Page 112 of Saddle and Bound

I watch, curious about what he might do next.

Time seems to slow down, each second stretching into infinity. Alex helps me dismount and then kneels before me. Tall grass caresses his legs, and the sun behind him surrounds him with a golden halo, like an angel descended to earth.

With trembling hands, Alex takes my hands.

After placing a tender kiss on each of my hands, he breaks our contact. He looks up at me, and in his eyes, I see an ocean of emotions: love, hope, a hint of fear.

He takes a small box from his pocket and opens it.

Oh my god... I can't believe it.

I don't know whether to jump for joy or cry.

He hasn't spoken yet, but that beautiful, delicate, sparkling ring leaves little to the imagination.

When he speaks, his voice is low and husky, charged with emotion: "Rosie, my love..." He pauses, as if gathering courage. "Would you like to become my wife?"

The world around me seems to stop. The birds' chirping, the stream's murmur, even the wind's breath among the trees—all falls silent. The entire universe reduces to this moment, to this man kneeling before me.

The sun appears to have halted its descent, suspended on the horizon as if it too were holding its breath, waiting for my response. The golden sunset light envelops Alex, making him seem even more beautiful, if possible.

I look into his eyes, deep wells of hope and love, and feel something bloom inside me. It's as if every moment of my life has led me here, to this perfect instant. And in that moment, I know with absolute certainty what my answer will be.

Tears blur my vision, momentarily obscuring Alex. But I don't need to see him to know he's the man with whom I want to spend the rest of my life. My heart overflows with a love so intense it takes my breath away.

And I throw myself into his arms.

The ring falls onto the grass because I'm not the most graceful person in the world... but it doesn't matter. We'll find it.

For now, we'll enjoy an endless embrace and a breathtaking kiss.

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