Epilogue
Eri looked herself over in the mirror, turning to the side to get the full view of herself in the red long-sleeve, form-fitting, ankle-length dress.
She’d bought it a few days ago for the occasion.
She grabbed her purse and exited her bedroom as she heard her front door open.
She met Elias in the living room, where he stood, holding a large bouquet of red roses.
“You look gorgeous, Amate,” he complimented as his eyes shifted over her.
“Thank you, baby. You look handsome.”
Elias moved the flowers aside and pulled her into a brief kiss. “These are for you,” he told her when they pulled apart, handing her the bouquet.
Eri smiled at him, bringing the flowers to her nose. She went into the kitchen to grab a vase from the cabinet and put them in water. When she was done, she turned to find Elias watching her as he leaned against the counter.
“Are you ready?” he asked, and Eri nodded, taking the hand he held out for her.
Once in his car, they headed to their first destination of the evening and pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant twenty-five minutes later. She had only been to the restaurant once, mainly because you had to make a reservation at least a few weeks ahead of time.
When they were seated at their table, she looked over the menu and was stuck between two different dishes. Both of them sounded amazing. She was just about to play Eenie Meanie Minnie Moe when Elias’ chuckling drew her attention.
“What?” she asked, looking up at him.
“You’re having a hard time over there, huh?” he asked.
“Maybe a little.”
“You order one, I’ll order the other. That way you can taste them both,” he said.
“You don’t even know what they are. You might not like them.”
“I know you pretty well, Amate. If you like them, then I know I will.”
That was true. Their taste in food was similar. They pretty much liked and disliked the same things. Except he liked snow peas, and Eri just couldn’t get behind that. She showed him the two dishes, and he nodded as their server approached. They ordered two glasses of wine and placed their orders.
“When do you want to exchange gifts?” she asked after their wine was delivered.
“When we go to our last destination.”
“Which is where?”
“You’ll see, Amate.”
Eri knew they were going dancing after dinner, so she assumed that was not where he wanted to exchange them. He hadn’t told her anything else about their plans, which only made her more curious.
Once they finished dinner, they bypassed dessert and headed out to dance.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
They swayed slowly to the music. Elias’ hand rested low on her back, her arms draped over his shoulders. As the song came to an end, he leaned in and kissed her, speaking against her lips.
“It’s time to go, Amate.” He had one more stop for them to make before they wrapped up the evening.
They exited the building and, once at his car, he opened the passenger door for her.
He got in and pulled out of the parking lot.
They were fifteen minutes into the drive, and he saw the exact moment she suspected where they were going.
Ten more minutes passed before he pulled into the field he’d taken her to last year.
“Are we watching fireworks again?” she asked when they came to a stop.
“We are.”
She smiled at him. “I like it. It feels like we’re starting a tradition.”
They got out of the car, and Elias reached into the backseat and pulled out a plush blanket and a portable heater.
It was colder than it had been the last time he’d brought her there.
Elias picked her up and put her on the trunk.
He sat beside her before draping the blanket over her, putting the small rechargeable heater beside her, and turning it on.
He set a timer on his phone but didn’t start it and put it beside him.
“Let’s exchange gifts before it starts,” Eri suggested, handing him the small gift box she’d pulled from her purse before they’d exited the car.
He opened the box and found a watch inside. It was platinum. The inside of the face was deep blue. He took it out and flipped it over, finding his initials engraved on the back of it. He smiled before giving her a soft kiss.
“Thank you, baby.”
“You’re welcome, babe.” The bursting of a firework drew her attention, and she wiggled excitedly, moving into his side. “Oh, it’s starting.”
Elias started the timer on his phone as she leaned into his side, and he turned his attention to the fireworks show happening overhead. He continually glanced at his phone while her focus was transfixed on the show.
When there was only a minute left, the finale began. He got off the trunk and helped her off, moving them away from it. The colorful lights lit up the sky before there was a brief pause, then the final fireworks filled the night sky, carefully arranged, carefully timed. Marry Me Amate.
Eri whipped around and looked down at him as he was down on one knee, open ring box in hand, and her eyes widened.
“Last year, I changed your outlook on this holiday. This year, I want to make this the only thing you remember about it. Will you marry me, Amate?”
Tears filled her eyes as she nodded. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Elias slid the ring on her finger, and she placed her hands on the sides of his face and leaned down to kiss him. It felt like coming full circle, and he couldn’t imagine his life without her. It would be incomplete because she’d settled in every part of his heart and…possessed it.