Daisy took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. They made their way out to the backyard, the cool night air sending a shiver down Daisy’s spine.
“We have no music,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her.
She snapped her fingers and a sweet melody floated on the air.
He chuckled. “You are one amazing witch.”
“Don’t forget it,” she snarked.
Roarke laughed, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around. “Never,” he replied, his voice filled with passion.
He set her down gently, his hands lingering on her waist. Daisy looked up at him, her heart full to bursting with love and happiness. She knew that there would be challenges ahead as protecting Whispering Pines was a never-ending task. But with Roarke by her side, she felt like anything was possible.
As they stood there, gazing up at the stars, Roarke cleared his throat. Daisy glanced at him, surprised to see a nervousness in his eyes that she’d never seen before.
“Daisy,” he began, his voice low and serious. “There’s something I need to say.”
She felt her heart begin to race, a fluttering sensation in her stomach. “What is it?” she asked softly.
Roarke took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving hers. “When I first came to Whispering Pines, I was lost,” he said, his words measured and sincere. “I didn’t know who I was or where I belonged. But then I met you, and everything changed.”
He reached out, taking her hands in his. “You showed me what it means to be part of a community, to have a family. You taught me how to open my heart and let others in. And somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you.”
Tears well up in her eyes, her vision blurring. She blinked them away, not wanting to miss a single moment of this.
“I know I’m not perfect,” Roarke continued, his voice rough with emotion. “I know I have a lot to learn about being a good partner, a good friend, a good member of this town. But I want to try, Daisy. I want to build a life with you here in Whispering Pines.”
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. Daisy’s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest.
“Daisy Bloom,” Roarke said, sinking down onto one knee. “Will you marry me?”
He opened the box, revealing a stunning emerald ring that glittered in the moonlight. Daisy gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
“Yes,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. “Yes, yes, yes!”
Roarke’s face split into a grin, his eyes shining with joy and relief. He slipped the ring onto her finger, the cool metal a perfect fit. Daisy stared down at it, marveling at the way it caught the light.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, looking up at Roarke with wonder in her eyes.
He smiled, pulling her into his arms. “Just like you,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
They stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other’s embrace, the magical dome shimmering above them like a promise of all the adventures to come.
As they made their way back inside, hand in hand, Daisy felt a sense of peace wash over her. There would be challenges ahead; building a life together wouldn’t always be easy.
They checked on Asher one last time, both of them smiling at the sight of the sleeping
baby, his tiny face peaceful and serene. As they tiptoed out of the nursery, Daisy turned to Roarke, a mischievous glint in her eye.
“You know,” she said, keeping her voice low, “we should probably celebrate our engagement. And I have the perfect idea.”
Roarke raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Oh? And what might that be?”
Daisy grinned, taking his hand and leading him toward the front door. “Let’s take a walk through town,” she suggested, her voice filled with excitement. “I want to see Whispering Pines through your eyes, to experience it the way you do.”
“What about the baby?”
“He can come too.”