unexpected love (Leah Williamson)

The Proposal Plan in Motion

Leah had made up her mind. She was going to propose to Ella. The idea had settled into her heart with such certainty that it made her both nervous and excited. Leah was never one for elaborate gestures, but she wanted this to be special. She wanted Ella to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, just how much she was loved.

But Leah knew she couldn't do it alone. She needed a little help to pull it off, and the first person who came to mind was Beth.

Leah met Beth at a small café near the training grounds, her leg bouncing nervously under the table. Beth arrived late, as usual, grinning as she slid into the seat across from Leah.

"Alright, Leah," Beth said, setting her coffee down. "What's with the urgency? You looked like you were about to explode in your texts."

Leah rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "I need your help."

Beth raised an eyebrow. "Oh? With what? Something football-related, or are we talking real life stuff?"

Leah took a deep breath, leaning closer. "I'm going to propose to Ella."

Beth's eyes widened, her grin growing impossibly big. "Leah Williamson, you romantic! This is huge! When are you doing it? How? Oh my God, do you have a ring?"

Leah laughed, grateful for Beth's enthusiasm. "I have the ring," she said, pulling a small velvet box from her pocket and placing it on the table. She opened it just enough for Beth to see the delicate diamond ring inside.

Beth gasped, covering her mouth. "Leah, it's perfect. She's going to cry. I'm going to cry."

"Okay, okay, calm down," Leah said, though she couldn't help but smile at Beth's reaction. "Here's the thing—I need you to distract Ella while I set everything up. I'm planning to do it this weekend, but I also need to talk to her parents before I actually propose."

Beth nodded, already buzzing with excitement. "Don't worry. I've got you covered. I'll take Ella out for the day—shopping or something. She won't suspect a thing."

"Thanks, Beth. I owe you one," Leah said, her voice soft but sincere.

Beth waved her off. "You're proposing to my best friend. It's an honor. Now, let's get this plan rolling!"

The next morning, Leah made her way to Ella's parents' house, her nerves nearly getting the better of her. Leah had worked hard to build a good relationship with Ella's parents. She knew how important family was to Ella, and she wanted their blessing before she asked the most important question of her life.

Ella's dad, Mark, opened the door and smiled warmly when he saw Leah. "Leah, come on in. Ella's not with you?"

"No, sir," Leah said, stepping inside. "Actually, I came to talk to you and Mrs. Carter about something."

Mark raised an eyebrow but gestured toward the living room. "Alright, let's sit down."

Ella's mom, Diane, joined them a moment later, curiosity etched on her face. "Leah! This is a surprise. What's on your mind?"

Leah cleared her throat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "I wanted to talk to you both about Ella. Specifically, about asking her to marry me."

Diane's eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth, while Mark leaned back, folding his arms.

"I love Ella," Leah continued, her voice steady despite her nerves. "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I can't imagine my life without her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her, and I'd like your blessing to propose to her."

For a moment, the room was silent. Leah's heart pounded in her chest as she waited for their response.

Mark finally spoke, his tone firm but kind. "Leah, I'll admit, when we first met you, I had my doubts. Not about your character, but about how much you could handle. Ella's been through a lot, and it's not easy being with someone like her. But I've seen how much you love her, and more importantly, how much she loves you. So, yes, you have my blessing."

Diane smiled, tears in her eyes. "You have mine, too. Ella is lucky to have you, Leah. And I know you'll take good care of her."

Leah exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you. That means so much to me."

Saturday arrived, and Leah's plan was in full swing. Beth had whisked Ella away for a day of shopping, promising to keep her distracted for as long as Leah needed. Meanwhile, Leah transformed their shared home into a cozy, romantic setting. She strung up fairy lights, lit candles, and arranged fresh flowers on the table. A playlist of Ella's favorite songs played softly in the background.

By the time Beth texted to let her know they were on their way back, Leah's nerves were in overdrive. She straightened her shirt for the fifth time, double-checked the placement of the ring, and took a deep breath.

The door opened, and Ella walked in, her cheeks flushed from the cold. She stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her.

"Leah?" she said, her voice tinged with confusion. "What's all this?"

Leah stepped forward, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for Ella's. "It's something I've been wanting to do for a while now," she said softly.

Ella's brow furrowed, but a small smile played at her lips. "Leah, what's going on?"

Leah took a deep breath, dropping to one knee and pulling out the ring. Ella gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as tears filled her eyes.

"Ella Carter," Leah began, her voice steady despite the overwhelming emotions coursing through her. "You've changed my life in more ways than I can count. You've shown me what it means to love and be loved, and I can't imagine a future without you in it. Will you marry me?"

Ella stared at her, stunned, before breaking into a wide, tearful smile. "Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Yes, of course, I will."

Leah slipped the ring onto Ella's finger before standing and pulling her into a tight embrace. They held each other for a long moment, the rest of the world fading away.

In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of their home and the love they shared, Leah knew she'd made the best decision of her life.