I’m not sure how long we spend like that, with Felix cheering me on as I root through the piles of clothes. It’s so much fun, and I feel like it brings us closer.
But that’s not saying much. With Felix, everything brings us closer.
Finally, I find it buried in a pile in the corner.
Tears well in my eyes, even if it’s a silly little thing. But it’s so sweet he remembered and made an effort to do this.
“It’s perfect,” I whisper, trailing my fingers over the fabric, the wildlife scenes hand stitched. “Wait…there’s a pocket. And there’s something in here.”
“I love you, Fiona.”
I gasp. I didn’t realize he’d walked so close to me.
Turning, I find him looming over me, his chest heaving, his eyes fixed.
“I loved you the first moment I saw you. I know how this will sound, but I loved you when we exchanged our first texts. I couldn’t love you more. Everything you do, everything you are, everything you’re going to be…I love. I love you right down to your core.”
“I love you too,” I whisper, feeling like I’m in a fairytale, the dress making even more sense now.
“That’s why I wanted to give you this.”
“The dress?”
He smiles softly, with twin notes of something else in his eyes, as though he’s afraid I might say no.
As if I ever could.
Is it possible I’ve got it wrong?
I can’t believe it. We said I love you.
Finally!
“No… this.” He reaches into the dress’s pocket, taking out a ring box, and then my world tips over as he drops to one knee and stares up at me. “Fiona Smith. You are the kindest, funniest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I can’t wait to start a family together. I can’t wait to be together, now and always. I love you so, so much.”
Tears slide down my cheeks, cutting warm paths. I’m sobbing and waving my hands at my face as though that will stop the crying. “I…love…you…too….”
He opens the ring box, the diamond glistening up at me, full and elegant at the same time. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I scream, then I leap at him.
He laughs and catches me, falling back and cradling me in his arms. We roll over in the bundles of clothes until finally, he gets hold of my finger and slips the ring on.
I lean against his chest, smiling down at him, his answering smile made hazy with my tears.
“I love you,” I whisper. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“I love you, mystery girl.”
He leans in, those sparks return, and we kiss. We kiss deep and long and hard.
We kiss like people who are never going to let go.
THREE WEEKS LATER
Felix
I cycle down the street, whistling as the music plays in my headphones. It’s a Saturday morning, everything bright and hopeful, everything feeling good.
But then, that’s not saying much these days.
After proposing to the woman of my dreams – I was so nervous, so relieved when she said yes – my mother told us that her latest treatment has met with promising results. She’s not out of the danger zone, but there’s a chance now, more than there ever was.
And, to top it off, Rachel and Sebastian have announced they’re in a relationship.
I grin as I turn the corner, whizzing down the cycle lane. I’m getting a quick morning ride in before spending the afternoon with my woman.
We’re planning our wedding, and I love every minute of it.
I know some men say they’re not keen on the whole process, but I love how involved Fiona gets, especially when we start talking about what we’re going to wear. Her entire face lights up, with those blushing cheeks that drew me to her, to begin with.
I didn’t know life could be this good, this untarnished with darkness. Since Fiona’s been living with me, I’ve slept better than I ever have, as if the nightmares know better than to visit.
Fiona’s the only person who could have done this to me, to us.
She’s the best person I’ve ever met.
My love for her swells every second, a never-ending reserve of it, a fountain that will never stop bursting.
I turn another corner, heading back to our apartment building, when I get a text alert through my headphones.
I pull onto the side of the road, slamming the brakes. It could be urgent business or Sebastian with news of my mother. Fiona was sleeping when I left, so I doubt it’s her.
But it is.
And her text makes my heart hammer.
Are you far away? I need you
I’m right outside
I bike the rest of the way, skidding to a stop outside the building. I wave to the security guard, almost sprinting across the lobby as I rush up the steps.
I can’t think what it would be, but each option seems grimmer than the last, each possibility filling me with darkness.