Bonus Chapter
Two Years Later
Ivy
I wake slowly.
Not because of any sound, but because of touch.
Asher's fingers are in my hair, gentle, careful, like he's afraid I might disappear if he's not. The room is dim, early morning light filtering through the curtains, everything hushed and soft. The sound of birds outside the window
I don't open my eyes straight away.
I know it's him by the way he touches me - like I'm something precious.
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
Again.
And again.
I smile sleepily, not opening my eyes. "You're staring."
"I'm always staring," he murmurs, a smile in his voice.
I open my eyes to find him propped on one elbow beside me, bare chest warm against mine, sheets tangled around our legs. His gaze is steady. Not playful, not teasing.
His gaze the most serious I’ve ever seen it.
That makes my nerves flutter.
"What?" I ask softly.
His thumb traces the curve of my cheek. "I was just thinking."
"That's dangerous."
A corner of his mouth lifts, but the smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. "About you."
I swallow.
There's a pause. It's not awkward, not heavy. Just... something I can't quite name.
"Ivy," he says quietly.
The way he says my name makes me sit up a little, heart already racing.
"Is everything okay, Ash?"
He shifts closer, forehead resting against mine. His voice drops, low and honest.
"I want to marry you."
The words land gently.
Not dramatic. Not rushed.
Just truth.
I blink. Once. Twice.
"You-" I laugh softly, breathless. "You want to what?"
He smiles then. It's slow, sure, devastating.
"I want to wake up next to you for the rest of my life," he says. "I want to be the person you come home to. The one who knows your moods before you do. The one who chooses you - every single day."
My chest tightens.
"I know you don't want big speeches or kneeling in public places," he continues. "And I just want you. Exactly like this. In bed. Half asleep. Beautiful."
My eyes burn.
"Asher..."
"I know it's sudden," he says gently. "But I've never been more certain of anything. I've loved you quietly, loudly, badly, patiently." He pauses. "Or impatiently," he laughs, lips tucked up at the side. "and I don't want to do life without you."
He reaches between us, pulling his hand back to reveal a ring hidden under the pillow.
Simple.
Elegant.
Perfectly us.
"I didn't plan a moment," he admits. "I just... couldn't keep it to myself anymore."
I stare at it, then at him.
"You're serious," I whisper.
"I've never been more serious."
I let out a shaky breath. "You didn't even ask."
His thumb brushes my lower lip.
"I'm asking now."
He leans in, lips hovering just a breath away from mine.
"Will you marry me, Ivy?"
Tears spill before I can stop them.
"Yes," I say immediately. "Yes."
Relief crashes over his face - raw, unguarded and he exhales like he's been holding his breath for years.
He slides the ring onto my finger, hands steady, eyes never leaving mine.
"Forever," he murmurs.
"Forever," I echo.
He kisses me then, slow, deep, reverent. Like the answer has settled something inside him. Like the world has finally clicked into place.
When he pulls back, he presses his forehead to mine.
"Thank you," he whispers.
"For what?"
"For choosing me."
I curl into his chest, his arms wrapping around me like this is exactly where I belong.
Because it is.
"I didn't really have a choice. There is no other choice. Only you."
His breath stutters against my hair as I finally look down at the ring.
It's small.
Antique.
The kind of ring you imagine tucked away in a velvet box at the back of a drawer, passed down through careful hands and quiet stories. Through generations. This ring has seen more love then I could imagine.
The gold band is thin and softly worn, etched with the faintest vine-like detailing, delicate, intentional.
Two stones sit at its centre.
One is pale and gentle, catching the light softly like moonlight.
The other is smaller, green-toned, the colour of leaves after rain.
They don't match.
They aren't symmetrical. Aren't even the same shape. The diamond is oval, small and perfect. The emerald is marquise; they complement each other perfectly.
But together, they make sense.
Like they chose each other.
My throat tightens at the beauty of the ring.
"It's perfect."
I look closer, thumb tracing the engravings on the band.
"Wait..." I murmur, turning my hand slowly, following the trail of leaves as they circle my finger. "These aren't just vines."
Asher doesn't say anything.
He watches me notice.
"They're ivy," I whisper, my voice breaking just a little. "You did this on purpose."
He nods once, a small smile pulling at his mouth. "I wanted it to be yours even before you said yes. Just like I was."
And for the first time, forever feels too short a time.