Chapter 14: A Glimpse of Forever
As the months passed, Ava and Ethan's relationship continued to blossom. They had found a rhythm that worked for them, balancing their personal and professional lives with ease. Their colleagues had grown accustomed to their affectionate glances and playful teasing, and the office had become a warm and welcoming place.
One evening, as they were walking home from work, Ethan turned to Ava and said, "I've been thinking about something." His eyes sparkled with excitement, and Ava's curiosity was piqued.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I want to take you on a surprise trip," Ethan said, his face lighting up with enthusiasm. "Just the two of us, somewhere special. What do you say?"
Ava's heart skipped a beat as she considered the prospect. She loved surprises, and the thought of spending quality time with Ethan was tantalizing.
"When were you thinking?" she asked, her mind racing with possibilities.
"Next weekend," Ethan replied, his smile growing wider. "I promise it'll be worth it. Trust me?"
Ava nodded, her trust in Ethan absolute. "I trust you," she said, her voice filled with emotion.
The days leading up to the trip were a blur of excitement and anticipation. Ava couldn't help but wonder where Ethan was taking her, and what they would do once they got there.
Finally, the day of the trip arrived. Ethan picked Ava up from her apartment, and they set off early in the morning. As they drove, Ava tried to guess their destination, but Ethan remained tight-lipped.
After a few hours, they arrived at a beautiful coastal town. Ava's eyes widened as she took in the stunning views of the ocean and the picturesque beachside cottages.
Ethan smiled, pleased with himself. "Welcome to our little getaway," he said, taking Ava's hand.
The weekend was a whirlwind of romance and adventure. They spent their days exploring the town, holding hands, and laughing together. They went on long walks along the beach, watched the sunset over the ocean, and enjoyed delicious seafood dinners.
As the sun set on their final evening, Ethan turned to Ava and said, "I wanted to bring you here to show you how much I care about you. You're the love of my life, Ava, and I want to spend forever with you."
Ava's heart melted at his words, and she knew that she felt the same way. "I love you too, Ethan," she said, her voice filled with emotion.
As they gazed out at the ocean, Ethan took Ava's hand and pulled her close. "I have one more surprise for you," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Ava's curiosity was piqued as Ethan pulled out a small box from his pocket. He opened it, revealing a beautiful diamond ring.
"Ava, from the moment I met you, I knew that you were special," Ethan said, his voice trembling with emotion. "Will you marry me?"
Tears of joy streamed down Ava's face as she nodded, her heart overflowing with love. "Yes, yes, a million times yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
As Ethan slid the ring onto her finger, Ava knew that their love would last a lifetime. They shared a kiss as the sun dipped below the horizon, their future bright and full of promise.