Epilougue - One Year Later

Epilougue - One Year Later
Everett

I'm sitting at the kitchen table, watching Aubrey prepare pancakes for breakfast as a way to celebrate our first year living together. I hadn’t realized this was a tradition, but I’m okay with it. I have my own plans later to mark the occasion. I smile as she dances around, singing badly along to the music playing in the background. I’m more in love with her today than I was a year ago. The past year living together has been amazing—I never thought I’d be this happy. Waking up beside her, falling asleep together, and sharing dinner every night are my favorite parts. I cherish how we spend all our free time together. It’s the simplest moments with her that I love the most.

I soon realized this moment right here would be perfect. I don’t need to wait for tonight; being spontaneous is always a good thing. I stand up from the chair.

Aubrey turns her head slightly to look at me. “Where are you headed? Breakfast will be ready shortly.”

"I will be back soon. I promise," I say with a smile.

She nods and shifts her attention back to breakfast. I quickly go upstairs, open the safe, grab the small box, and tuck it into my joggers’ pocket before returning downstairs to join her. I pause at the kitchen door, frozen as nerves take hold. My palms sweat, and my heart pounds in my chest. Perhaps I am not prepared for this.

No! I can do this! I got this! I've never wanted something more. I take a few deep breaths and walk back into the kitchen. Luckily, Aubrey is busy, giving me the perfect moment. I slip my hand into my pocket, retrieve the box, and take out the ring.

I approach quietly from behind and drop to one knee, right there on the tiles of the kitchen floor. I had an entire romantic thing planned out, but this will just be as perfect. Aubrey won’t be expecting it. I don’t know if she has any suspicions, but if she has, she never said a word. The only people who know I plan on doing this today are Hugo and Erica. I spoke to them about it first. I wanted to make sure it was the right time, and it wouldn’t be too soon, scaring her off. They believed it would be fine.

Erica helped me select the ring, which was fortunate. I was close to overspending on it. I don’t mean it would have been a big struggle, but if I had, Aubrey would have killed me! I chose something beautiful within a budget that wouldn’t get me in trouble. I went with a stunning 14-carat white-gold ring featuring an oval-shaped diamond, flanked by smaller diamonds. It’s not too big, nor too small—just the right size for her.

“Aubrey.” My voice trembles as I say her name.

She turns around, appearing confused when she doesn’t see me. It takes a moment for her to look down, and as soon as her eyes find me, they widen, and her mouth drops open. She tries to speak, but no words come; only a gasp escapes her.

“Aubrey, I had a grand romantic gesture planned for tonight, but something about this moment feels right. Aubrey, I love you, and the past year living with you has been the best of my life. I am ready to take the next step, and I hope you are. All I want is to spend the rest of my life with you. You are all I need to be happy. Aubrey, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

I try to hide my nerves as I speak. I had an entire speech planned for tonight, some of which I used and some I forgot, but I said the most important things.

Aubrey gazes at me with tears streaming down her face, then a radiant smile appears on her lips. “Yes! Of course, I will marry you, Everett. I love you so much,” she whispers, tears of joy in her voice, as she extends her left hand toward me.

I instantly relax, relieved and happiness taking over me because she said yes. I slip the ring onto her finger, and it fits perfectly.

“It is beautiful, Everett,” she sobs, helping me up.

I pull her close and kiss her. “I love you so much. I can’t wait to marry you. I was worried you'd say no because it was too soon.”

Her arms wrap around my neck. “I love you too, so much. Everett, I would never have said no. If you had asked me a year ago, or even six months ago, I would have said yes without hesitation. All I want is to become your wife, sooner rather than later,” she gushes, kissing me repeatedly.

I hug her tightly to my chest. “I would marry you tonight if I could.”

“Maybe a little soon, but if we have something small, we could probably pull a wedding together within a couple of months, if that is something you want?”

I nod eagerly. “Yes, it is something I want. The only people I need there are you, Hugo, Erica, and the kids. No one else.”

“Then perfect. You and I will be husband and wife in no time. I am excited about that. I am so ready for it, for you and everything that has to come for us.”

I really do have everything I need in this world to be happy and to remain a good man. Children will make it complete somewhere down the line, but for now, I have everything I need. I want to enjoy our marriage for a bit before we think about that, maybe travel the world. We are still a good age, so there is no rush for children, but it will be in the cards.