18. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - FIRESIDE BLISS
The moment Jake walked through the door, I could tell he was carrying more than just the weight of his firefighting gear. “Hey, you,” I greeted Jake, as he walked through the door, trying to read his expression. “How was your day?”
He let out a long, deep groan as he dropped his bag by the door, the fatigue evident in his posture. “You wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had,” he said, his lips curling into a tired smile.
“Oh? That sounds ominous.” Curiosity piqued, I closed the distance between us, a playful nudge in my tone. “Come on, spill it. What happened? It can”t be that bad if you”re smiling about it.”
Jake hesitated for a moment, a flicker of something crossing his face before he let out a sigh. “Well, you”re looking at the new chief,” he finally revealed, his voice a mix of pride and disbelief.
The news hit me like a bolt of lightning, electrifying every nerve in my body. “What?!” I exclaimed, and without thinking, I leaped into his arms. “That”s amazing! I”m so incredibly proud of you!” The words poured out of me in a rush, my heart swelling with joy for him.
He chuckled, wrapping his arms around me in a warm hug. Then, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes, he planted a soft kiss on my cheek. “I”m the lucky one, having you in my life,” he said softly, his eyes shining with affection.
The sweetness of the moment drew us together, and our lips met in a kiss filled with all the passion and depth of our feelings for each other. When we finally parted, I caught the twinkle of anticipation in his eyes.
“Dinner will be ready soon,” I whispered, my voice low and teasing. “Why don”t you go upstairs, get washed up, and then come down to eat? And maybe... if you”re good, you”ll get some dessert.” The hint of mischief in my smile matched the glint in my eye.
Jake”s grin widened, understanding what I was proposing. “I”ll be quick,” he replied, with a playful wink before heading upstairs.
Watching him go, I turned back to the kitchen, my heart full of warmth and love. Being Jake”s girl, sharing these moments, these victories, filled me with content. I enjoyed being his partner in every twist and turn life threw our way. It filled me with a sense of contentment and joy. As I set the table, my thoughts drifted to us, to the future, and to all the possibilities that lay ahead. A smile lingered on my lips, the warm glow of love enveloping me. I cherished this moment, this feeling, and wished for nothing more than for us to always stay together, to face whatever comes our way, side by side.
After dinner, I was buzzing with excitement for what I hinted at as ”dessert,” but Jake had a different idea, his eyes sparkling with a secret. “Before dessert, I have a surprise for you,” he said, his voice filled with anticipation.
Curiosity piqued, I bombarded him with questions about where we were going. He just shook his head, driving with a confident ease. “Where are we going?” I asked more than once, only to be met with his teasing smile. “You”ll just have to wait and see,” he replied, his smile growing wider with each question I threw at him.
Jake parked the car as we arrived at a secluded beach, the night air cool against my skin and the moon casting a silvery glow over the sand. “A beach? At this time?” I questioned, unable to hide my surprise.
“Just trust me,” Jake said, his hand finding mine as he led me closer to the water”s edge. But it wasn”t the water that caught my attention—it was the towering bonfire, its flames dancing against the night sky, casting a warm glow over the empty beach. It was a sight so unexpectedly beautiful I was left speechless, captivated by the scene before us.
We settled by the bonfire, the crackling of the flames and the gentle lapping of the waves creating a serene backdrop. Jake then turned to me and began to speak, his eyes reflecting the fire’s glow.
“Lily, I know life brought us together in the most unexpected way. Saving you from that burning building was the moment my life changed forever. I love you more than I”ve ever thought possible,” he confessed, his gaze locked with mine.
Hearing his words, my heart overflowed with love. “Jake, I feel the same. I can”t imagine my life without you. Your bravery, your love—it”s more than I ever dreamed of,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion.
Sitting there by the fireside, we found bliss in each other”s company, basking in the realization that our love was as enduring and mesmerizing as the flames that lit up the night. “In a way, our love will always withstand the test of time, just like the flames that brought us together,” Jake whispered.
I giggled. “This... us... it”s everything I never knew I needed.” I turned to look at Jake, but then I froze in shock.
In a moment that felt as if it was suspended in time, Jake knelt before me, the firelight casting an earnest glow around him. “Lily, will you marry me?” he asked, his voice steady but filled with hope and love.
Tears of joy blurred my vision as I nodded, unable to find the words. “Yes, Jake. Yes, I will marry you,” I finally managed to say, my voice a whisper against the crackle of the fire.