Chapter 137 The Balcony Lights

Chapter 137 The Balcony Lights
Alexander spent three days acting like he wasn’t nervous. He fooled almost everyone.

Victoria wasn’t one of them.

Neither was Catherine.

And definitely not Leo, who came in Friday afternoon, spotted the flowers on the counter, and said, “Something suspicious is happening.”

Alexander glanced up from wrestling with a tangle of string lights. “That’s a strong accusation.”

Leo narrowed his eyes just like Elena did when she could smell secrets. “Why are there flowers?”

“Because flowers exist.”

“That’s not an answer.”

Victoria snorted from the balcony doorway.

Alexander shot her a look. “You’re not helping.”

She grinned. “I’m enjoying this, thanks.”

The apartment felt different already. Not in a dramatic, whole-new-world way just softer. The balcony doors were propped open, letting in evening air while Victoria fussed with candles on the little table outside.

Alexander had spent the morning cleaning out there. Not because he had to. He just needed something to keep his hands busy.

He’d switched out the lights. Moved a few chairs. Bought warmer blankets because Elena always got cold, even though she’d never admit it until she was shivering.

Little things. Details only someone who’d been paying attention would notice.

Leo drifted closer to the balcony. “Is it Christmas again?”

Victoria muffled a laugh. “No.”

“Then why are there lights?”

Alexander didn’t even look up from the knot of tiny wires. “Because your mother likes them.”

That answered it for Leo. “Oh.” Pause. “Can I help?”

Finally, Alexander let himself smile. “Yeah. Come here.”

Leo took it seriously holding one end of the lights and launching into a one-sided conversation about dinosaur feelings. “Mrs. Chen says dinosaurs probably had feelings.”

Victoria glanced over. “Very important information.”

“I know,” Leo said solemnly. “Scientists ignored emotions for years.”

Alexander almost laughed.

Leo kept up his running commentary about dinosaur arms and truth while helping arrange things on the table.

Victoria shook her head, but she looked quietly pleased.

The light in the apartment kept shifting. Candles, soft lamps, music playing low enough that it felt accidental. Nothing showy. Just… comfortable. Like something Elena could breathe inside, not feel trapped by.

Victoria eventually stood back, studying the setup with one eyebrow raised. “You’re lucky she loves you.”

“That sounds threatening.”

“This would look very suspicious otherwise.”

Alexander glanced outside. The city glowed in the evening. Little table near the railing. Flowers. Flickering candles. And weirdly—he still felt like it wasn’t enough.

Not because of the effort. Because of what was coming next.

Victoria caught him staring. “You’re spiraling.”

“I’m thinking.”

“Same thing.”

He scrubbed a hand down his face. “What if she panics?”

“She won’t.”

“What if I panic?”

“That’s more likely.”

He gave her a look.

Victoria softened a little. “She loves you, Alex.”

That shut him up. Not because it made the nerves vanish, but because hearing it felt alarmingly real.

Leo, meanwhile, was climbing into a chair backward. “Are we eating dinner out here?”

“Yes.”

“Fancy dinner?”

“Kind of.”

“Can I still eat fries?”

Alexander looked at him, as if this part mattered most. “I would never take fries away from you.”

“Good.”

Victoria stifled another laugh.

Then her phone buzzed.

She glanced at it. “Mom is asking for updates.”

“Not happening.”

“She’s emotionally invested.”

“She’s emotionally terrifying.”

Victoria texted anyway.

Alexander groaned. “You promised not to tell everyone.”

“I told immediate family.”

“That’s everyone.”

“Correct.”

By six-thirty, everything was ready.

Leo had changed into what he called “too responsible” clothes. Victoria grabbed her bag and moved toward the door.

“Okay. I’m leaving before she gets here.”

Alexander looked up. “Wait—what? You’re leaving?”

“Yes.”

“I thought you were staying for dinner.”

She stared at him.

“You want your sister here while you propose?”

“...Fair point.”

“Exactly.”

Leo frowned. “Where are you going?”

“To Grandma’s.”

“Why?”

She smirked. “Because your father’s about to lose it.”

Alexander sighed. “I regret everything.”

“You’ll survive.”

She paused by the door, her tone softer now. “She’s going to say yes.”

That got him right where he couldn’t defend it.

He looked away. “…I know.”

Victoria smiled and left.

The door clicked shut. Leo watched his dad. “You’re weird today.”

“That’s fair.”

Leo seemed satisfied, shrugged, and went back to his business.

The apartment got quieter.

Outside, the city darkened by degrees.

Alexander checked the clock then forced himself to stop.

Leo flopped onto the couch, watching dinosaurs stomp around the TV, occasionally interrupting with, “Do adults always breathe this loud?”

Absolutely no help.

Alexander fiddled with a candle on the balcony that didn’t need fixing. His phone buzzed. Mom. Then Dad. Then Victoria.

Has she arrived yet?
Don’t faint.
Call IMMEDIATELY after.

Alexander stared in disbelief, then muted the entire family thread.

For a moment, peace. Until someone rattled keys in the front door.

Leo sat straight up. “Mom’s home.”

Alexander’s heart kicked hard in his chest.

The door opened. The apartment was dim.

Elena stepped inside and paused at the threshold. “…Hello?”

No answer—yet.

She frowned and fished in her bag for her phone. Switched on the flashlight and swept it across the room.

"Elena", Alexander called quietly from the balcony. Light from the candles and the city outside spilled in behind him.

She turned toward his voice, still puzzled. “Why are the lights off?”

“Come here.”

She took her time walking, heels softer than usual against the floor, her face shifting from confusion to curiosity. She stopped in the doorway.

Candlelight danced on the balcony. Warm lights curled around the railing. The city spread out like a velvet backdrop. And there was Alexander, looking more nervous than she’d seen him in ages.

Elena blinked, took in the scene. “…What did you do?”

Leo piped up from the couch. “We decorated.”

Alexander closed his eyes.

Elena laughed, a little surprised. “You helped?”

“I supervised.”

“That’s more accurate.”

Alexander stepped closer. “Elena.”

Something in his voice made her look at him and really see him then and she realized. All the jokes faded. What settled instead was quiet and a little bit of awe.

He reached for her hand. She let him.

“You’ve had a long day,” he said softly.

She searched his face. “…Alexander.”

“I know.”

The world outside kept humming, but the apartment went still.

Leo was quiet for once, watching.

And Alexander looked at Elena like she was the whole reason for all of this. He tried to find words he’d practiced; they all slipped out of reach except for honesty.

His thumb moved softly over her fingers. “You know, I spent years thinking love was supposed to be hard.”

Her eyes melted just a little.

“With you…” He tried for a smile. “Even the hard parts are the ones I still want.”

Something in her face changed softened and glimmered.

He took a breath. Reached into his pocket. Pulled out the ring box, and time got heavy for a second.

Elena’s eyes followed, and the world froze—not silent, not really, because Leo was whispering “OH” in the background, but stilled the way it does when something real is about to happen.

Alexander met her eyes. Whatever words he’d practiced, he abandoned. It felt better like that.

“Elena…” Her hand squeezed his.

This was it. Always her.

He opened the box. Diamond, simple and clean. Exactly right.

She breathed in sharply, no soundtrack just a small, amazed breath.

“I know things weren’t always easy,” he said, quiet but steady. “Most of the time, it was chaos.”

A short, watery laugh from her. “That’s true.”

“We pushed and fought.”

“We did.”

“I pushed too hard sometimes.”

“You did.”

He just nodded. “I know.”

No excuses just facts.

“But you stayed anyway,” he said.

That landed between them. Heavy, true.

She looked away, searched for her words, then found his eyes. “I didn’t stay because it was easy.”

“I know.”

“You made me furious, sometimes.”

“That feels low.”

She almost smiled. “You were unbearable.”

“Occasionally.”

“Often.”

He couldn’t help it he grinned.

God, there she was. That same old Elena.

“But every version of my life that makes sense,” Alexander said quietly, “has you in it.”

That stripped the smile from her, left only feeling.

Leo, absorbed and cross-legged on the floor now, watched with owl-wide eyes.

Alexander barely noticed him now. The world kept shrinking to Elena and this moment.

“I don’t need perfect,” he said. “I just need you—all the pieces. The tired version. Stubborn. The one who forgets to rest and acts fine when she’s not.”

Tears threatened in her eyes.

He pressed on, voice nearly gone. “You made this a family again. Before I even knew how much I wanted that.”

That broke something gentle in her.

He took one last step closer. Close enough to hear her breathing hitch.

“I love our life,” he admitted. “Even when it’s a mess. Even when we’re fighting. You’re what makes coming home the best part of my day.”

She laughed, shaky and teary now. “You rehearsed this.”

“A little.”

“I can tell.”

“I forgot most of it.”

She smiled through the emotion. “That’s probably for the best.”

He nodded.

And finally finally he asked, “Elena, will you marry me?”

No fireworks. No music. Just a moment stretching out, so loud in its quiet you could barely breathe.

She looked at him the ring, the man saw how completely he was hers. Then she laughed, tiny and shaky, nearly sobbing.

“Oh my god,” she whispered.

Alexander’s heart stopped. That sounded dangerously undecided. “Elena—”

“Yes.”

He froze.

She laughed again, messy and teary now. “Yes, Alexander.”

Relief smashed through him. He nearly dropped to the floor.

At the same time, Leo launched up. “SHE SAID YES?!”

Elena started to laugh for real then, tears and all, and Alexander finally let himself laugh too.

“Yes,” he managed.

Leo hit their arms at a sprint. “WE’RE GETTING MARRIED?!”

Alexander stood up, Elena nodding, caught in the moment.

“Yes.”

Leo gasped, genuinely delighted like this was history in the making. “I HAVE TO TELL EVERYONE.”

“You really don’t—” Too late.

Leo already had Alexander’s phone. “HOW DO I CALL GRANDMA?!”

Alexander looked at Elena. “Stop your son.”

Elena wiped her eyes, laughing still. “Our son,” she corrected. Traitor.

He managed to grab Leo before he could video-call the family. “Wait, two minutes.”

“They’re waiting!”

Alexander and Elena paused, as if remembering yeah, other people existed. “They knew?” Elena asked.

Alexander looked guilty. “Some people knew.”

“How many?”

“Define ‘many’?”

She narrowed her eyes, still crying and laughing. “Alexander.”

“Mom threatened me if I left her out.”

“That’s believable.”

Leo wiggled. “Can I tell them now?”

Elena nodded. “Yes.”

That was all he needed. Leo started the call like he was detonating a confetti cannon.

The family answered fast.

Victoria first.

Catherine, smile the second she saw Elena.

Richard in the background, trying to look casual but failing.

Leo yelled, “SHE SAID YES!”

Catherine broke down in laugg. Victoria laughed so hard she covered her face. Richard actually smiled.

Elena looked at everyone, a little horrified, a little overwhelmed.

“You were really all waiting?”

Victoria pointed accusingly. “Your fiancé made us wait for forty minutes.”

Elena’s eyes slid to Alexander. “…Fiancé.”

That word hung between them.

Alexander watched her say it. Warmth spread right through him. His fiancée.

That was new. And it felt right.

Catherine, sniffling in the camera, “I knew she’d say yes.”

Richard grumbled, “Obviously she said yes.”

Victoria leaned in. “Did he cry?”

“I did not,” Alexander said instantly.

Elena murmured, “You looked like you would.”

Total betrayal.

Leo climbed into Elena’s lap. “Does this mean cake?”

Alexander blinked. “That’s your takeaway?”

“Marriage always has cake.”

Honestly—solid logic.

Elena smiled, hugging Leo to her side, gaze meeting Alexander’s again.

The balcony lights glowed behind him. Candle flames. The city stretching forever.

Suddenly, the future felt different. Not far away anymore. Right here, within reach.

Messy. Warm. Alive. The kind of future they built, not realizing when it became permanent.

When the excitement finally faded, Alexander moved to her, hand slipping around her waist.

“You okay?” he asked softly.

She looked up, eyes still wet but shining.

“Yeah,” she whispered.

And, quieter yet:

“I think I’ve been okay for a long time now.”