Snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky, blanketing the park in a layer of pristine white. The air was crisp, and the world seemed quieter somehow, as though the falling snow had softened every sound. You pulled your coat tighter around you, your breath visible in the cold as Nicholas walked beside you, his gloved hand firmly holding yours.
The two of you had spent the day exploring the city's winter festivities—Christmas markets, ice skating, and even a surprise horse-drawn carriage ride Nicholas had insisted on booking. It was the kind of day you'd dreamed about, but something about Nicholas's energy felt... different. He was quieter than usual, though his smile never faltered.
Now, the two of you were walking through the park, its trees wrapped in twinkling lights, their glow reflecting off the snow. It felt like something out of a Christmas movie.
"This is so beautiful," you said, squeezing his hand.
"Not as beautiful as you," he replied smoothly, earning a playful roll of your eyes.
"Cheesy much?"
"Maybe," he said with a grin. "But it's true."
You laughed, shaking your head, but your cheeks warmed despite the cold.
As you strolled deeper into the park, Nicholas guided you toward a small clearing where a bench sat beneath a grand oak tree. The branches were strung with thousands of tiny white lights, casting the area in a magical glow.
"Let's stop here for a bit," he said, his voice unusually soft.
You nodded, sitting down beside him on the bench. The cold wood pressed through your coat, but you didn't mind. Nicholas seemed nervous now, his leg bouncing slightly as he looked at you.
"What's up?" you asked, tilting your head. "You've been acting strange all day."
He let out a quiet laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I guess I have been, huh?"
"Nick," you said gently, placing a hand on his arm. "You can tell me anything, you know that."
He turned to you then, his eyes warm but filled with a nervous excitement. "I know," he said. "And that's actually what I've been thinking about all day—how easy it is to talk to you, how much I love you, how I can't imagine my life without you."
Your heart skipped a beat, and suddenly, the world around you seemed to still.
"Y/N," he continued, reaching into his coat pocket. "This past year with you has been the best year of my life. You've made me laugh harder, dream bigger, and love deeper than I ever thought possible. And I want to spend every single moment of my life making you as happy as you make me."
Tears welled in your eyes as Nicholas slid off the bench and knelt in front of you, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket. He opened it to reveal a stunning engagement ring, its center diamond catching the light from the tree above.
"Will you marry me?" he asked, his voice steady despite the emotion in his eyes.
For a moment, you couldn't speak, overwhelmed by the love and sincerity in his gaze. Finally, you nodded, your voice trembling as you said, "Yes. Of course, yes!"
Nicholas's face lit up, and he slipped the ring onto your finger before pulling you into his arms. The crowd of emotions in your chest—joy, excitement, disbelief—spilled over, and you let out a laugh as he spun you around in the snow.
When he set you down, his hands cupped your face, his forehead resting against yours. "You've just made me the happiest man in the world," he whispered.
"You've just made me the happiest woman in the world," you said, your voice thick with tears.
He kissed you then, slow and sweet, as if savoring the moment. The world around you seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you standing beneath the glowing lights and the falling snow.
The walk back to the car felt surreal. You couldn't stop staring at the ring on your finger, its weight a tangible reminder that this wasn't just a dream. Nicholas's arm was draped around your shoulders, and every few steps, he'd glance down at you and smile, as though he couldn't believe it either.
Once you reached the car, Nicholas opened the door for you, but before you could climb in, he stopped you.
"Wait," he said, his voice filled with mischief. "There's one more surprise."
You raised an eyebrow. "Another one? Isn't proposing enough for one night?"
He grinned, pulling his phone from his pocket. "Just trust me."
He made a quick call, and moments later, you saw headlights approaching from the other side of the park. As the car pulled up, you realized it wasn't just any car—it was a vintage Rolls-Royce, its sleek black body gleaming even in the dim light.
"Nicholas," you said, your jaw dropping. "What is this?"
"Our ride to dinner," he said casually, though his grin betrayed his excitement. "I figured a night like this deserves to end in style."
The car whisked you away to a cozy, candlelit restaurant where a private table waited by the fireplace. The evening was filled with laughter, stolen glances, and endless conversations about your future together.
"I can't believe you pulled all this off," you said, leaning your chin on your hand as you gazed at him across the table.
He shrugged, a smug smile on his lips. "What can I say? When it comes to you, I like going all out."
You rolled your eyes, but your heart swelled with love for the man sitting before you—the man who had just asked you to spend forever with him.
By the time you got home, it was late, but the magic of the evening still buzzed in the air. Nicholas pulled you close as you stood in the living room, the glow of the Christmas tree casting a warm light over the space.
"You know," he said, his voice low, "this is just the beginning. I've got so many plans for us."
"Oh yeah?" you teased, wrapping your arms around his neck. "Like what?"
"Like a wedding," he said, leaning down to kiss you. "A honeymoon. A lifetime of holidays together. Just... everything."
Your heart melted at his words, and you buried your face in his chest, letting his steady heartbeat anchor you in the moment.
"I can't wait," you whispered.
"Me neither," he said, pressing a kiss to the top of your head.
As the snow continued to fall outside and the warmth of your love surrounded you, you knew this night would be one you'd remember forever—the start of a beautiful new chapter with the man of your dreams.
