chapter 88

My heart leapt in my chest with happiness, but at the same time, I suddenly felt anxious. Today was a big day for me. I had everything planned out to a T. So far, things were perfect. Let's just hope they stay that way.

"The bed looks really comfy." She said suggestively as she broke off the kiss.

"Hmmm... would you like to put that theory to a test?" I played along.

"Don't make me start without you." She teased with her beautiful sultry eyes.

That's it. She's awakened the beast.

Next thing she knew she was picked up and slung over my shoulder.

"Ahhhh, Adam." She cried helplessly as I navigated us towards the bed.

I managed to turn those cries into screams... which lasted all through the night.

***

"I still can't believe we didn't use the trains. You know much I enjoyed taking them the last time we were here." Sophia moaned.

We were in a taxi and I was taking her to a special location after a spectacular dinner at the Shard.

"No trains Sophia, this is much more intimate." I said, holding onto her hand lovingly. But that wasn't the real reason why I chose to take a taxi. I was almost running behind schedule and I wanted us to get to our destination as quickly as we could. Thankfully we were almost there.

"Really?" She looked at me unbelievably. "After last night, how much more intimacy do you still want?"

I chuckled at her.

"Relax Sophia, I'm taking you somewhere important and I just wanted us to be on time. We'll be there soon."

She looked out the window impatiently.

I must add that she looked absolutely stunning in her silk off-shoulder black dress. I had us go shopping earlier today at Harvey Nichols. Part of my agenda was to get her the perfect outfit for tonight. Her dress was paired with a pair of Saint Laurent heels and a bag, thanks to the personal shopper that I hired. They definitely did a good job in making her look exquisite.

"Oh my god!" She gasped. "Look, its the London Eye again! Oh please, please tell me that's where we're going."

"That's exactly where we're going my love." I confirmed, after which she launched towards me, attacking me with kisses.

"You." *kiss* "Are." *kiss* "The." *kiss* "Best."

"Come on now Sophia, the taxi cant go past Westminster bridge so we need to alight here."

She hopped out excitedly and followed my lead. I navigated us through the light crowd and found our way to the ticket stand.

Checking my watch, I saw that it was exactly 6:30pm which meant our special capsule was ready.

"How come there isn't a line of people. Last time we were here, this place was very busy, we had to get an express ticket. Plus its a weekend." Sophia asked curiously.

"I'm not sure Sophia. But for us, that means it's easier to get on." I said hopefully, trying to momentarily divert her away from her suspicions.

"Yeah, I guess." She seemed hopeful too.

After a few minutes, aspecial attendant directed us into an empty capsule, one which I had personally reserved and customised.

The moment Sophia walked in, she was met with beautifully-lit lanterns and flowers, with rose petals on the floor. Right in the middle of our capsule was a table with 2 glasses, a trug filled with ice, and a bottle of sparkling wine - non alcoholic of course. I could see that the decorations took her breath away. She clearly wasn't expecting any of it.

"Adam." She whispered. "You did this."

"Yes, I did." I nodded.

She didn't say anything. She just hugged me. And I hugged her too.

Our capsule had moved almost halfway and we hadn't said a word to each other. We just enjoyed each other's company, embracing tightly as we took in the viewed of the well-lit city.

This very moment was nostalgic. Memories flooded as I relived the same exact experience that I had with Sophia just a couple months ago. The energy in the atmosphere was indescribable. And I know Sophia could feel it too.

"This is where it all began." She said softly, looking outside at the beautiful view.

"Indeed." I responded from behind her. She was rubbing my arms that were currently encircled around her waist.

"We had our first kiss right here." She recalled.

"Mhm... In this very capsule." I kissed the exposed skin at her shoulder.

"Wow, I can't believe you actually got us back into the exact same one. How many strings did you have to pull to achieve this." She chuckled.

"Hey! I'm more influential than you think. I've got a lot of friends in high places."

We both laughed momentarily before settling into comforting silence once again.

We'd soon reached the top of the Eye and I suddenly felt nervous.

Fuck.

I'd managed to keep myself composed all day but now that the moment was finally here, I felt like I was no longer in control of any of my five senses.

"That night..." Sophia started, bringing me back from my thoughts. "... what made you kiss me?"

"I don't know, Sophia." I hugged her closer to my chest. "All I know is I had been meaning to do so for a long long time and... I guess that was just the right moment."

"Well, I'm glad you did." She said.

I took a deep breath and let go of her momentarily. I took two steps backwards and reached into the pocket of my suit. With shaky hands, I pulled out a tiny box which contained the most expensive thing I had ever bought for a woman.

"Me too." I said.

This was it. I got down on one knee behind her.

"Adam..." She whined. "Come back. I feel so cold and lonely without you."

"Sophia." I called out to her.

Finally, she turned around and gasped when she saw me on my knee with the little black box in my hands.

"Sophia. That night, I kissed you because you'd pierced my soul. For months I was half agony, half hope. I harboured such precious feelings for you and I needed to express them. I needed to let them loose. Just like a butterfly hatching from its cocoon, I wanted to be able to fly... with you."

My speech came out wholeheartedly and sincerely. I had one prepared but I abandoned it last minute and just spoke from my gut. At this point Sophia had covered her mouth, with tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"I never wanted to fall in love. I didn't believe that I ever would. But I knew I was in trouble that very day when you walked into my office... You alone have brought me so much happiness. For you alone, I have thought and planned. I mean, look at all of this." I gestured around us and she laughed.

"I want to give myself to you completely, with a heart even more yours than when you broke it countlessly over the last couple of months." I joked again.

She didn't laugh this time, she just shook her head regrettably and mouthed those words "I'm sorry" to me.

"Sophia, I have never loved anyone as much as I currently love you. Will you please marry me, and spend the rest of your life with me, our unborn child, and any other future children we may have?"

I finally opened the box, revealing an dashing 18ct diamond ring. I know Sophia wouldn't want anything too flashy or expensive so I went for a moderately-priced ring. This only cost about $60, 000.

"Yes, Adam. I will marry you." She said softly. "I'll marry you because I love you very much too!" She launched herself into my arms, laughing and crying at the same time.

"Thank you my love." I said as she pulled back.

I slipped the ring on her finger and was relived to see that it fit perfectly. I had stolen a ring from her dresser and had it measured so I could get the appropriate size.

I stood up on my two feet and kissed my soon-to-be wife thoroughly. Just as planned, beautiful fireworks began to go off outside of the capsule.

"Oh my!" Sophia jumped at first but she soon relaxed once she realized that it was all part of my elaborate proposal.

We watched the display for a few minutes before it came to an end.

"This is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me." She said tearfully. "I'm so glad that I met you. I'm so glad that you fell in love with me. I'm so glad that I'm having your child. You don't understand, I'm so glad that it's you."

I wiped the tears from her eyes with my hands and looked down at her intense dark eyes. "I promise you Sophia, my love for you will last forever."

"Forever sounds perfect." She smiled.

Forever with her was absolutely all that I could ever want or need...