Chapter 23

Twenty-Three

Liam

Three Months Later

The morning sun filtered through the tall trees surrounding the porch as Mia and I sat down to review some documents. She had her laptop open, the screen glowing with numbers and spreadsheets from the accounting branch she now managed for Edgewater. I watched her, focused and confident, as she scrolled through client data, and I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride.

"You know," I said, leaning back in my chair, "I don't think I've told you this enough, but you're doing an incredible job managing this new branch."

Mia looked up with a hint of surprise before she smiled. "I've been so caught up in setting everything up that I haven't really thought about it. But I have to admit, I'm excited. It feels... empowering."

I grinned, nodding. "You should be proud. You've brought in new employees and organized everything so seamlessly. The fact that your team works remotely and still runs this smoothly is a testament to how capable you are."

She blushed slightly, brushing her hair back. "Thank you. It has been a lot of work, but it feels good, especially knowing that we're helping Derek focus on his health and assisting companies like Riverstone with their accounting."

I leaned forward, my eyes meeting hers. "You're not just overseeing numbers, Mia. You're growing something that will make a huge difference for Edgewater and all the clients we take on. You're a natural leader."

Her smile softened, and she glanced down at the screen for a moment before looking back up at me. "I guess I never thought I'd be doing something like this. It's different from the park, but I feel like I'm making a real impact."

"You are," I said. "And it's only the beginning. You've built more than just this branch—you've claimed my heart and professional admiration."

Mia's eyes sparkled, and I could see how much my words meant to her. She let out a sigh of contentment. "I never expected any of this. But now that it's happening... it just feels right."

I couldn't help but take her hand in mine. "Well, get ready," I said, grinning, "because this is just the start. I have a feeling you're going to stay busy with this new venture. The clients will keep rolling in."

We both stood, and I pulled her into my arms. Having Mia in my life, not just as my fiancée but as my partner in this venture, was more than I ever could've hoped for. It was everything.

"Thank you for believing in me," she whispered against my chest, her words warm and full of affection.

I smiled down at her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I always have. And I always will."

We stood there for a moment, savoring the quiet stillness of the morning, the world just waking up around us. Then I leaned back slightly, looking into her eyes with a playful grin. "How about we take this energy outside? I could use a good jog to start the day."

Mia laughed softly, stepping back with a nod. "You're on. Let's see if I can keep up."

With a light chuckle, I grabbed our running shoes from the corner, tossing hers to her as we headed toward the door.

This is the perfect time to unveil my surprise.

The air was crisp, the kind that hit your lungs in a clean rush and made you feel alive. I inhaled deeply, my breath puffing out in little clouds as I pushed myself up the incline of the trail. Mia was right next to me, keeping pace like she'd been doing this for years. I had to admit, I was impressed.

"How are you holding up?" I asked, casting a sideways glance at her.

She shot me a look, her lips quirking into a grin. "I'm fine, Liam. Don't worry about me."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Hey, just making sure you're not regretting getting into this running thing. You know I don't go easy."

"I've noticed," she said, smirking as she adjusted the hair tie that held her ponytail in place. "But someone has to keep up with you. And besides, it's kind of growing on me."

As we reached the top of the hill, I slowed my pace, letting the moment linger between us. Below, Cedar Cove stretched out in all its morning glory, the lake shimmering in the early light. It felt like our own little world—untouched, peaceful.

"Not bad, huh?" I said, gesturing to the view.

Mia stopped beside me, catching her breath but still looking as determined as ever. "Not bad at all," she said, her eyes scanning the horizon. "I'm so glad you love it here in Cedar Cove."

I turned to her, the weight of what I was about to do pressing against my chest. This was the moment I'd been planning for weeks, ever since we started running together, working together, and building this life.

"Speaking of loving it here," I said, reaching into the pocket of my sweats and pulling out my phone. "I wanted to show you something."

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it?"

I unlocked my phone and pulled up the plans. "See this deed? It's for the 100-acre plot of land right over there." I pointed to a spot just beyond the ridge.

Her eyes widened with curiosity. "What's the land for?"

"It's where our new cabin is going to be." I scrolled to a rendering of the cabin and then to the blueprint. "Here, take a look."

Mia's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes full of surprise as she stared at the screen. "Our cabin?" she whispered, her voice soft with awe.

I nodded, feeling my heart race for a whole new reason. "Yeah. It's going to be right here, overlooking the lake. I've been working on the plans for a while—wanted it to be perfect before I surprised you."

Her gaze flicked from the phone to me, and I saw the emotion flicker in her eyes. "Liam... this is amazing."

I smiled, but I wasn't done yet. Slipping my hand back into my pocket, I pulled out the small velvet drawstring bag I'd been hiding for days now, waiting for the right moment. My pulse hammered in my ears, but I pushed through the nerves.

"And I figured," I said, opening the velvet bag to reveal the diamond ring inside, "that we could start building something else too. Together."

Mia's breath caught, and I could see the realization dawning on her face. "Liam... are you...?"

I couldn't stop grinning as a surge of emotion rising in my chest. "Mia, I love you. I want everything with you. The cabin, the work, the future—all of it. So, what do you say? Will you marry me?"

Her eyes shimmered with tears, but the smile that lit up her face said it all. "Yes," she whispered, nodding as her voice trembled with joy. "Yes, of course, I'll marry you."

As I slipped the ring onto her finger, the moment felt both surreal and perfect. We stood there for a beat, the lake glittering in the background, the world around us fading into that single moment where everything felt right. We were starting something real, something that would last forever.

"And by the way," I added, pulling her close into my arms, "I bought this ring with the cash I got from selling the Lambo."

She laughed softly, wiping away a tear as she gazed up at me. "You sold your car for this?"

I shrugged, grinning. "Figured you'd be more impressed with the ring than the car. Did I get it right?"

Without a word, she leaned in and kissed me, her answer clear in every possible way.

We stood at the plot of land where our new cabin would soon be built. The lake sparkled in the distance, the trees casting dappled light across the clearing. Mia leaned against me as the engagement ring caught the sunlight. Glancing over at her, a rush of happiness flooded through me. "You know," I pointed around us, "it seems like we might need a larger cabin than what I first thought."

Mia chuckled, her gaze sweeping across the land. "Bigger? You thinking of more room for Daisy to roam, or is there another reason?"

I grinned, already knowing where I was going with this. "Well, I was thinking we should add a couple of extra bedrooms. For the future."

She looked up at me, raising an eyebrow. "Extra bedrooms, huh? You planning on guests?"

I shook my head, my voice softening. "No, not guests. I'm thinking more long-term. Maybe... for a family."

Her eyes sparkled with surprise, quickly transforming into a radiant smile. "Kids?" she exclaimed, a mixture of delight and curiosity dancing in her voice.

"Yeah," I said, the warmth of the idea settling in my chest. "Not right away, but someday. I want a family with you, Mia. I want to build something that lasts."

Mia slipped her hand into mine. "You really mean that?"

"I do. More than anything."

"So do I." She rested her head against my shoulder, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "You know, I always thought I'd want a big wedding... but the more I think about it, the more I realize that all I want is you. Something small, something simple."

"I feel the same way. Maybe we could ask Carla to officiate—she's a notary and a justice of the peace. We could make it official without all the fuss."

Mia's eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect."

I pulled her closer, the weight of the future settling in around us in the best way. "Then it's settled. We'll get married right here, with the lake behind us and Daisy at our feet."

She laughed softly, glancing around the plot of land again. "It'll be perfect. Just us and the start of our new life."

We stood there for a moment longer, wrapped in each other's arms, knowing that this was the place where we would build our future—as husband and wife.