Epilogue
Zoe
The sun sets over the ocean, casting a warm golden glow across the beach, blending seamlessly into hues of deep purple and soft pink. The waves lap gently at the shore, creating a soothing rhythm that matches the calm I feel. I lean back into Max’s embrace, his arms wrapped securely around my swollen belly. Seven months pregnant, and I’ve never felt more content.
“We still need a name for her,” I murmur, resting my hands over his. “We can’t just keep calling her ‘the baby’ or ‘little princess.’”
Max chuckles, his breath warm against my ear. “We’ll find the perfect name. It’ll come to us when the time is right.”
I tilt my head to the side, looking up at him. “And what if it doesn’t come until she’s a teenager? I don’t think ‘hey, you’ is going to cut it.”
He laughs, the sound deep and comforting. “We’ll have a name long before then. I promise.”
I smile, feeling our little girl kick gently. “She’s active tonight.”
“She must like the view,” Max says, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Or maybe she’s just excited because it’s a special day.”
Special day? I’ll never understand this man and his surprises. I mean, I love everything he prepares, but I really can’t understand how he finds the time to spoil me the way he does. Like this babymoon. He wanted to take me to Fiji, but it’s too far and I’m in my third trimester. So instead, he planned a getaway to Bermuda. It’s much closer, and still offers the stunning beaches and relaxation we both need.
“Why is it special?” I ask curiously.
He winks at me. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Always,” I say, almost giddy.
“You’re going to have to close your eyes. No peeking.” I try not to protest and do as he says.
“No peeking,” he reminds me.
“Is this the part where you run away and leave me behind saying the joke is on you, come and find me? ”
“Hey, leave the bad jokes to me, beautiful,” he teases. “Now open your eyes.”
When I do, I see him on one knee, diamond in hand, and a big smile on his face. “Zoe,” he begins, his voice soft but steady, “there’s no way I can name just one thing that I love about you, about us. Everything is so deeply intertwined. The love, the desire, the laughter—they’re all part of a beautiful tapestry that makes up our relationship.
“It’s the way we communicate without words, the silent understanding that transcends anything I’ve ever known. Every moment with you is filled with a connection so profound that it’s impossible to separate one feeling from another. They all blend together, creating something extraordinary and indescribable.
“Zoe, you are my everything. I want to spend the rest of my life unraveling the intricacies of our love, exploring every facet of our connection. Would you agree to be my best friend, walk with me in this life, and be the mother of my children? Will you marry me?”
Tears fill my eyes, and I can hardly see the ring he holds out to me. This moment, this promise of forever, is a culmination of all the love and understanding we’ve shared. “Yes,” I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. “Yes, Max, I’ll marry you.”
As I throw my arms around him, our future together feels more real than ever. This is the beginning of a lifetime of intertwined moments, bound by the love we’ve built.