Never Let Go

Chapter 82: Because Of you

The sky changes from minute to minute. From bright orange to hot pink, the clouds are painted in ever-changing colours as the sun sets. The gold disc is already touching the surface of the ocean.

We watch the sea, lost in the rhythmic percussion of waves on sand while seagulls squawk in the distance searching for their last meal of the day.

Maya is snuggled up to me with my leather jacket draped over her shoulders and my arm wrapped around her, keeping her close to me. We both stay quiet and lost in the moment together. All I keep replaying in my head is the way Maya looked when I proposed to her. There were many different emotions, but the one I'll remember most is how happy she looked. I'll never forget that.

I'm still feeling emotional, but I'm glad I can relax now. I was a nervous wreck before popping the question. I'm so happy Maya said yes. I'm the happiest and luckiest man alive right now.

I glance down at Maya, her eyes are steady to the horizon, face aglow with the orange rays. She looks so peaceful and content.

I can't wait to marry her and spend the rest of my sunsets with her.

Maya wipes her eyes before she holds her hand out to admire the engagement ring.

"Do you like it?" I ask as I watch her gently play with it.

She turns her head and looks up at me with a big sweet smile.

"I love it, Michael. It's beautiful."

She strokes my cheek and plants a kiss on my lips.

"I went ring shopping with Wes before he proposed to Amy and I saw a ring just like that. I knew that was the type of ring I'd buy you."

"Really?" She frowns.

"Yeah."

"But... that was months ago. You've known all this time that you wanted to marry me?"

"Are you kidding?" I laugh softly. "I've known for years, Maya."

She smiles shyly and bites her lip before looking at the ring again.

"I can't believe it." She shakes her head. "We're engaged... you're my fiancé." She widens her eyes and giggles. "It sounds so strange, but a good strange. It's going to take a while for all of this to sink in."

I smile and tuck a loose curl behind her ear.

"I don't want to wait." I say softly.

She meets my gaze and we stare into each others eyes.

"I want to marry you as soon as possible. I want to make you my wife."

"I don't want to wait either." She replied softly.

I smile and we kiss each other slowly and deeply.

"You've made me feel like a princess." She said as she gazes back into my eyes. "I mean, you've made me feel like that many times throughout the time that I've known you, but this proposal was so romantic. Bringing me to the beach, the horse back ride, the rose petals, the picnic with all my favourite foods, us sat watching the beautiful sunset, just... everything. It was perfect, Michael... you're perfect. You couldn't have made this moment any more special."

"You deserve to feel like a princess, baby. And I'm glad everything went to plan."

"Yeah, and you're my prince charming." She grins. "I want to pinch myself because this doesn't feel real..."

"It's real, baby." I smile and kiss her cheek. "You're gonna be Mrs Jackson real soon."

"A Jackson." She widens her eyes, smiling from ear to ear. "Maya Leigh Jackson, I like the sound of that."