Found Along The Way

Chapter twenty-nine

His mind swirled, and his heart thudded in his chest. Stood in the clearing of the trees, straightening the tie of his best suit, Lucas took a deep breath and reached into his pocket for the small box, smiling to himself as he waited for the love of his life.

He'd thought about this a lot, and not a moment went by that he regretted his decision.

"Joey... I want to ask Anya to marry me." He blurted out one sunny afternoon, a huge smile on his face.

"WOAH- For real man?!" Joey gasped, "Wait! Lina needs to hear this."

And she was equally as shocked.

"LUCAS! That's amazing! She's going to be so happy." Lina beamed, hugging him excitedly.

"So should I go for it?"

"Dude. Yes! Absolutely!" Joey laughed.

It was early October when Lucas decided he wanted to ask her, he'd been considering it ever since he saw her in that hospital bed, seeming to drift from life. He knew he wanted to hold onto her as tight as possible while he could. They'd been by one another's sides for ten months, never wavering in that time. He'd seen her sick, sad, happy, succeeding, and wanted to continue seeing all of that for the rest of his life.

Of course before he could ask her, he had to ask her parents for their blessing.

This part may have been even more nerve-racking than actually asking Anya herself. Her parents approval was something Lucas had always strived for. He knew he had Alfie on his side, and expected to have nothing but his blessing, but Clarissa was a whole different matter. She liked him, that wasn't a problem he worried about, but he didn't feel a clear connection with her. She definitely had high standards for her daughter and wouldn't let her have anything less than great, which worried Lucas.

"Lucas sweetheart we couldn't ask for a better man to marry our daughter." Clarissa smiled, gently holding Lucas's hands in her own. Alfie had a just as happy reaction, hugging Lucas and thanking him.

Asking Anya didn't seem so far away now.

He typed away on his laptop, sitting at the table with some early November sun glossing over his face. He was emailing an old friend who made the most beautiful engagement rings, discussing which would be best suited to Anya. There was an elegant rose gold ring, with a dainty princess cut diamond, and it seemed perfect for her. He heard the door open and a smile grew on his face.

"Hey Ann." He said, still typing about the ring and when he'd be able to go pick it up. He wanted her to have the perfect ring, and he hadn't been able to find the one until the very last minute.

"What are you writing?" Anya asked, trying to see what was on his screen.

"Nothing, just writers group work." Lucas made up quickly on the spot, keeping his emails hidden.

"Hmmm... Okay mister... What should I make for dinner?" She questioned, as a message appeared on Lucas's screen. 'You can pick it up tonight, considering how late you've left getting the ring.' The email read. His face lit up, as he closed the laptop lid and began to collect his things.

"Actually Anya I've got to go..."

"What?"

"Yeah I have to go get something last minute from Lina, writing stuff." He made up, noticing concern on her face and trying to resolve her worry with a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I literally just saw Lina, she didn't mention anything-"

"I'll be home in less than an hour, and I'll buy us something."

He rushed out of the door, feeling guilty for interrupting Anya and leaving so abruptly, but he had to get the ring. The knowledge that she'd be so happy when she knew why he had to leave kept his mind at bay. Everything was going to work out just fine.

When he saw the ring, his eyes filled with adoration and he sighed contently. It was perfect. The perfect ring for the perfect girl. Now all that was left to do was plan for tomorrow.

"The woods, definitely. It's her favourite spot, and I always seem to find myself coming back to that place when it matters." He told Lina over the phone the next morning.

"I agree. It's perfect." She said, "I have to warn you though, she turned up at the door about ten minutes ago not incredibly happy, and I could've used a heads up that you'd used me as an alibi!"

"Shit, sorry about that Lina." He chuckled. "I had to get the ring and needed an excuse!"

"The ring? Oh my god, send a picture."

The moment he hit send he heard a squeal over the phone. "Lucas she's going to love it!"

"Thanks Lina! Okay now we need a way to get her to come to the woods later, without giving ourselves away."

They brainstormed and worked out a plan between them. "But Lina, how are you sure she'll go to your place?"

"Trust me honey, when Anya gets pissed off by a boy she comes straight to me."

Things were falling into place perfectly, he had the ring, the place, the plan, and now he and Joey were scattering rose petals along the path towards the clearing. It was November, and the sky wasn't blue like he'd hoped it would be. He wished that the sun would shine through the trees and glitter along the path, but he figured he'd make up for it with the significance of the question he'd ask. He straightened his tie and took a deep breath as reached into his pocket for the small box, smiling to himself as he waited for the love of his life.

"Are you ready?" Joey asked, stood at his side.

"I'm terrified. But yes." He smiled in response.

Footsteps began to approach, as he placed the box back into his pocket and nodded at Joey. The footsteps drew nearer, soon showing Anya herself, with Lina and Rosie. She looked beautiful, the autumn air pinching her cheeks pink, Her hair blowing ever so slightly in the breeze between the trees. The sun began to appear through the trees, appropriately glowing on Anya's face.

"So, you should open your eyes now Anya." Lina said.

Anya did just that, opening her eyes to see him standing there, in the most handsome suit with the most handsome smile. She shook her head in utter confusion, more than ever. Nothing was making any sense but she smiled nonetheless.

"Anya," He said, walking towards her and taking her hands in his own. "You are everything to me and more. You once told me that things don't always make sense, but we need to put everything that has and will happen behind us, and that we could make a force that wouldn't break even from every hurtful thing in this world combined. I knew it was true then, almost a year ago, and I know it's true now. You're my light Anya, the most beautiful and kind person I have ever met, and I want to share whatever this life brings me with you, from now until forever."

He got down on one knee, pulling the box out of his pocket and opening it towards Anya.

"Anya Whelan, will you marry me?"

Her eyes filled up with warm tears against her cold face, and her small smile broke into a huge one, accompanied by one word repeated over and over.

"Yes." She cried, "Yes, yes, yes!"

Lucas stood up and gently placed the elegant ring on her finger before sweeping her off her feet, into his arms. They had shared happy embraces before but this topped them all.

"It's beautiful Lucas..." Anya sighed once back on the ground, admiring the most stunning ring she'd ever seen. "Oh my god... This is what you've been up to!" She exclaimed with realisation, "I thought you were cheating." She laughed.

"Anya no! Never." He said with a chuckle, holding her face in his hands and reassuring her with a deep gaze into her eyes. "I love you Anya."

"I love you Lucas... my fiancé." Anya whispered, leaning her forehead on his, smiling happily at the words. Joyful tears ran down her face, and the sun reflected in her eyes warmly. It's light glittered the rose petals, lit up the trees, and shone through their hearts.

Just like it would for the rest of their life together, as Mr and Mrs Rivera.