Chapter 7 - The Proposal in the Sun
Elena leaned her head against my shoulder, breathing in the crisp autumn breeze scented with fallen oak leaves and woodsmoke.
Across the sprawling green lawn, eight-year-old Lily was running through the grass with our new golden retriever puppy, Barnaby, giggling as she tossed a soft tennis ball across the meadow.
"She called you Daddy today, Lucas," Elena whispered, her eyes glistening with sweet emotion. "When she showed her art project to her class, she wrote 'My Daddy is my hero.'"
My heart swelled with an unshakeable, boundless warmth.
I reached into my suit pocket, pulling out a small black velvet box.
Elena turned, her breath catching softly as I opened the lid.
Inside rested a flawless, five-carat emerald-cut diamond ring set in polished platinum, flanked by two delicate sapphire stones matching the deep blue of the Chicago lake.
"Lucas..." Elena gasped, covering her mouth with trembling hands.
"Elena," I said, looking straight into her beautiful dark eyes with all the truth, honor, and devotion in my soul. "Eight years ago, I walked away from the only real happiness I had ever known because I thought my world was too dark for you. But you kept our daughter safe, and your daughter saved my life. I don't want an empire of shadows. I want a lifetime of love with you and Lily. Will you marry me?"
Tears of profound, overwhelming joy streamed down Elena’s cheeks.
"Yes, Lucas," Elena wept happily, throwing her arms around my neck. "Yes, a thousand times yes!"
I pulled her into a tender, passionate kiss while Lily came running up the stone steps, jumping into our arms with pure, boundless excitement.
May you like
"We're a real family now!" Lily cheered, clapping her hands.
"We always were, little bird," I smiled, lifting her onto my shoulders.
