Page 197 of New Growth
He looked nervous. And then he smiled.
As I stepped inside, the door eased shut behind me with a gentle click. I tried my best to keep the tears in check but it was no use.
“El…” My breath hitched.
He took one step forward, then another—until he was in front of me. His hand reached up and brushed away the tears I hadn’t even realized were still clinging to my lashes. His thumb moved tenderly over my cheek, and I leaned into the touch without thinking, like a muscle memory.
“Long day?” El asked gently.
I nodded, barely able to speak.
“Well,” he said, a small smile curving his lips, “it doesn’t show. You look beautiful.”
A shaky laugh slipped out of me, and I bit down on my bottom lip, trying to keep it from trembling.
“What’s going on, Elliot?” I asked softly.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he took a slow breath… then slipped his hand into his jacket pocket.
“I’ve loved you in every form, Ellie,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine. “I loved you in silence. I loved you when you didn’t love yourself, when you were guarded and angry, when your walls were too high for anyone to climb. I loved you when you laughed so hard your nose scrunched up and when you cried until your shoulders shook. I loved you on your worst days and your best ones. And I will keep loving you through every future version of us.”
He reached for my hand, pressing his lips to my knuckles. “You are my favorite story, my soft place to land, my safest secret and closest friend. There’s not a timeline where I don’t choose you, Ellie.”
He dropped to one knee, and my hands flew to my mouth.
“I don’t want another day without you. Not another morning, not another night. Not ever.” He pulled me in closer by my hand before opening the ring box.
“Will you marry me, Elliot Sawyer?”
My breath caught somewhere between my ribs. My hands trembled. His words echoed, loud and impossible to ignore, as if the whole world had gone still just to hold this moment for us.
I stared at him—this man who had seen me at my messiest, held me through the worst, loved me harder than I thought I could ever let someone love me. The man I loved.
“Yes,” I whispered. Then louder and surer. “Yes, El. Of course, yes.”
Relief bloomed across his face as he slid the ring onto my finger.
And then he stood and pulled me into him, arms wrapping tight around my waist. My feet left the ground as he kissed me, deep and breathlessly.
“I love you,” I said against his lips, a laugh breaking through my tears. “I love you so much, Elliot.”
He rested his forehead against mine. “I love you too, Elliot.”
I closed my eyes. “We’re really doing this.”
“We are,” he reassured.
Somewhere behind us, the soft hum of jazz played on. I held onto him tighter, my whole body trembling with joy. My heart felt so full it might’ve burst.
And at that moment, I knew this was it. My beginning and my always.
Communication.
“Letmesee!”Estherpractically screamed, rushing over with her hands out.
I held out my hand, fingers splayed.
The ring caught the light immediately—an oval-cut diamond, easily over two carats, perched on a sleek platinum band.
