Elsie
It is perfect, just lying here on his chest. I could do it for the rest of my life. He is all I want and need.
“Beautiful, I need you to sit up and close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.” He whispers and kisses the top of my head.

I glance up at him, “What sort of surprise?”
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” he laughs.
I giggle and shake my head. I pull away from him and sit on the blanket. Kellan sits up and tells me to close my eyes. I have no idea what he is up to, but I do as he asks.
I close my eyes and wait patiently. I hear him move around, and a part of me wants to peek to see what he is doing, but I don’t. I don’t want to ruin his surprise.
It takes a minute, and I hear him draw in a deep breath. He seems nervous. Why would he be nervous?
“Open your eyes, my love.” He whispers.

I do and go to ask why he seems nervous, but I soon see the answer for myself.
“Oh my God,” I gasp and cover my mouth.
Kellan is on one knee in front of me with a small jewellery box in his hand with a gorgeous diamond ring in it.
“Elsie, I didn’t think loving someone as much as I love you was possible. You have changed my entire life and made me a better man. I couldn’t imagine a day without you. I’ve had this ring since before we went to Paris, but I have only now found the courage to ask. I know it may seem a little soon, but it feels right. You have become my entire heart. Will you marry me, Elsie?”

He finally takes a breath after his speech. I don’t answer, not straight away, because I am in shock. I see a worried look take over his face.
“Yes! Oh my God, yes!” I squeal, tears streaming down my cheeks.
His entire face lights up, and the biggest smile grows on his lips. He takes the ring from the box and slips it onto my finger.
“I love you so damn much, and I want nothing more than to make you my wife. The mother of my children one day.”
I can see the tears well in his eyes and hear the emotion in his voice. I jump on him, kissing his lips and all over his face.
“I love you too, so much, baby. I can’t wait to marry you.” I sob.
He wraps his arms around me and hugs me tightly.
“I don’t want to ever imagine my life without you.” He whispers.
“You won’t. I promise.” I whisper back.
Our eyes meet, and he wipes the tears from my cheeks.
“I was so scared you would say no, and I was moving too fast.” He says honestly.
“I would never say no, my love. Time doesn’t matter, not if you know something is right and you are the one. You really bought this ring that long ago?” I ask.
“Yes. I was going to ask you in Paris, but I couldn’t find the courage. I have been trying to find the perfect way to ask, and today seemed like that.” He smiles and strokes my cheek.
“It wouldn’t have mattered where or when you asked, Kellan; I would have said yes because I only ever want to love you—no one else. I want to be your wife for us to have a family one day. You are it for me! The one and the love of my life. I am more than ready for the next chapter in our lives.” I gush and kiss him.
No, we haven’t been together long, and things haven’t all been easy, but none of that matters because we belong together. Nothing worth it is ever easy.
“I have never loved anyone in the way I love you. I didn’t think I had the heart to love until you came along. You know about my past and everything I have been through, yet you stayed while a lot of other people would have run. You don’t realise it, but you have put me back together again, Elsie, something I didn’t think was possible. I am finally healing because of you. You accept me for me, and I am far from perfect.”
I run my fingers through his hair and down his cheek, caressing it, “I would never turn my back on you, Kellan. You are perfect to me, Kellan. I am here every step of the way with you while you heal, my love. I know if we are together, we can get through anything. You and me, baby, always.” I reply softly and rest my forehead on his.
“You and me, always.” He whispers.
I had no idea he had been thinking about asking me to marry him for so long.
“Do you like the ring? If not, we can change it.”
“I love it. It is perfect. So beautiful.”
He smiles and kisses me softly.
“I am glad, sweetheart.” He says.
We lay back down, my head on his chest and his arm wrapped around me. I would marry him tomorrow if I could. I don’t want to wait too long, but I won’t bring it up. I want us to enjoy being engaged.
We lay in a comfortable silence, both taking in the events of the last little while.
“So, when do you want to get married? Tomorrow?” he chuckles.
I snicker and roll onto my stomach, resting my chin on his chest, “Don’t tempt me. I would happily marry you tomorrow.”
“You would?” he beams.
“Yes, without hesitation. But what are your thoughts? How long do you want to wait?”
“How about next year? It gives us time to plan and enjoy being engaged for a bit. I want you to have the perfect wedding, my love. The one you have always dreamt of.” He smiles.
“Next year sounds perfect.” I agree.
“Okay, we can look into dates when we arrive home. I am so ready for this next part of our life together. I can’t wait to call you my wife.” he grins.
“I can’t wait either. The next chapter of many, I hope.”
“Yes. You are stuck with me now, angel. Always and forever.” He says proudly and prods my nose.
“Always and forever sounds perfect.”
I am ready for forever and always with him. If someone told me the first night Kellan and I met he would be the man, I would fall in love with and marry; I would probably have laughed at them. Yet here we are, and I would change a single thing.