ETHAN
*A church?* I frowned, staring at the old stone building, with its sturdy walls, stained-glass windows, and a tower rising above the other houses in the village.
It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. In fact, it was the complete opposite. At the very least, it was unusual, which left me slightly perplexed as we approached the entrance, making me question why she’d said I was going to like it.
“I thought you knew I’m not the religious type,” I whispered as we passed through the arched doorway, our friends right behind us.
“You don’t need to be scared. No one’s going to make you confess your sins,” she teased, trying to hide a smirk.
“I don’t know what you’re up to, but I’m pretty sure this isn’t the ideal place for it,” I whispered back.
“Behave, Morgan,” she warned, glancing around as she moved forward over the red carpet that stretched beneath our feet, flanked by wooden pews on both sides.
Her eyes sparkled with admiration as she took in every detail, while mine were fixed only on her, following her with fascination and dying to know what she had in mind.
Turning my head for a second to check on our friends, I saw Neil and Rosie had taken a seat on one of the benches near the entrance. Jason and Phillipa, on the other hand, were examining an altar in one of the corners.
Aside from our group, there were only three other visitors, sitting on some of the benches, probably locals.
Turning my attention back to Ellie, I kept following her toward the main altar. Stopping beside the first row of pews, she sat down and motioned for me to do the same.
I obeyed, still confused, but even more curious now.
“I’m not sure I get what we’re doing here,” I whispered. “Why did you say I’d like it?”
“I have a gift,” she revealed. “But first, I need you to be quiet,” she said, lacing her fingers together on her lap before closing her eyes.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you were—”
“Shhhh.” She cut me off.
Okay. I guess that was my cue to shut up. Shifting my attention away from her, I tried to focus on the details around us, resisting the urge to imagine what she might be praying for, asking for, or thanking for.
I knew she wasn’t religious. I had a vague memory of us talking about it before. Still, apparently, that didn’t mean she had no faith at all.
Considering her resilience, that wasn’t all that surprising. She’d already amazed me more than once with her ability to see the good in tough situations.
I will never forget what she told me during that trip.
*“I’d rather make mistakes and regret them than spend my whole life without really living.”*
Despite everything—even me acting like a complete asshole—she was still trying to help me, trying to convince me to try.
But I gave up. Like a coward. And now I couldn’t be more ashamed of it. All I could do now was try to make up for it every single day for the rest of our lives.
Taking my hand suddenly, she caught my attention.
“Maybe you should try,” she suggested, her blue eyes gleaming with a trace of expectation.
Squeezing her hand, I nodded and closed my eyes. I wasn’t sure what words to use, but I knew exactly what to be thankful for—and what to ask for: the woman beside me.
She was my biggest reason to be grateful, and also my greatest wish. I’d be more than thankful if someone up there could give me a hand and shorten the time she said she needed.
But if that wasn’t possible, I’d be patient. I’d wait forever, if I had to, because I already had everything I needed. She was by my side now, and that was enough.
I had every reason in the world to be thankful, ever since she came into my life. So all that was left was to thank whoever up there liked me enough to give me so many chances with her—even after I’d made so many mistakes.
“Ethan?” she whispered, making me open my eyes. “Do you need more time?”
“No. I’m done.”
“Great,” she smiled, looking proud.
“So, you mentioned a gift.”
“Yeah. I think I can give it to you now.”
“Here?”
“Yes. Right here.”
“Okay. Then I guess I don’t need to worry,” I teased.
“I told you to behave,” she scolded, turning to grab the small bag she’d left on the pew.
“Well, it’s simple, but I didn’t have a lot of options available at the moment…” she explained, making me even more curious. “But I think it’ll serve its purpose,” she continued, pulling a small black box out of the bag. “Give me your hand,” she said at last, and my furrowed brows relaxed as a smile spread across my face when I understood.
“You bought me a ring?” I said, grinning like an idiot as I offered my left hand.
Opening the box, she pulled out a ring made of silver—or some other silvery metal—engraved with intricate details and a slightly aged look. And the moment I laid eyes on it, I knew I’d never take it off once she put it on me.
“I thought doing this here might help me somehow… I don’t want you to have any doubts about how I feel. So this ring, this place… I hope you see it as a sign of my commitment.”
“You don’t have to prove anything to me.”
“But I want to,” she said, taking my hand and slipping the ring onto my finger. “I want you to hear me swear before God…” Her voice softened as she held my gaze. “That I love you, with all my heart.”
Her eyes were shining with such honesty, it was almost painful.
“Ellie…”
“I love you, Ethan Morgan, and not even all the time in the world could ever change that.”
“I know. I’m sorry for being an idiot and ever doubting it.” Cupping her face in my hands, I leaned in and kissed her forehead. “So…” I pulled back to meet her gaze again. “I guess I should swear before God too… That I’ll never let you run away again, and that I’ll wait for as long as it takes—because I love you, Ellie Brown.”
“Okay…” she smiled, taking a deep breath to hold back the tears. “I think we should stop before I run out of tears for the wedding.”
“And I think we should leave before I end up committing a sacrilege,” I teased, caressing her face and trying to resist the urge to kiss her.
“Then let’s go,” she said, biting her lip to suppress a smile and getting to her feet.
Taking her hand, I followed her toward the exit, feeling lighter and calmer, as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Looks like her plan had worked. Smart girl.
“So, do you think God will forgive your sins?” she teased the moment we stepped outside and reached the front patio.
“I don’t know…” I wrapped my arms around her from behind, pulling her against me. “But I hope He forgives me for what I’m going to do to you later,” I whispered against her ear.