The whole way in the truck I kept pestering Caine to tell me where we were going. He would simply smile and lightly pat my knee, not giving in to my onslaught of questions. We had been driving for quite some time along a beautiful curving road. The trees were surrounding us from all sides. They created a tunnel of trees, with the clear blue sky peeking between the leaves. I stared into the dense forest, taking the time to reflect. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of love and passion. It seemed so obvious now that Caine and I had always loved each other, that we always belonged together. Everything I was searching for and craved had been right under my nose the whole time. Was it possible that I had finally found happiness for good?
I was in such deep thought that I hadn’t realized Caine pulled over on to the side of the road. I turned to look at Caine, about to ask why he stopped, when I saw that he was staring straight ahead. His jovial mood was replaced with seriousness and even sadness. I followed his gaze to two crosses made out of wood propped up against a tree overlooking a cliff. I instantly realized where we were. He drove me to the spot where his parents had driven off the road and died.
“Caine?” I asked, unsure of what more to say.
He turned to me and stared for a few moments. His eyes showed such sorrow and pain. He gave a small reassuring smile, and came around the truck to let me out. He grabbed my hand and led me over to the tree.
“I haven’t been to this spot in a very long time. But I wanted to take you here, so we could be close to them. When I come here, I feel them near.” Caine wrapped his arms around me. “I wanted them to be near us today.”
I stared out into the canyon below and took in the beauty. The view from where the crosses stood was breathtaking. There was something magical about the spot, despite that it caused such misery years ago. The trees were so full of life. The small creek far below glistened, and the expanse of open air seemed all powerful.
Caine kissed my neck softly before speaking. “My parents had a love I envied. They seemed so happy and so deeply in love. I have always been comforted knowing that they died together. That their love can continue on in all of eternity. I can feel the love when I stand here.” Caine paused and took a few deep breaths before continuing. “I wanted to feel that same intensity with someone; the same love they had. I searched and struggled to obtain what came so easy for them. I wanted so desperately to have what they shared.”
Caine turned me gently so I was facing him. He lowered his lips, softly pressing them to mine. He pulled away and stared deep into my eyes.
“Neely, I love you. I love you more than I imagined possible. When I’m with you, I feel a love even stronger than the one I feel standing before their crosses. I finally have found what I longed for. I found you. You, who had been right in front of me the entire time, I was just too blind to see it. But I see it now. I feel it now.”
Caine stared at me for a few moments and then lowered himself onto one knee. He pulled a ring box from his pocket and placed the ring onto my finger.
“Neely, I love you more than anything, and I can’t imagine not having you in my life. Will you marry me?”
I stood in disbelief for a few moments as I looked into Caine’s eyes. He remained kneeling, awaiting my answer. “Yes! Of course I’ll marry you! Oh, Caine, I love you so much!” I squealed.
Caine stood up and placed the most passionate kiss of my life on my lips. His tongue danced with mine, and our breaths intertwined. He held me so tight and with so much emotion, I could hardly breathe.
“I swear I’ll make you happy. I swear I’ll make you the happiest wife there is,” Caine promised.
I pulled away so I could look at the ring. It was gorgeous! And it was huge! “Caine, the ring is so pretty, and the diamond is gigantic! You really didn’t need to—”
Caine interrupted. “I want there to be no question in anyone’s mind that you are taken. You are mine.”
“Yes, yes! I’m yours, Caine, forever. I promise I will be the best wife I can. I promise I will do everything to make you happy.” I paused to regain my composure. “Thank you for taking me here. It means the world that you would share this place with me.”