Page 76 of The Spark

My hand flew to my mouth and tears blurred my vision. I turned to Amir, and that’s when I saw it.

The ring box in his hand.

My chest locked tight as I saw him to drop to one knee in front of me. "Amaya."

His deep voice saying my name so low, almost reverent, filled with so much love it made my chest ache.

He took my hand, his thumb smoothing over my knuckles.

"I’ve loved you my whole life. Even when I was too young and dumb to admit it. Even when I was too scared to claim it. Even when I thought I didn’t deserve you."

My breath hitched.

"But I’m done wasting time. I’m done running from what I’ve always known. You—us—it was always supposed to be this way."

Tears slipped down my cheeks.

"I want forever with you. I want mornings and nights, laughter and love, fights and making up. I want to be yours in every way that matters."

He flipped open the box.

The ring… a radiant-cut diamond, set in platinum— simple yet stunning. Timeless.

"Say yes, baby. Say yes to us. Say yes to forever."

My voice broke as I whispered?—

"Yes. Yes, Amir. Forever."

A choked exhale left him before he stood, sliding the ring onto my finger, his hands trembling.

Then kissed me. Deep. Hard. Unapologetic.

The moment we pulled apart, cheers erupted.

Our families stepped into view—our mothers wiping tears, our fathers nodding in approval, our friends smirking.

Taraj raised his glass, smirking like he had known all along.

And maybe he had.

Because this was always meant to be.

A Year Later

The familiar chime of the record store bell rang as we stepped inside, the scent of aged vinyl and nostalgia wrapping around us like an embrace.

It had been months since we last came here, but stepping inside felt like coming home.

Amir’s hand rested on my belly, his palm spreading wide, protective, possessive. Our baby kicked beneath his touch, and my husband—God, I still loved saying that—grinned.

"That’s my girl," he murmured, rubbing slow circles, his deep voice soaked in love.

"Could be a boy," I teased, arching a brow.

"Nah, she’s got your fire,” He smirked, leaning down to kiss my temple, whispering against my skin, "and I already know she’s gonna have me wrapped around her finger.”

I laughed, shoving him lightly before stepping further inside.

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