Forever begin

Fiona's POV

Soft piano notes floated through the elegant space like a gentle caress, while warm candlelight flickered across the white tablecloth between us. It was magical and breathtakingly beautiful.

Almost as if Jalen had orchestrated every single detail with the kind of care that made my heart ache in the best possible way.

He had been unusually quiet throughout dinner, though we still laughed over cherished old memories, reminisced about the steamy moments in school days, his demanding company, my growing passion for painting, and even teased Paris for her relentless efforts after all the storms we had weathered together. But beneath that familiar, charming smile of his, I could sense the depth of his emotions simmering just below the surface.

He was nervous, and it was obvious.

I had never seen Jalen like this—so vulnerable and raw. He sat across from me with a quiet intensity that made my pulse race.

As dessert arrived, he set his spoon down with gentleness and looked at me with an expression I couldn’t quite understand.

“Can I ask you something?” he said softly.

I smiled, my heart already sensing the weight of the moment.

“You’ve been wanting to ask me something all evening.”

He chuckled, the sound low and warm, but laced with that unmistakable nervousness.

“Am I that obvious?”

“A little,” I whispered, my voice tender.

He reached across the table and took my hand in his. The warmth of his fingers wrapped around mine like a haven, instantly soothing the anxious butterflies swirling inside me. His eyes locked onto mine with sincerity.

“How would you feel if I asked you to marry me?”

He paused, swallowing hard, his thumb brushing gently over my knuckles.

Everything inside me came to a sudden, shattering halt.

My heartbeat, breathing, even the world around me seemed to freeze.

I stared at him, stunned.

“What?” I asked, and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“You heard me.”

“I… I don’t think I did,” I breathed, my voice barely audible.

He laughed quietly, the sound full of affection, before repeating himself with gentle patience.

“I asked how you’d feel if I proposed to you.”

I blinked several times, my mind reeling. Was he joking? No, his eyes were too sincere. I looked down at our joined hands, suddenly unable to hold his gaze as overwhelming emotion surged through me. For several long, trembling seconds, I couldn’t find my voice. When it finally came, it was a fragile whisper.

“I’d be so happy.”

His eyes softened with profound tenderness. I smiled through the sudden rush of tears gathering in my eyes.

“I’ve imagined being your wife more times than I’d like to admit,” I added, and a quiet, shared laugh escaped us both, warm and intimate.

“But I’m scared.”

He kept stroking the back of my hand with his thumb, steady and reassuring.

“What are you afraid of, Bunny?”

“My dad,” I whispered, my throat tightening. “I know he accepted us… but marriage is different. I can’t bear the thought of tearing our family apart after everything we’ve fought to rebuild.”

The fear I had been carrying all evening silently finally spilled out. Jalen squeezed my hand tighter, his gaze never wavering.

“Bunny…” he called, his voice so gentle it wrapped around my heart like a warm embrace. “I spoke to your father and asked for his blessings”

My head lifted instantly, eyes wide with disbelief.

“He already approved,” Jalen continued, his voice thick with emotion. “He told me that if I truly want this… then I should do things the right way.”

“Really? He never mentioned that to me.”

He chuckled and raised his spoon to my mouth. “Here, finish up your dessert, I have a surprise for you,” he added.

We finished our dessert slowly, the conversation flowing lighter as if the air between us had cleansed. When dinner ended, Jalen stood and offered me his hand with a soft, knowing smile.

“Come with me.”

“Where?” I asked, curiosity replacing the last traces of my nervousness inside me.

“You’ll see.” He added and led me through the restaurant toward a private balcony overlooking the city. The evening breeze kissed my face, cool and refreshing.

“It looks so beautiful,” I whispered in awe.

“It does,” he murmured. But when I turned toward him, he wasn’t looking at the city. He was looking at me—with a familiar look that made my soul tremble. Before I could speak—

**Boom!**

A burst of fireworks exploded across the night sky, painting the darkness in breathtaking colors. My eyes widened in pure wonder as another followed, then another. The entire skyline came alive with dazzling light and magic.

“Oh my God…” I laughed in pure amazement. “Did you ask for this?”

He smiled, his eyes never leaving my face. Just when I thought that was all, something else caught my eye—a private jet gliding in the air with a long banner trailing behind it, growing clearer with every second.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I read the words written on it.

**WILL YOU MARRY ME?**

I gasped loudly, hands flying to my mouth in shock. I instinctively turned to Jalen, but he was no longer standing beside me. He was down on one knee, his eyes shining with unshed tears that mirrored my own. Time stood completely still for a second as I stood watching him.

A small velvet box rested in his hand. He opened it with care, revealing the most breathtaking emerald engagement ring I had ever seen. The deep green stone caught the exploding fireworks above, like a piece of my soul made visible.

“Fiona Harry,” he began, his voice trembling with raw emotion.

“The day I met you, I thought you would change my life. I never imagined you would *become* my life,” Fresh tears blurred my vision as his words wrapped around my heart.

“You taught me what love really feels like—real, deep, unbreakable love,” he drew in a shaky breath. “You stayed beside me when the entire world wanted us apart. You forgave me when I didn’t deserve it. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve hurt you. I’ve failed you but if you’ll give me the privilege… I promise to spend every single day of the rest of my life making you smile more than I ever made you cry.”

My heart completely melted, overflowing with love.

“I promise to protect you. I promise to respect you. I promise to love you fiercely, gently, and completely—every single day for the rest of our lives. So… Fiona, my bunny, my everything… Will you marry me?”

I couldn’t stop crying. Joy, relief, and overwhelming love poured out of me as I nodded again and again.

“Yes,” I sobbed. “Yes. Yes!” I laughed through the tears. “I’ll marry you!”

The restaurant erupted into thunderous applause and cheers from every direction where the chefs and waiters stood, Jalen’s hands trembling as he slipped the exquisite emerald ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had always belonged there.

He rose and pulled me into the tightest, most heartfelt embrace imaginable. His arms wrapped around me like they never wanted to let go.

“I love you,” he whispered against my hair, voice thick with emotion.

“I love you too,” I replied, burying my face in his chest.

He leaned down and kissed me—softly, full of promise and forever. It wasn’t rushed or fiery. It was a sacred vow sealed with lips and tears and love.

When he finally pulled apart, we smiled so wide our cheeks ached with pure happiness.

After a few minutes, we left the restaurant. The entire drive home felt like a beautiful dream. Every few minutes, I glanced down at the emerald ring, needing to reassure myself it was real.

Jalen noticed and chuckled warmly.

“You’ve looked at it at least fifty times.”

I laughed, glowing with joy. “I’m making sure it’s real.

“Oh, it’s real,” he said softly, reaching over to squeeze my hand.

By the time we arrived at my parents’ house, I was practically radiating happiness. Dad opened the front door before we could even knock. His eyes moved from my tear-streaked, joyful face to Jalen, and finally to the sparkling ring on my finger.

A slow, deeply emotional smile spread across his face.

“So…” he said, folding his arms playfully, though his voice was thick with feeling, “I take it she said yes?”

I laughed and threw myself into his arms. “Dad!”

He hugged me tightly, his embrace full of fatherly love and pride. “I’m so happy for you, princess. You deserve every bit of this joy.”

When we pulled apart, he turned to Jalen. The two men stood facing each other for a long, meaningful moment. Then Dad extended his hand. Jalen took it firmly, their handshake strong and full of mutual respect.

“Take good care of her,” Dad said, his voice steady but warm.

“I will, buddy. Every day,” Jalen replied.

“I know you will,” Dad smiled, glancing between us with glistening eyes.

“I guess… we have a wedding to plan,” he added, and the three of us laughed together, the sound filling the night with warmth and healing.

THE END.