Say Yes

SAY YES

T he water had a golden hue as the sun dipped below the horizon. I stood at the water's edge, my toes sinking into the soft, cool sand. The breeze carried the sweet scent of funnel cake and cotton candy from the food stands on the boardwalk. I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring the surrounding peace. Even if it was only for a moment.

I've been struggling to deal with my feelings about the life I had and the life I currently have. The life I had before came with great loss. The loss of my child. The loss of my trust and the loss of part of my leg. In this phase of my life, it was one where I grew and healed. But also one with a man who, without a doubt, loved me. One who has done everything to show me he loves me. He was patient and kind. The complete opposite of the man I was with before.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" A comforting voice spoke behind me.

I turned to see Jae standing there, his black hair lightly brushing across his face. His hands were in his pockets, and his eyes sparkled a bit. My heart skipped a beat.

It's been years now, and just like the first time, I knew the effect he had on me. It was magnetic. A tension lingered in the air between us. Something neither of us were able to ignore. Even with my worries and fears, I knew Jae would be there.

"Yes, it is Jae. It's peaceful. Being near water always makes me feel calm. A calm I don't always experience in other places," I replied.

"I agree. Though I think every place is more beautiful when you're there. It's something I love about you."

My heart fluttered at his words, and I felt my cheeks grow warm as a flush went over them. For once, I was grateful he couldn't see it. He was always so good at making me blush.

"You always say the sweetest things to me," I said softly.

Jae reached out and gently tucked the loose strand of hair behind my ear. As always, his touch was warm and tender. It sent a shiver down my spine.

"I'm so grateful every day I get to be with you. I'm happy; I get to share my life with you," he confessed, his voice heavy with emotion.

He turned me toward him, and we stood for a moment in silence, the air charged with both already spoken and unspoken feelings between us.

Jae's hand lingered near my face, and then his thumb grazed my cheek. His hand was warm. Familiar. I leaned into it, my eyes fluttering shut. I savored the way it felt, cherishing the way Jae had always made me feel.

"You know, our anniversary is coming up," he said. "I can't stop thinking about how we met. How beautiful I thought you were when I saw you in that room! How I couldn't wait to talk to you."

His voice was barely audible above the gentle waves against the beach shoreline.

I looked up at him, meeting his intense gaze. "I think about that often. All the time, in fact," I admitted, and for some reason, my voice trembled.

Whenever I think about how low of a place I was in dealing with my own shit, it was Jae who pulled me out of the darkness. I didn't think I'd ever overcome it, and there he was my protector.

I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't find the next words I wanted to say.

Quickly, Jae cupped my cheek with his hand, his thumb stroking it. "You don't have to say a word," he whispered. "I know exactly how you feel."

Slowly, he leaned in, his soft lips brushing against mine in a soft kiss. My breath caught in my throat, and my heart pounded in my chest. I kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck, my lips moving against his with a hunger that only he could cause. My body pressed against his, melting into him.

We broke apart breathless, my forehead resting on his. I could never imagine love feeling like this. Staring at each other for a moment more, he pulled away from me, reaching into his pocket, and pulled out his phone. I raised a brow quickly, momentarily confused.

He pressed a few keys on his phone, and then a song started playing. A song I knew and loved. "Yes" by B5. I adored this song, and I started dancing to it as the lyrics played. I closed my eyes again, feeling the depth of the song.

"Kasi," he said softly. I opened my eyes, and they widened, a smile stretching across my face. Jae was down on one knee.

Clearing his throat, he began to speak, gazing into my eyes.

"From the moment we met, I knew it would be you. You would be the one I'd want to spend my life with. You'd be the one I want to cuddle with. Laugh with. Cook with. Dance with. You have brought such light and joy into every single day I have known you. Every time I see you, I realize not just how strong you are but also that you are mine. I don't want to waste another second not being able to say that always."

My heart brimmed with emotion, and tears fell down my face.

"I don't know what I'd do without you, and I don't want to find out. All I want is to share laughs with you. Share our dreams with each other and continue building the future that you deserve. Every single time I look at you, I see my forever."

Time seemed to have stood still, and he now took the black velvet box out of his pocket and opened it, showing a beautiful diamond ring inside of it. I could no longer hear the words of the song. It was just him and me. A perfect moment between me and the love of my life.

Jae smiled at me now. I could hear his voice tremble just a little, but I knew he spoke from the heart.

"I've imagined this over and over again, wondering how to do this and when would be the perfect moment, but in all actuality, there is never a perfect moment. There is only the moment when it all clicks. Will you do me the sincerest honor and make me the happiest man in the world by spending forever with me?"

Delight consumed me. I couldn't find the words to respond. Instead, I pulled at his arm until he stood up and kissed him again, more passionately this time. He fumbled with the box briefly, but he responded by having his hands explore the curve of my body, pressing me closer to him. We were in perfect harmony, our bodies swaying with the waves and the moment we just shared.

It felt like an eternity being wrapped in his arms, our hearts beating as one. I knew then that we would overcome any challenge. Anything life threw at us, we would get through it. Pulling away from him, I brushed the tears away from my face.

"I love you so much," I said to him sincerely. "More than I can say in words."

"I know you do," he replied, standing up with happiness in his eyes.

By now, night had fallen around us, and the stars twinkled in the sky.

"So," he said softly. "What would it be?" His tone had a twinge of worry in it.

"I can't wait to spend forever with you. The answer is yes."