They didn’t stay long. As the sun dipped below the horizon, they chose not to drive but instead wandered along thekeside path.

    Hand in hand, they walked in easy silence. Even without words, there was nothing awkward between them.

    Suddenly, Alessia stopped. Leaning against the rail by the water, the two gazed out over theke, where the sunlight danced in shimmering patterns across the surface.

    “Cole,” Alessia said softly, her eyes clouded with uncertainty, “what do you think the meaning of life is?”

    She was barely in her twenties, yet she’d already seen more than her share of goodbyes, of close calls where life and death brushed past her. She herself had once walked the thin line between this world and the

    next.

    Life felt too fragile. For the first time, she truly understood those who feared death–not for herself, but for the thought of losing the people she loved. She liked to believe she was free–spirited, unbound by anything, but deep down she knew she was just as tied to the rules of nature as anyone else.

    Sometimes she wondered, if she had no attachments, would she still be afraid of anything at all?

    But whenever she found herself surrounded by love, she realized that was when she felt truly unbreakable.

    So, what was the meaning of life, really?

    “Lessie,” Cole replied, his voice steady, “there are a thousand answers to that question. But for me, you are my reason for being.”

    Alessia looked up at him. Their eyes met, and for a moment, nothing else existed.

    “You know,” Cole continued, “I’ve thought about marrying you–about tying

    b07:45 /b

    you to me forever. But I know that’s not fair. You bdeserve /bbthe /bbfreedom /bbto /bchase your dreams. I just want to make sure that, wherever byou /bbsoar/b, I’m the one by your side. That’s why I work so hard–to be someone worthy of you, so no one else even dares toe close. I want the bworld /bto look at us and see two people meant to be together.”

    “I’m easy to please, really. But if you want to fly like an eagle, I can’t be content to stay a sparrow. I know you want to reach for more, so I choose to spend whatever time I have, flying alongside you. I’m afraid marriage. might feel like a cage to you.”

    “But when you were lying in that hospital bed, I couldn’t help but regret not holding onto you sooner. Maybe then, when our timees, our gravestones could stand side by side, telling the world our story.”

    “If I hadn’t pulled through,” Alessia started.

    “Yes.” Cole answered before she could finish, meeting her gaze with

    unwavering conviction.

    “You’re such an idiot.” Relief and fear flickered across Alessia’s face as she yfully punched his chest.

    Cole didn’t flinch. When she finished, he wrapped her in his arms.

    “I’ll n the most incredible proposal you’ve ever seen,” he whispered. “When the timees, will you say yes?”

    Even now, Cole needed to know what she wanted. With him, Alessia always had a choice.

    “I will.” The answer was clear, without hesitation.

    For them, marriage would simply make things official. Nothing else would change.

    Alessia would keep chasing her dreams, and Cole would always be right there with her, matching her step for step, running toward a brighter future together.

    Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, they held each other close and kissed.

    07:45 2

    The End.

    bChapter /b487

    September 7th

    Weather: Sunny

    Mood: Happy