Guarded Heart (The GH Series)

Let's take it to the beach

A year Later

Callie

Things have been going absolutely bloody fantastic as Ron Weasley would say. Ashley and I have been going from strength to strength and we have been planning our spring wedding for the following year. Oh yeah...you guys... we are engaged. I'm not gonna tell you anything about my proposal to Ashley... Just kidding!! So, without further ado, here is a flashback to the day that made me feel complete, for now.

***

27th May

"Are you ready?" Yet again I'm yelling on Ashley who is forever taking her time.

"Where are we going?"

"You will soon see."

"You know I'm impatient when it comes to not knowing what you are up to." There was a knock on the door, and I went to the doorway and Sarah and Fiona were here.

They have been doing good as well. Taking it slow, learning everything about one another and genuinely happy. Of course, they are in on this proposal I've planned as they both have been with us all the way from the beginning, to the middle and now hopefully an end to single life. I can't begin to explain how excited, nervous etc I am about proposing. Basically, I'm shitting it. We all said hello to one another, and I invited them indoors.

"So, first part of the surprise, it's a double date."

"Oh hell. Am I gonna end up hungover?"

I shook my head. "I've not packed that much booze."

"Thank God. Wait. What?"

"You will see soon enough babe."

I watched my friends and girlfriend pile into the car and before I got into the car, I let out a breath I seemingly have been holding in since we left our home. Starting the ignition and looking I to my mirror and seeing Sarah and Fi smirk at me, doing their best not to let on where we were going.

I was taking Ashley back to the beach where we first went out together. To where I had started to open up to her. Obviously. our friends were completely unaware that I had a little fun time with Ashley in the car. That will be our secret.

Anyway, as we were getting closer, Ashley realised where we were and from the corner of my eye, I could see her head spin and look in my direction. "Are we going to Ayr?"

"Yeah babe we are." We had allowed Sarah and Fiona to "be in charge of music" but as we were nearly the beach, Sarah flicked on the song I really needed to hear. Incomplete by the Backstreet Boys. I smiled at Ashley's response and I reached over and took her hand in mine, she gave it a gentle squeeze. For me at least, that night I won my Ashley back and from that moment on she is the air that I breathe. My first waking thought of every morning and last for every night. My heartbeat. My soulmate. My world.

Parking the car up, we all got out of the car and headed towards the beach. Holding my hand out and walking along the beach together with our friends trailing a little behind, enjoying the sunset in front of us. "Ashley?"

On cue Sarah called out. "Ash!!"

Ashley quickly looked up towards Sarah. "What?"

This was all planned. Trust me. "Never mind. "

"Oh, okay." Ashley turned around and couldn't see me at first until she looked down.

"Ashley..." Her hand flew up to cover her mouth which had dropped open. "For too long, I guarded my heart. For too long, I lost my way." I could see her eyes starting to water.

"When you walked into my life you turned it upside down and started to guide me to open my heart, mind, body and soul. I think it's safe to say because of that, because of what we have come through, the good and the bad, has only made me fall madly in love with you each waking day. I meant every word when I said to you that we were end game. My life restarted when we played cat and mouse with each other, but truly started the moment I realised that you were it for me.

Ashley...Will you marry me?"

Ashley's eyes were leaking tears big time. Obviously, happy tears. "Yes!" I stood up and slipped her ring on her finger and our lips crashed together. Our friends squealing in excitement broke the kiss and we turned and looked at them. They were jumping up and down like excited schoolgirls. Meanwhile, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Thank god that's over with."

"What?!" Ashley sounded astonished.

"I was shitting a brick babe!"

"Awe. I would have said yes if you proposed any other way babe."

"The girls were here for moral support. They knew I was planning this."

"Exactly how long have you been planning on proposing?"

"Since I came back from London."

"That long!?"

"It's been eight months babe. We have been super hectic with our careers and stuff."

"You never seem to amaze me Callie, I can't wait to become your wife."

"Good, because I was thinking a spring wedding? Quiet, intimate or we could always elope?"

"I don't care what we do, as long as I get to marry you." My heart melted at her response.

Of course, our friends had to interject in the moment. Firstly, Sarah saying we were cute and then Fiona...

"It makes me wanna barf."

"Fiona!" Time for Sarah to give her a telling off, even if I know myself that Fiona is only joking.

"What!? Callie knows I'm kidding!" In unison between Ashley and Sarah my name got called out. I threw my hands up in the air.

"I protest my innocence!"

"Sure...you are. Innocent my arse!!" Sarah snorted with laughter making us burst into laughter.