever since Christmas.” He chuckled and he grinned at his brother’s words. He was happy that they were and he was happy that Noah had his life together again. “When are you going to finally propose to the girl?”

“Was it her begging to see me or you, bro?” Noah joked and elbowed him playfully, “It sounds like a plan. I’d love to see and Joseph more. When’s my next niece of nephew due?” Noah asked. He raised an eyebrow at his question and then scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, “Well umm...” He pulled the velvet box out of his pocket and held it out for him to see, “Today, actually.”

[ @noah–cross ]

After talking to Caleb and Morgan about the engagement ring he was carrying around in his pocket, Noah decided to go find Emma herself. He had plans to ask her when the fireworks went off that night but he still wanted to find her. He hadn’t seen her since they’d arrived. When he did, he couldn’t help but grin. He had been lucky to have had her for all these years. He had changed a lot. They both had. However, the grin faded when he noticed her mannerisms. She was acting more nervous than usual, she was a little fidgety and her arms were wrapped around her. When Noah reached her, he leaned down to place a quick kiss on her lips and then furrowed his brow, “I was talking to some of my siblings. What’s wrong?” He didn’t even paused in between points. He was now slightly overcome with worry. Had something happened in the few hours they’d been here?

“If you would have told me, I would have. Rori could use some help with training from her favorite uncle. We’ll have to start coming back more. How have you been, Noah?”

“Nah, you know I’m only kidding. I had it handled. You had bundles of trouble of your own anyway,” He replied gesturing to his kids. Noah grinned, “I’d be honored but isn’t that something you’d want to do with her?” He shrugged, “Everything’s been great. Life’s great. I’m great. Emma’s great,” His hand moved to his pocket and patted it gently to make sure the box was still there.

Caleb couldn’t help but chuckle as he watched his daughter run around with the other kids. It was nice and he was glad they were back for the Fourth of July. “I never imagined coming back here after so long.”

Noah walked up to stand beside his brother and nodded in agreement, “You should have. I could have used some help training new campers.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever say this again but I’m glad you haven’t changed,” Noah replied with a chuckle, “I don’t have a husband who’s rich as fuck but I have some big news.”

“Ah, I didn’t think about that!” Morgan said, as she rushed to hide the many packets of cigarettes sprawn on her bed. “Oh, I will keep telling myself that– someone has to.”

“Brother knows best, right?” Noah joked, glancing over at his bunk to make sure none of his cigarettes were out, “I suppose you have a point since no one else will.”

Caleb tried to muster up a scowl but with how much his head was hurting, he didn’t think he could. “Noah. Wait.”

"Are you gonna argue about why you don’t need to go to the infirmary or is this actually serious?”