Without You

I couldn’t help it. I let out a sob and a laugh at the same time.

Will swallowed hard and looked away and then back at me.

“Um…I mean, I know you already said yes once, but you’re kind of freaking me out here, Lex.”

I nodded my head and dropped to my knees. I placed my hands on the sides of his face and brought his lips to mine. “Yes. I’ll marry you. A million times yes, Will.”

I pushed my lips to his as I wrapped my arms around his body. We deepened the kiss and soon got lost in each other.

When I heard Kip clear his throat, I pulled back some.

“I love you, Will.”

Will smiled, and for the umpteenth time this evening, my heart melted again as I waited for his response.

“I love you more, Lex.”

He removed my promise ring and placed it on my right index finger and then slipped the solitaire oval diamond onto my finger as I began crying harder.

It is perfect.

The ring was simple, nothing extravagant, just like I’d asked of him. A beautiful oval diamond ring was flanked by four smaller diamonds on each side, all placed on a white gold band. Another sob escaped my mouth as he leaned in and gently kissed me.

He pulled back and smiled as his eyes searched my face. “This was the first ring I saw. I knew the moment I saw it, it had to be yours.”

“Oh, Will, it’s so beautiful. It’s perfect, beyond perfect.”

Will’s eyes filled with tears. I began to see the reds and purples of the sunset reflecting in his eyes. We both stood up as the sun slipped below the horizon, ending one of the most amazing days of my entire life. Will placed his hands on the sides of my face and gently wiped the tears away.

Raising his eyebrow, Will asked, “Would you do me the honor of taking a walk with me on the beach?”

I giggled and nodded my head. “It would be my pleasure.”

Will

Lex and I headed down to the beach.

Cassie came running after us, calling out my name. “Will! Wait!”

Lex and I both turned to face her.

“You forgot this.”

I looked down at the blanket in Cassie’s hands and let out a nervous laugh. “Thank you so much.”

I turned back to see Lex blushing. I placed my hand on the small of her back and led her down to the beach. The west sky was still filled with the most incredible colors, yet the stars were beginning to make their presence known as well.

We walked up about ten feet from the shore.

“How’s this?” I asked Lex.

“Perfect.”

I laid the blanket down, only to find out Cassie had given me two blankets. I set the other blanket to the side and sat down as I held my hand out for Lex. She slowly sank down. I placed my arm around her, and she snuggled up next to me. She fit perfectly as I pulled her closer to my body. She shivered, and I reached for the other blanket and covered us both up.

“Thank you,” Lex said as she turned and looked up at me.

I grinned and asked, “For what?”

“For loving me always.”

My heart began to beat harder in my chest. I had to close my eyes and open them again quickly to make sure this wasn’t a dream. The waves crashing against the shoreline along with Lex’s body slowly moving with each breath reminded me that this was far from a dream. Not even a dream could be this perfect.

I gently kissed her. Pulling back only slightly, I spoke against her lips, “I’ll love you for the rest of my life.”

“Never leave me, Will.”

“Never, Lex.”

“Do you promise?”

“I promise you, baby. Never.”

I stood on the beach and looked out over the dark blue waters. The sun had already begun to sink beneath the horizon, and I smiled, knowing Will was probably asking Alex to marry him right now.

I slowly inhaled the salt air through my nose and then blew it out. I loved it down here. Something about the wind and the sound of the waves hitting the shore calmed my nerves and helped me forget.

I knew the moment he walked up behind me. I could feel his energy. I closed my eyes.

I can’t do this anymore.

My heart cannot take the pain any longer. I needed to tell him I had decided to go back to Zack. I’d already sent Zack a text message saying I needed to talk to him. I didn’t love him like I loved Luke. I’d never love anyone like I loved Luke.

He stepped closer, and my breathing increased. I longed for his touch, for his lips to softly brush against mine, and for him to whisper he loved me.

“Hey, Lib.”

His voice made my heart drop and my stomach flip.