Chapter 1: A Promise Made by the Shore

NOTE: Please read through Chapter 3 and you will not regret it

The sun dipped towards the sky, tinting the horizon pink and orange, bathing the shore in its golden light. Olivia and Steve walked side by side, their footprints leaving temporary impressions upon the sand, only for them to be erased by the soft lapping of the waves. The soft humming of the waves blended into the distant screeching of seagulls, and for one brief moment, all was right, held by the freeze frame.

They had spent each Saturday over the past two years here, cherishing the peacefulness of their shared space. Each Saturday, something new caught their attention—either the strange shell Olivia's eyes were drawn towards or the joke Steve made for Olivia's laughter. This beach became their sanctuary, their refuge from the turmoil of the world. This is where they kissed for the very first time, where they debated good-naturedly over whose idea was the best, and where the foundations for their relationship were cemented.

As the sun lowered in the sky, its light casting the sand into sharp relief, the weight became too much for Steve. He could hear the thumping of his heart—not from the run by the coast, but from the expectation mounting for the things he'd planned. For the last few weeks, he'd spent all the spare moments he could spare thinking about this moment, wondering when the timing ever could possibly be right. But now, wandering by the ocean, the question he'd carried around weighed heavily upon him.

Steve stole a glance over Olivia's direction. She smiled, the crinkles forming at the corners of her eyes from the ease of one who felt very much at home in the world. She was all he'd ever wanted—a friend, companion, and one who could brighten even the darkest day. They'd only known each other for two years, and each day spent together felt like the start of something new.

But as the two of them walked, something in the environment began to change. Tension began forming in the middle of Steve's chest, his thoughts racing. He'd known for some time now this day would come, when he'd need to ask the question that'd bothered him for weeks.

Without a word, he stopped his walk, his boots crunching softly through the sand. Olivia stopped beside him, slightly tipping her head, her eyes open and expectant.

He looked at her, his tone unexpectedly level but laced with something beneath. "Hi," he said, taking a breath, "I don't know how you will take this, even now. But unless I ask you, I will hate myself for the rest of my life."

Olivia's brow creased together, the gentle curve of the smile still upon her lips as she waited for him to complete. Steve's hand trembled slightly when he pushed his hand into his pocket and pulled out the small, soft-padded box. He opened the lid carefully, and the ring caught the soft light from the setting sun and sparkled.

"I want you for the remainder of my life," he said, his tone strong but his heart pounding. "I will not be the same man 365 days a year so you will not find yourself bored. I can not give you all things, but all things I gave you will make you happy for sure. Every day will be adventure—a joy ride. You will always be the first for me… until the day you bear a girl child, and after that, slightly less," he said, laughing lightly, trying to lighten the situation.

Olivia blinked, taken aback, and giggled softly, the quiet sound being like music for his hearing. "No," the single word lingered in the room, startling him.

Steve's heart sank. "Why?" he asked, his voice laced with shock and incredulity.

Olivia turned to him, softening into stern expression. "I don't require one with 365 personalities. I like you the way you are—tranquil, keen, even. And secondary…" She paused, eyes tightening slightly by the seriousness etched upon them, making Steve restless. "I need always to be your very first consideration. If you make anybody your prior consideration over me—especially a child—I will be jealous. Even your child. Second best is not for me, not even in the heart."

Steve stared for a very long moment, drinking in the weight of her words. He thought quickly, but by the time he could act, he dropped onto one knee, the sand soaking into his skin, and refocused her eyes onto the here and now.

"Olivia," he said, his voice trembling with the type of passion only seen when the circumstances called for the utmost seriousness.

Her eyes became filled with tears—tears of joy, tears of love. She spoke only once, the word barely audible, the tone firm and adamant. "Yes."

One Year Ago

The soft evening light only filtered weakly into the room, leaving the room heavy with the presence of long shadows. The house lay quiet, almost quiet, and the room weighed heavily under the strain.

Steve walked into the room after work one day, his strides being deliberate and slow. He stepped into the bedroom, and something felt strange the instant he did. He looked around the room, his eyes falling upon the sight responsible for causing his blood to freeze.

There, hanging from the ceiling, Olivia swayed.

The room was stuck in the moment. Time hung suspended while his brain struggled to make sense of the horror that lay around him. He felt his legs grow weak and his breath caught in gasps.

"No," he whispered, the word shaking from his lips. He attempted reaching for the horror being played out before his eyes, his hands trembling as he tried holding onto the nightmare. But it was too late.

Steve's world collapsed like it wasn't even built, his life stopped like it wasn't even born, his joy disappeared like it wasn't even there, all is left is steve alone with space empty in his heart.