Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 28 pt 2: Forever

It was noon, a while after dinner and Ringo was walking Susan down the beach. Their hands intertwined and their feet refreshed by the cold waves of the sea. It was almost like at the docks, there were few people around and Ringo was practically a shadow to the eye.

Susan looked out at the ocean, a breathtaking sight that never got old. She could stay there forever. Overwhelmed in joy, she laid her head on Ringo's shoulder as they walked, a smile glued to her face as she imagined what life would be like if they could be together for the rest of time.

Unbeknownst to her, Ringo was thinking the exact same thing. Their time together had actually been so short but felt so long. They had experienced so much together already. And he was desperate for more.

Feeling the wind, and glancing up at the stars in the sky. Everything felt right. Like he was supposed to be here, at this moment, with this woman by his side.

He kissed her hand impulsively, her skin frosty on his lips. She shivered a little.

"You're freezing." He said.

"I don't care." She replied. "Let's just keep walking."

Ringo obeyed. If anything, walking was all he wanted to do anyway. It wasn't long before they were back in England. And for all he knew, this could be the last time he got with her alone in Miami out of all places. He was going to savour the moments, indefinitely.

"Hey." He stopped walking and held Susan's hands, gazing deeply into her eyes.

"Hey." She said, smiling sweetly up at him.

"You know." He started. "We might never be here again."

"No, we won't." She agreed.

"We loved it though, didn't we? And we'll never forget it."

"Ritchie." Susan nodded. "Of course not. Why are you saying this?" She asked a moment later.

"It's just, I don't know." He sighed. "I just feel like I need to say this. In case-"

"I know." Susan interrupted. "I'm scared too." A sigh of relief escaped him. "But, look around us." She gleamed. "We're in paradise! Whatever happens, if we're still together in a month." Her smiled softened. "Or if we're not. We'll still be friends."

"I want to be with you forever." Ringo breathed. Susan looked down, a rush of emotion taking hold. The words he said all the time in her dreams. Was she dreaming now?

"Ritchie... I love you." She squeezed his hands. "I know that much. And the feelings aren't gunna disappear the minute we get home."

"I want us to move in together," Ringo said.

"We might. Who knows."

"Susie." Ringo took a sharp breath but when he opened his mouth to speak, nothing came out. He tried again but failed and cut into a deep sigh. "That's it. I can't." He exasperated. "I dunno, whenever I'm with you, and we're alone." A small smile swept across his face. "I just wanna give you the world."

"You are my world." She said. "I just need you."

"Susan." Ringo squeezed her hands. "I don't ever wanna lose you. I wanna love you, and kiss you forever." He professed. "Or for the rest of our lives at least. And, since I've met you, and since we've been together. That's all I've ever wanted. So..."

Susan was too busy swooning over Ringo's declaration of love to her that she didn't notice him getting down on his knee. Her eyes suddenly popped and she gasped in shock when he pulled out a little box from his pocket.

"Richard." She breathed, a hand over her mouth. "What...?"

"Susan Wright." He said on his knee, the box in his palm. "Since the day I met you, I've not been able to stop thinking about you. Your beauty, your charm, your everything a man could want." He declared. "You've given me so much joy, more than I deserve. And you've stayed with me, even when I've hurt you." He breathed shakily. He was about to make the biggest decision of his life. "Susan I can't, and I refuse to go on a day without having you by my side. In my bed, in my arms, you hold a special place in my heart."

Susan gasped again as Ringo opened the box to reveal a diamond ring, shimmering in the moonlight. She was lost for words. Lost for breath. Lost for thought.

"And..." Ringo continued a look of affection and vulnerability on his face. "If I'm right in saying you feel the same way. Then, why can't we be together forever? Susan." He met her eyes. "Will you allow me to hold in my arms for eternity, and marry me?"

She quivered. Which, given the fact that she could have fainted, was lucky. Her eyes were still glued to Ringo on his knee, expression agaze. His future was in her hands now.

"Richard..." Susan breathed. She shook her head in disbelief then a warm, untameable smile came across her face. "Yes. Yes, I will." She smiled, her tone awestruck, a perfect fit for the amount of shock and excitement she was in.

Ringo let out a strong breath of relief and stood up, embracing Susan in a loving embrace. She squeezed him tightly, closing her eyes and falling into ecstasy.

"The ring." Ringo realised and pulled away to retrieve the ring. Susan watched attentively as Ringo removed the ring from the box and slowly slipped it onto Susan's finger, a perfect fit.

"Oh my god." She gasped, raising her hand to the moon for a better look. "It's beautiful." She marvelled.

"Only the best for my fiancé." He flattered.

Susan looked at him shyly, her cheeks rosier to a point even a rose isn't a good enough description. "You're gunna be my husband." She acknowledged quietly, her eyes dilating again.

"Stuck with me now." He smirked. Susan smiled and curled her arms around his shoulders, leaning in for a kiss.

Ringo cocked his head in preparation and moaned in the collision as Susan's cold and yet overwhelmingly hot lips collided with his own. Drowning in bliss, he snaked his arms around her waist and drew a hand up her back to her neck.

"Ritchie." Susan moaned with a breath. Ringo played a hand through her hair and lowered his other to Susan's ass, squeezing a cheek. "Let's get back." Susan moaned.

"Hmm..." Ringo finally pulled away and nodded. "Okay. But you better not be tired." He said.

Susan bit her lip. "Not tonight." She grinned.

Ringo licked his. "Come on then." He said, grabbing her hand.

They ran the rest of the way back to the hotel, eager to celebrate their engagement. Being quiet wasn't a concern, and being in love was proving to be as easy as breathing. Maybe true love is real after all.