I take a sip and…heaven. I’m learning so much about life, and that includes why the Swiss are so famous for their chocolate.
“The muesli and yogurt will be ready as soon as we finish our drinks,” Alexander adds, sipping his coffee. I’m still a little girl at heart and coffee seems icky to me, plus I’ve got all the energy I need to make it through the day. I thrive on the love and support he gives me.
“What do you think?” he says, throwing his arm around me.
“Well, if you would have asked me two weeks ago all I was thinking about was passing my final Russian oral exam. Now, after multiple flights, fake passports, and all kinds of experiences I didn’t even know existed, let alone were possible, I’m overlooking one of the most beautiful mountains in the world…with you.”
“Baby girl, you ask for mountains, you know Daddy’s gonna bring you to them. And if you don’t want to go then Daddy’s gonna bring the mountains to you.”
I can’t help but smile.
“You change that one day to the ocean, the sea, the stars in the sky, I’ll give you those too. Whatever you want, ever, you just tell me and it’s yours.”
I tuck myself into his side and take another sip of this incredible hot chocolate. At this rate I’m going to need to buy out the entire Toblerone factory just to keep up with my needs for the sugary goodness.
Another thing that appealed to Alexander was the Swiss love hiding cash, and privacy in general. It seemed like the perfect fit for the both of us and so far, a week in, it’s that exactly.
“Everything’s just such a perfect fit,” I say, mirroring my thoughts.
“I’m glad you think so, because there’s one more…fit…I’m curious about.”
“I’m sure it will be just as perfect.”
“Me too,” he says, and I feel his body separating from mine and I wonder what surprise he has in store, but not for long…
Dropping to one knee Alexander flips open the top of a small, black velvet box. Inside is the most amazing engagement ring I’ve ever seen in my life.
“The best Chopard had in their entire inventory, and it's big, just like a mountain you like.”
“Like? I love it.”
“Baby girl,” he begins. “I’ve spent my whole life being a different kind of man, changing to fit the seasons. Now, with you, there’s no need to ever change again. I can be myself, who I want to be, because I have you. We’re alike in so many ways, and different in so many others. But those differences are what makes us unique, and I can’t wait to wake up next to you each and every morning for the rest of our lives so I can learn more about your idiosyncrasies and you can learn about mine. We’ve already uncovered a few big ones,” he smiles.
“We sure have…Daddy,” I agree.
“Now it’s time for me to be a daddy for real, to build a family with you…a forever together. And that starts with this token of my love for you. I want the whole world to know what you mean to me, that you’re mine. You’re already my princess and always will be. Now be my queen. Marry me.”
“Yes,” I say calmly, being surrounded by nature having an amazing effect on me despite my heart beating a mile a minute. “Yes, every day for the rest of my life, Daddy!”
He slides the ring onto my finger. A perfect fit, just as we both expected and knew.
Before he’s even up on his feet I’m jumping into his arms, my legs wrapping around him like a belt as I claim his lips hard.
“I love you, sweet angel.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
Extended Epilogue
Alexander
Ten years later
“Are you sure I’m not too heavy?” my wife asks.
“Woman, all this high altitude is making you crazy. You’re light as a feather.” And it’s the truth. I lift her overhead like an ice skater lifting his partner while our little Anna snaps the picture of us with the Canadian Rockies in the background.
This last decade has been the best ten years any man that’s ever walked the face of the earth could wish for, but only one man could have it. Me. Because I have her.