Act Like You're in Love {Niall Horan}

Chapter 65: Together

~Niall's P.O.V.~

It wasn't perfect. Not at all.

We didn't have a fairy tale story. Yes, we had a bad break-up, were still in love, and then years later came across each other and admitted to our feelings -- in a really emotional way since we were both kind of crying. But no, that wasn't the end, it's not like we just jumped right back into our relationship again. That was impossible. We had a lot to talk about, first of all. And second of all...you can't just do that, suddenly and magically reconnect with a loved one. Life doesn't work that way. We had a lot of problems.

We had a lot of problems.

The difference between that and when I broke up with her was that this time we had the courage to sort through them, and together.

So we did. Our relationship was like a big, ugly scar. When the healing ointment came it still took awhile for it to actually work and for the scar to go away...but it did, and that's what matters the most right now.

It's not all quite over. It's September of 2021. Yeah, it's been a long time for us. I'm turning 28 in a couple of days, so we're both still 27.

I have a ring.

I got it yesterday. I woke up next to her and saw her beautiful face, and a moment of realization hit me. It hit me like five years ago too, but then I was stupid and broke up with her, so nothing came of it. It hit me again: waking up to see her was the way I wanted to wake up for the rest of my life. So when she left the house, so did I, but we were going to very different places. I was going to buy her a wedding ring. And buy her a wedding ring I did. I walked in without a drop of emotion on my face because while this is what I wanted, I knew we still had to patch things up. But it was like the ring knew I was there and started glowing or something because I walked over and knew it belonged on Mariah's finger. I got the word "united" engraved on the inside of it too.

But, I don't know when I'm going to ask her. We aren't ready quite yet, no. We both want to spend the rest of our lives together, but we have some things to sort out first. Marriage isn't simple at all; it's not a la-la land thing, it's a serious commitment. It's a serious to commitment to someone I love though.

We're together, we're happy. My job is stationary now, so we just live together by Hollywood. I get to see my gorgeous woman everyday. I get to see her gorgeous smile everyday. What more could I ask for?

I could ask for her hand, her promise, and that's about it.

Except...I do want kids. Two is a good number, maybe three or even four. I've always looked forward to being a daddy, and with Mariah as the mom, I feel like we would be a perfect family. Perfect for us, anyway.

If your parents are divorced, you're more likely to get divorced as well. But I want to defy that, and I believe I can. Mariah and I did have a rough break-up, and a really long one, but I think that made us stronger. If you break a bone and let it heal properly, it's stronger than it ever was before. We're happier and more compatible than ever, and I feel like I'm falling more in love with her with each passing hour.

I slipped my hands around the velvet box in my pocket.

I wanted to do it sooner rather than later. The time feels right, even if it doesn't seem that way logically.

"Let's go to The Palace," I announced pretty randomly, strutting with a burst of confidence into the den where Mariah was curled up reading a book.

Mariah looked up in surprise, her eyes lighting up. She loved spontaneous things. Practically throwing the book down, she jumped up in excitement. "Yes yes yes! Except I'll need like an hour to get ready," she laughed. It was one of the fanciest restaurants, so honestly I'm surprised she'd get ready that quickly.

"That's fine babe, as long as you don't take up the bathroom the whole time because I need to shower too."

"Of course." Then she came up and hugged me tightly and rested there for a few moments. "Thank you so much for doing this," she said sweetly, looking up at me with her body still pressed against mine. I held her closer by wrapping my arms around her waist as we shared a long kiss.

Something about Mariah that's special: she's grateful. She's so thankful for every opportunity and every little thing. I never get tired of being a gentleman for her because she expresses to me how much she appreciates the gesture.

Exactly an hour later as promised, I had already gotten ready and was sitting on the couch with the newspaper when Mariah emerged from our bedroom, extravagant as ever.

"You look beautiful," I complimented her, taking her hand and twirling her around, making her dress float in the air.

"Thank you, handsome," she beamed. It was amazing how after so many years her smile still made my heart skip two beats.

The restaurant was tranquil and not very crowded that night, which was great -- and helpful.

As usual, conversation between us flowed more naturally than a river could. Before I knew it, the night had flown by. And the whole entire time my chest was beating ferociously in anticipation.

The Palace was set by water, so afterwards we took a barefoot walk alongside it.

I had no plan. I mean, I had drawn out some sort of plan in my head before, dreaming about when I asked her, but I never really sat down and made sure it would all happen perfectly because I didn't think I would do it yet. But I had to for me, for her, for the both of us. The time was now.

So as we were walking in the path of the dimming sunlight, shrouded by the pinks and oranges and purples of the sky, I knelt down on my knee in front of her.

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THE END

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~

THE FREAKING END

Except not really because there's an epilogue (3 days) haha:):) but this is the LAST CHAPTER

See everything is okay

Everything would be more okay if I got some more feedback ;);) 

Me to the side rn guise lol

I'm saving the emotional note for the epilogue so toodle-oo! xx

BUT GUYS THE END THE FREAKING END OMG