Page 125 of Closer than Ever

“We should go travelling around Scotland together or something. Make a list of all the places.”

Hayley laughed. “Now who has the good memory?”

Hayley got back to her feet again and stood up straight, squaring her shoulders and taking a deep breath. She held Anna’s eyes, as if deep in thought.

“Are you okay? Why so serious?”

Hayley bit down on her bottom lip. “Yeah. Fine.” She put her hands in her pockets and got out her lovely stone she had miraculously kept all these years, twiddling it in her fingers. “Time to put this back where it belongs.”

Anna followed Hayley to the water. It lapped at the shore a bit rougher than she remembered. It was funny how the water was the opposite to her internal state both times she’d been here. Last time, the water had been calm as a storm raged within her. This time, it was rough and choppy while she had never felt more at peace.

Hayley turned the stone around in her fingers, looking down at it with soft eyes. “Would you like to hold it one last time?”

“Sure.”

Hayley handed it to her. It was so smooth. It was almost a shame Hayley was putting it back, but she understood why Hayley was doing it. It did belong here, and it did represent their troubled history being over. Although, Anna had stones in the house from places she’d visited as a child and secretly hoped Hayley wouldn’t force her to put them back, too. She handed it back to Hayley.

“Here goes,” Hayley said. She looked nervous for some reason, bless her. She knelt down and placed the adored stone on the beach in amongst the others and put her hand over it. “Thank you,” she said to it. “For reminding me of the truth for all those years and for making sure I came back to where I belong. Have fun back here with your buddies. I hope you’ll be very happy back where you belong, too.”

Seeing Hayley talk to her stone was unexpected, but it was so sweet. She fell a little bit more in love with her while watching her do it. This love between them was growing and deepening by the day, it felt. Anna still couldn’t believe how ridiculously lucky she was.

Hayley let go of her beloved stone and put her hand back in her pocket. She looked so conflicted about it. Anna’s heart went out to her. Instead of standing up, however, she twisted around on one knee and looked up at Anna with the most sincere and hopeful expression Anna had ever seen on her. The hand came back out of the pocket and a small box was revealed in the palm of her hand. Hayley opened it.

Anna froze.

Hayley was down on one knee holding a ring up at her. Was this what she thought it was? It couldn’t be. Her heart started pounding. Her mouth felt dry.

“Anna.” Hayley looked so serious. “I know this is quick but hear me out.”

A dumbfounded shake of the head was all Anna could produce.

“What we have is so special. We’ve known each other for so long so in many ways this isn’t that reckless. Anna, you are my person. You set my heart on fire and you ground me. I want to grow old with you. I want to experience all that life has to offer with you by my side. I’ve never been surer of anything else. Anna, I love you so much.” Hayley swallowed hard. The skin between her eyes furrowed. “Will you marry me?”

Everything slowed down as Anna absorbed the impact of Hayley’s words and stared into her hopeful eyes. Anna was shocked. Them getting married was always her ultimate dream but she hadn’t been thinking about it or even expecting it anytime soon.

Hayley went pale.

Anna grinned. “Yes!”

Hayley sprung up as if she’d won a million pounds. “Oh my god!”

“Yes, yes, yes – a million times yes.”

“Ahhhh!”

“I love you, too. I would love to marry you.”

“Oh, Anna!”

Hayley kissed Anna’s lips like she needed them for dear life. They pressed their bodies close and wrapped their arms around each other. Hayley placed the ring on Anna’s finger as the water lapped at the shore. It was perfect.

“Can’t believe you’re proposing so soon but I am one hundred percent in. My younger self is doing cartwheels right now.”

Hayley pulled back, a worried expression creeping onto her face. “Do you think we’re rushing into this? I was going to wait until we were in Australia.”

“No. Being with you feels inevitable to me.” Anna smiled.

A delighted grin replaced the look of worry on Hayley. “Who are we to fight the inevitable?”

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