235. PROPOSAL & PUPPY

235. PROPOSAL & PUPPY
They reached a cliff overlooking the silent sea.
 To the right, jagged cliffs rose defiantly. The salty tang of the ocean lingered in the air, and the waves below crashed softly against the rocks, weaving a gentle rhythm into the night.
It was the same place Leon used to bring her when she was upset.
 Only now, it held an extra layer.
The cliff’s edge was secured with a sturdy black iron fence, tall enough to keep little hands from climbing, yet spaced just right so the endless stretch of sea could still be seen. The bars curved smoothly at the top, safe and without edges.
Zaley had thought of everything before bringing Lilly here.
 And for that, Layla loved him a little more.
 How can he be so perfect?
“Wow,” Lilly breathed, dressed now in a white cotton frock and a pink cardigan.
Zaley had learned something new today: always, always carry an extra dress for kids.
 Even though Lilly had stubbornly wanted to sleep in her birthday dress, Layla had worked her quiet magic and convinced her otherwise.
Now, here they were—standing on the cliff, in the couple’s secret spot, the place they always returned to when life grew heavy.
“Mommy,” Lilly said, eyes wide, “it’s like the sea is hiding behind a big hill and we climbed on its head.”
That made them smile.
“It’s a cliff, Lilly,” Zaley corrected gently. “We’re standing on a cliff, not a hill.”
But she wasn’t listening. Her head tilted back, eyes sparkling.
 “Look! The sky is breaking, and we can see all the stars.”
“Sky isn’t breaking, Sprinkles,” Layla said, laughing softly as she wrapped an arm around her daughter’s shoulders. “That’s just how the sky looks when there are no lights around.”
Lilly nodded solemnly. “Then let’s not use so many lights at home.”
Zaley chuckled, pulling both his girls into his arms from behind.
 Layla held onto his forearm and kissed it softly. “Why did you bring us here?”
“To rewrite our memories,” he whispered in her ear. “We used to come here when we were upset. But now… now a part of me believes we’re fine. We’re happy. We have this little bundle of joy, and I have you in my arms.”
“I’m more than happy,” Layla whispered back.
He kissed her shoulder. “Then I’ll live every damn second to make you and our Lilly more than happy for the rest of my life. Will you let me?”
Layla gasped and turned to face him.
 So did Lilly.
Zaley dropped to one knee, a small velvet box in his hand. He let out a breath.
 “I prepared a twenty-page speech for this moment,” he said with a nervous smile. “But when I look at you, Sprinkles, only one thing comes out: I love you. More than life. More than anything in this world. I want you… I need you… to let me love you, protect you, and live with you for the rest of our lives. Give me this chance, Layla. I swear, I won’t fuck it up again.”
Lilly gasped, her little hands covering her mouth.
 “Daddy said a bad word!”
"Frog it up," Zaley corrected himself.
Then her eyes widened with realisation, and she began hopping excitedly.
 “Mommy, say yes! This is the first step of marriage!”
Tears welled in Layla’s eyes as she nodded.
The ring sparkled in the moonlight, shaped like a flower.
 “It looks like a shiny flower!” Lilly squealed. “The middle is like a big star, and all the petals are tiny sparkles. And look, it even has a little leaf!”
Zaley smiled at her. “What do you think, Sprinkles? It’s a Lilly flower.”
Her gasp was louder this time. “That’s me!”
“It’s you,” Layla whispered, her voice breaking as she admired the ring.
“It’s very beautiful,” Layla said, and Zaley kissed her forehead gently.
Lilly began bouncing in circles around them, celebrating in her own little way without breaking the moment.
“Want to fire the first shot, Lilly?” Zaley asked, handing her a toy gun.
Her tiny finger pulled the trigger, and with a burst, the sky erupted in firelight, painting their night with sparks of joy.
The fireworks didn’t stop with one burst.
 One after another, colours painted the night sky, crackling into blooms of red, gold, and silver that shimmered across the sea. Lilly jumped and clapped, her laughter rising above the booming sounds. “More, more, more!” she shouted, spinning in circles as though she was trying to catch the falling lights.
Zaley pulled Layla closer, his lips brushing hers in a kiss that melted into the thunder of the fireworks above them. The world faded to just the three of them, their little family wrapped in sparks, salt air, and love that felt unshakable.
When the last trail of glitter faded, Zaley lifted Lilly into his arms, and together they made their way down the narrow path that wound toward the beach. Layla held onto his hand, her heart still racing, her eyes still shimmering from the proposal.
As their feet touched the sand, Layla froze. Lanterns dotted the shore, glowing softly like fallen stars. And beneath them, familiar faces waited, Raya, Spencer, Hari and Remi waving wildly, Kirill, Kade and Eli standing with their usual sternness but a rare smile tugging at his lips, and Kai, smiling. A table was set up with food, champagne, and even a small cake with pink icing.
“Surprise!” Raya called out, her voice carrying over the waves.
 Layla covered her mouth, stunned. Lilly squealed in delight. “They all came!”
Zaley leaned down, whispering in her ear, “Did you really think I’d ask you to marry me without witnesses?”
Layla laughed through her tears. She was already his, but in that moment, with fireworks still echoing faintly in the distance and their friends waiting with open arms, she felt like she was stepping into forever.
Raya was the first one to throw her arms around her, squeezing tight, followed quickly by Spencer.
 The trio quickly oohed and aahed over the ring, jumping and squealing in excitement. Soon Lilly wriggled free of Zaley’s arms and joined them, her little hands clapping as she became part of the circle.
Just like how it used to be. Four of them laughing, spinning, crying happy tears, their joy unrestrained. Raya’s laughter broke into sobs.
“This is the best birthday ever!” Lilly squealed, hopping up and down, her face glowing in the lantern light.
Zaley, who had been quietly watching them, smiled knowingly. He crouched down to Lilly’s level, his voice gentle but laced with mischief. “Your birthday isn’t over yet, Little Lilly. You have another surprise.”
The men who stood behind slowly stepped aside. From between them, a tiny bundle of fur padded forward. Its ears flopped with each clumsy step, and its little tail wagged so hard it nearly tipped over.
Lilly gasped so loud the sea seemed to pause with her. “Puppy!” She darted forward, falling to her knees in the sand as the puppy bounded toward her, licking her face with excited yips.
Her laughter rang out, pure and unrestrained, echoing with the waves. “This is the best surprise ever!” she shouted.