Chapter 8 - The Question on the Terrace
That evening, after tucking Maisie and Rosie into their beds—now decorated with fairy lights, canopy drapes, and shelves of colorful storybooks—Elise and I walked out onto the expansive stone terrace overlooking Lake Michigan.
The city lights sparkled across the water like a blanket of diamonds under a clear, starry sky. A gentle, fragrant breeze rustled through the terrace hydrangeas.
Elise leaned against the stone balustrade, holding a glass of sparkling cider, looking out at the peaceful horizon.
"They went to sleep in five minutes tonight, Dominic," Elise murmured softly, her voice full of sweet contentment. "No bad dreams. No waking up."
"Because they know their mother's spirit is watching over them," I said gently, standing beside her. "And because they have you."
Elise turned, looking at me with soft, searching eyes. "I never thought my life could feel this peaceful, Dominic. After my father died, I thought I was doomed to spend my whole life running in the dark."
"You don't have to run anymore, Elise," I said, stepping closer and taking her hands into mine. "You gave my daughters their smiles back. You taught me how to live again. You brought love into a home that was drowning in grief."
I reached into my suit pocket, pulling out a small velvet box.
I dropped to one knee on the stone terrace beneath the starlit sky.
Elise gasped softly, her hands flying to her mouth as tears of wonder welled in her eyes.
I opened the box, revealing a flawless, five-carat oval-cut diamond ring set in rose gold, flanked by two delicate pink sapphires representing Maisie and Rosie.
"Elise Navarro," I said, my voice thick with raw, honest devotion. "You danced in the dark to save my daughters' hearts, and you captured mine forever. Will you marry me? Will you be my wife, their mother, and the queen of my life for all eternity?"
Tears of boundless joy spilled down Elise’s cheeks.
"Yes, Dominic!" she wept happily, throwing her arms around my neck as I stood. "Yes, a thousand times yes!"
I pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss beneath the glowing stars, holding her tight against my heart.
From the French doors behind us, two small heads poked out into the night.
Maisie and Rosie, wearing their matching flannel pajamas, began clapping and jumping up and down on the rug.
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"Yay! Elise is going to be our Mommy forever!" Rosie cheered.
I scooped both girls into my arms, pulling Elise into our embrace, our laughter echoing across the lake in unified, unbreakable joy.
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