Her

Forever and Always - Rilaya

Riley POV

I giggle softly as our car comes to a stop, and I hear the engine turn off. I feel Maya's hand give my thigh a gentle squeeze before the drivers side door opens, I hear her shuffle, and then the door closes. My leg is bouncing from the anticipation, especially because of the blindfold that Maya put over my eyes so I can't see where we are.

Suddenly, I hear my door open, and the cool, crisp autumn air hits my skin, and I shiver.

"Maya, can you please take this off?" I ask impatiently as I gesture to my face, hoping that I'm pointing towards the blindfold. I hear her laugh and my heart flutters in my chest.

A sound I will never get tired of hearing.

I hear something that almost reminds me of a click, and then she takes my hands in hers and slowly helps me out of the car, before letting my hands go. I hear the car door close, and then feel her hands rest on my waist. "Just start walking. I'll guide you." She hums softly by my ear, and I nod slightly.

I slowly begin walking forward, and after walking for a minute or so, I feel her hands tighten on my waist, and I stop. She releases me, there is a few moments before I feel the blindfold begin to shift, and then it's around my neck. "So where are- oh my gosh!" I gasp quietly as I look around.

There are three large trees in the middle of a small hill overlooking New York City. There is one string of round string lights connecting the trees together that are on, illuminating the area between the trees in a warm glow. There are several blankets spread out over the grass, with printed out pictures of different sizes of the two of us over the past 6 years and even before we got together hanging from the lights, blowing gently in the breeze.

I cover my mouth as I feel tears well up in my eyes as I walk to one side of the pictures, and start looking at them. The first one is from the first birthday party of mine that Maya came to, and we are sitting on the couch beside of each other, eating the same piece of cake. I let out a soft laugh at the memory as I continue walking.

There is another from our first day of middle school, standing in front of the front door to my parents apartment, our hands locked together. Another from our first day of high school, this time it's a selfie and I'm kissing Maya's cheek.

There's one from our first date when we were juniors in high school with Maya's arms around my neck as she's kissing my cheek. I let out a soft chuckle as I keep looking, trailing my fingers across the pictures. I walk to the second side, and realize that the pictures are in order with the times they were taken, each one from a different memorable time in our lives together.

I see one from our date after we got into NYU, the two of us sitting in a coffee shop, each holding a latte, with me kissing Maya's nose. I see another when we walked into our first apartment together for the first time. We are holding hands, our back to the camera, with my head leaned back, with Maya pulling me forward.

I keep walking and smile when I see the picture Maya took of me on Christmas the year before of me holding the golden retriever puppy she got me in front of the Christmas tree, who is now a large part of our lives.

I finally get to the last one, and smile when I realize it's a Polaroid of me in our car, with a black blindfold around my eyes, and the door is open. I realize that the picture must have been taken right before I got out of the car just moments ago. Tears are threatening to fall from my eyes at this point, and I take a shaky breath before turning slowly turning around.

"Maya, this is-" I stop when I see the blonde down on one knee, her piercing blue eyes locking into mine. I gasp quietly and cover my mouth again as a tear falls down my cheek.

"Riley Matthews. I have been in love with you from the moment I heard singing coming from your room and I crawled inside the bay window. I was stunned by this beautiful brunette who didn't seem to have a care in the world." She chuckles slightly and chews on her bottom lip. "And every moment we shared together after, I fell in love with you even more. From us sharing a piece of cake, to me helping you out of the car just a few minutes ago. Each moment helped me to know how much I want to be with you for the rest of my life."

She reaches inside of a pocket in her overcoat and pulls out a small, maroon velvet box and takes a deep breath before continuing.

"I knew we would always be together. I knew from the moment I met you that you would always be in my life. So..." And she opens the box in her hands. I can't even bother to look at the ring in the box because my eyes are still locked on her blue ones that I'm hopelessly in love with.

"Will you make me the happiest woman alive, and marry me?"

I pull my lower lip between my teeth as I smile and nod. "Yes." I say quietly. I chuckle when I realize I was being quiet. "Yes absolutely!" I say again and the blonde beams at me. She quickly stands up and pulls me into her, our lips pressing together lovingly. We finally pull back and Maya let's out a chuckle. "I already got it sized for you." She whispers as she pulls the ring from the box, and takes my hand. She slides the ring onto my finger, and more tears fall from my eyes.

"I love you." I say softly and look at her.

"I love you too." She presses her lips to mine again before pulling back.

"Forever and always." She whispers.