The Greens of Jericho

What a wonderful wrap-up of this particular day in the TAP universe, especially after dealing with Constantino's attack on Heather and his very justifiable killing in her apartment.  I like that the plans that Jake and Heather made separately dovetailed so nicely, especially after their early morning conversation and all that it seemed that was leading to. :-)  It all does my little shipper heart good!

From beginning to end, I really enjoyed this chapter.  The bouquet of flowers that Jake was smart enough to pick for Heather but then had no real opinion of when they were arranged in a vase seemed quite Jake to me.  I loved too, that he wanted to take her on a picnic because his memories of childhood picnic is that they were a chance for his family to be a family outside the confines of the mayor's office.

I love the bantering you have in here between our favorite duo.  They are definitely quite comfortable with one another and are really enjoying all that new relationship flirtiness.  Loved this part:

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"Oh, Jake! I can't wait! I'm going to run into the bedroom and get a blanket. You can't have a picnic without a blanket!" Heather replied enthusiastically. She picked up her bag and clutched it to her chest as she threw Jake a mock suspicious look, batted her eyes and said, "I'll take this with me . . . away from your prying eyes."

Jake laughed, amused by her antics. "You better hide that bag really good. When we get home, I'm going to start my own little investigation into the whereabouts of that bag."

"Oh, I'm not worried about that, Hon. I know a spot where you'll never find it." Heather replied batting her eyes one more time before turning and walking to the bedroom followed by Jake's laughter.

The walk to their picnic spot and all the other build-up to the proposal had me on the edge of my seat.  Still, in the midst of all that, I was amused by how Jake rushed Heather along.  For some reason, this just cracked me up.

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"And I love you," Jake replied before giving Heather a quick kiss. "Come on, losing light, remember?"

I was glad that Heather loved her surprise, especially after Jake spent a fair amount of time arranging it for her.  Their picnic spot sounds beautiful. :-)  I don't know that I've ever read about eating an apple before... but I'm absolutely certain that your version of eating an apple will never be topped!  That was delicious indeed!

Poor Jake, just trying to get Heather to go for a walk so he can pop the question at an even more beautiful location and all she wants to do is make out. ;-)  I'm rather impressed by his perseverance!  I was really starting to feel his frustration as Heather just wouldn't cooperate!  I'm glad he was finally able to get the words out.  A lovely, memorable proposal, indeed.

Hawkins as matchmaker was funny...  Hawkins as wine steward is also pretty good.  I laughed at this, especially Heather's easy acceptance that Hawkins can do pretty much anything.

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"My pleasure, Babe. We have wine glasses, too," Jake said before giving Heather a quick kiss and motioning to the wine glasses on the counter.

"I have to say I'm impressed. How did you ever get a bottle of wine? I haven't seen one since the attacks."

"Hawkins . . . he got us the wine glasses too."

"Well, I guess that explains it," she said matter-of-factly as she took the bottle out of Jake's hands. She studied the label for a minute, "Mmmm....Pinot Grigio. Hawkins has good taste," she added as she handed the bottle back to him.

Now, before we get to the ending of this chapter - which is absolutely wonderful - I have to comment on the loveliness of this paragraph.  I really like the self examination you allow Jake here, and well, it's such a nice, shippy paragraph, what's not to love?

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He saw possibilities with Heather that he never saw before. She had told him that he was going to be her ‘first' but she was his ‘first' in a lot of ways, too. She was the first woman he could imagine having a family with, the first woman who engaged him mind, body, and soul, the first woman who accepted him wholly, without reservations. It was the first time he saw his path to a happy and meaningful life.

Finally, the ending.  :-D  That was so wonderfully romantic, just what we've all been waiting for in this story.  I love the mix of this story, Jake and Heather working together (with Hawkins and Chavez) to investigate and bring down the Cheyenne government, along with all the romantic, relationship building parts.  Well, this ending was most outstandingly romantic.  That'll keep me going for days!