Captivated

why hello there! happy New Year's Eve, everyone. I know that this update is quite a bit earlier tonight than usual, but I'm spending the holiday with some friends this evening, so I wanted to get this up before that happened. This is the final update of this book... wow. That's crazy. I've been working on this book since July, and I've put everything that I have into it. I'm really proud of it. Thank you all so much for reading, and for all of your sweet comments along the way. I'm going to be posting an author's note tomorrow with information about the sequel, so stay tuned for that, but until then, enjoy this chapter. Don't forget to comment and vote! I think you'll all like this one. I love you all so much. Happy New Year! 
-ab

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September 19, 2025

Patrick

As I am all cuddled up on the couch with my soon-to-be fiancee, I think about what's about to happen. Tonight's the night.

I'm finally going to propose to Harper.

I don't know how I'm going to do it, if I'm honest. I haven't written out any sort of script- I know that I'd manage to mess that up if I tried to do that.

I'm absolutely terrified for this, but I know that it has to happen.

"Patrick?" Harper speaks up, breaking the silence that we are sharing, "Can we go into our room?"

I nod, unsure of what's happening right now, but just going with the flow. She grabs my hand and pulls me until she sits down at her keyboard on the little stool.

"I just... while you've been at work these past few days, I've been learning this song for you, becuase I know how much you love it, and I wanted to show you," she tells me. She places her fingers on the keys and begins to play.

I almost instantly recognize the song as Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud.' She knows that he is one of my favourite artists.

In that moment, as her sweet soprano voice floats lightly above the piano, I can't help but feel an urge to join in. I've never felt closer to Harper than I do right now... about to propose, and listening to her sing a love song for me. I have never sung in front of Harper before. I've always been too self-conscious about it. I was worried that she would judge me.

For some reason, though, when she gets to the chorus, I open my mouth, place my hands tenderly on her shoulders, and begin to sing.

So baby now, take me into your loving arms. Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars. Place your hand on my beating heart. I'm thinking out loud, maybe we found love right where we are...

After the first chorus is over, I keep singing, and I notice Harper adding in some harmony parts. It really is a magical moment.

When the song is over, Harper stops and turns around to look at me. "Patrick, you told me you couldn't sing."

"I can't," I tell her, staring at the ground awkwardly. "Not compared to you."

"Love, that was amazing. Your voice is wonderful, seriously."

"It's really not."

"I'm not trying to get you on the stage with me, love. I'm just telling you that you don't have to be so embarrassed about it."

"Thanks," I laugh. "I don't really know what got into me, I was just caught up in the moment I guess."

"I loved it," she tells me. "It was so sweet."

As we fall into a sweet silence, I realize that this is my perfect moment. Standing up from where I was sitting on the edge of the bed, I walk over to my nightstand and fumble around in the drawer for a moment.

"What are you looking for, love?"

"My phone charger," I lie. "It needs to get plugged in."

"I think that the charger is still in the outlet, babe."

She stands up and walks over to the outlet. I take that moment that she isn't looking to slip the ring into my pocket.

"See, it's right here."

"Oh, god, you're right," I say. "I'm stupid, I guess."

"You're not stupid. You just forgot that you never pulled the cord out of the wall."

I plug my phone into the charger, despite it being still on 50% battery. After that, I take a deep breath and turn to Harper.

"Love, come here, will you?"

"What's up?" she asks, walking over to me. I grab both of her hands and take a deep breath.

"Do you have any idea how much I love you?"

"Uh, I don't know...I might, becuase I love you just as much," she tells me.

"It's just... well, you learning that song for me, just because you know I love it, was so sweet. I just don't know how to put my love for you into words."

"You don't have to tell me, babe. I know that you love me. I'll never take it for granted, either. There was a time when nobody wanted to hang out with me, so you wanting to always hang out with me, it means a lot."

"Babe, there's nobody who I'd rather spend time with than you."

I take a deep breath before continuing to speak.

"Harper Kennedy, you're the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me. By some crazy coincidence, you came into my life, and I'll forever be thankful for that. From the moment that I saw you, I was captivated by you. Every day that I spend with you, I realize more and more just how lucky I am. You're beautiful, talented, and the sweetest girl in the whole world. In my eyes, you're perfect. There's so much more, but I don't have the way with words to be able to tell you. They say that actions speak louder than words, though, so I'll try to show you."

At that, I let go of her hands and drop down onto my knee. "Harper Elise Kennedy, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

She gasps, throwing her hands over her mouth as she is caught completely off guard by this. Tears form up in her eyes as I see the slightest little nod coming from her. I know that she's absolutely shocked, yet thrilled. I am too.

"Yes?"

"Yes!" she squeals. I jump up and pull her into my arms,hoisting her up and holding her bridal style.

"I love you so much. Let's get this ring onto your finger. I hope that it fits."

I take the ring and slide it onto her left ring finger.

"It's so gorgeous, honey. I love you, a million times over."

I set her down on her feet, then slam my lips against hers, and we kiss for what feels like both only a second, yet also an eternity. The world around us seems to stop turning as we express our love for each other.

I sit down on the bed, and she sits next to me.

"Thank you so much for saying 'yes,'" I tell her, with a cheeky little smile. "It would have been really awkward if you wouldn't have."

"Of course I said yes," she tells me, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Can we tell Joe and Taylor? They helped me to plan this whole thing."

"Let's," she says, pulling out her phone from her pocket. We snap a selfie featuring her ring, and send it to Joe and Taylor with no caption.

Instantly, we get replies from both of them.

Joe: Congrats guys!

Taylor: Oh my god, congratulations! Harper, that's a gorgeous ring. Good job, Patrick. Can we see you two soon to congratulate you in person?

Harper: Of course. Thank you so much xxxxxx

At that, she decides to tuck her phone away. We just want to spend some time together, just the two of us.

"I love you, sweetie," I tell her. "I love you so, so much."

"I love you too, babe," she replies. "I love you more than you could ever know."