The Baker

Chapter 52

The next day, Ben had Cassie up at the ass crack of dawn. It almost earned him a slap in the face with how early it was, but he promised Cassie it would be worth it. She trusted him and took a long shower to wake up. The shower was so long that Ben had joined her at one point and she didn't get out until about ten minutes after he did. 

After bundling up in warm clothes and hiking boots, they left the house and Ben drove them near a popular hiking spot that was about half an hour away. During the drive, Cassie noticed that he was looking a little flushed, almost nervous. It was freezing out and he was sweating, not to mention he wouldn't even look at her. He was acting like he has been the past couple weeks over Skype and their phone calls. 

Cassie couldn't help but wonder if there were more rumors sparking up. She knew they bothered him, no matter how many times he tells her they don't. She figured she'll let it play out and if he wants to tell her about  them, he'll tell her. If not, then she'll just let it go. 

When they arrived somewhere in the middle of the woods, Ben pulled out a couple of pre-packed backpacks filled with water, food, bug spray, and whatever else one needed for a hiking trip. "Wow," Cassie said, rather impressed. "You think of everything, don't you?"

Ben looked shyly to the ground and told her, "I actually bought these pre-packed..." Cassie just laughed and kissed him on the cheek. It's the thought that counts. 

They started their hike hand-in-hand, up some steep paths and over ragged rocks. They had to walk over a stream to get to the other side of the path, which led Ben to be immature and splash water on Cassie. He got splashed right back, but tickled her for revenge. 

On the way up, they crossed paths with another couple who were here on their honeymoon. They walked with Ben and Cassie for a few miles, talking endlessly about how they met, their wedding, and how they immediately want to start trying for kids. "Are you two married?" The woman asked, finally letting them get a word in. Ben shook his head and told her, "No, but we've been together for just over a year."

The woman thought that was so cute and started talking about her and her husband's first year together. When they eventually parted from Ben and Cassie, Cassie let out a huge sigh and said, "Please, dear God, let's never be that kind of couple."

Ben laughed and put his arm around her shoulder. "Never in a million years," he told her.

They walked about a mile further, only to reach the steepest hill Cassie has ever had the displeasure of seeing. She loves hiking, she just despises any and all steep hills. She didn't have time to complain, as Ben was already pulling her along with him. She had to stop every mile or so to stop the burning in her legs, but Ben didn't seem to mind.

It was nearly seven miles later when they ended on top of a huge mountain that displayed a breathtaking view of a lake miles down below and other mountains in the distance. It was unbelievable.

"You're right," Cassie said, while staring at the view, "this is totally worth it." Her eyes kept going back to the lake and how small it was from up top, plus the riverbed that seemed to stretch on forever through the mountains that were coated with just enough snow. She noticed that there was actually some snow around her at the moment. This was all just too perfect.

"Cassie," Ben softly called beside her. Reluctantly, Cassie tore her eyes away from the view and to where she thought Ben would be, only he wasn't there. He was behind her.

On one knee.

Cassie immediately gasped and through her hands up to her mouth when he started to take out a small, black box from his pocket. He looked up at her with a shy smile and kept the box closed as he said;

"Cassie...I don't think I can have any words as to tell you how madly and ridiculously in love I am with you. I would have to have an angel's tongue to express such a privilege, but I will try my damn best here. You are everything to me, Cassie. You are my entire world, my life, and it is impossible to picture my life without you by my side every single day. I know you think we go a bit too fast, which is why I don't expect you to answer right away...but, Cassandra Lynn Hansen...will you marry me?"

Cassie was hastily wiping her tears and sniffling back sobs, while she told him, "Yes. Oh my God, yes!" Ben let out a huge sigh of relief and had tears prickling in his eyes. He opened the box and showed her a small diamond ring. It wasn't flashy, which was perfect for her.

He took it out of the box and slid it on her ring finger. "It took everything to not buy you the biggest diamond in that place," he told her nervously. "D-Do you like it?" Cassie stared at it in awe, then pulled him up by his shirt. He stood in front of her, as she told him, "It's perfect." He let out another breath of relief and chuckled.

"Oh my God," he breathed out, "we're getting married. Fuck, I love you so much." He crashed his lips into hers and kissed her with every ounce of passion and love he had buried deep inside of him. When he pulled back, she panted, "We're getting married." They both had huge smiles plastered on their faces.

Ben couldn't contain himself anymore, he picked her up and spun her around while they both laughed like a couple of lunatics. He didn't set her down when he stopped spinning, but instead just held on to her as close as he possibly could.

It was a sweet moment with her legs wrapped around his waist, his face buried in her neck, her nose deep in his hair, his hands gripping tightly on to her thighs...until he said, "I'm going to yell it."

"Don't you dare," she giggled. He chuckled, "I'm going to do it." He turned himself to where he was facing out into the open and yelled through Cassie's furious giggling into his neck, "I'M GETTING MARRIED TO CASSANDRA LYNN HANSEN!"

He tried to shout more, but Cassie quickly covered his mouth with her hand and shushed him. They both giggled, then shared a long kiss. Without breaking the kiss, Ben set her down and ran his hands all over her body.

"Let's get back to the house, so I can make love to my beautiful fiancé," he told her. She smiled as he gently smoothed his hand down her cheek. "I can't believe we're engaged," she told him with a huge grin. "Is this why you were acting so weird?"

Ben nudged his nose against hers and said, "Yes. Mostly. I'm sorry, my goal was to not be a dick before I asked, that way you'd have more of a chance of saying yes. I wanted to ask you on our anniversary, too, but with you just moving in...—today I couldn't help myself. I just had to do it."

Cassie placed a chaste kiss on his lips and told him, "So worth it. Now, what were you saying about getting back to the house?" Ben took her hand and gave her a wink. "Let's go, Mrs. Cumberbatch."