Best Mistake | Nicholas Chavez

Twenty three | making it work

flashback

—••—

When Amara and Nicholas shared the news of their engagement with her mom & his parents, the initial reaction was one of shock. They were taken aback by the suddenness of it all. At first, there was a hint of hesitation, uncertainty about the young couple's decision. However, as they saw the genuine love and excitement in their children's eyes, their demeanor softened. Ultimately, they embraced the idea, wanting nothing more than happiness for their kids. Their friends reacted similarly—initially stunned by the news but quickly swept up in joy for the couple.

Amara stands at the entrance of Nicholas's living room, her vision completely obscured by the blindfold he'd carefully tied around her eyes. She can feel his hand gently holding hers, his warmth steadying her as he guides her through the room. She senses the excitement in his voice as he whispers, "No peeking, promise?"

She laughs softly, playfully biting her lip. "Promise. But if I trip, I'm holding you responsible."

Nicholas chuckles, tightening his grip on her hand. "I've got you, babe."

He leads her a few more steps, finally stopping her in place. She feels him move around her, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek. The anticipation in the air is palpable, and Amara's heart races, wondering what he has planned.

"Alright," he murmurs, his voice soft and close to her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "Are you ready?"

Amara nods, barely able to contain her own excitement. She can hear him step back and feel him carefully untie the blindfold, the fabric sliding away.

Amara's eyes adjust to the dim glow of candlelight flickering around the room. Her breath catches as she takes in the sight before her: flowers, lush and vivid, are scattered across the room, their delicate petals trailing from the doorway to the table set elegantly in the center. Soft music hums in the background, adding to the intimate ambiance he's created just for them. The table is adorned with candles, casting a warm, golden light that dances across his face as he watches her reaction with a shy, hopeful smile.

She turns to him, eyes wide with amazement. "Nicholas...this is beautiful." He steps closer, his fingers brushing a stray hair from her cheek, and murmurs, "Only for you, Amara."

He drops to one knee, holding her hand with sincerity in his eyes. "Mimi, my Amara, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. And you deserve better than a post-sex proposal; I wanted to do it right."

Amara bursts into laughter, her heart fluttering. "Are you serious right now?"

Nicholas grins, his confidence shining through. "Absolutely! So here I am, down on one knee in a candlelit room, because I'm ready to be with you for the rest of my life."

With a playful seriousness, he continues, "You complete me. You're amazing, beautiful, and I love you more than you could ever imagine. I'm not great with words, and they can never fully express how much I feel for you and how much of a better man you make me."

He takes a deep breath, letting his emotions flow. "I'm not particularly religious or spiritual, but every day I wake up with you makes me want to go church thanking God for putting you in my life"

He looks deeply into her eyes, his voice filled with earnestness. "Seriously, Amara, you are my favorite person in the entire universe. When I think about my life, I can't imagine it without you. You make everything better—my mornings, my late-night snack raids, and even my terrible attempts at cooking." She laughs at that, hey eyes shining.