The evening stars

Yes

The home of Stephen's family in Sicily was a true corner of tranquility and comfort. He stood right by the shore, and as Sophie and Stephen approached, the snow-white walls of the house gleamed under the rays of the setting winter sun. There was an atmosphere of celebration and tranquility all around. The white facade harmonized with the wooden elements of the interior, creating the impression of a warm family nest. The air was filled with the salty scent of the sea, and the sound of the waves added an idyllic touch to the moment.

Inside the house, everything was buzzing with anticipation for the celebration. Roberto was intently stoking the fireplace, occasionally adding logs to keep the fire going. He worked with pleasure, humming a tune to himself, while Sky sweetly snored in the chair. Chiara stood in the kitchen, preparing light snacks for the New Year's table, and the house was filled with the aromas of fresh bread, cheese, and spices.

— Shall we take a walk on the beach? — Stephen suggested, approaching Sophie, who was standing by the window and enjoying the view.

— Of course, — she replied with a smile, but before she could go, Steven added with a hint of concern:

— Just dress warmer, the cold wind is blowing from the sea, — he pecked her on the tip of her nose, eliciting a light laugh from her.

They stepped out of the house, and immediately the cold wind from the sea enveloped them. Sophie tightened her coat, but her hair immediately got tousled by the gusts of wind, dancing in the air. They slowly made their way down to the beach, and each step was accompanied by the crunch of small pebbles beneath their feet. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore created a sense of seclusion, as if they were the only ones on this coastline.

— It's incredibly beautiful here, — Sophie said, inhaling the salty air and savoring the moment.

— Yes, I like it too, — replied Stephen, hugging her shoulders and pulling her close to warm her from the wind.

Sophie smiled, feeling a turmoil inside her. The thought of the news she was still hiding flashed through her mind again. But it was here, amidst the noisy sea and the silence of the shore, that she decided the moment had come.

They walked along the shore, enjoying each other's company and the surrounding nature. The wind whispered in the ears, and the waves gently rolled onto the sand, as if in time with their slow steps. Sophie pressed closer to Steven, feeling his warmth, but inside, she was troubled by more than just this moment. The heart trembled, as if preparing to leap into the unknown.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she stopped and quietly said, — I have a gift for you for the New Year.

Steven looked at her in surprise: — Did you manage to prepare a gift in that time? — His voice sounded slightly surprised and cheerful, as they had only just returned from Chicago.

— It's not that I was in a hurry, — Sophie hesitated, slightly nervous, but continued with a light smile, — it just happened that way.

Stephen furrowed his brows, trying to understand what was being discussed. He scratched his head thoughtfully: — Sometimes, Sophie, it seems to me that I don't speak English at all, — he laughed, hoping that the joke would ease the tension.

Sophie chuckled nervously, but her heart was pounding harder and harder. She slowly took out a small box from her pocket, which had been lying in her coat for some time. All this time, she felt its weight, both physical and emotional.

— Just don't say you're going to propose to me, — Stephen joked, laughing again, but this time there was a hint of slight concern in his voice.

— No, — she smiled, handing him the little box, — just open it.

Excitement overwhelmed her as Steven slowly opened the lid of the box. His expression changed abruptly when he saw the contents — a pregnancy test with two lines. He froze, holding the test in his hands, and for a few seconds, it seemed he had lost the power of speech. Sophie watched his reaction intently, not understanding what he was thinking at that moment. His face revealed nothing definite — a mix of surprise and shock.

— Are you... pregnant? — he asked quietly, his voice full of astonishment.

— Yes, — Sophie replied, feeling her tension rise.

Steven shifted his gaze from the test to Sophie, his eyes wide with astonishment, and suddenly he exhaled: "Oh my god!" — and before she could say anything, he scooped her up in his arms and twirled her around, laughing with joy. — Sophie, this is incredible!

She finally laughed with him, feeling the weight lift off her shoulders. "I was so worried all this time," she confessed when he finally set her down on the ground.

— When did you find out? — asked Steven, still stunned and joyful.

— As soon as we returned to Italy. I didn't want to speak earlier until I was sure. Are you happy?

— Happy? — he smiled broadly, pulling her to him by the waist. — Sophie, this is the best gift one could ever imagine!

He gently pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. Sophie felt all her fears and doubts dissipate in that kiss, and she finally understood that everything would be alright.

— Actually, I was really scared that you would steal my idea, — Stephen said with a joking smile, but his gaze remained serious.

Sophie looked at him in surprise: — What idea? What are you talking about?

Stephen hesitated for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts, then took a white box out of his pocket. He slowly opened it in front of Sophie, and inside sparkled a diamond ring. Sophie froze, her eyes widened in surprise, and her hand instinctively covered her mouth to contain the mixed feeling of excitement and joy.

— Sophie, — Stephen began, his voice becoming softer yet filled with confidence at the same time. — Since you came into my life, every day gets better and better. I can't stop thinking about how much better my life could be with you by my side. And to find this out, I need to understand one thing.

Sophie looked at him, her heart was beating so fast that it felt like it was about to leap out of her chest.

— Will you be my wife, Sophie? — Stephen asked quietly and seriously, not breaking his gaze from her eyes, which were filled with astonishment.

For a moment, everything around seemed to vanish. Only they were together, the noise of the sea and the cold wind, which no longer mattered. Sophie felt her eyes fill with tears of joy. Words were not enough, but she knew the answer from the very beginning.

— Yes, — she whispered, nodding her head, still holding back the tears that she could no longer hide.

Stephen gently took her hand, and she extended it, trembling slightly. He carefully placed the ring on her ring finger, as if sealing not just their engagement, but their shared dreams and hopes. Sophie couldn't believe that all of this was happening to her, here, on this beach, under the evening stars.

When the ring took its place, Stephen leaned in towards her, and their lips met in a tender kiss. It was a moment where joy, love, and future promises intertwined. Sophie felt all her worries, fears, and anxieties fade into the background, making way for the pure and sincere love that surrounded them both.

— I love you, Sophie, — Stephen whispered, not breaking away from her lips.

— I love you too, — she replied softly, pressing herself against him tighter.

They stood on that deserted beach, surrounded only by the sounds of the sea and the wind, and at that moment, nothing else existed for them but the two of them and their shared dream of the future.

On their way home, Sophie and Stephen, holding hands, heard a loud and joyful voice coming from a distance. It was Roberto and Chiara standing at the entrance of the house, and it seemed they knew more than Sophie had assumed.

— What did she say?! — Roberto shouted with obvious impatience, barely audible in the night air.

Sophie and Steven laughed, realizing that Steven's parents were aware of his plans. Sophie paused for a moment, raised her hand with the ring, and, unable to contain her excitement, shouted loudly in response:

— YEEESSSS!

Roberto smiled and, as if to lift the spirits even higher, set off a firework. Suddenly, bright flashes of light cut through the dark night sky, colorful lights soared upwards, illuminating everything around. Fireworks burst and sparkled, as if the sky itself was celebrating their happiness along with them. It was not just a festive moment — the lights seemed to complement the stars, those very stars that finally bore witness to Sophie's happiness, illuminating her new life with Steven.

Sofia looked up, feeling her heart fill with warmth and joy. She knew that new adventures awaited them ahead, but this moment—here on the beach, under the glow of fireworks and evening stars—was the beginning of their shared story, which they enjoyed together.