New Beginnings

The summer sun shone brightly over the quiet neighborhood, not a cloud in the sky. Children beat the heat by running through water sprinklers, scattering tiny rainbows over well-kept lawns. Their parents watched in amusement from porches, the only shade outside the handful of small trees dotting their yards. A large moving truck cruising by provided a momentary distraction. It slowed to a hesitant crawl towards the end of the street before stopping at the very last drive.

A line of tall oak trees obscured the residence from view, providing a measure of privacy from the other houses. The young couple that stepped down from the truck had bought it just for that reason. Already their new neighbors watched curiously, speculating about the golden haired girl and dark haired man. Twitching curtains in windows gave them away as the young man looked back over his shoulder.

He sighed and rolled his eyes, doing his best to ignore them. He had his hands full keeping up with his girlfriend's endless energy. She'd practically bounced in her seat from the moment they'd left, several hours and many miles ago. He shook his head in patient amusement as she literally skipped down the gravel driveway, her white sundress swirling around her legs, and disappeared behind the trees.

She barely noticed when he stepped beside her, completely taken by the sight. It didn't matter that she'd seen it a couple times already—first in the online listing, then when they'd toured it with the real estate agent. Nothing could take away from the feeling of seeing it for the first time as her home. Tears filled her eyes as they roamed over the two story number, made to resemble a cabin inside and out. The thin line of trees continued in either direction around the relatively spacious yard, thickening into a small forest behind the house. A garage attached itself to the west side, just big enough for both their cars.

Walking down the long driveway in a dreamlike state, the young woman rounded the garage and let loose an audible sigh of contentment. Her companion followed, wrapping an arm around her and watching her blue eyes shine as she looked upon what had sealed the deal for her: a beautiful weeping willow casting its shadow over a small, circular pond. She couldn't see it from her position, but she knew the tree hid a wooden swing built for two, hung by the previous owners. When they'd discovered it before, they found it'd been placed in such a way that the view of the pond's clear waters and flowering plants were unobstructed by the branches.

The man chuckled as he remembered having to almost drag her away from it so the agent could finish their tour. The sound caught the girl's attention and she turned her gaze on him with a small smile. She noticed the amusement dancing in his hazel eyes and raised an eyebrow.

“What are you laughing at, Kai?” she asked, voice hushed.

Kai smiled and placed a light kiss on her cheek. “Just remembering how much you pouted when I had to make you leave last time.”

“I-I did not,” she sputtered, a blush creeping into her face.

“I remember it very different, Sophie, dear,” Kai responded, his voice equal parts amusement and affection. Sophie's face deepened in color as she mumbled an unintelligible reply. “Hmmm? What was that?”

“I said maybe I did pout,” she grumbled, looking at her feet. “Just a little.”

Kai chuckled again and pulled her to his chest, making her heart flutter. “You are so adorable,” he murmured into her hair. She bit her lip and clung to his lean frame, another blush warming her cheeks. He stepped back a moment later, an emotion she couldn't quite place crossing his face.

“Come on.” He took her hand and pulled her over to the willow, parting the hanging leaves for her. She smiled as she stepped passed him, ever the gentleman, and sat on the well-worn swing.

The air felt cooler in the willow's shadow, much to Sophie's pleasure. The trees almost entirely muffled the city noises, replaced by more natural sounds that soothed her country-girl heart. A quiet peace fell over her as she gazed across the pond, watching the sunlight sparkle on the calm surface.

Several moments passed before she realized Kai had not taken a seat beside her. He stood off to her right, watching her with that same emotion written over his features. Something about the intensity of his stare made her pulse race, sending blood to the surface of her face once more. She managed to compose herself enough to ask, “Is something wrong?” She sounded a little breathless, even to herself.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he simply stepped closer until he stood at her feet. Sophie had to crane her neck back to keep her eyes on his face. He already had almost a foot on her five-foot-six frame when she was standing. With her sitting down, he towered over her.

That changed in an instant when he abruptly knelt down on one knee. Sophie's heartbeat immediately began thundering in her ears as he took her hand, so loud she nearly missed what he'd begun to say.

“There's absolutely nothing wrong,” he murmured, his head bent forward. He clutched her small hand tightly, dwarfing it with his. Sophie squeezed back gently, still slightly in shock as he continued in a thick voice. “I just...can't believe we made it to this moment. After all the hardships, the doubts, the distance, even splitting up...we've been through so much. So many people told us we wouldn't make it, yet here we are. Together. Making our first big step as a couple.”

Kai took a deep breath, said “And I think it's time for the second,” and reached into his pocket with his free hand. It shook as he pulled out a small, black box. He managed to fumble it open without dropping it to reveal a simple yet beautiful ring. The gold band had been worked into the unmistakable shape of a lily at its apex, petals folded slightly inward to cradle a small, sparkling diamond.

“I love you, Sophie,” Kai said in a rough voice. “For as long as I can remember, I've never wanted anyone but you. You give me reason to look forward to every day, because it's another day I get to see your beautiful face. It brings me joy to make you happy, to make you smile. I can't imagine a better life than one spent doing just that.” Finally, he looked up, his eyes gleaming wetly as he stared deep into hers and whispered, “Will you marry me?”

Sophie stared, frozen and speechless as Kai spoke. The moment she saw the ring, so obviously made for her, tears began falling. Her heart swelled with each word, nearly stopping when he popped the question. She finally recognized the emotion in his eyes, now a reflection of her own: an overwhelming mix of love, hope, and a little bit of fear.

She studied him for a moment, kneeling on the ground, in jeans and a t-shirt, shaggy hair falling in his eyes, glasses perpetually crooked...

“Yes,” she whispered, smiling through her tears, her entire being filled with love for this man. “Yes, I will marry you, Kai.”

The pure joy on her now-fiancee's face as he slipped the ring on her finger nearly stole her breath. The kiss he pulled her into as he stood—the most passionate one they'd ever shared—did. Sophie mirrored his reluctance when he ended it, but they were both more than a little light headed .She cupped his handsome face, smiling from ear to ear.

“I love you,” she said softly.

Kai took her left hand and kissed the ring. “I love you too, my bride-to-be,” he murmured, chuckling at her trademark blush. It deepened as he picked her up, cradling her like a child as he kissed her one more time, long and deep, then whispered in her ear, “Here's to the start of the rest of our lives.”