The Gold and the Forest

XXXIV

Chapter 34: Forrest

☙⚘☘

"He wants a proposal, but you don't have any engagement rings ready, do you?" She teased.

He gave her a wistful smile.

The room hushed as they looked in each other's eyes. Her hand crept towards his, and she wove her fingers among his. "You're awake." She whispered.

He nodded.

"Did you get hurt?" He asked, voice suddenly constricted with worry.

She shook her head and relief washed over him instantly. It was so powerful he shivered from it. He remembered wanting to make dinner with her and talk to her for hours after. His hand left her fingers and enclosed her cheek in warmth. Her eyes fluttered closed upon his touch.

His thumb touched her lips, and she sighed out gently before he leaned in and kissed her.

His hand left her cheek to her hair, sending shivers down her spine. She returned the favor, her hand running through his hair.

When they pulled back, his eyes darkened with awe. "Vivien." He whispered against her skin.

"Yes, Forrest?" She answered back, brushing back his bangs.

"I love you."

Her face glowed with a grin and she embraced him tightly. "What a wonderful thing to say to me." She laughed.

She pulled back, hands on his shoulders.

"I love you, too!" She yelled. "I love you! I love you! I love you!"

A blush exploded from his face to his ears at her shamelessness. "What are you doing..."

"You really do know how to make everything worth it." She laughed, hugging him again.

She pulled back and then pulled something out from her pocket. "I've been using this to keep me sane, but I think it's time to give it to you after like a year."

It was the same ring she had shown him the first time she confessed to him.

"Vivien." He frowned. "I don't know what my father will say about this."

"Bear with it." She shot back, smirking. "It still gets the message across."

"What message?"

She climbed over him, sitting on top of his legs and sliding the ring onto his finger. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

"That you're mine now, Forrest."

And then she kissed him again, french like the language she spoke at home.

---

They were interrupted when Declan walked in, announcing loudly that they had chosen cheesecake and then setting his eyes on the sight of Vivi putting her hand up Carl's shirt.

"Hey!" Clan yelled. "Stop getting it on, we were all worried sick over you and the first thing you care about is getting laid!"

"Declan—" Carl sputtered.

"What's going on here?" They heard a familiar voice. "Whoa."

"Sean!" Vivi squeaked, quickly rolling off Carl and hiding behind him, her back against the wall.