Afton Family: Michael and Isabella.

Chapter 2: Isabella and Michael's Proposal

The crisp autumn air had just begun to settle over the college campus, painting the leaves in shades of gold and crimson. It was Michael's second year at university, and life seemed to be moving faster than ever. His classes were challenging, but he loved the thrill of learning new concepts in robotics and computer science. However, it wasn't just his studies that kept him on his toes—his relationship with Isabella had grown stronger, deeper, and more meaningful with each passing day.

They had been inseparable since their first date, navigating the ups and downs of college life together. Isabella was studying environmental science, her passion for protecting the planet shining through in every project she worked on. Michael admired her determination, her ability to see the world not just as it was, but as it could be. She brought a balance to his life, and he found himself falling more in love with her every day.

That evening, Michael had planned something special. He had been thinking about it for weeks, meticulously planning every detail. He knew Isabella was the one he wanted to spend his life with, and he couldn't wait any longer to tell her. He wanted to propose—though they were still in college, he knew in his heart that their love was something rare, something worth holding onto.

Michael chose a quiet, scenic spot on campus—a small garden tucked away behind the science building, where they often went to study or just talk. It was their secret place, a spot that felt like theirs alone. He set up a small table with fairy lights, a few candles, and a bouquet of Isabella's favorite flowers—lavender and daisies.

Isabella arrived right on time, her eyes widening with surprise when she saw the setup. "Michael, what is all this?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of excitement.

Michael smiled, his nerves fluttering in his stomach. "Just a little surprise," he said, taking her hand and leading her to the table. "I thought we could have a nice dinner... just the two of us."

Isabella laughed softly, her eyes sparkling in the soft glow of the candles. "You didn't have to do all this, you know. But it's beautiful. Thank you."

They sat down, enjoying the simple but heartfelt dinner Michael had prepared—a mix of their favorite foods, nothing too fancy but perfect for them. They talked and laughed, reminiscing about their first date, their favorite memories, and their plans for the future. As the evening went on, Michael felt his nervousness begin to melt away, replaced by a calm certainty.

After they finished eating, Michael stood up and took Isabella's hand, leading her to the center of the garden. "There's something I've been wanting to say," he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Isabella, these past two years with you have been the best of my life. You make everything better—you make me better. I can't imagine my future without you in it."

Isabella's eyes filled with tears, her heart pounding in her chest. "Michael..."

He took a deep breath, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small velvet box. "I know we're still in college, and there's so much ahead of us. But I also know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to grow old with you, to build a life together, to face every challenge and celebrate every joy with you by my side."

He got down on one knee, opening the box to reveal a delicate ring—a simple silver band with a small, sparkling diamond. "Isabella Enfuego, will you marry me? I promise to love you always, to support you, and to be there for you, no matter what. We can wait until after graduation to get married, but I want to know... will you be my partner for life?"

Isabella's breath caught in her throat, tears streaming down her face. She looked at Michael, her heart overflowing with love and joy. She had never been more certain of anything in her life.

"Yes, Michael," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Yes, I will marry you. I want to spend my life with you, too."

Michael's face broke into a radiant smile as he slipped the ring onto her finger. He stood up, pulling her into a tight embrace as the world around them seemed to disappear. In that moment, it was just the two of them, bound by love and a promise of forever.

They held each other for a long time, savoring the moment. When they finally pulled away, Isabella looked at Michael with a playful smile. "So, we have a plan then," she said. "We'll finish college, graduate, and then... we get married."

Michael nodded, his heart swelling with happiness. "Exactly," he agreed. "We'll take on the world together."

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms under the starry sky, Michael felt a profound sense of peace and contentment. He knew the road ahead wouldn't always be easy, but with Isabella by his side, he felt ready for anything. They had each other, and that was more than enough.

The promise of their future together was now set, a new chapter of their lives just beginning. And they were both eager to see where their love would take them next.