“You good, baby?”
I looked up to see that we were still sitting in the car in the driveway. It felt like I’d blinked and we’d made it to her place. My stomach was doing flips as I looked over at her. I smiled, taking her hand in mine and kissing it.
“I’m perfect, sweetheart,” I assure her.
“Ready to ring in the new year?”
“Without a doubt.”
We share another kiss before finally exiting the vehicle and making our way up to the door. Raine pointed out that it was really dark, and I nodded. Upon entering the house, we noticed a path of flowers leading down the hallway, lit by those little LED candles. Music started to play, and I recognized it as one of my ballads. I smiled as I glanced at Raine, whose smile matched mine. She looked surprisingly calm, so I assumed that she hadn’t picked up on anything yet.
After closing and locking the door behind us, I took her hand in mine, and we followed the path through the house and out the back door. My eyes grew wide as all of our friends and family greeted us, holding candles as they stood around a huge flower arch in the middle of the yard.
As we approached, a video started to play on the projector set not too far away. I froze in my tracks when I saw Raine’s face pop up on the screen. I quickly glanced at Ginger, and she winked. When I turned my attention back to Raine, she had the brightest smile on her face, but she still gasped when the video on the screen split and showed me. Now I was really confused.
“Raine,” Video me said right as Video Raine said, “Dawn.”
“You mean so much to me, and I couldn't wait any longer to make you mine,” Video me said.
Video Raine said, “You are the love of my life, and I want to be yours forever.”
“You know I believe in being open and honest, so I’m just going to get to the point.” Me.
“I’m taking a page out of your book, and I’m going to just say what I have to say. No beating around the bush, okay?” Raine.
The videos paused, and Raine and I looked at one another. Tears were falling from her eyes as she shakily pulled something from her pocket. I reached into my pocket, pulling out the box I had as well. We both gasped upon opening them, and suddenly, I was crying with her.
“Raine, will you marry me and make me the happiest woman in the world?” I ask, taking a step towards her. She nods, wiping at her tears.
“Only, if you promise to marry me as well, my love,” she replies, and I smile.
“Yes, I will.”
“Then yes, I will as well!”
We exchange rings as everyone cheers behind us. When the cheering morphs into the counting down, I pull Raine into my arms and gaze into the eyes of this beautiful woman. She was all mine, and I vowed to be everything she wanted, needed, and more.
“Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!”
Raine reached up, cupped my face in her hands, and kissed me with all the love she had. I returned it, and I felt like everything was right as it should be. This was right where I was meant to be.
Raine Williams - January 1st, 2026 - 3:17 AM
I smiled as I looked at the ring on my finger. Who would’ve imagined that Dawn and I would have the same idea of proposing to each other right before the new year came in? Certainly not me! But Ginger knew. She admitted as much after the festivities. She told me that not being able to tell either of us that we had planned to propose to each other at the same time was one of the hardest things she’s ever had to endure.
I wouldn’t change it for the world, though. I loved that Dawn and I were on the same page; if anything, it made me even more sure about proposing. I was giddy just thinking about being her wife soon.
“You still looking at that ring?” Dawn chuckled as she entered the room.
We’d decided to come back to her place for the night to have a bit more privacy. Besides, I love how large and comfortable her bed was. She had a giant king with bedsheets that I’m sure were a higher thread count than I’d ever seen in my life! Plus, she had a ton of fluffy pillows. It was the perfect place to cuddle.
“Yes, because it’s so gorgeous,” I tell her, finally looking away from the ring. I motioned for her to join me in bed, and she nodded. She quickly switches off the light and crawls into bed with me, pulling me into her arms. “Mm, I’ll never get tired of cuddling with you.”
“That’s because you’re a big baby,” she teases.
“I’m your big baby, though,” I smirk, glancing up at her. Her smile warmed me in the best way.
“You sure are,” she nodded. She kissed me softly. “God, I love you so much, Raine. And I can’t wait to love our future kids just as much.”
