The Struggles of Growing Up-Completed

Chapter 38

"Yes! Did you really expect me to answer differently?" I tell him with such a fervor. My hands cup his stubbly cheeks while I see his face light up at my reaction. It's incredulous how surprised he seems right now, as if there was any possibility I would say no.

He smiles his most amazing smile and I melt. I feel like the most radiant light in the world, just looking at how happy he is. I would stay in this moment forever if I could, just looking at Zach with a huge smile on his face.

There's no way I would've said no. After everything that's happened, I have a newfound appreciation for life. What does age, "readiness" or order even matter in the grand scheme of things? Why not just leap and be happy?

"I was a little doubtful," he says sheepishly, still down on one knee, not moving an inch, "I thought I would be giving you your chance to run."

I shake my head and start stroking his face, his hair, his lips, "Well, I can't really run right now..." I chuckle, motioning to my leg. Realization sweeps over his face and he rolls his eyes.

"Right." I tilt his chin up so he's looking at me again.

"But if I could, I would run straight into your arms, always," I declare in a low voice. I pull him up to hug me and kiss me. My hunger vanishes and is replaced by a passion and love so deep that I forget that I haven't really seen the actual ring.

He pulls away, so that his face in mere inches away from mine. I can feel his hot breath, and slight panting. He slides his hands around my waist and gives me a little squeeze that makes me blush.

"Can I see the ring?" I whisper. He chuckles, and helps me stand up with him. With the feelings and his declaration and my stupid tears I barely caught a glance.

"It's different from the one you... saw, weeks ago. I figured you deserved something that wasn't tainted, something more special" he adds, looking down while plucking the ring out of its cushiony box. It's a beautiful, cushion-cut diamond ring with a silver band and smaller diamonds lining it. I can tell he put thought into picking out the ring, it's unlike any standard ring I've seen. "Do you like it? Because we can change it—"

"No, Zach it's amazing," I gush as he slips it on my finger. The feeling of the cool metal on my skin feels surreal. The ring almost looks too exquisite.

"We're really going to do this?" he murmurs, while stroking my ring finger. I know he's still nervous about my answer, about what this monumental step means for us. We've mentioned it around Weatherly with a sour taste in our mouths. I hope he's not thinking about when I told him I would never marry him during Lor's wedding years ago. That was stupid.

"'I can't deny that our path has been complicate, but in the end love makes everything simple.'" He pulls me into another breathtaking kiss, my knees threaten to give out.

"That's beautiful, did you really just say that?" he asks incredulously. I blush.

"Actually, Blair Waldorf did," I admit. We both laugh.

I watch as he pours two glasses of champagne, the golden liquid bubbling in the glass. It sparkles, just like my ring. My ring.

He's right. This is different and it could never be like the arranged marriage. We weren't happy like this, we didn't celebrate with champagne. We didn't even have an engagement. Not like before. I'm ecstatic, and I would jump for joy if it weren't for the leg.

I study his face. His beard is still visible, although it's little more than stubble. Every time I look at his glasses it reminds me of our trip to San Diego.