Vicky’s POV
I told Oliver to go ahead to the hot tub while I cleaned up first. I needed a mont... partly because I still felt deliciously wrecked, and partly because if I followed him imdiately, I was ninety percent sure I would pounce on him again and forget what water even was.
But mostly, I just needed to breathe. Everything felt so full — my chest, my heart, my entire being — like the universe finally returned sothing I’d been missing for years without ever daring to admit it.
When I finally stepped out of the room, I paused.
Sothing slled... different.
Lavender. And sothing else I couldn’t place — sweet, soft, floral, but not the artificial kind from scented sprays. It was real. Calming. And romantic.
Romantic?
I frowned. Oliver and "romantic setup" didn’t usually co together in the sa sentence unless he was accidentally doing sothing cute without realizing it.
I followed the trail of scent, my curiosity pushing my feet forward toward the deck. As soon as I stepped out, I blinked.
It was bright. Much brighter than earlier.
My eyebrows shot up.
Candles. Everywhere. Not chaotic, not tacky — but arranged beautifully along the sides of the deck, on the railings, even floating gently in small glass holders around the hot tub. Soft glows bounce against the water. Warm golden light is dancing across the wood.
It looked like a scene straight out of those dramas that I cry over at 3 AM.
And then... I saw him.
Oliver.
Standing in the center of the deck wearing nothing but board shorts, bare feet, and slightly damp hair pushed back like he’d been nervously running his hands through it. His chest rose and fell a bit too fast, and when his eyes t mine, he gave a smile so awkward it was adorable — and terrifying.
A nervous smile.
Why did he look like he was about to receive a major dical diagnosis?
My stomach dropped. "Okay... why does this feel weird? What is going on?" I asked, slowly walking toward him.
He didn’t answer.
He just swallowed, jaw trembling — then got down on one knee.
What. The. Actual. Hell.
I froze. My eyes widened so much they started to sting. My heart slamd against my ribs at a speed that definitely violated human limits.
"Oh my— Oliver!" I squeaked. Or whispered. Or shrieked. I honestly don’t know what sound ca out of my mouth.
He inhaled shakily, then let out a breath that wasn’t steady at all. His voice wobbled the mont he opened his mouth.
"I... I guess I couldn’t wait anymore," he said, and right then, tears spilled down his cheeks.
He instantly tried to wipe them with the back of his hand — except he wiped too aggressively and smudged sothing on his face, then panicked-wiped again. It was such a ss that my own eyes started to blur, partly from emotion, partly from laughter I was repressing with all my strength.
He sniffed hard, tried to compose himself, then finally faced fully. With trembling hands, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box.
He opened it.
My breath caught.
No — my soul caught.
"I’ve had this ring for years," he began, voice raw, thick with emotion. "B-But I couldn’t even get myself to explain myself to you. I bought this even when we weren’t together... just because I saw it one day while walking and it reminded of you. Reminded of the dream I used to have."
My chest tightened painfully.
"A dream that I still have now."
My legs weakened.
"I know we just got back together after so many years, but I just can’t... I can’t wait any longer. I want you to be mine and to be yours." His voice cracked, tears falling again. "My heart aches because my feelings for you are overflowing. Just the thought of going ho alone after this vacation is slicing apart."
I pressed a hand to my mouth, trying not to sob.
"So..." he breathed, eyes locked on mine with a devotion that lted every bone in my body. "Veronica Knight... will you marry ?"
Everything inside exploded. Not the sexy fireworks kind — but the emotional nuclear bomb kind.
My heart pounded so hard it hurt. Like it wanted to burst out of my chest, sprint toward him, and propose back.
I didn’t even think.
I ran toward him — full speed — and threw my arms around him in a hug that was supposed to be passionate and loving but instead turned into a mild assault.
"Geez!" Oliver yelped, wobbling dangerously.
There was a loud thud.
I gasped. "Oh gosh!"
I stared down in horror.
The ring box was on the floor... empty.
The ring itself had slipped right through the tiny gaps between the deck planks.
"My ring!" I cried.
Yes — my ring. I said it instinctively.
I dropped to my knees and pressed my face to the deck like a desperate raccoon searching for snacks. Nothing. Pitch black. Gone. Straight into the abyss of whatever lived underneath — dirt? sand? spirits? I didn’t know.
"Oh no! My ring is gone!" I kept rambling. "I haven’t even taken a good look at it. I’m so clumsy, oh my God, I’m so sorry—"
I covered my face with both hands, wanting the deck to swallow whole. This was it. I ruined his proposal. I ruined the mont. I ruined—
"You called it your ring," Oliver said softly behind . "So... it’s a yes? You’re agreeing to marry ?"
I froze.
Right.
I hadn’t actually said the word.
Slowly, I spread my fingers to peek at him. "Yes," I whispered. Then louder, with my whole heart, "Yes! Yes, it’s a yes! I will marry you."
Then I groaned dramatically and covered my face again. "But the ring... I’m so sorry, Ollie!"
He burst out laughing and gently pulled into his arms. "We can look for it tomorrow," he said, planting a kiss on the top of my head. "I’ll call the caretaker and have him send so people to check underneath."
"Oliver—"
"And if they can’t find it," he continued softly, "I’ll buy you another."
I looked up at him, tears blurring everything. He brushed them away with his thumbs.
"Your ’yes’ ans more to than that ring. I held onto it for years, hoping that one day... sohow... you’d be mine." His voice lowered, softer, trembling with the deepest sincerity. "But it doesn’t matter now. Because you are mine. And that’s priceless."
My chest burst with emotion.
I leaned in and kissed him.
There, surrounded by candlelight, and lavender, and the faint sound of leaves rustling through the wind... everything aligned perfectly.
The past didn’t matter anymore.
The waiting didn’t matter.
The lost ring didn’t matter.
All that mattered was this mont.
Him.
.
Us.
Our future — ssy, hilarious, emotional, passionate — but finally, finally ours.
********
Thank you for the Golden Tickets!
Edna_R2679
gatron93
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