Fate's Unwritten Path

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Lucas's POV:

The day had finally come. I'd been planning this for weeks, trying to make it perfect. Sasha deserved nothing less. After everything she'd been through, I wanted to give her something beautiful, something that would remind her of all the good in life. I wanted to take her on our first real date—a moment just for us, away from the darkness that had overshadowed the past few months. The snow had begun to fall softly outside, blanketing the city in a quiet white layer that seemed to hush the usual noise of New York. 

It was the perfect backdrop for tonight. I had the evening all planned out, each detail meticulously thought through. It wasn't going to be flashy or extravagant; instead, it would be intimate, and heartfelt—just us, making a new memory. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the collar of my black dress shirt before slipping on my warm black jacket. The dress pants fit snugly, just the right amount of formal without being over the top. I wanted to look good for her, but more importantly, I wanted her to feel comfortable and safe. 

With one last look, I headed to the living room, where I found Sasha standing near the window, gazing out at the falling snow. She looked beautiful, her warm brown sweater hugging her frame, and black leggings complementing the outfit. She wore a black jacket over it, and her snow boots were perfect for the weather. But what made me smile was the cute white hat she wore, with a fluffy ball on top. It was so her—charming, a little playful, and absolutely adorable. I walked over to her, my heart picking up pace as I got closer. She turned to face me, a small smile playing on her lips. 

"Hey," I said softly, reaching out to take her hand. 

"Hey," she replied, her voice warm and soothing. I could see a mix of emotions in her eyes—nervousness, excitement, maybe even a hint of uncertainty. But there was also trust. She trusted me, and that meant everything. 

"Sasha," I began, gently squeezing her hand, "I've been wanting to ask you something for a while now." 

Her eyebrows lifted slightly, a curious expression crossing her face.  "What is it?" 

"I want to take you on a date. A real date, just the two of us. Somewhere special." 

For a moment, she didn't say anything. I could see her processing it, her gaze dropping to our intertwined hands before meeting mine again. Then she nodded, a soft smile lighting up her face. "Yes, Lucas. I'd love to go on a date with you." 

Relief and joy flooded through me. I didn't realize how much I'd been holding my breath, waiting for her answer, until I felt the tension leave my body. I leaned in and kissed her forehead, the warmth of her skin grounding me in the moment. 

"Thank you," I whispered, pulling back just enough to see her eyes again. 

"What's the plan?" she asked, a playful tone creeping into her voice. I grinned. 

"It's a surprise. But trust me, you'll love it." She laughed softly, and it was music to my ears. It was the sound of Sasha coming back to life, piece by piece. I offered her my arm, and she looped hers through mine. 

Together, we made our way to the door, leaving the penthouse behind as we stepped into the night. The snowflakes danced around us, the cold air biting but not unpleasant. It was the kind of cold that made you want to huddle close to someone, and I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather be with than her. As we walked down the street, arm in arm, the city lights twinkled above us, reflecting off the snow-covered ground. 

Everything felt right like the universe was giving us this moment to just be—to enjoy the simplicity of each other's company. We walked in comfortable silence, the kind that didn't need words to fill the space. I glanced over at her every now and then, watching how her eyes would light up at the sight of something beautiful—a shop window display, the way the snow clung to the trees, or the gentle glow of street lamps lining our path. The world was quiet, almost as if it knew this was our time.