unexpected love story

new beginnings

The weeks melted away in a blissful haze as Sarah and James's relationship only grew richer and deeper. They were utterly inseparable - he had become her safe harbor, her spiritual partner, her whole heart.
Before she realized how much time had passed, summer was giving way to fall. One crisp October evening found Sarah curled up on the couch, her head resting on James's chest as the fire crackled. She felt utterly content, lulled by the rhythmic rise and fall of his breath.
"You know," James's low rumble broke the comfortable silence, his fingers idly trailing through her hair. "In all the novels I've crafted, all the sweeping romances and epic tales of love...I never could have dreamed up someone as incredible as you."
Sarah tilted her head back to meet his warm, soulful gaze, her heart overflowing. "You mean that?"
"Of course." He cupped her face in his hand, stroking her cheekbone with his thumb. "Meeting you has been the most profound experience of my life, Sarah. You're my muse, my inspiration, my every dreamed-of desire come to life."
Tears pricked Sarah's eyes at the raw sincerity in his words. She covered his hand with her own, holding him to her. "James...you've utterly transcended all my expectations too. You make me want to live vividly, to pour every ounce of my passion into my art. With you, I feel more vibrantly alive than ever before."
His answering smile was utterly radiant. Then, in a gesture so tender it stole Sarah's breath, James slid off the couch onto one knee before her. Reaching into his pocket, he produced a stunning diamond solitaire ring, letting it catch the firelight.
"My love, my soulmate..." His voice was thick with emotion. "This connection we share is cosmic, written in the stars themselves. I don't want to spend another day of my life without you by my side. Sarah...will you marry me?"
For one endless, silvered moment, Sarah could only gaze at him in wonderstruck awe. Then she found her voice. "Yes...oh my god, yes!"
She flung herself into his arms, laughing and crying all at once as James gathered her close. Their lips met in a passionate, all-consuming kiss - the joyful promise of forever beginning anew.