Marry me

Proposal

Chapter 17 — The Proposal

The next morning, Emma woke to the smell of roses.

She slowly opened her eyes.

For a moment, she forgot everything.

The letter.

Her father.

The threats.

The secrets.

Then she remembered Noah.

She sat up.

The room was empty.

“ Noa—”

“Good morning.”

She turned.

Noah stood in the doorway wearing a black suit, holding a cup of coffee in one hand.

Emma smiled.

“You scared me.”

“Sorry.”

He walked over and handed her the coffee.

She took it.

“Why are you dressed like that?”

“Because I have somewhere to take you.”

“Where?”

“It’s a surprise.”

Emma narrowed her eyes.

“I don't trust your surprises.”

He laughed.

“You'll like this one.”

An hour later, Noah drove Emma outside the city.

She watched the scenery change through the window.

“Are we there yet?”

“No.”

“Are we there yet?”

“No.”

“Are we—”

“Emma.”

She laughed.

“Fine.”

Eventually, the car stopped beside a beautiful private garden overlooking the ocean.

Emma stepped out.

Her mouth fell open.

Hundreds of white roses covered the garden.

Small candles lined the pathway.

Soft music played somewhere in the distance.

“Noah…”

He came around the car.

“You like it?”

She smiled.

“I love it.”

He held out his hand.

“Come with me.”

They walked through the garden together.

Every few steps, Emma saw photographs.

Pictures from their childhood.

Their first meeting.

Their first date.

The first time Noah had held her hand.

The photograph of them laughing beneath an umbrella.

Emma stopped.

“You kept these?”

“All of them.”

She looked at him.

“You're such a sentimental idiot.”

“I learned from you.”

They continued walking.

At the end of the path stood a small wooden table.

On it was a single envelope.

Emma picked it up.

Inside was a letter.

Emma,

Three years ago, I thought loving you meant leaving you.

I was wrong.

Loving you means staying.

It means choosing you when life gets difficult.

It means holding your hand when we're old and remembering that somehow, after everything, we made it.

Emma's eyes filled with tears.

She slowly turned.

Noah was standing behind her.

He reached into his pocket.

Emma's breath caught.

“Noah…”

He walked toward her.

“I wanted to ask you yesterday.”

He dropped to one knee.

Emma covered her mouth.

“But then I realized something.”

He opened the ring box.

“I don't want to ask you because I'm afraid of losing you.”

His eyes met hers.

“I want to ask because I can't imagine my future without you.”

Tears streamed down Emma's cheeks.

“Emma Collins…”

He took her hand.

“Will you marry me?”

She stared at him.

For three years, she had dreamed about this moment.

She had imagined Noah returning.

She had imagined herself telling him no.

She had imagined walking away.

But she had never imagined this.

Never imagined loving him again.

She laughed through her tears.

“Yes.”

Noah froze.

“Yes?”

She nodded.

“Yes!”

He stood and pulled her into his arms.

Emma laughed as he lifted her off the ground.

“I love you!”

“I love you too!”

He kissed her forehead.

Then her cheek.

Then finally her lips.

For a few seconds, the world disappeared.

There was only them.

Until Emma heard a sound.

A gunshot.

The glass table behind them shattered.

Noah immediately pushed Emma to the ground.

“Stay down!”

Her heart raced.

“Noah!”

He looked toward the trees.

Someone was watching them.

And then the figure disappeared.

Noah pulled Emma into his arms.

The proposal had been perfect.

But their enemies had found them again.

Chapter 18 — The Man in the Shadows

Police arrived within minutes.

Noah refused to let Emma out of his sight.

She sat beside him, still trembling.

“Who was that?”

“I don't know.”

“You're lying.”

Noah looked at her.

“I don't know exactly who he was.”

Emma crossed her arms.

“But you have an idea.”

He sighed.

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“My father's former partner.”

Emma's heart sank.

“The man who threatened you?”

Noah nodded.

“He's been looking for me for years.”

“Why?”

“Because he thinks I have evidence that could destroy him.”

Emma stared at him.

“Do you?”

Noah hesitated.

“Yes.”

“What evidence?”

“A recording.”

Emma's eyes widened.

“What recording?”

Noah pulled out his phone.

“I found it three years ago.”

He played the audio.

A man's voice filled the room.

“If Bennett refuses to cooperate, we'll use his son. And if that doesn't work, we'll use the girl.”

Emma's blood ran cold.

She recognized the voice.

She had heard it before.

Her eyes widened.

“No…”

Noah looked at her.

“What?”

“That voice.”

“Who is it?”

Emma's hands began shaking.

“It's my uncle.”

Noah froze.

“Your uncle?”

“My father's brother.”

Silence.

Suddenly everything made sense.

Her father's disappearance.

The threats.

Noah's disappearance.

The secrets.

Emma stood.

“He was involved.”

Noah nodded.

“I think so.”

Emma covered her mouth.

“My entire family…”

“Emma.”

She turned toward him.

“What if my father is still alive because he ran from him?”

Noah reached for her hand.

“Then we'll find him.”

That night, Noah received another message.

You found the recording.

Then another.

Now find your father.

Noah stared at the screen.

A location appeared.

An abandoned warehouse.

And beneath it were four words.

Come alone. Midnight.

Noah knew it was a trap.

But he also knew he had no choice.

Emma watched him from across the room.

“You're going.”

“Yes.”

“I'm coming.”

“No.”

She frowned.

“You promised you wouldn't leave me.”

“I promised I'd stay.”

“Then stay with me.”

Noah looked at her.

She walked closer.

“We've spent enough years letting fear decide our lives.”

He stared at her.

“Emma…”

“We go together.”

He finally nodded.

“Together.”

At midnight, they arrived at the warehouse.

The doors opened.

Inside was darkness.

Then a light switched on.

A man stepped forward.

Emma stopped breathing.

Noah stared at him.

The man looked older.

Tired.

Broken.

But Emma knew that face.

She had seen it in photographs all her life.

“Dad?”

The man looked at her.

His eyes filled with tears.

“Emma.”

She ran toward him.

Her father caught her in his arms.

For the first time in years, Emma cried like a child.

“I thought you were dead.”

“I wanted to come home.”

“Then why didn't you?”

“Because I was trying to keep you alive.”

Noah stood behind her.

Emma's father looked at him.

“You're Noah.”

Noah nodded.

Her father smiled sadly.

“You came back for her.”

“I always would.”

Emma's father looked between them.

Then he smiled.

“Then I think she chose the right man.”

Suddenly, the warehouse lights went out.

A voice echoed through the darkness.

“You should have stayed away.”

Emma grabbed Noah's hand.

The doors slammed shut.

And someone locked them inside.

Chapter 19 — Choose Me

Panic filled the warehouse.

Emma's father shouted,

“Get down!”

A loud crash came from the other side of the building.

Noah pulled Emma behind a concrete pillar.

“Stay here.”

“No.”

“Emma!”

“I'm not losing you again.”

He looked into her eyes.

“You won't.”

Her father moved toward the back entrance.

“There has to be another way out.”

Noah followed him.

Emma stayed close.

Then a figure appeared above them.

Her uncle.

He smiled.

“You really should have listened.”

Emma stared at him.

“Why did you do this?”

He laughed.

“Your father was supposed to give me control of the company.”

“You destroyed our family.”

“No.”

He looked at her.

“Your father destroyed it when he refused to cooperate.”

Noah stepped forward.

“You threatened her.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

“Because she was your weakness.”

Noah's jaw tightened.

“No.”

He looked at Emma.

“She is my strength.”

Her uncle raised his weapon.

Before he could do anything, Emma's father tackled him.

The weapon fell.

Noah rushed forward.

After a brief struggle, security officers stormed into the warehouse.

Her uncle was arrested.

For the first time in years, the nightmare was finally over.

Emma stood frozen.

Noah walked toward her.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded.

Then she hugged him.

He wrapped his arms around her.

“I thought I was going to lose you.”

“You won't.”

She pulled back.

“You promised.”

“I did.”

Her father approached them.

He smiled.

“I think I owe you both an apology.”

Emma shook her head.

“Dad…”

“I should have told you the truth years ago.”

“You were trying to protect me.”

“I was.”

He looked at Noah.

“And so was he.”

Emma smiled.

“Yes.”

Her father looked at the ring on her finger.

“You're engaged?”

Emma blushed.

“Yes.”

He laughed.

“Well…”

He looked at Noah.

“Are you planning to marry my daughter?”

Noah smiled.

“If she'll still have me.”

Emma stepped closer to him.

“I will.”

Her father smiled.

“Then you have my blessing.”

Noah's eyes softened.

“Thank you.”

Three months later...

Emma stood in front of a mirror.

Her wedding dress fell beautifully around her.

Her hands trembled.

She looked at herself.

She wasn't the same girl Noah had left three years ago.

She was stronger.

She had learned forgiveness.

She had learned that love wasn't always perfect.

Sometimes love was messy.

Sometimes it hurt.

Sometimes it required choosing someone again and again.

Her father entered the room.

“You ready?”

Emma smiled.

“I think so.”

He held out his arm.

“Then let's go.”

The doors opened.

Music filled the church.

Noah stood at the altar.

The moment he saw Emma, his eyes filled with tears.

She smiled.

He whispered,

“Wow.”

She laughed softly.

When she reached him, he took her hand.

“You're beautiful.”

“You're crying.”

“No, I'm not.”

“You definitely are.”

He smiled.

“I waited three years for this.”

Emma squeezed his hand.

“And I'd wait three more.”

“No.”

He shook his head.

“Never again.”

The ceremony began.

And when the priest finally asked the question...

Noah looked directly into Emma's eyes.

“I do.”

Emma smiled.

“I do.”

They exchanged rings.

Then came the final words.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Noah leaned toward her.

Emma whispered,

“Finally.”

He laughed.

Then kissed her.

The church erupted in applause.

But neither of them heard it.

They were lost in each other.

Chapter 20 — Forever Starts Today

The wedding reception lasted until midnight.

There was music.

Dancing.

Laughter.

Champagne.

And more tears than Emma expected.

Her father gave a speech.

Noah's mother cried through hers.

Even Sophia apologized to Emma for everything that had happened.

But eventually, the crowd disappeared.

The music became softer.

The lights dimmed.

And Emma and Noah found themselves alone beneath the stars.

Emma rested her head against Noah's shoulder.

“Can you believe we're married?”

“No.”

She looked up.

“Regretting it already?”

He laughed.

“Never.”

She smiled.

Noah took her hand.

“You know what I realized?”

“What?”

“If I had known three years ago that everything would eventually lead me here…”

He kissed her fingers.

“I still wouldn't have chosen to hurt you.”

Emma's expression softened.

“But you did.”

“I know.”

“And I forgive you.”

Noah looked at her.

“Completely?”

She smiled.

“Completely.”

He pulled her closer.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

They stood quietly for a moment.

Then Emma whispered,

“Why did you call this place?”

Noah smiled.

“What?”

“The wedding venue.”

He looked around.

The same garden where he had proposed.

The same roses.

The same ocean.

“The first time I brought you here, I asked you to marry me.”

Emma nodded.

“And today?”

He kissed her forehead.

“Today, I get to call you my wife.”

Emma smiled.

She rested her head against his chest.

“Noah?”

“Yes?”

“Do you think we'll still be like this when we're old?”

He smiled.

“I hope so.”

“Even when I'm annoying?”

“Especially then.”

She laughed.

“And when you're annoying?”

“I'll never be annoying.”

She looked up at him.

“You're already annoying.”

“Then I guess we're perfect for each other.”

She smiled.

“Yes.”

Noah held her tighter.

The ocean moved gently beneath the moonlight.

The same moon that had watched them fall in love.

The same stars that had witnessed their separation.

And now...

They were witnessing their beginning.

Emma closed her eyes.

She had once believed their story was over.

She had believed Noah's goodbye was the end.

She had believed some loves were meant to remain memories.

She had been wrong.

Because sometimes...

Love finds its way back.

Sometimes, the person you lose becomes the person you were always meant to find.

And sometimes...

The greatest love story begins after the heartbreak.

Noah kissed her forehead.

“Mrs. Bennett?”

Emma smiled.

“Yes, Mr. Bennett?”

“Marry me.”

She laughed.

“We're already married.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you asking?”

“Because I want to ask you every day.”

Emma wrapped her arms around him.

“Then ask me tomorrow.”

“I will.”

“And the day after?”

“Yes.”

“And every day after that?”

Noah smiled.

“Forever.”

Emma kissed him.

“Then my answer will always be yes.”

And beneath the stars, with the ocean whispering beside them, Noah held the woman he had crossed oceans, survived heartbreak, and fought every fear to find.

His wife.

His best friend.

His home.

And Emma finally understood something.

The words “Marry me” had never really been a question.

They had been a promise.

A promise that after everything they had survived...

They would choose each other.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Forever.

THE END. ❤️💍