40. forty
forty
LYSANDRA
I admired the ripples of the river beneath the bridge of Dean’s Village.
I would never grow tired of watching the fish dance beneath me. I admired the enchanting waves of the lake. I breathed in, allowing the fresh air to fill my lungs.
My gaze found the horizon ahead with its rosy and golden hues.
White clouds covered most of the sky. The buildings made of brick, with their chipped edges, and sharp rooftops would always amaze me.
With its lush pink shrubs peaking from its corners.
The cobblestone bricks of the bridge I stood on had been filled with crushed leaves.
I would love every corner of this city for the rest of my life. This place was my escape, my haven, and my refuge. Forever locked in my memory.
The serene spot was silent from the bustling of cabs and the chatter of the crowds. Silence was good. Solitude brought reflection and peace with it.
Which made me wonder why Ezra had asked me to meet him here. We hadn’t visited Dean’s Village in six years, it brought a melancholic and nostalgic feeling to my chest. I recalled the way we spoke of our bad memories with our parents. That was the day I knew that he was becoming my other half.
“What’s got you smiling?”
His smooth voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Just thinking about the last time we were here,” I chuckled.
“Dean’s Village remains enchanting even after five long years, does it not?” Ezra sighed, extending an arm over my shoulders.
He’d been dressed in his usual attire. White button-up shirt, black vest, and matching bottoms. His shoes had been polished, not a single crease present, his cute black frames, with his hair perfectly framing his face.
There was something about him that was more alluring today.
I noted the slight glint of euphoria in his blue eyes.
What had made him so happy today?
“I haven’t been back since the last time we were here.”
“Why is that?” He furrowed a brow.
I shrugged. “It was a happy memory and I didn’t wish to taint it with my sadness.”
Ezra remained silent, his expression pensive. Then he admitted, “This is my first time coming back here as well.”
“Why did you ask me to meet you here?”
“Can’t I enjoy the sunset with the love of my life?” he teased.
I squinted, my suspicions rising.
“My love, not everyone has ulterior motives.”
He was right. I had been so accustomed to receiving gifts with a price tag that I had forgotten what it was like to be given a present out of love. The word ‘love’ was such an enigma to me because I hadn’t received it, until him.
For many years, I looked back at my memories of when I was a kid and tried to find a moment filled with warmth and affection. I could never find any. I was abandoned. I was forgotten.
Well, I was almost forgotten, but Ezra was the exception.
Which was why I cherished him so much, because I learned what love was through him.
He was not my savior, but he was my lifeline.
I gazed upon his profile, only to find him admiring me.
No one had ever looked at me like that, and I questioned why he had ever chosen to hold onto me for so long.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re up to no good.”
Ezra chuckled, his laugh enchanting me. His firm embrace surrounded me. Then, he began to sway side-to-side. I followed his action. I chuckled, confusion striking me.
What’s happening right now?
“I’m so glad it’s you,” he whispered into my ear, I almost didn’t hear him.
This moment felt pivotal, important. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the comfort of his arms. I breathed in his scent, coffee beans and vanilla.
How ironic, I chuckled to myself.
Then, he pulled back. “I can’t help but feel really nostalgic about that day, on this bridge.”
“I had a lot of fun exploring the city with you. You showed me all the hidden gems that are so precious to me now.”
We truly had changed so much.
“To be truthful with you, Lysandra,” he began. I felt like my heart would stop. Was he about to give me the worst news of my life right now? “I have to admit that I realized I was already in love with you when we were standing on this bridge. Even if you were snarky and sassy most of the time.”
I laughed as hot tears brimmed my eyelids. His soft hands held mine as he stepped back.
“Then we had our fallout… and I thought all hope was lost. For a long time, I woke up every day thinking that I had lost the love of my life. As if a piece of me had been missing and I couldn’t breathe properly.”
His hand reached for his pocket, and then he got down on one knee.
My heart fluttered as I covered my lips. I almost squealed exactly like Camille would have done, but I didn’t wish to embarrass myself.
Okay, I need to stop being mean to Cami.
“I have been the happiest man since the night we reunited under the stars and the rain as our witnesses. Waking up with you by my side, I’ve realized I want that forever.
I don’t want anyone else, and I never will.
You have captivated me with a simple look, a simple twirl of your curls, and a simple glimpse of your smile.
So… will you make me an even happier man and marry me? ”
Ezra opened the black velvet box. A large pear-shaped ring shone under the gleaming rays of the sunset. The halo of diamonds around the main stone almost blinded me. There was a familiarity to the ring.
Then, I remembered I had been pointing to this exact ring a few years ago. But I was with Aldair. He didn’t get me the ring I wanted, but Ezra had done. How did he know?
“Ezra,” I gasped, tears falling down my cheeks.
“No more waiting, my love. Let’s start our forever.”
“Ezra—” I laughed.
“What do you say, my love?” he said with delicacy.
“You know my answer. Yes, of course. Of course I’ll marry you.”
Ezra stood up, enveloping me completely. His lips found mine, and it was like the key was set in its place. The darkest parts of myself were now seared away by his sunshine, by the light and radiance of his love.
He let me go, allowing me a moment to breathe. Then he pulled the ring from its cushion, his beaming expression being a mirror to mine.
“This belongs to you,” he muttered, pushing the diamond onto my finger.
I examined it. It was a perfect fit. Just like he was for me.