Chapter 22
“Comeon,Mia,”Maxsaid as he gently took my hand, leading me up a path adorned with twinkling fairy lights and petals from delicate flowers. The scent of roses filled the air, mingling with the sea breeze that carried the soft melodies of a guitar playing in the distance. My heart raced in anticipation, knowing that something magical would happen at the Pebble Point lighthouse.
“Max, this is absolutely enchanting!” I exclaimed, my voice filled with wonder. The fairy-tale atmosphere wrapped around us like a warm embrace, and I could hardly wait to see what awaited us at the end of the path.
As we drew closer, I spotted the source of the enchantingly romantic music. The guitar player from Casa D’Oliva, where we had our first ‘not-date,’ stood by a pale pink arbor of fairy lights and flowers. The notes floated through the air, creating an enchanting backdrop. He glanced up from his instrument and flashed me a knowing smile, giving me a subtle wink.
“Wow, I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” I whispered to Max, squeezing his hand.
“Neither have I,” Max replied softly, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.
Max led me through the illuminated arbor to the base of the majestic lighthouse. Its soft glow enveloped us, casting a warm radiance over our faces. Max took a deep breath, pausing for a moment before turning to face me. His eyes glistened with emotion as he began to speak.
“Mia,” he said, his voice thick with tenderness, “in the short time we’ve known each other, you’ve transformed my world in ways I never imagined. You’re like a ray of sunshine, bringing warmth and life to everything you touch.”
I felt tears welling up in my eyes, touched by Max’s vulnerability. This strong, authoritative man, whom I’d always admired for his steadiness and sense of duty, was now opening up to me in a way I’d never seen before. The setting made the moment even more emotional, leaving me at a loss for words.
“Max,” I whispered, my voice quivering with emotion, “you do not know how much your words mean to me. I never expected to find someone like you.”
We stood there, hand in hand, the lighthouse towering above us, a symbol of our newfound connection. As the night sky sparkled with stars and the waves crashed against the shore below, I knew that there was something extraordinary between us—a love story that transcended time and space, bringing two seemingly opposite souls together as one.
The melody of crashing waves and the hum of the lighthouse machinery created a symphony around us. Max’s hand slipped into his pocket, and my heart raced in anticipation. He pulled out a small, beautifully crafted red satin box, and I could hardly breathe.
“Max, what is this?” I asked, my voice barely audible.
He dropped to one knee, his deep brown eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation. “Mia,” he began, his voice choked with emotion, “from the moment you entered my life, you brought color back to my black-and-white world. You’ve not only been a beacon for Lucy and Logan but for me as well.”
My heart filled with love, and I couldn’t help but recall our park picnics with Lucy and Logan, the laughter surrounding us as we went through life’s adventures.
“Max, I...” Words eluded me, overwhelmed by the depth of emotions swirling within.
“Shh,” Max whispered, placing a finger on my lips. “I have something important to ask you.”
The box opened with a soft click, revealing a stunning diamond ring that sparkled under the fairy lights. Max’s voice trembled as he continued, “I’ve realized life is too short to let love pass by. I want to spend every moment I have left cherishing you. Mia, will you marry me?”
My heart threatened to burst out of my chest as I gazed at the beautiful symbol of his love. A gust of wind swept across the cliffside, causing my hair to flutter around my face and the fairy lights to twinkle even brighter. Time stood still as I processed Max’s proposal’s magnitude and promised future.
“Max,” I whispered, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts. The lighthouse’s glow evoked memories of our happy times - joy, laughter, and Max’s loving gaze.
“Is this happening?” I asked him, my voice shaking with emotion.
He offered me a gentle, reassuring smile. “It is, Mia. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Chapter 23
AsIstaredintohis eyes, the depth of my love for him grew stronger. He was the one who had taught me the true meaning of happiness and partnership. At that moment, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to share the rest of my life with this incredible man.
“Max,” I said, my voice barely audible against the sound of the crashing waves, “I would be honored to marry you.”
“Really?” Max’s eyes lit up with joy and relief, making my heart swell even more.
“Absolutely,” I whispered, tears filling my eyes as the reality of our commitment settled in. “Yes, a thousand times, yes!”
Max stood up, slipping the sparkling diamond ring onto my finger. It felt right, like a perfect fit. We passionately embraced, our hearts soaring with love and happiness. The lighthouse stood tall and sentinel behind us, symbolizing the guiding light that we would be to one another.
“Thank you, Mia,” Max murmured into my ear, his voice thick with emotion. “For saying yes and making me the happiest man alive.”
“Thank you for being you,” I replied.