Before We Say Goodbye

CHAPTER 16: Willow Street

Daniel took Emma to Willow Street.

Their childhood homes looked smaller than she remembered.

The old trees were still there.

The roof was still there.

Their memories were still there.

Daniel stopped in front of the house.

"It's for sale."

Emma stared at him.

"No."

"Yes."

"You bought it?"

"Not yet."

He smiled.

"I want to."

"Why?"

"Because this is where everything started."

Emma looked at the roof.

"Do you remember our first picture?"

"Yes."

"Your camera was terrible."

"It wasn't."

"It was."

He laughed.

Then he took her hand.

"I don't want us to live in the past."

Emma looked at him.

"I want this house to be our beginning."

"Our beginning?"

"Not our ending."

Her eyes filled with tears.

She nodded.

"Okay."

A few weeks later, Daniel took Emma to the roof.

The sun was setting.

The sky looked exactly like it had eight years earlier.

Daniel stood in front of her.

Emma smiled.

"You look nervous."

"I am."

"Why?"

He reached into his pocket.

Emma's heart stopped.

He pulled out a small box.

"Daniel."

"I spent years thinking forever was a promise."

He opened the box.

Inside was a simple ring.

"Now I think forever is a choice."

Emma began crying.

"I can't promise you that life will always be easy."

She laughed through her tears.

"I know."

"I can't promise we'll never fight."

"We definitely will."

"I can't promise we won't hurt each other sometimes."

Emma nodded.

"But I can promise that I'll stay."

He took her hand.

"I can promise I'll talk when things are difficult."

He lowered himself onto one knee.

"I can promise I'll never disappear without explaining."

Emma laughed through her tears.

"Daniel."

"And I can promise that I'll choose you."

He looked into her eyes.

"Emma Carter, will you choose me?"

She didn't hesitate.

"Yes."

Daniel smiled.

He slipped the ring onto her finger.

Emma pulled him up.

They kissed as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon.