Page 120 of A Simple Reminder

My tears spill freely now, my heart clenching so tightly it’s almost painful. I remember Antoine at Lucas and Leora’s wedding, the way his face lit up when he spoke about his late wife. His voice had been filled with so much love, reverence, and longing. He said their love was eternal, that even death couldn’t take it away. Antoine’s words weren’t just about the past; they were about a love so powerful it shaped Liam’s idea of forever. And now, here he is, offering me the same promise.

This isn’t just a ring; it’s his heart, his dreams, his everything. And in this moment, I realize that it’s mine too.

“I love you, Sophie. I’ve loved you for ten years, and I’ll love you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”

For a moment, I can’t speak, my throat too tight with emotion. But then the words burst out of me, unrestrained and filled with certainty.

“Yes,” I gasp, nodding frantically. “Yes, yes, yes!”

He laughs, his face breaking into a radiant smile that could outshine the city below.

I grab his face, pulling him into a kiss that feels like the culmination of every unsaid word, every missed moment. His hands cradle my face, holding me close as the gondola sways gently around us.

When we finally pull apart, he takes the placeholder ring off my finger, slipping his own in its place. The cool weight of it feels perfect—like it was always meant to be there.

He leans back slightly, a glint in his eye. Then, before I can stop him, he stands and moves to the edge of the gondola.

“SHE SAID YES!” he shouts.

Cheers and whistles rise from below, strangers celebrating our moment. I laugh through my tears, my cheeks aching from smiling so much.

As the gondola begins its descent, I lean into him, my hand resting over his heart. It’s pounding just as fast as mine, a rhythm that matches the wild beat of my own. He feels it, too, because he tilts his head down, pressing a tender kiss to the crown of my head. His lips brush my hair as he murmurs, “I can finally say you’re truly mine, Sunshine.”

I sink further into him, letting his steady presence anchor me in a way nothing else ever has. “I was always yours.”

It’s funny how I’ve been driven by goals my whole life, each one like a stepping stone I had to conquer to prove something—mostly to myself. But no matter how many milestones I reached, I never felt like enough. I’d always push forward to the next one, barely pausing to celebrate the wins, big or small. Because somewhere deep down, I didn’t believe I deserved to.

But now, with Liam, everything feels different. I think about how he’s always been the one to remind me to pause, breathe, and recognize my worth. He doesn’t just celebrate my victories; he celebrates me. He’s the one who’s taught me that being present in the moment is just as important as chasing the next dream.

The fluttering wings that once hesitated inside me have finally taken flight, carried by his love and belief in me. I think about how much he’s changed my life—not by making me someone else, but by helping me see the person I’ve always been.

And now, I know why every other moment felt incomplete—because this one was waiting for me. The biggest and happiest goal I’ve ever reached so far in my life is Liam. For the first time, the goals ahead don’t feel like a challenge to conquer—they feel like a future I’m excited to share. With him.

I make a silent promise to myself: this one I’m celebrating—and every single one after this. Fully. Completely. Because this isn’t just a fleeting moment; it’s the beginning of a forever I never thought I’d be lucky enough to have. A forever with him.

FOURTY-SEVEN

LIAM

FOUR MONTHS LATER

Fireworks explode across the night sky, streaks of blue, gold, and red lighting up the darkness like the world’s most expensive kaleidoscope. The music hums in the background, mingling with laughter and the occasional clink of glasses. Sophie’s hand is in mine, warm and steady, like an anchor amidst the chaos.

I glance at her because, let’s face it, I can’t help myself. She’s watching the fireworks, her head tilted back, eyes wide, and her lips parted in awe. The colors play across her face, but it’s her smile that floors me. It’s radiant, pure—like she’s completely unaware of the chaos she’s unleashed in my heart. Fireworks have nothing on her. They try, but they’re losing this battle spectacularly.

When she turns to me, that smile still playing on her lips and her blue eyes shining with a happiness so vivid it makes my chest ache, I can’t stop myself. ”I love you,” I say, the words coming out steady, unshakable.

“I love you too.”

I lean down and kiss her. She tastes like champagne and something sweeter—something I’d like to say is mine.

When I pull back, my voice drops, low and just for her. “You did this.”

She shakes her head, her expression soft, her hand tightening around mine. “We did this,” she whispers, her voice laced with pride.

Before I can respond, a well-known figure walks into the room, his presence commanding attention as heads subtly turn to look. I spot him immediately, and a smug smile curls on my lips as I nudge Sophie.

“Don’t freak out,” I whisper in her ear.

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