Chapter 18: The Big Question
794 Words
Emma spent the entire drive trying to figure out Alexander's surprise.
She had been trying since six that morning.
And failing miserably.
"Give me a hint."
Alexander smiled.
"No."
"A small hint."
"No."
"One tiny hint."
He laughed.
"You are remarkably bad at surprises."
Emma folded her arms.
"And you're remarkably annoying."
His grin widened.
"I've heard that before."
Unfortunately, she couldn't stop smiling.
Two hours later, they arrived at a beautiful vineyard overlooking rolling hills.
Rows of grapevines stretched toward the horizon.
The view was breathtaking.
Emma stepped out of the car and stared.
"Wow."
Alexander watched her reaction.
Exactly the reaction he'd hoped for.
"You like it?"
"It's beautiful."
A warm feeling settled in his chest.
Good.
Because this wasn't the real surprise.
Not even close.
The afternoon passed peacefully.
They toured the vineyard.
Shared lunch on a terrace overlooking the hills.
Talked about everything and nothing.
Just like they always did.
The entire day felt perfect.
Almost too perfect.
Emma noticed Alexander checking his watch more than usual.
"You seem nervous."
He nearly choked on his drink.
"I'm not nervous."
Emma laughed.
"Alexander."
"Okay."
He sighed.
"Maybe a little."
Now she was intrigued.
Alexander Kingston wasn't nervous often.
"What aren't you telling me?"
His smile softened.
"You'll see."
As evening approached, an employee guided them toward a private garden overlooking the valley.
The setting sun painted the landscape gold.
Flowers bloomed everywhere.
Tiny lights sparkled among the trees.
The scene looked magical.
Emma stopped walking.
"Alexander."
His heart immediately accelerated.
Because the moment had arrived.
The moment he'd been planning for weeks.
The moment he'd been thinking about for months.
The moment he had never been more certain about.
He turned toward her.
For a second, neither spoke.
The world felt unusually quiet.
Almost as if it were holding its breath.
Emma noticed something different in his expression.
Something serious.
Something emotional.
Her pulse quickened.
"Alexander?"
Slowly, he reached for her hands.
And smiled.
The same smile that had completely ruined her ability to think rationally months ago.
The same smile she'd fallen hopelessly in love with.
"Do you remember the gala?"
Emma laughed softly.
"How could I forget?"
"The coffee."
"Unfortunately."
His eyes sparkled.
"You were terrified."
"You were wearing an expensive suit."
"You apologized twelve times."
"I probably apologized more than that."
Alexander smiled.
Then his expression grew serious again.
"That was supposed to be a terrible day."
Emma listened.
"But it became the best day of my life."
Her breath caught.
Alexander stepped closer.
"I spent years believing I had everything figured out."
The evening breeze moved gently through the garden.
"I had plans."
"Goals."
"Expectations."
His gaze never left hers.
"Then I met you."
Emma felt tears gathering.
Already.
And he hadn't even finished.
"You changed everything."
His voice softened.
"You made me laugh more."
"You made me happier."
"You made me realize that success means nothing if you don't have someone to share it with."
A tear slipped down Emma's cheek.
Alexander gently brushed it away.
"You stood by me when things got difficult."
His own voice grew emotional.
"You believed in me."
"You challenged me."
"You loved me."
Emma could barely breathe.
Because she knew what was coming.
And yet somehow she still wasn't prepared.
Slowly, Alexander lowered himself onto one knee.
Emma covered her mouth.
Tears immediately followed.
"Oh my God."
The world seemed to stop.
Alexander looked up at her.
His eyes filled with emotion.
Filled with certainty.
Filled with love.
"Emma Brooks."
His voice trembled slightly.
For the first time ever.
"I love you."
The words settled between them.
Beautiful.
Powerful.
Real.
"I love your kindness."
"Your strength."
"Your heart."
His smile returned.
"I even love your dangerous relationship with coffee."
Emma laughed through her tears.
Alexander reached into his pocket.
And revealed a ring.
Simple.
Elegant.
Perfect.
Just like her.
"Will you marry me?"
The question echoed in the evening air.
For one second.
Two seconds.
Three.
Emma stared at him.
At the ring.
At the man she loved more than she'd ever imagined possible.
The man who had become her best friend.
Her safe place.
Her future.
Then she laughed and cried at the same time.
Which made answering difficult.
"Emma."
Alexander looked suddenly concerned.
She nodded rapidly.
"Yes."
His eyes widened.
"Yes?"
"Yes."
More tears.
More laughter.
"Of course yes."
The relief on Alexander's face was immediate.
He stood and slipped the ring onto her finger.
Neither noticed the applause from nearby staff members.
Neither cared.
Because the moment Alexander pulled her into his arms, everything else disappeared.
The sunset.
The vineyard.
The world.
Only them remained.
And when he kissed her, it felt like the beginning of a brand-new chapter.
Not the end of their story.
The beginning.
- Writer
