Page 43 of Sweet Rucking Temptation
"There's something I want to show you," he says, a hint of excitement in his voice.
We climb hand in hand, the incline just steep enough to quicken our breath. As we reach the top, I gasp. The entire farm spreads out before us, a patchwork of greens and golds, with the mountains rising majestically in the distance.
"Elliott, it's beautiful," I breathe, taking in the panoramic view.
He guides me to a flat rock, perfectly positioned for two to sit side by side. As we settle in, the sun begins its descent, painting the sky in brilliant streaks of orange and pink.
"I used to come up here as a kid," Elliott says, his voice soft with memory. "Whenever things got tough or I needed to clear my head. It always helped me put things in perspective."
I lean my head on his shoulder, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing. "Thank you for sharing this with me," I whisper.
Elliott takes my hand, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my skin. The weight of the moment settles around us, filled with unspoken promise. As the colors deepen in the sky, we're on the cusp of something profound, something beautiful.
Elliott squeezes my hand, then stands up. My heart skips a beat as he takes a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. There's an intensity in his gaze that makes my breath catch.
"Liv," he says, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "From the moment we met in that Ponsonby bar, I knew you were something special."
He slowly lowers himself to one knee, and I feel my world tilt on its axis. Is this really happening?
"We've shared so much," Elliott continues, reaching into his pocket. "Laughter in your kitchen, quiet moments by the river, and dreams whispered under the stars. You've seen me at my best and my worst, and somehow, you still look at me like I'm your favorite flavor of cupcake."
I laugh through the tears that are starting to form. Oh, this wonderful man.
"Livia Garner," he says, his voice strong and sure as he presents a small velvet box. "Will you marry me? Will you build a life with me, full of love, laughter, and endless batches of pastries?"
My heart feels like it might burst. "Yes!" I exclaim, barely letting him finish. "Yes, a thousand times yes!"
Elliott's face breaks into the most radiant smile I've ever seen as he slips the ring onto my finger. It's perfect – simple, elegant, with a large diamond that catches the fading sunlight.
We're both laughing and crying as he stands and pulls me into his arms. I bury my face in his chest, breathing in his familiar scent of pine and earth.
"I love you so much," I murmur, my voice muffled against his shirt.
"I love you too, my little baker," he replies, and I can hear the joy in his voice.
As we stand there, wrapped in each other's arms with the farm spread out below us, I've never felt more certain of anything in my life. This is where I belong. This is home.
Hand in hand, we stroll back towards the farmhouse, the grass swishing against our legs. I can't stop stealing glances at the ring on my finger, still hardly believing this is real.
"So," Elliott says, his eyes twinkling, "ready to trade your trendy Ponsonby digs for the wild thrills of Christchurch?"
I laugh, giving his hand a squeeze. "Oh, you bet. I can't wait to scandalize the locals with my big city ways. Maybe I'll open a bakery that only sells avocado toast."
"Whoa there, rebel," he chuckles. "Don't go too crazy on us."
As we walk, my mind whirs with possibilities. "You know, I've been thinking about expanding 'Dolce Vita' to Christchurch anyway. This is perfect timing!"
Elliott nods encouragingly. "That's brilliant, Liv. Your Instagram following would go nuts for behind-the-scenes content of the new location."
"Ooh, yes!" I exclaim, my free hand gesticulating wildly. "I could do a whole series on adapting Nonna's recipes for Kiwi tastes. 'From Italy to Aotearoa'"
"Speaking of Nonna," Elliott says gently, "how do you think she'll take the news of you moving?"
I pause, feeling a pang in my chest. "She'll be happy for us, I know she will. But... it won't be easy leaving her. She's been my rock, you know?"
Elliott pulls me close, kissing the top of my head. "We'll make sure she visits often. Maybe we can even set up a little baking nook just for her in our new place."
The thought makes me smile. "She'd love that. And who knows? Maybe she'll finally share that secret tiramisu recipe with me if I butter her up enough."
