Part 7: The Proposal
Ethan Brown sat at home, the ring box in his hands, turning it over and over. He had bought the ring more than two months ago, wanting to propose to Lewa, but somehow, the timing never seemed right. Their lives had been filled with work, creativity, and recently, the news of Lewa’s pregnancy. It was overwhelming, and he couldn’t help but feel the pressure mounting. He wanted to propose for all the right reasons—not because of the baby, but because he loved her. He had always loved her.
The beach. His mind kept going back to the beach—the place where they had shared so many memories, including that first night when they had fallen asleep in each other’s arms. It had always been their spot, a place of quiet intimacy and peace.
Feeling the weight of the decision, Ethan grabbed his phone and called his best friend, Marcus. Marcus had always been his sounding board, the one who gave him a push when he needed it.
“Hey, man, what’s up?” Marcus answered.
Ethan took a breath. “I need to talk to you about something. Lewa’s pregnant, and I’ve been sitting on this ring for months now. I was going to propose before, but I never found the right time. Now... I don’t know what to do.”
“Whoa. Congratulations, man! That’s huge,” Marcus replied, his voice filled with excitement. “But let me guess—you’re overthinking it, aren’t you?”
Ethan chuckled. Marcus knew him too well. “Yeah, I guess I am. I just want it to be perfect.”
“Dude, if you wait for perfection, you’ll be waiting forever. Life doesn’t give us perfect moments; we create them. You love her, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then do it. Take her to the beach, man. You’ve always said that’s your place. Propose there, where it all started.”
Ethan let Marcus’s words sink in. He was right—there was no better place than the beach, where he and Lewa had built some of their best memories. It was time to stop waiting.
That weekend, Ethan made the call. “How about a trip to the beach tomorrow?” he suggested to Lewa, keeping his tone casual, though his heart raced with anticipation.
“The beach? That sounds wonderful. I’ve been needing some time to relax,” Lewa replied, her voice brightening at the idea.
The next day, they made their way to the shore, the sound of waves crashing in the background as they walked along the sand. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the ocean, and Ethan had planned the entire evening—he had set up a small, romantic dinner by the water, away from the crowds. Soft blankets, fairy lights strung around, and a table with candles completed the setup. It was their spot—quiet and intimate, the same place where they had first fallen asleep together under the stars.
When Lewa saw the setup, her eyes widened in surprise. “Ethan, this is beautiful,” she said softly, her hand resting on his arm.
Ethan smiled, his heart pounding. “I wanted to do something special. We’ve both had a lot going on lately, and I thought we could use a night like this.”
They sat down, the sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop as they ate and talked. The conversation flowed easily, just like it always did when they were together. But all the while, Ethan could feel the weight of the ring in his pocket, the anticipation building as he waited for the right moment.
As the evening wore on, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of pink and orange. It was then that Ethan stood up, offering Lewa his hand. “Let’s take a walk,” he said.
Lewa took his hand, and they strolled along the shoreline, the cool sand beneath their feet. The stars had begun to twinkle overhead, and the air was filled with the gentle rhythm of the ocean. Ethan could feel the nerves kicking in, but he knew this was the moment.
“Lewa,” he said, his voice soft as they paused at the water’s edge. She turned to face him, her expression curious but calm.
Ethan reached into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box, his hands trembling slightly as he knelt down on one knee. Lewa’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.
“I’ve been carrying this ring with me for a long time,” Ethan began, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart. “I bought it because I knew, long before we found out about the baby, that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re my person, Lewa. You’ve always been. And I don’t want to wait any longer to make it official.”
Tears filled Lewa’s eyes as Ethan opened the box, revealing the ring. “Will you marry me?” he asked, his voice full of love.
Lewa’s heart swelled as she looked at the man kneeling in front of her. The waves lapped gently at their feet, the stars above them shining like tiny diamonds in the sky. She didn’t need to think twice.
“Yes,” she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Ethan slipped the ring onto her finger, standing up to pull her into his arms. They kissed, the sound of the ocean surrounding them as the world seemed to disappear. It was just the two of them—like it had always been.
As they held each other, Lewa whispered into his ear, “This was perfect.”
Ethan smiled, resting his forehead against hers. “It’s always been perfect, with you.”
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