Sunshines and Rainbows

Chapter 5: College and Proposal

College was everything Trixie and Alex had imagined—new experiences, late-night study sessions, and the freedom to explore who they were outside of their hometown. But what made it special for both of them was that they got to do it together. They attended the same university, a decision that felt right, as if their lives had always been intertwined, no matter where they went.

Despite the busyness of college life, Trixie and Alex's relationship grew stronger with each passing day. They still found time for each other amid the chaos, making room for quiet moments in between lectures and study groups. Some days were challenging—balancing schoolwork, part-time jobs, and social life—but no matter how tough things got, they always had each other to lean on.

One cold winter evening, during their senior year of college, Trixie and Alex found themselves at their favorite spot on campus: a small hill overlooking the lake. The trees were bare, their branches stretching like fingers toward the sky, and the lake shimmered under the moonlight. This spot had become their refuge, a place where they could escape the world and just be together.

They sat on a blanket, bundled up in coats and scarves, sipping hot chocolate and looking out over the frozen water.

"You know," Alex said, breaking the comfortable silence, "it's kind of crazy how fast these four years have gone by."

Trixie nodded, snuggling closer to him. "Yeah. It feels like just yesterday we were freaking out about finals as freshmen."

"And now we're freaking out about graduating," Alex added with a chuckle.

Trixie laughed softly. "I guess some things never change."

But something was different tonight. Trixie could feel it—the way Alex was quieter than usual, a little more thoughtful, as if he had something on his mind. She glanced at him, her breath visible in the chilly air, and noticed that his hands were fidgeting.

"Are you okay?" she asked gently, leaning into him.

Alex took a deep breath and turned to face her, his expression serious but full of warmth. "Trixie, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

Trixie's heart skipped a beat. She could tell from the look in his eyes that this was something big. "What is it?" she asked softly.

Alex reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. Trixie's breath caught in her throat as her eyes widened in realization.

"Trixie," Alex began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, "I've loved you since the day we met in kindergarten. You've been my best friend, my partner, and the most important person in my life for as long as I can remember. I don't just love you—I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You're my sunshine and my rainbow, always have been."

He paused, opening the box to reveal a simple but beautiful ring, its diamond catching the light of the moon.

"Trixie," Alex continued, his eyes never leaving hers, "will you marry me?"

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. Trixie's heart swelled, tears brimming in her eyes as she took in the sight of Alex kneeling in front of her, his expression full of love and hope. This was the boy she had met on the first day of kindergarten, the one who had colored rainbows with her, who had made childhood promises of forever, and who had been by her side through every stage of life.

Trixie's voice trembled as she smiled through her tears. "Yes, Alex. Yes, I'll marry you!"

Without hesitation, Alex slipped the ring onto her finger, and in the next moment, Trixie threw her arms around him, laughing and crying all at once. They fell back onto the blanket, wrapped in each other's embrace, the cold winter night forgotten in the warmth of the moment.

For a long time, they stayed there, holding each other under the stars, their hearts full of love and joy. Everything they had been through—the laughter, the tears, the adventures—had led to this moment. And in that moment, they both knew that they had found something truly special, something worth holding onto for the rest of their lives.

As they sat up, still wrapped in each other's arms, Alex kissed Trixie's forehead. "We're really doing this," he said softly, a smile tugging at his lips. "You're going to be my wife."

Trixie grinned, her heart soaring. "And you're going to be my husband."

The reality of it was overwhelming, but in the best possible way. They had always known that they were meant to be together, but now, with the promise of marriage, their future seemed even brighter.

Later that night, as they walked back to their apartment, hand in hand, Trixie glanced down at the ring on her finger, the sparkle of the diamond catching the light with every step. It wasn't just a ring—it was a promise, a symbol of everything they had been through and everything they had yet to experience.

And as they looked toward the future, they knew that no matter what challenges life might throw at them, they would face it together. Their story, which had begun with crayons and rainbows in kindergarten, was far from over. In fact, it was just beginning.