31. Rendal

CHAPTER 31

Rendal

I can't shake the feeling of certainty that Chloe is the one for me. As I watch her read a bedtime story to Penelope and Zola, her voice soft and animated, I'm struck by how perfect this moment is. The girls are snuggled up on either side of her, their eyes wide with wonder as she brings the story to life.

Chloe's love and care for both girls is evident in every gesture, every word. She treats Zola as if she were her own daughter, and it warms my heart to see how seamlessly our little family has come together. As she turns the page, catching my eye with a soft smile, I feel it in my bones - I want to make this permanent.

The thought of proposing hits me like a bolt of lightning. It's not just a fleeting idea; it's a certainty that settles deep in my chest. I want to wake up to Chloe every morning, to face life's challenges together, to raise our girls as a united front.

My mind starts racing with possibilities. How should I do it? When? Where? The excitement bubbles up inside me, mixed with a healthy dose of nervous anticipation. I've never been more sure of anything in my life, but the thought of actually asking her to marry me sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

I lean against the doorframe, trying to calm my racing heart. Chloe finishes the story, planting a kiss on each girl's forehead before tucking them in. As she walks towards me, I pull her into a tight embrace, overwhelmed by the love I feel for her.

"What's got into you?" she asks with a chuckle, her eyes sparkling.

I just shake my head, not ready to reveal my plans just yet. "Just thinking about how lucky I am," I reply, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

As we head downstairs, my mind is already whirling with ideas for the perfect proposal. I want it to be special, something that shows Chloe just how much she means to me and our little family. The anticipation of asking her to be my wife fills me with a mixture of excitement and nerves, but I've never been more certain of anything in my life.

Determined to get this right, I send Grak a message to meet me for coffee. He rolls his eyes at me the second he walks in, taking the seat across from me.

"So, you're finally gonna do it, huh?" Grak says, a knowing smile on his face. "About damn time, if you ask me."

I chuckle, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah, yeah. I know. But I want it to be perfect, you know? Chloe deserves something special."

Grak nods, taking a sip of his coffee. "Alright, let's brainstorm. What kind of proposal do you think she'd like?"

We spend the next hour throwing ideas back and forth. Some are ridiculous - like Grak's suggestion of skywriting - while others have potential. But nothing feels quite right until Grak leans back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face.

"What about an intimate dinner in a beautiful, meaningful location?" he suggests. "Something private, romantic, but still special."

The idea clicks instantly. "That's it," I say, feeling a surge of excitement. "Something just for us, but in a place that means something to our relationship."

Grak grins, clearly pleased with himself. "See? That's why you keep me around. Now, let's start planning this magical evening of yours."

I pull out my phone and start making a list. "Okay, so I'll need to find the perfect location. Maybe that park where we had our first real conversation? And I'll need to arrange for a private dinner setup..."

As I continue listing items, the plan starts to take shape in my mind. I can already picture Chloe's face when she sees what I've prepared for her. The thought sends a thrill through me, and I'm more certain than ever that this is the right decision.

"Don't forget the ring," Grak reminds me, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I nod, adding it to the list. "Right. The ring. That's going to be a whole other adventure."

As we continue to refine the plan, I feel a mix of excitement and nerves. There's so much to arrange, but I'm determined to make this proposal everything Chloe deserves. With Grak's help and my determination, I know we can create an evening that Chloe will never forget.

Afterwards, I spend several afternoons visiting various jewelry stores, searching for the perfect engagement ring for Chloe. Each time I step into a new shop, my heart races with anticipation. I want to find something that truly captures Chloe's essence - her elegance, her warmth, her radiant spirit.

The first few stores I visit have beautiful rings, but none of them feel quite right. They're either too flashy or too simple. I want something that will take Chloe's breath away, but also something she'll feel comfortable wearing every day.

As I enter the fifth jewelry store, I'm starting to feel a bit discouraged. But then, I see it. There, nestled in a velvet display case, is a ring that seems to call out to me. The band is delicate and intricate, with tiny diamonds set along its length. But it's the center stone that truly catches my eye. It's not the largest diamond in the store, but it sparkles with an intensity that reminds me of Chloe's smile.

I ask the jeweler to take it out of the case, and as I hold it in my hand, I know this is the one. The way it catches the light, sending little rainbows dancing across my palm - it's perfect. Just like Chloe.

"This is it," I tell the jeweler, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice. "This is the ring."

As the jeweler boxes up the ring, I can hardly contain my excitement. I imagine slipping this ring onto Chloe's finger, seeing her eyes light up with joy. My heart is pounding as I hand over my credit card, but I've never been more certain of a purchase in my life.

Walking out of the store with the small box in my pocket, I feel a thrill of excitement course through me. This ring represents our future together, and I can't wait to see it on Chloe's hand.

I can hardly believe the day has finally arrived. Weeks of planning, countless nights lying awake imagining every possible scenario, have led to this moment, and I'm ready...I just have to hope that she is, too. My palms are sweaty, and my heart's racing, but I've never been more certain of anything in my life.

As I wake up, my first thought is of Chloe and the journey that's brought us here. I remember our first meeting, the way her green eyes lit up when she smiled, and how natural it felt when we blended our families. Every moment has led to this, and I can't wait to start the next chapter.

The secluded garden I've chosen is perfect - it's where we had our first real conversation, and the sunsets there are breathtaking. I can still picture her silhouette against the orange sky, her laughter carried on the evening breeze.

I've arranged for a private chef to prepare Chloe's favorite dishes, and a string quartet will play softly in the background. The thought of Chloe's face when she hears our song makes my heart skip a beat. I hope she'll be as moved as I am.

I double-check my phone, confirming that the babysitter is all set to watch Penelope and Zola. It's important to me that we have this evening to ourselves, uninterrupted and focused solely on each other. I want to savor every moment, every expression on Chloe's face. Fuck, I'm nervous, but in the best possible way.

As I adjust my tie in the mirror, I run through my proposal speech one more time. The words have been bouncing around in my head for weeks, and I want them to be perfect. I want Chloe to know just how much she means to me, how she's changed my life for the better. Fuck, I hope I don't stumble over my words when the moment comes.

I take out the ring box and open it, admiring the way the diamond catches the light. It's beautiful, just like Chloe, and I can't wait to see it on her finger. My stomach does a little flip as I imagine her reaction. Will she cry? Laugh? Jump into my arms? Knowing Chloe, probably all three.

With everything in place, I take a deep breath, my broad chest expanding with the motion. Tonight is the beginning of our forever, and I've never been more certain of anything in my life. The nerves are still there, but they're overshadowed by the joy and love I feel for Chloe. I catch a glimpse of my green skin in the mirror, remembering how Chloe once told me she loved its unique shade.

As I head out the door, I pat my pocket one last time, making sure the ring is secure. This is it. Tonight, I'm going to ask Chloe to marry me, and I can't wait to start the rest of our lives together. I picture our blended family - me, Chloe, Zola, and Penelope - and my heart swells with emotion. It's time to make it official, to show Chloe and the world that this orc is ready to commit for life.