Ava didn't know why Ethan asked her to come with him that evening. He just said he wanted to show her something. His voice sounded calm, but his hands were slightly shaky when he reached for hers.
They ended up at the old spot near the lake. Not the scary part. The peaceful side, where the water reflected the sky and the breeze was gentle.
Ava smiled. "You know this place still gives me mixed feelings, right?"
Ethan nodded. "I know. That's why I brought you here. I wanted this place to finally mean something good."
She turned to him. "Ethan…"
He took a deep breath.
"Ava, when I met you again, I thought it would just be temporary. Just memories. Just catching up. But you became my present. And somehow… my future too."
Her heart started beating fast.
"You went through so much. And still, you choose to love. You choose to trust. And I don't take that lightly."
He slowly let go of her hand and stepped back.
Then he knelt.
Ava's breath caught.
"I don't want a perfect life. I want a real one. With you. Bad days, good days, boring days, all of it."
He pulled out the ring, his hands trembling now.
"Ava… will you marry me?"
For a second, the world went silent.
Ava covered her mouth, tears filling her eyes. "Ethan…"
He looked nervous. "You don't have to say yes right now, I just—"
She dropped to her knees in front of him and hugged him tightly.
"Yes," she whispered.
Then louder, through laughter and tears, "Yes. Of course I will."
Ethan laughed, pure and relieved, and slid the ring onto her finger.
They just sat there for a moment, foreheads touching.
"My fiancé," he whispered.
Ava smiled. "My future."
They kissed, slow and gentle, like a promise.
And for the first time in a long time, Ava felt safe in what was coming next.