I huffed but stood and reached my hand out to help her up.
We made our way to the restaurant. I told her we weren’t able to get a reservation at Selina’s and had to go somewhere else. She believed me, so when we arrived and she realized where we were eating she was ecstatic.
“Your table is all set,” the host said to me, not making a move to seat us.
I nodded my thanks. Juniper looked confused but followed me as I led us to the back. As soon as we got to the back deck with all the igloos she gasped. Red petals were scattered down all the way to our igloo.
“What’s this?” She asked breathlessly.
“Why don’t we go find out?” I led her down the floral covered path to the last igloo on the row. I pushed open the door and let her go first. Inside was similar to how it was last year. There were fairy lights making the space look cozy and candles on the table. But now there were little moon and star lanterns hanging around the space, making it look like the night sky. More flowers sat on the table along with some chilled champagne.
“Wow, this is fancier than last…”
Her words died in her throat when she turned and found me down on one knee.
JUNIPER
I couldn’t believe he got us reservations at Selina’s. I’d believed him when he said he couldn’t get us a reservation last spring. He had told me Arthur made theirs before they left for the next year. However, I was excited to eat here again. It was some of the best food I’ve ever had.
The rose petals made me stop in my tracks. I tried not to let myself get too worked up with all the possibilities. This was just about our one year anniversary and he was probably tying to surprise me. He did considerate things like that all the time.
Since we got together for real he’d made good on his promise to make me happy. Not only did he support my work dreams, but he also kept my cup full of love, and always went out of his way for me. I don’t think I could think of a better partner.
When he opened to door to the igloo it looked similar to last year, but I didn’t remember the lanterns or the flowers.
As I turned to ask him if he had recalled all thoughts left as I saw him down on one knee, forest green ring box in hand.
“Ellery?” I breathed.
“Juniper, you have been the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re beautiful, intelligent, and the perfect partner. I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you I can be your perfect match. Will you marry me?”
Tears swam in my eyes as he spoke. “Yes,” I squealed as I let them fall.
He stood and opened the box and I gasped. It was the prettiest one yet. There was a giant diamond in the middle, the biggest I’d ever seen with two crescent moons on either side holding it in place.
He slid it on and it fit perfectly. “I love it,” I said. And I did. I knew he had excellent taste when we met, but the care he took in choosing these things as well made me melt.
“I love you,” he said, taking me into his arms.
“I love you too, and I can’t wait to spend forever together.”
“Me either.” We kissed and I almost wanted to skip dinner all together and go back, but I wasn’t giving this place up that easily.
I was stuffed by the time we were done. We went for a bit of a walk to digest just like we did before. This town hadn’t changed much. It was weird to see this place in what felt like forever Christmas. I didn’t know what it looked like outside of the holidays, and something about that felt magical.
When we got back to our room I sat in bed while Ellery went to the restroom, and I couldn’t help my eyes from going to the ring, gleaming in the light. It was beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to tell everyone he proposed.
Juniper Scott.
It had a nice ring for sure.
The bed shifted as Ellery climbed up and laid next to me, looking up at my ring with me. “Do you like it?” He asked.
“I love it. Almost as much as I love you.”
“I’m glad I beat out the ring.”
“Only by a hair.”
