Page 230 of Before Dawn

“I love the way your laugh lights up a room,” it read, followed by a quote:‘Just because you feel afraid doesn’t mean you aren’t brave.’

I stared at the petal, my throat tightening as emotion surged. “Baby…”

“You’re worth it.”

I turned to him, threading my arms around his neck and drawing him into a deeper kiss, surrendering all my love and appreciation.

This was magic. He was magic. And somehow, I’d been lucky enough to call him mine.

I pulled back, breathless, his gesture sinking in as I clutched the petal, holding onto the moment.

“Beauty and the Beastis everything to me,” I said, my voice trembling with excitement. “It’s not just my favorite movie, it’s the story I’ve always dreamed of. The magic, the love, the way Belle saw the good in the Beast before anyone else; it’s shaped how I see the world. How I see love. And you—” I paused, shaking my head as my smile widened. “You made this.For me. Mikkel, this is like stepping into my own fairytale.”

His smile deepened. “That was the point.”

I twirled around the room, my fingers brushing over the glass cases that lined the walls, marveling at the assortment of yellow flowers inside.Each one seemed to glow, like they were lit from within.

He grinned, his eyes locked on me with a depth that quickened my pulse. “I wanted to give you something that felt as special as you make me feel.”

I practically bounced back to the pedestal, tapping the glass again just to see another petal fall. This one drifted down even slower than the first, as if teasing me. I picked it up eagerly, grinning as I read it.

“I love the way your eyes sparkle when you’re eating Lay’s or chocolate cake,” it said, followed by another quote:‘Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.’

A laugh bubbled out of me, pure and light. “You know me too well.”

“Of course I do,” he said, stepping closer until his hands rested gently on my hips. “I know what calms you when you’re overwhelmed, what makes you smile when you think no one’s watching. And I know how much this story means to you. It’s not just a room, Abigail, it’s a reminder of how much I see you. How much I’ll always want to show you how loved you are.”

I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I wrapped my arms around his neck, laughing and crying in a rush.

He chuckled, tightening his hold on me.

I pulled back just enough to tap the glass again, grinning like a child on Christmas morning as another petal drifted down. It read: “I love how you always see the beauty in the little things,” followed by: ‘Sometimes, the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life.’

I held it up to him, still in disbelief. “Mikkel, you’re everything I never dared to dream of.”

“And you’re every dream worth having.” He kissed me softly, a promise in that kiss. “Tap it again.”

I did, knowing with every petal and every moment with him, my heart would keep deepening.

“Abigail-Ann,” he whispered, his voice tender. “Your fairy tale was never too much to ask for. This life, this love—it wasalwaysmeant for you. Not as a luxury, but as something you were born to have. I’d give you anything your heart desires because you deserve it all. And I’ll spend every moment proving it—showing you just how precious you are. With you, it’sabout making dreams come true. Without you, my world is incomplete.”

His hand gently brushed a curl from my face. “It’s always been about you. You make everything more vivid, more meaningful.”

His words hit me, and I met his gaze, my hand on his chest. “You’ve already shown me,” I said, my voice trembling. “You make me feel like I’m enough.”

The tears ran free, and I didn’t try to stop them.

“And on the days you can’t hold on, I’ll hold on for you,” he said firmly. “When you don’t feel like fighting, I’ll fight for you. When you need space, I’ll give it to you. This is about more than just me—it’s about us, building a life of living, not just surviving. Even in my darkest moments, you were there, reminding me of what I didn’t know I needed. When I think of yellow, I think of you—your warmth, your light.”

I swallowed hard, overwhelmed by the depth of his commitment.

“This might be your favorite fairytale, but you…” Mikkel leaned in, his lips brushing my forehead. “You are by far my favorite princess—my queen—and I’ll spend every day proving that you’re worth more than any story ever written.”

Warmth spread through me as I turned back to the rose, mesmerized by the delicate petals inside the glass dome. My heart swelled.

“You have no idea how much I love you,” I whispered.

Mikkel’s hand brushed mine, grounding me.

---