Chapter 14 - A DIFFERENT KIND OF PROMISE
Ethan proposed three years later.
Not at a crowded gala.
Not in front of hundreds of guests.
Not with a dramatic speech designed for an audience.
He proposed at home.
On a rainy Sunday morning.
Kira was sitting on the kitchen floor surrounded by fabric samples for a new project.
Ethan entered carrying two mugs of coffee.
He stopped.
Looked at her.
Then smiled.
“What?”
Kira looked up.
“Nothing.”
He set down the mugs.
Then sat beside her.
“Kira.”
“Yes?”
“I love this.”
She laughed.
“Fabric samples?”
He shook his head.
“This.”
He gestured around the room.
“Our life.”
Kira smiled.
He continued.
“I love waking up beside you.”
“I love hearing you talk about buildings.”
“I love that you leave pencils everywhere.”
She laughed.
“And I love that you never pretend to be okay when you're not.”
Her expression softened.
Ethan reached into his pocket.
Removed a small velvet box.
Kira froze.
He opened it.
Inside was a simple diamond ring.
“Kira Lawson,” he said softly, “would you marry me?”
Tears filled her eyes.
Ethan smiled.
“There's no rush.”
She laughed through tears.
He continued.
“And if you need time, take it.”
Kira looked at him.
Then whispered, “Yes.”
His eyes widened.
“Really?”
She smiled.
“Yes, Ethan.”
He kissed her.
May you like
And for the first time, Kira understood that love didn't have to feel like waiting for someone to remember she mattered.
Sometimes love felt like being home.
