Page 110 of Until We Weren't

“Are you trying to make me cry?” Destiny took Faith’s other hand and faced her.

“No. I love you so much and this is such a big day. It’s like we’re walking into our future.”

Destiny leaned down and kissed Faith softly. “A bright future with an abundance of happy days, just like this one.”

Faith nodded. “Let's see what we created.”

“Why don’t we walk around the main building and circle over to the fountain,” Destiny suggested.

They stopped here and there to smooth soil around a plant or spread wood shavings evenly around a tree.

“I know they are still finishing out offices inside, but it’s peaceful out here,” Destiny commented.

“Just like we thought it would be.” Faith smiled. “Would you like to sit with me a moment and listen to the soothing sounds of water?”

Destiny chuckled. “Why yes, I would.”

They sat down on the bench and looked around the garden. “How did you do this?” Destiny said quietly. “We’re in the middle of a busy industrial area, but you, my love, found a way to bring stillness and much needed calm to these lucky employees.”

Faith shrugged. “I thought about how loud and stressful our jobs can be,” she said. “I imagined where we’d like to take a break when we got off a lawnmower. I realize the people working here are staring at screens at a desk, but numbers, spreadsheets, data, and information can be noisy too. The soothing sounds of water can alleviate whatever the noise is in your head.”

Destiny put her arm around Faith and pulled her close. “You are so smart and so right.”

Faith chuckled. “We have another garden to see with another way to diminish stress and it was imagined by an equally smart person.”

Destiny smiled. “Thank you. I have a little surprise for you at the rock cairn.”

Faith’s eyes widened and a strange look settled her face. “You do?”

“It’s okay, babe,” Destiny said, wrinkling her brow. “You’ll like it.”

“I’m sure I will.”

They got up and walked to the back of the main building and paused at the little shack.

“Do you think they’ll move this when they get through with all the construction?” Faith asked.

“I’m sure they will.”

“That was some night,” Faith said softly.

“It was the beginning of another chapter,” Destiny said.

“I really like this part of the story,” Faith said, leaning up and kissing Destiny.

“Me too.”

As they approached the rock garden Faith bumped her shoulder to Destiny’s. “When did you make me this surprise?”

“This morning,” Destiny said. “It’s a new design.” She stopped and looked over at Faith before they walked into the garden. “Are you sure everything is okay?”

“Everything is perfect,” Faith said. “After you.”

Destiny walked up to the rock cairn and saw the circular design she’d so carefully constructed. She smiled and started to turn around to see Faith’s reaction when she noticed something at the base of the structure.

Several small rocks were arranged on the ground to form the words Marry Me.

Destiny gasped and quickly turned around to find Faith on one knee smiling up at her. She gasped again and both hands flew to her chest and covered her heart.