AVA AND AXEL: FROM SOULMATES TO INMATES

Chapter 6: The Proposal

For as long as he could remember, Axel Rivers was the kind of man who had everything neatly in place. He thrived on structure, clarity, and knowing what came next. But somehow, when it came to Ava Delaney, the script had flipped. She was a whirlwind of passion, creativity, and wit, qualities he adored. Every time he thought he had her figured out, she'd throw him for a loop, surprising him with her deep thoughts or wacky ideas. And that was precisely why he knew he wanted to marry her.

So, Axel had decided to propose, and he wanted to do it right. But getting there was no small feat.

The Ring Hunt

The journey started with the ring. Axel was the kind of guy who thought buying a ring would be as simple as walking into a store, picking something shiny, and calling it a day. But once he actually started looking, he realized this wasn't just any piece of jewelry, it was a statement, a lifetime promise, and it had to be perfect. He spent hours at different jewelers, flipping through endless trays of diamonds, sapphires, and designs so intricate he couldn't even understand what he was looking at.

When he finally found it, a simple yet elegant diamond set in platinum with subtle vintage detailing, he knew it was the one. It wasn't flashy or overdone; it was beautiful and timeless, just like Ava. And the moment he saw it, he couldn't shake the mental image of slipping it onto her finger as she said "yes." He was grinning like an idiot for days afterward, his friends calling him out for "zoning out" mid-conversation.

"You're already married to that ring, man," Conner teased, noticing Axel lost in thought more than once. "Just don't propose to it by mistake."

The Plan

With the ring locked away in his nightstand, Axel had to orchestrate the perfect proposal. He wanted something intimate yet unforgettable—something that would make Ava feel cherished, adored, and, maybe most importantly, surprised. He started scoping out locations, finally deciding on a rooftop terrace at one of Detroit's best downtown restaurants. With its sweeping view of the skyline and the soft, romantic glow of the city lights, he could already see Ava's reaction.

But Axel knew that atmosphere alone wouldn't cut it. He wanted a full orchestra, and not just any music—he wanted the kind of soundtrack you'd hear in a romance film, where violins and cellos swell in perfect harmony. Pulling this off required some help, which meant bringing in the most trusted allies he had: Conner and Morgan.

Conner and Morgan: Co-Conspirators

Conner, his best friend, was quick to jump on board, even though his sarcastic nature came with the occasional dig. "So, you're going full Nicholas Sparks with this, huh?" he said, eyebrows raised. "Rose petals, violins... maybe throw in a horse and carriage?"

"Laugh it up," Axel shot back, "but you'll be in charge of keeping Ava distracted and not letting her suspect a thing. And maybe help with the rose petals, since you've got such an opinion on them."

Morgan, Ava's best friend, was equally excited but, unlike Conner, actually took the mission seriously. She came prepared with ideas on how to make everything just right—lighting suggestions, floral arrangements, and even a little speech on why red roses would be too cliché and white roses, too bland.

"I'm telling you, classic pink," she declared, holding up a sample she'd brought. "It's romantic without being over the top, and it won't scream, 'I bought these in a panic at the last minute.'"

Between Morgan's creative eye and Conner's begrudging help, Axel's vision started to come together. He'd even rehearsed what he was going to say, spending hours in the mirror to make sure he wouldn't stumble. But, of course, the one thing he couldn't rehearse was Ava's reaction. All he could do was hope she'd be as blown away as he imagined.

The Night of the Proposal

When the big day finally came, Axel was a bundle of nerves. He and Morgan arrived at the restaurant early, making sure every detail was flawless. The orchestra was in place, the rose petals formed a gentle trail leading to the center of the terrace, and fairy lights strung across the rooftop bathed everything in a soft, warm glow. It was more beautiful than he'd dared hope.

Conner, however, was less convinced. "I don't get it," he muttered, surveying the rose petal trail. "A path of flowers? She's not a woodland fairy, man."

"Just trust me," Axel replied, his patience already stretched thin. He glanced at his watch, nerves tightening as he realized the moment was almost here. He slid the ring box into his pocket, his heart hammering at the thought of what was about to happen.

As Ava made her way up to the rooftop, her silhouette framed in the doorway, Axel felt like he was in one of those movie scenes where time slows down. She looked stunning—elegant and radiant, with her long dark hair tumbling over her shoulders and a mix of curiosity and excitement in her eyes.

"Axel, what's all this?" she murmured, a smile breaking across her face.

Axel's heart pounded as he took her hands. "This... this is for you. I wanted to do something that showed you just how much you mean to me."

He launched into the speech he'd practiced a hundred times, his words pouring out with more emotion than he'd thought possible. "From the moment you walked into Luxe Street Riders, you turned my life upside down. I didn't know what love felt like until I met you. You're my best friend, my partner, my heart... and I want to spend every day making you as happy as you make me."

Her eyes shimmered with tears, her hands clutching his tightly.

"Ava Delaney," he said, dropping to one knee and pulling out the ring, "will you marry me?"

For a moment, time stopped. Then Ava nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes. A thousand times yes."

The Afterparty

As soon as she said yes, cheers erupted from the sidelines, where Conner and Morgan had been holding their breaths. They rushed over, laughing and hugging, showering Ava with congratulations and slightly sarcastic commentary.

"See? All those rose petals actually worked," Conner teased, earning a playful swat from Ava.

Morgan, however, was genuinely emotional, her eyes misty as she hugged her best friend. "I'm so happy for you two. You deserve all the happiness in the world, Ava."

The four of them spent the rest of the evening celebrating, toasting with champagne and laughing about the months of secret planning and near-misses that could have ruined everything. As the night wore on, they made their way through the streets of Detroit, giddy with excitement and the thrill of what was to come.

And while Axel thought he'd prepared for every detail of the proposal, he hadn't anticipated just how amazing it would feel to have Ava say yes. He didn't think he'd ever been this happy, and as he held her close, he knew he'd do everything he could to make every day together as perfect as this one.

In the weeks that followed, their lives became a blur of wedding planning. Ava's grandparents had offered to pay for the entire wedding, and their one stipulation, to hold it in Italy at their hotel in Porto Ercole was eagerly accepted. It felt like a fairy tale waiting to happen. But as they dove into planning, Axel discovered that he was only scratching the surface of Ava's perfectionism.

Even picking out napkins turned into an epic saga of matching shades and textures, and Axel quickly realized he'd married not only the love of his life but also the Queen of Details. But every time he got frustrated, Ava would flash him that heart-stopping smile, and he'd remember why he wanted to spend forever with her.