* Ten *

                                                                                 Skylar

As I stood by my bedroom window, the waning light of the day poured through the glass, giving a warm glow on the room. The colors of the dying sun graced the landscape outside, painting the sky in a stunning pallet of oranges, pinks, and purples.

The drapes flowed gently in the air, creating a ballet of shadows and light on the walls. Rose and I rested against the window sill, transfixed by the spectacle unfolding in front of us.The sun, like a blazing ball of fire, dropped lower in the sky, sending long, beautiful shadows across the landscape. The rooftops and trees became silhouettes against the painted backdrop, lending depth and intrigue to the image.

As I watched the natural beauty from the comfort of my own sanctuary with the woman I adore, I felt a sense of appreciation welling up inside of me. A sensation of calm and peace flooded over me as the warmth of the waning sunshine swept over me.

The sun decorated the sky with its last brilliant strokes as it touched the horizon. The evening had come, and the hues had deepened into rich, velvety purples and blues. As the sky grew darker, stars started to glimmer as if the magic of the setting sun had awoken them.

I stood by the window for a while to take in the last rays of sunlight and let the beauty of the scene etch itself into my memories. I carried the essence of the sunset within me as the world changed from day to night, serving as a reminder of the stunning, ever-changing beauties that nature bestows upon us.

With a satisfied sigh, I drew the curtains, biding farewell to the grandeur beyond. The room was now bathed in the soft glow of a new evening, and as I fell into the embrace of my sanctuary, my girlfriend and I eventually found ourselves in the peacefulness of my bedroom. As we stood facing each other, our eyes caught in a dance of need, the air was charged with a mix of expectation and want.

I gently stroked a strand of hair away from her face, admiring the way her eyes shone with devotion. The weight of our unspoken wants hung in the air, pushing us closer as if drawn by an overwhelming force.

As we hugged, the warmth of our touch created an entrancing rhythm as our bodies melted into one another. Initially soft, exploratory, and tender, our kisses quickly became more intense and sparked a passionate fire that devoured us both.

Time stopped in the room, which was transformed into a sacred space, and the outer world lost all meaning. Because we intuitively understood each other's needs and desires, our bodies moved in one. Every caress and touch was an orchestra of adoration and pleasure.

The vulnerability we exposed while we stripped only strengthened our bond. Our bodies were revealed, a magnificent demonstration of our acceptance and love for one another just as we were, and a symbol of the trust we had gained.

Our bed evolved into a haven for us, a place where our souls connected and transcended the material world. We reverently probed each other's bodies, finding joy in the soft curves and secret recesses that were just ours to explore.

A symphony of words, revealing our deepest desires and declarations of love, filled the air with whispers of admiration and inspiration. We left a path of ecstasy in our wake, writing love letters on each other's skin with every contact.

In those blissful moments, time became elastic, expanding to fit our desires. Our bodies' rhythm mirrored the ebb and flow of our passion, reaching crescendos of ecstasy before settling into soothing gentleness.

Following that, as we lay entangled, our bodies soaked in a delicate sheen of sweat, our hearts beat in unison. The room was infused with a deep sense of intimacy, a hallowed sanctuary where our souls had merged, leaving an indelible trace on the fabric of our love.

In that quiet embrace, we reveled in the afterglow of our union, knowing that our love had transcended physical pleasure. It was a celebration of the deep connection we shared, a testament to the beauty of love in all its forms.

                                                                            Capello

                                                                            Thabo

I was supposed to propose, not give her a necklace. I'm a moron.Now or never. The small, lighted setting was ideal for our romantic meal for two. As the soothing tunes of a live pianist filled the air, the soft glow of flickering candles produced a pleasant, romantic ambiance. In the background, Alicia Keys's song "Unthinkable" played. The evening's suspense hung softly between us, a mixture of excitement and affection.

It was as if time slowed down as we sat across from each other, our eyes locked in a passionate glance. The conversation moved along smoothly, punctuated by light laughs and shared stories. The exquisite aroma of our meals floated from the plates, tantalizing our senses and heightening our excitement for the evening.

The bond between us became stronger with each passing second, the love and affection we shared filling the space around us. Our bond grew stronger with each word, each glance, and it became clear that this evening meant more than just a usual date night.

Feeling the anticipation build, I mustered up the courage to make a simple request.

Thabo: Babe can u excuse me? ( my voice betraying me with sight waver in my voice) I just need to use the restroom for a moment.

Kate: Okay babe. ( she smiled).

I excused myself from the table, a mixture of relief and fear washing over me as I proceeded to the restroom. I mentally rehearsed the words I would say with each step, ready to show my love and dedication in the most emotional way imaginable. I took a deep breath inside the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face to settle my racing thoughts. I gazed in the mirror at myself, reflecting on the intensity of my feelings and the significance of the forthcoming event. Doubts and doubts persisted.

Doubts and insecurities played about in the corners of my head while I meticulously prepared every detail of the proposal. "What if she says no?" and "Am I ready for this?" ran through my mind, threatening to drown out the thrill and ecstasy that should have devoured me.

I found myself pacing back and forth, practicing the words I would say in the hopes that they would reflect the intensity of my emotions. My anxiety got the best of me every time I practiced, causing my voice to quiver and my heart to rush.

Questions whirled about in my head like a hurricane. Was I actually prepared to make the commitment? Could I be the right partner for her? I believe I know the answer. The weight of the moment pressed down on me, forming beads of sweat on my brow.

The terror of the unknown overtook me as I imagined the scene in my thoughts. Will she be taken aback? Would she have the same reaction I did? Shivers ran down my spine at the prospect of pouring my heart out only to be met with uncertainty or rejection.

Despite my uncertainties and anxieties, love burned like a constant flame in my heart. The times we had spent together, the memories we had made, reminded me of the depth of our bond. Deep down, I knew this was a risk worth taking, that the love we had fostered was worth the risk.

In the closing seconds before the proposal, I tried to calm my pounding heart and the rushing thoughts that threatened to overwhelm me. I reminded myself of why I fell in love with her, how her laughter lightened even the darkest days, and how the warmth of her touch could heal any wound.

I took a deep breath and moved toward her, my hands quivering with fear and excitement. All of my concerns and uncertainties vanished in that moment, replaced with a drive to express my love and devotion.

My voice quivered as I poured out my emotions into her eyes, the words flowing out in a flood of emotion. I revealed my concerns, hopes, and undying loyalty. Each syllable held the weight of my love, and I felt the strength of our tie becoming stronger with each passing instant.

In the midst of my muddled thoughts, her eyes gleamed with astonishment and affection. Time appeared to stand still as she listened intently, her look a mix of astonishment and expectation. It was at that time that I realized, regardless of the outcome, I had taken the risk that love demanded.My heart began to race and my hands were slightly clammy. I reached inside my pocket, my fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the ring box, a symbol of my unwavering dedication and affection.

When I looked into her eyes, I saw a mix of surprise, joy, and eagerness. It was a split second in time when everything else melted away and it was just the two of us, linked by an unbreakable bond. In low tones, I said those four words that had so much weight and significance: "Will you marry me?" The room appeared to hold its breath as I opened the ring box to unveil the sign of my love, waiting for her response.

"Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!" she exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes as she nodded, her voice overflowing with emotion. As our pleasure spread throughout the room, the room erupted in applause and joyful celebration.

I put the ring on her finger with shaking hands to symbolize the commitment and vow we had made to one another. The nearby customers participated in our joy, filling the space with smiles and congratulations. The universe seemed to have come together to see and celebrate the love we shared at that very moment.

We hugged, feeling the gravity of the situation and the depth of our love as if we were in a world of our own. It was a night that would live on in our memories forever, the start of a new chapter that was full of shared hopes, love, and limitless possibilities.

We realized that our journey together had advanced to a new level of depth and commitment as we hugged each other firmly, enveloped in the love and happiness of the moment. Dinner for two had changed into a celebration of love and the lovely future we would build together for the evening.