Miss Historian and Her Lady Guide (The Love We Found)

And I Found You

The gentle waves lapped at the shore, a soft and soothing melody under the starry sky. Dana and Roxan had spent the day exploring the hidden coves of Palawan, snorkeling in its crystal-clear waters, and basking in the warm sun. Now, they sat on the cool sand, sharing a bottle of wine, their fingers interlaced as they watched the moon cast a silver glow over the ocean.

Roxan felt a warmth spreading through her that had nothing to do with the wine. Her heart was full, and every fiber of her being seemed to vibrate with contentment. She glanced at Dana, who was gazing out at the water, a peaceful smile on her lips. She looked so beautiful, so alive, and Roxan felt a rush of gratitude for the woman beside her—the woman who had turned her world upside down in the best way possible.

"Hey," Dana said softly, turning to meet Roxan's eyes. "What's going on in that head of yours?"

Roxan chuckled, her cheeks warming under Dana's gaze. "Just... thinking about how perfect this all feels," she admitted. "Being here with you... I don't think I've ever been this happy."

Dana's smile widened, and she leaned in to press a soft kiss to Roxan's cheek. "I feel the same," she whispered. "It's like... everything makes sense now."

Roxan nodded, her heart racing. She had been thinking about something for days, but hadn't quite found the right moment. But now, sitting here under the stars with Dana, she realized the moment had arrived. She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around Dana's.

"Dana," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "I... I've been thinking a lot about us. About our story, and everything we've been through together."

Dana turned to face her fully, sensing the seriousness in Roxan's tone. "I'm listening," she said softly, her expression attentive.

Roxan felt a surge of nerves but pushed forward. "When I first came here, I was looking for answers—answers about María and Isabel, about the past. But what I found... was so much more than I ever expected. I found you."

Dana's eyes softened, and she squeezed Roxan's hand. "And I found you," she whispered.

Roxan smiled, her heart swelling. "Being with you has made me realize that life is about more than just finding answers. It's about living in the moment, taking risks, and being with the person who makes you feel most alive."

She paused, taking a deep breath. "And I want to keep feeling this way, Dana. I want to keep exploring the world with you, chasing stories, and writing our own. I want... forever with you."

Dana's breath caught, her eyes widening as she realized where Roxan was going. "Roxan..."

Roxan reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. She opened it to reveal a delicate silver ring, set with a small emerald that sparkled in the moonlight. "Dana, will you marry me?"

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. Dana's eyes filled with tears, her hand flying to her mouth. She was speechless, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

Roxan's face softened. "I know it's sudden, and maybe it's crazy," she said quickly, "but I've never been more sure of anything in my life. You are the love of my life, Dana. And I want to spend every day showing you just how much you mean to me."

Dana's tears spilled over, and she let out a shaky laugh. "Yes," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Yes, Roxan, a thousand times yes!"

Roxan felt a rush of relief and joy as Dana threw her arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. They both laughed, the sound echoing over the water, as Roxan slipped the ring onto Dana's finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had been made just for her.

"I love you so much," Dana whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I can't believe you did this... I can't believe I'm so lucky."

Roxan cupped Dana's face in her hands, her thumbs brushing away her tears. "I'm the lucky one," she murmured. "You make me braver, stronger, happier than I ever knew I could be. I want to spend my life with you, Dana. I want to make every day an adventure."

Dana leaned in, capturing Roxan's lips in a deep, passionate kiss. The world around them seemed to fade away as they melted into each other, the kiss filled with all the love, joy, and hope they felt in that moment. When they finally pulled away, they were both breathless, their foreheads touching.

"We're really doing this," Dana murmured, a grin spreading across her face. "We're getting married."

Roxan laughed, her heart soaring. "Yes, we are," she agreed. "And I can't wait to see what comes next."

They spent the rest of the evening on the beach, talking about their future, making plans, and dreaming of all the possibilities that lay ahead. As the night grew darker, they lay back on the sand, staring up at the stars, their hands intertwined.

"We should have a small wedding," Dana mused. "Something intimate, with just our closest friends and family... maybe at a beautiful old church like San Agustin."

Roxan nodded. "I love that idea," she said. "And we can have the reception somewhere by the sea... with music, dancing, and all the people who matter most to us."

Dana smiled, a dreamy look in her eyes. "And then, maybe we can have a little honeymoon... another road trip, perhaps? To places we haven't explored yet?"

Roxan grinned. "Absolutely," she agreed. "There's so much world out there waiting for us."

Dana's expression turned serious for a moment. "But more than anything," she said softly, "I just want to be with you. No matter where we go, no matter what we do... as long as we're together, I know we'll be okay."

Roxan felt a lump form in her throat, and she nodded, her heart overflowing with love. "I feel the same," she whispered. "I can't wait to start our life together, Dana. To build something beautiful and strong."

They lay there, side by side, under the vast expanse of the night sky, feeling the weight of the future settle around them like a comforting blanket. They had found each other in the most unexpected of ways, but it was clear now that this was exactly where they were meant to be.

As they drifted into a peaceful sleep, the stars above seemed to shine a little brighter, as if celebrating the love that had blossomed between them—a love that had traveled across time and space, defying all odds to find its home.