She's a bookworm through and through. Her hands glide over the books on the shelf before hovering over one. She carefully pulls it out and reads the few paragraphs on the back cover, trying to see if the story is worth exploring. With a small smile on her lips, she turns the book over and starts reading.
He leans carefully against the bookshelf, arms crossed, watching her. She doesn't notice his loving gaze as she reads through the first chapter of this new book. He smiles to himself, loving this view. But nervous for what's to happen soon.
Brennan looks over to see his parents sitting casually at the bookstore's coffee shop. His older sister is setting up cameras in the children's section, and his younger sister is waiting behind some bookshelves to distract Scarlett.
After what seems like an hour, Scarlett looks up to see Brennan's soft gaze. "What?" She asks, still amazed that someone could look at her this way. He blinks a few times as if caught unaware. "Uh, I was just admiring the beauty of this fair maiden lost in the world of this book in her hands." Scarlett laughs and places the book back in its place. "You've seen this maiden lost in a book far too many times over the years, sir. Why is this view never tiring for you?"
She walks into a different aisle and he follows her, a smile on his face. "Well, because that made is you, and I will never get tired of gazing at your beauty" he responds, still in the elvish accent. She rolls her eyes and keeps walking through the aisles until they reach the children's section.
Brennan makes eye contact with his younger sister, who nods and steps out of one aisle to meet them. "Scarlett, could you help me find a certain book?" She asks, taking Scarlett's hand. Scarlett smiles at her and then looks back at Brennan. "Be right back."
He nods and waves her away before rushing to where his older sister is hiding behind a bookshelf where cameras have been placed. "Are they ready?" He asks. She nods and gives him a thumbs-up. He clears his throat and nods, walking to the little stage in the center of the children's section. He sees his younger sister slowly leading Scarlett toward him. He takes a deep breath and says a prayer.
Scarlett finds the book Brennan's sister asks for and gives her a hug. "I'm so glad you love reading." The young girl nods and looks up at her soon-to-be sister-in-law. "You helped me love reading." She turns away to find a place to sit down. Scarlett turns away to find Brennan.
She laughs, seeing him on the little stage where she would often sit reading books to the kids. "What are you doing there, sir?" She asks in an elvish accent. He shrugs and holds out an arm for her to take. She does so with a bow, and he pulls her to him. A song plays through the bookstore, and Scarlett looks up at him with an eyebrow raised. He shrugs to her unspoken question, leading her in a swaying motion until the chorus comes. He gives her a twirl, and as she spins, he comes down on one knee.
Scarlett laughs as she twirls, then steadies herself. Her eyes widen as she sees Brennan down on one knee, a box in his hands. Tears form in her eyes as he professes his love and promises, reciting the speech he's practiced over and over again. He explains how he forged the ring with significant meaning, and how he would do so over and over again for her to know how loved she is. Through their ups and downs, because of their firm Foundation, their love and relationship will be strong and durable.
"To my best friend and treasure, the only one I want to live this life story adventure together, will you marry me?"
Scarlett nods and whispers, "Yes, yes, yes!" Brennan slides the ring onto her finger, and she releases a slow breath. It fits perfectly.
She looks at him with all the love and admiration she has at this moment and wraps her arms around his neck. His arms wrap around her, and they hold each other in a sweet embrace for what could be forever. To the lovers, a forever hug like this seems only like seconds.
Brennan's family watches from afar, smiling and sharing their own hugs as they watch the two lovers hold each other. Mr. Harper joins them after putting the song on repeat, allowing the whole bookstore to hear the song that the lovers dance to.
And if a camera were capturing this moment in a movie, it would start to slowly zoom out, where the brown and bricked bookstore on the corner of a street was surrounded by falling leaves of orange and yellow. And just as the fall season brings new changes, so will this new chapter of the Brennan and Scarlett story.
