With a gentle touch, he turns me in his arms until I'm facing him. He brushes a strand of my hair behind my ear and lets out a gentle sigh, those hazel eyes gazing into mine with an intensity that I’ll never get used to. Sometimes I wonder if a heart can burst from loving someone too much.
“Bella—”
“Alex—”
"Go ahead," he encourages, his eyes locked onto mine.
I take a moment to compose my thoughts, wanting to express my feelings with sincerity. "I just wanted to say how thankful I am for everything you did," I begin. "Today has been perfect."
A soft smile plays on his lips, and he replies, "Good. I wanted it to be, because..." He pauses, and for a moment, his usual confidence wavers. His brows furrow slightly, and it's as if he's searching for the right words.
My palm rests on his cheek. “Alex?”
His voice trembles slightly when he starts, "I want you to know how much I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you, making more moments like this. Making you smile." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box, and he opens it to reveal a breathtaking ring, its sparkle reflecting the firelight. "Bella, will you marry me?"
Without hesitation, I cry out, "Yes!" My voice carries the weight of a thousand emotions, all wrapped up in that single word.
He gently slips the ring on my finger. It fits perfectly as if it was always meant to be there.
His mouth finds mine, and I melt into his kiss, and my heart beats a love song, “Alex, Alex, Alex.”
As we catch our breath, his voice, filled with a hint of playfulness, caresses my lips. "So I guess I only have one more question," he says.
I lean back, curious. "What's that?"
"How long before you want to have kids?"
I can't help but burst into laughter, taken aback by the suddenness of his question. But as I look into his eyes, I see a sincerity that stops me in my tracks. "You're serious?" I ask, searching his face for confirmation of this life-altering conversation.
"I want whatever you want," he continues, his voice filled with sincerity. "A handful of kids, or one or two, or if you want it to just be you and me for a long time, or forever, I'll be happy, because I'll be with you."
As I look into Alex's eyes and consider all the possibilities our future could hold, I'm filled with a profound sense of contentment. The world is vast, and there are countless paths we can choose to walk together. The thought of building a life with him, filled with love, adventures, and perhaps a family, fills my heart with excitement and anticipation.
Alex's words echo in my mind, and I realize that he's right. It doesn't matter what life throws at us, as long as we're together. Whether we decide to have a family or cherish the moments of just us two, whether we face challenges or sail through calm waters, our love will be the constant that guides us.
In this moment, I understand that our love is the anchor that keeps us steady, the fire that warms our hearts, and the light that guides us through the darkest nights. No matter what the future holds, I'm certain that with him by my side, our journey will be filled with love, laughter, and the kind of happiness that only comes from sharing a life with your soulmate.
Reader’s Choice:
What should Bella do next?
Hold off on starting a family and have a big outdoor wedding with family and friends. Turn to this page.
Embark on another adventure — the adventure of parenthood. Choose to have a small wedding, and start trying for a baby. Turn to this page.
Chapter70
Sebastian
CHOOSING LOVE OVER CERTAINTY
It’s been a whirlwind of a day, one filled with smiles, tears, and heartfelt vows exchanged in the presence of our parents. Our small, intimate wedding was everything I had ever dreamed of, and now, alone with Sebastian, I can’t help but let out a contented sigh.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Sinclair,” he says, holding me close as the elevator doors open to his penthouse. A wicked grin tugs at his lips, and I gasp as he scoops me in his arms.
“What are you doing?” I laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Carrying my wife across the threshold.” He nuzzles his nose against the shell of my ear as he steps into the apartment.