Chapter 72

CHAPTER 72

SIMON

W e had spent the last week exploring Edinburgh more thoroughly than we had during our previous visit. Every day had been an adventure, discovering hidden corners of the city, tasting local delicacies, and immersing ourselves in the rich culture and history. I loved every second of it. I loved seeing it through her eyes. She genuinely appreciated every little thing she saw and experienced. It made me so happy that I could give her this experience.

I looked over at her still snuggled up in bed, sound asleep. There was a soft knock on the door, our typical breakfast being brought to the door. I took the tray inside and saw Rylee rubbing her eyes. "What time is it?" she asked.

"Eight," I answered.

She sat up. "I'll be ready in half an hour."

I laughed. "Relax. We're not on a timeline. You can sleep in."

"But—"

"Rylee, we have time," I assured her. "We can always come back. You don't have to see it all this trip."

She sighed. "You're right."

"I got breakfast."

She joined me in the sitting area, her hair a mess and looking sexier than ever.

I greeted her with a soft kiss, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "What do you feel like doing today?"

"Maybe we could visit the Royal Mile?" she suggested, reaching for a croissant and taking a small bite.

"The Royal Mile it is," I agreed, pouring her a cup of coffee.

We had both been relishing the local coffee shops, especially this blend the hotel was serving. I watched Rylee savoring her coffee, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the rich, full-bodied taste. I loved these quiet morning moments with her; they were intimate, peaceful and felt like our own secret world.

"I wonder how Lauren's dress fitting went?" she asked more to herself.

She got up and got her phone, checking her messages. She smiled. "Is it bad luck if I show you a picture of her in her dress?"

I thought about it for a second. "I'm not marrying her."

"Good, because I was going to show you anyway." She giggled.

She handed me her phone with a picture of Lauren in her wedding gown for her last fitting.

"She looks gorgeous," I said, handing back the phone.

"Doesn't she? It's perfect for her." Rylee beamed. "I can't wait to see her walk down the aisle."

"Me too," I said softly. "But you know who I'm really excited to see walking down the aisle?"

Her eyes widened a bit, and she looked at me questioningly. "Who?"

"You," I said simply.

Her cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink, and she looked away shyly. "Simon."

"I know, I know." I laughed. "It's a placeholder. Just don't go accepting anyone else's marriage proposal."

"Deal." She grinned. "I can't wait to see you in your tux. I'm already envisioning you as a hot, young, dark haired Bond."

"I'm not sure it's all you think it's going to be." I laughed. "Are you going to let me see your bridesmaid dress?"

"Nope." She grinned. "You have to wait."

I chuckled softly at her teasing response. "Fine, keep your secrets. But I'm sure you'll look stunning."

The room filled with a comfortable silence as we finished our breakfast. Rylee was scrolling through her phone, while I sat back, relishing in the peaceful start of the day. After a few minutes, she looked up at me with an excited glint in her eyes.

"I found this guide on hidden gems in Edinburgh that we should absolutely visit today," she declared, showing me her phone screen with a map filled with pinpointed locations.

Rylee had always been a sucker for off-the-beaten-path attractions. Her enthusiasm was infectious. I loved how passionate she was about each new place we visited, how much she enjoyed researching the city.

After breakfast, we took our time getting ready, and by ten o'clock, we were heading out toward High Street. The Royal Mile was bustling with activity as locals and tourists alike went about their day. It had started to drizzle slightly but it did nothing to dampen our spirits. We were used to the rain at this point.

We entered the cobblestone street of the Royal Mile and were immediately surrounded by an array of sights and sounds. The historic buildings stood tall against the gray Edinburgh sky. Shops lined the road, their windows displaying everything from tartan scarves and Scottish whiskey to authentic clan memorabilia. Street performers were out in full force, adding to the lively atmosphere with their music, acrobatics, and magic tricks. We stopped and browsed the many shops, picking up a few things for our friends back home.

The Christmas decorations were up, and the entire street was aglow with twinkling fairy lights, creating a magical atmosphere. The feeling was infectious. We walked hand in hand, past the historical structures of St Giles' Cathedral and the Scottish Parliament building.

We decided to stop for lunch at a quaint pub we found off the main drag. As we stepped inside, our senses were immediately filled with warmth from the fireplace and the tantalizing aroma of hearty Scottish fare. We settled into a cozy corner table and ordered haggis, neeps , and tatties for me and a plate of fish and chips for Rylee. The food was delicious. We savored every bite while we made plans for the rest of the day.

Back outside, the temperature had dropped slightly, but that didn't douse our excitement as we continued our exploration. Rylee was enamored with every historical anecdote shared by the locals or mentioned on plaques scattered across the city. She insisted on stopping and reading every single one. I had a feeling she might be the only tourist to ever do so. But I was more than happy to stand with her while she absorbed the history.

We wound up in a liquor store that offered samples of specialty Scottish liqueurs. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn't help but smile at her reactions, ranging from delight to surprise as she sampled every one of them.

"Oh, this is a good one," she said. "I like this."

The shop owner was thrilled. "Should we buy a bottle?" I asked her.

"Sure." She shrugged. "How much is it?"

He told us and she balked, but I handed him my credit card.

"You don't have to buy everything," she hissed.

"Of course not, but I want to," I replied.

She shook her head. "You're too much."

"I'm looking forward to having a drink tonight," I told her.

We did a little more shopping and exploring when it started to rain once again. We decided to head to a nearby tavern for dinner. I had another surprise in store, and I could hardly contain my excitement. This all might feel random to her, but this was all very carefully planned. I played it cool, not wanting to give away the surprise. As we walked into the cozy, dimly lit establishment, I looked for Claire and her boyfriend. I spotted them already seated at a table in the corner. I casually led Rylee in their direction, waiting for her to see them. Rylee's eyes widened in disbelief and then lit up with joy.

"Claire!" she exclaimed, rushing over to hug her travel buddy.

Claire stood up, equally excited, and the two of them embraced tightly. "I can't believe you're here!" Rylee said, her voice muffled against Claire's shoulder. "What in the world is happening right now?!"

Claire laughed. "Simon told us you were in town and insisted we meet up. I couldn't say no!"

Rylee turned to look at me with her eyes glittering with tears. "You are too much!" She threw her arms around me and hugged me. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," I said.

We took a seat at the table. The girls were giddy as they caught up, drinking beers and eating soup served in bowls made of bread. It was a perfect night filled with laughter and reminiscing about our last trip, including the hostels. I watched Rylee, knowing how much she valued her friendship with Claire. Seeing her so happy made all the effort worthwhile.

After our meal, we said our goodbyes to Claire and her boyfriend and headed back to our hotel. The rain had started falling softly, a light drizzle that created a soothing rhythm on the cobblestone streets. Despite the rain, neither of us was in a hurry to get inside. I kind of liked the rain, despite it being chilly.

"Thank you for arranging that," Rylee said as we walked. "It was so nice to see her again."

"You're welcome," I told her.

When we got to our room, Rylee immediately went out onto the rooftop balcony in her bare feet. I followed her, watching as she tipped her head back to let the rain hit her face, a serene grin spreading across her lips.

She turned to look at me, her eyes sparkling. "There is no place like Edinburgh," she said, her voice full of wonder. "I feel like part of me has become the city, and the city has become part of me. Is that weird?"

I shook my head, smiling. "It's poetry."

She giggled and turned to face me, her hair now wet and hanging in her face. She wiped it away, still smiling. The city of Edinburgh sprawled out behind her. It felt like a fantasy world. And maybe it was for me. And for her.

We stood there, searching each other's eyes, the rain enhancing the moment. I didn't know it was possible to love anyone this much. My heart felt too big for my chest.

"What are you thinking?" she asked softly.

"That this moment is perfect," I replied.

"It is," she agreed.

"And I can't let it go to waste."

Her lips parted, about to ask what I meant, but I was already reaching into my pocket. Dropping to one knee, I pulled out a ring box, my heart pounding with anticipation.

"Rylee," I began, my voice steady despite the surge of emotions. "From the moment I met you, my life changed in ways I never imagined. You've shown me love, joy, and a future I never thought possible. You had no business taking a chance on me. I was a disaster. A cold, friendless, almost family-less disaster and you still took a chance. You stuck by me even though you had every right to walk away. I want to spend every day making you as happy as you make me. Will you marry me?"

Her eyes filled with tears. She covered her mouth with her hands. "Yes," she whispered, then louder, "Yes!"

I slipped the ring onto her finger, standing up to kiss her. The rain continued to fall, but we didn't care. Our kiss was full of promise, passion, and the beginning of our forever.

As we pulled apart, she looked down at the ring, then back up at me, a wide smile on her face. "I can't believe this. It's perfect. You're perfect."

"I'm far from perfect, but I'll spend my life trying to be for you."

She kissed me again, wrapping her arms around my neck. I held her close, feeling like the luckiest man in the world. The rain fell around us, the city lights twinkling in the background, and in that moment, everything was right. Everything was perfect.

We eventually made our way back inside, dripping wet and laughing. I couldn't stop looking at her, the reality of our engagement sinking in. She caught me looking and grinned.

"What?" she asked playfully.

"Just thinking about how lucky I am," I replied.

She shook her head, smiling. "We're both lucky."