Noah (***8 months later***) :
Is this really necessary ? Lily giggled behind me, holding on to my hand tightly as I guided her through the hallway.
I looked over my shoulder and smiled, despite the fact that she couldn’t see me. A blindfold was covering her eyes, but I could still imagine her rolling them at me. It’s definitely necessary, I said. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you took it off now, would it ?
She smiled softly. I guess not. I’m trusting you here college boy. You better not lead me face first in to a wall, or something.
Now there’s a thought, I laughed.
I glanced over my shoulder when I felt Lily let go of my arm. She stepped forward and whipped her hand out, obviously trying to slap me so I stepped to the side and dodged it easily. I couldn’t stop the laughter as she sighed in frustration and placed her hands on her hips.
I can’t see you, she huffed, stating the obvious.
Still laughing, I stepped up to her and took hold of her hand, entwining my fingers with hers and squeezing gently. I’m here, I whispered, brushing my lips against hers.
She jumped slightly, not expecting the contact but I pulled back. Sorry, I just felt like kissing you.
You can always kiss me, college boy.
I pulled her along beside me and I couldn’t help but notice Lily shaking her head. But I smiled when I saw the goofy grin on her face. It was the very thing I lived to see, and I had been seeing it for eight glorious months. The best eight months of my life. As we both walked through the dimly lit hallway, my mind travelled back to the very first moment I saw her over a year ago. It was still ingrained in my mind and I had a feeling that I would never forget it.
Ok, now this may be a problem, I muttered, coming to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. These’ll be tricky for you to walk up without falling flat on your ass.
What ? Is it stairs ? Lily asked, turning to face me despite the fact that she couldn’t see me through the blindfold.
Yeah, gorgeous. It’s stairs, I murmured, scratching my head. After a brief hesitation, I sighed loudly. Well then, I guess there’s only one thing for it…
I could take off
I don’t think so, I laughed, letting go of her hand and moving behind her quicky.
Putting one arm around her waist and behind her knees, I scooped her against my chest. She cried out in surprise, holding on to me as she took a shaky breath. I chuckled softly and leant down, kissing her on the forehead as she angled her head towards me.
You could have warned me, she smiled, snuggling against my chest.
I started to climb the stairs slowly, trying to ignore aching jolts shooting up my legs. Now what’s the fun in that, gorgeous ? I breathed loudly. Jeez Lily, you’re a lot heavier than you look.
Hey, she said indignantly, causing a small smile to cross my lips.
As I reached the top of the stairs and came to the door, I turned around and pressed my back to it, pushing it open. A cold breeze hit me straight away and I pulled Lily tighter against me. I took a moment to look around the roof, making sure everything was as it should’ve been. Satisfied, I nodded to myself and placed Lily on the ground so she was facing me.
Ok, I said nervously. You can take off the blindfold now.
Finally, she smiled, reaching up and pulling the silk scarf down, so it was laying across her neck.
I just watched as her eyes widened and she spun around with a sharp intake of breath. My eyes scanned where she was looking, and I could see the amazed look on her face. The roof was covered in fairy lights, and they shone brightly under the stars. Before, there had only been a few but I had been up earlier, and put them up everywhere. Through the railings, wrapped around the lights and stuck to the walls. The roof was lit up like it never had been before.
I smiled as Lily walked forwards, still turning around on the spot until she was a few feet in front of me. She was looking at me with wide eyes but she was smiling. She was always smiling. Did you do all this ? She whispered, her eyes travelling across the lights as the breeze blew across the roof.
I nodded. Dean came over and he helped me. I almost got electrocuted twice and Dean almost fell off the roof, I laughed. But it turned out pretty well.
I can’t believe you did this, she said, almost to herself. It’s really beautiful.
Taking a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves I strolled over and grabbed her hand. Leading her over towards the railing, I stopped in front of the table that I had bought up earlier. It was covered in a white table cloth and I had put a single Lily in the middle.
I thought we could eat up here, I smiled, as she picked up the flower and placed it under her nose. Now I could have cooked but if I’m honest, I couldn’t think of anything. So…I just got us some takeaway pizza instead.
Lily’s eyes flicked towards the table again and she burst out laughing when she saw the two pizza boxes. It’s perfect, she grinned, turning towards me. Everything’s perfect. And now I get it. This is where you disappeared to earlier. I wondered where you’d gone.
I just smiled at her as she turned around and walked over to the railing. She placed her arms on the top and leant over, looking out over the city lights. It was like my feet were rooted to the spot and it was all I could do to look at her. She was wearing the same yellow dress she had worn to the beach so many months ago. And I couldn’t help but smile as my eyes travelled down her bare legs and I saw those battered sneakers that she just refused to throw away. The breeze was beginning to pick up, and her hair blew across her shoulders. She had never looked more beautiful to me.
The night itself was dark and cold, but the rooftop was glowing dimly, filled with the fairy lights and the stars above. I knew that I couldn’t wait any longer. Rubbing my palms on my trousers, I tried to ignore the rapid beating of my heart as I reached in to my pocket.
My fingers closed over the little black box and I pulled it out, holding on to it tightly. I held it in front of me and glanced down nervously. The ring was inside and I couldn’t believe I was standing there. A year ago, I had sworn that I would never ask a girl to marry me, but that was before I had met Lily. That was before I had fallen in love with her.
Gripping the box tightly, I took a few steps forward as Lily continued to look out over the city. Come on Noah, I thought, You can do this. The nerves were racing through my body and I took a few breaths, trying to calm myself down. But as I raised my head and I saw Lily standing there, with her blonde hair blowing in the wind, I realised how easy it was. She would always be my girl, and it was that simple.
You know, it really is beautiful up here, Lily said suddenly. Especially at night. Thank you Noah for everything you’ve
Marry me ? I blurted, the words escaping my lips so suddenly that I even surprised myself.
She spun around instantly and the Lily she was holding fell to the ground. Her eyes were wide as she stared at me, and I could see the rapid rising and falling of her chest. I took a deep breath and reached out my other hand, opening the black box I was holding. The ring had taken me months to find, but I had finally come across it a week ago. And it was the one I wanted Lily to wear. It was just a single diamond resting on a silver band ; simple and beautiful, just like her. Lily’s eyes lowered and she put her hands over her mouth as her eyes caught sight of it.
I know we’re young. I mean, I only just turned twenty-two, I said quickly without taking a breath, the words rushing out of my mouth as my nerves increased. But I’m so in love with you Lily. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you, if you’ll let me. You’re the girl for me. You always have
But I didn’t get a chance to finish as Lily ran towards me, crashing in to my chest. I cried out, taken completely by surprise and we both fell to the ground. The back of my head hit the floor and I felt completely dazed, but it didn’t last. I was bought back as soon as I felt Lily’s lips on mine. I reached up and threaded my fingers though her hair, pulling her closer. She was straddling me, and the floor beneath me was cold against my back but at that moment, there was nowhere else I would rather have been.
She raised her head and looked at me, and I could see the tears pooling in her eyes. The thumping of my heart never faltered as I looked up at her. But seeing the smile on her face, I just knew. Yes. I’ll marry you, she whispered, looking right in to my eyes.
And that was it. My heart soared, and it felt like I could fly. I wanted to tell her then how much I loved her, but I couldn’t get the words out. So I did the only thing I could do. I reached across my chest and wrapped my fingers around the little black box that had fallen out of my hand. My eyes never left Lily’s as I opened it again and pulled out the ring.
I guess this belongs to you, I whispered, taking hold of her hand as I slipped the ring on to her finger. It’s not much, but-
It’s everything, Lily murmured, pressing her lips against mine once more.
A giddy feeling came over me and I could sense it in her too. She was smiling against my lips, and I was smiling against hers. Grabbing hold of her hips, I swung her off my chest so she was lying down next to me. Our bodies were touching, but it still wasn’t close enough. I reached out and entwined my fingers with hers. I could feel the ring on her hand, and I could do nothing but smile.
I love you, Lily, I whispered, turning my head to face her.
She smiled back and looked at me with those beautiful grey eyes of hers. I love you too, college boy.
And we just led there together, on the rooftop. We spent hours gazing up at the night sky, surrounded by the fairy lights as the city bustled with life below. The wind whipped by us, but all I felt was warmth. Lily would always be mine, and I would always be hers.
She was it for me. She was my new beginning.
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