Chapter 14 - THE PROPOSAL THAT DIDN'T REQUIRE ME TO DISAPPEAR
Noah proposed on a rainy Sunday morning.
Not at a restaurant.
Not in front of a crowd.
Not with photographers hiding behind trees.
We were in my kitchen.
I was wearing pajamas.
My hair was a mess.
And I had just burned toast.
Noah stood beside the counter.
He looked nervous.
I frowned.
“What's wrong?”
He laughed softly.
“Nothing.”
“That's not convincing.”
He smiled.
“Fair.”
He took my hands.
“Emma, I love you.”
I smiled.
“I love you too.”
He swallowed.
“I love the life you've built.”
My eyes filled.
He continued.
“And I don't want to take it over.”
I stared.
“I want to build something with you.”
He smiled nervously.
“Something where we make decisions together.”
“Where we tell each other the truth.”
“Where neither of us has to disappear to keep the peace.”
Then he knelt.
Inside the small velvet box was a simple diamond ring.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
Exactly my style.
“Emma Bennett, will you marry me?”
I covered my mouth.
Tears filled my eyes.
For a moment, I thought of Daniel.
Of the family dinner.
Of the wedding I'd canceled.
Of the townhouse.
Of the money.
Of the way I'd once believed love meant enduring discomfort quietly.
Then I looked at Noah.
The man who listened.
Who respected my choices.
Who never made me compete for a place in his life.
“Yes,” I whispered.
He smiled.
“Really?”
I laughed through tears.
“Yes.”
He stood and kissed me.
Then looked toward the toaster.
“Should we celebrate with burned toast?”
I burst into laughter.
Later that day, we called our families.
My mother cried.
My father asked when he could help with the wedding.
Olivia screamed so loudly I had to hold the phone away from my ear.
That evening, Noah and I sat on the porch.
He looked at me.
“You okay?”
I nodded.
“Yeah.”
He smiled.
“You seem thoughtful.”
I looked at the ring.
Then at him.
“I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
I swallowed.
“How different this feels.”
Noah took my hand.
“Good different?”
May you like
I smiled.
“The best kind.”
