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Bryce
The soft glow of the streetlights casts a romantic ambiance over the park as I wait nervously for Marissa to arrive. I've never been one for grand, romantic gestures, but tonight feels different.
Tonight, I want to show Marissa just how much she means to me.
I've gone all out, setting up a small picnic with her favorite foods and drinks, arranging for a string quartet to play her favorite music in the background, and even having our friends and family hide and wait. As I wait for her arrival, my heart pounds with anticipation, my nerves on edge as I rehearse the words I plan to say.
When I finally see Marissa approaching, my breath catches in my throat. She looks stunning, her hair cascading down hershoulders in loose waves, a look of confusion and surprise on her face as she takes in the scene before her.
"Hey," I say softly, offering her a nervous smile as she approaches. "I'm glad you could make it."
Marissa looks around, her eyes wide with surprise as she takes in the romantic setup before her. "What's all this?" she asks, her voice filled with curiosity.
I take a deep breath, gathering my courage as I step closer to her. "Marissa," I begin, my voice trembling slightly, "I wanted to bring you here tonight to ... to tell you something."
My heart races as I gaze into Marissa's widened eyes, trying to summon the right words. She bites her lower lip, fingers fidgeting with the strap of her purse.
"What is it?" The words come out as a breathless whisper, her brow furrowing slightly with apprehension.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to say. "Ever since the day we met, you've changed my life in ways I never thought possible," I say earnestly, my heart pounding in my chest. "You've shown me what it means to love and be loved, and I can't imagine my life without you. I don't want you to leave. I don't want our marriage to end."
Marissa's breath catches in her throat. "What are you saying?" she asks, her voice trembling slightly.
My heart races as I close the gap between us, my pulse pounding in my ears. I gaze into Marissa's eyes, willing her to see the sincerity burning in my own. "Marissa ..." I swallow hard. "I love you. More than anything in this world. More than I ever thought it was possible to love someone. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, to wake up every morning and fall asleep every night by your side."
Marissa's eyes fill with tears as she takes in my words, her heart overflowing with emotion. "Bryce," she says softly, her voice trembling with emotion, "I love you too. I've loved you for so long, and that love has never changed."
A surge of relief washes over me as I hear her words, my heart soaring with happiness. Without hesitation, I reach into my pocket and pull out a small velvet box, opening it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring.
"Marissa," I say softly, my voice filled with emotion, "will you marry me for real?"
Marissa takes in the ring, her hands gently trembling. "Bryce, I ..." she starts, her voice full of emotion.
Before she can say anything else, I drop to one knee, letting myself feel the weight of the moment. My heart pounds in my chest, each beat echoing loudly in my ears as I hold out the ring to her.
My voice cracks slightly with nervousness. "I know this is sudden, and maybe I should have planned it better, but I can't hold it in any longer."
I take a deep breath, willing myself to find the right words to express the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. "From the moment we met, you've brought light into my life in ways I never thought possible. You've shown me what it means to love unconditionally, to laugh freely, and to dream without fear."
My gaze meets hers, and I can see the uncertainty in her eyes, the flicker of doubt that dances across her features. But I push past my insecurities, determined to lay my heart bare before her.
"You are my rock, my anchor in a sea of uncertainty," I continue, my voice growing steadier with each word. "You've been there for me through thick and thin, supporting me, encouraging me, and believing in me even when I couldn't believe in myself."
I take another deep breath, the weight of the ring in my hand a constant reminder of the magnitude of this moment. "And now, here we are, standing on the precipice of forever. Marissa, I can't imagine my life without you by my side. Will you take this journey with me? Will you be my partner in crime, my confidante, my forever?"
I hold my breath, waiting anxiously for her response, the silence stretching out between us like an eternity. And then, finally, I see a glimmer of something in her eyes, a hint of emotion that gives me hope.
"I ... I don't know what to say."
My heart sinks at her hesitation, my fears and insecurities bubbling to the surface once more. But before I can dwell on them any longer, she takes a step closer to me, her eyes locked on mine with unwavering intensity.
"Bryce," she says again, her voice filled with emotion. "Yes. Yes, I will marry you."
Relief washes over me as I slip the ring onto her finger, feeling a sense of completeness settle over me. Marissa's eyes sparkle with unshed tears, her smile radiant and filled with love.
I pull her closer, my heart pounding in my chest as I cup her face gently with my hands. Her skin is soft and warm beneath my touch. Slowly, I lean in, my lips brushing against hers in a tender, reverent kiss.
The world fades away as I pour every ounce of my love and adoration into this kiss. Marissa's lips move against mine, her arms wrapping around my neck as she deepens the kiss. The sensation of her body pressed against mine, the taste of her lips, the scent of her—it all combines to create a heady, intoxicating mix that leaves me breathless.