Page 108 of Shadows of Recovery

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Late that night,the soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains of Sophie and Tristan's bedroom. The room was quiet, save for the gentle sounds of the summer night outside. They lay in bed together, wrapped in each other's arms, feeling the peace and contentment that had finally settled over their lives.

"Sophie," Tristan whispered tenderly, "I love you so much. You are a shooting star in my night sky."

Sophie looked into his eyes, her heart swelling with love. "Tristan, I love you too."

He took a deep breath and reached over to the nightstand, pulling out a small velvet box. He opened it to reveal an exquisite emerald-cut diamond set in a gold band. The diamond sparkled brilliantly, capturing the light and reflecting it in a thousand tiny prisms.

"Marry me," Tristan said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sophie's eyes filled with tears of joy. She took his face in her hands, her heart overflowing with love. "Tristan, you are a pea in my pod." She smiled warmly and reached beneath her pillow, pulling out a ring box of her own.

He looked at her, surprised and curious. She opened the box to reveal a beautifully crafted men’s engagement ring. It was a thick, sturdy band made of platinum, with a subtle pattern of interlocking vines etched into the surface. At its center was a small but perfectly cut emerald, symbolizing their journey and the strength of their love.

They both slid the rings onto each other's fingers, their hearts racing with happiness and excitement. The rings fit perfectly, just as they fit perfectly in each other's lives.

"I can’t believe you had this planned," Tristan said, his voice filled with awe.

Sophie’s eyes sparkled with mischief and love. "I’ve been waiting for the right moment. And this feels like it."

Tristan leaned in, capturing her lips in a sweet, passionate kiss. They melted into each other, the world outside fading away as they expressed their love in the most intimate way. Their bodies moved in perfect harmony, each touch and kiss a testament to the deep connection they shared.

As they made love, the night was filled with the sounds of their whispered promises and shared breaths, a symphony of love that would carry them into the future.

When they finally lay in each other's arms, spent and blissfully happy, Tristan pressed a kiss to Sophie’s forehead. "We’re going to have an amazing life together.”

She snuggled closer, her heart filled with a sense of peace and belonging. "Yes, we are," she agreed, knowing that no matter what trials lay ahead, they would face them together.

As they drifted off to sleep, their rings gleaming softly in the moonlight, they knew this was just the beginning of their beautiful journey together.

The End