CHAPTER 12

THE PROPOSAL

Grace's illness had changed everything. It turned their world upside down, forcing them to face the fragile nature of time. But Ethan wasn't willing to let their lives become only about hospital visits and whispered fears of the future. He wanted Grace to know, every single day, how much she meant to him.

They had been together for only six months when the diagnosis came, and three months later, Grace discovered she was pregnant. Against the advice of her doctors, she chose to keep the baby—a decision Ethan supported, though he struggled with the weight of what it could mean. He admired her strength, her courage, and her love for the life growing inside her.

Now, with her health deteriorating, Ethan made a decision. He wanted to give Grace a memory that would remind her of love, hope, and joy—something that transcended the pain.

It was a crisp autumn evening, and Ethan had convinced Grace to go for a walk in the park, though she was weaker than usual. Her steps were slower, her breaths shallow, but her smile remained as bright as ever. She clung to his arm, her hand resting protectively on her growing belly.

Where are we going, Ethan?" she asked, her voice light but tinged with curiosity.

"Just trust me," he said, pressing a kiss to her temple.

They arrived at a clearing where fairy lights hung from the trees, glowing softly in the fading daylight. A blanket was spread out on the ground, surrounded by her favorite flowers—lilies. A small table held two mugs of steaming tea and a plate of cookies she loved.

Grace gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Ethan…what is this?"

"It's for you," he said simply, guiding her to sit on the blanket. "You deserve this, Grace. You deserve everything."

They sat together, sipping tea and watching the sun set in a blaze of orange and gold. For a moment, it felt like the rest of the world had faded away.

Then Ethan reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

Grace's eyes widened as she looked at him. "Ethan…"

He shifted to kneel in front of her, his heart pounding in his chest. "Grace," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "When I met you, I didn't know my life was missing something. But you—you've shown me what it means to love with everything I have. You've taught me how to be brave, how to face life even when it's terrifying. I don't care how much time we have. I just know I want to spend every second of it with you."

Tears spilled down Grace's cheeks as she shook her head in disbelief.

"You've already given me the greatest gift—this little one," he said, placing his hand gently over her bump. "But I want you to know, no matter what, you'll always be my heart, my home, my forever."

He opened the box, revealing a simple but elegant ring. "Grace, will you marry me?"

She let out a choked sob, nodding as she threw her arms around him. "Yes," she whispered. "Yes, Ethan. I'll marry you."

They stayed there, holding each other as the stars began to appear in the sky. In that moment, Grace forgot about her illness, the pain, the uncertainty of tomorrow. All that mattered was the love they shared—the love that would carry her through whatever came next.