Chapter 8 - BENEATH THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS
One year later.
The afternoon sun washed over the backyard of a beautiful, historic brownstone in Brooklyn that Michael and I had purchased together.
The garden was filled with blooming white roses, lush green grass, and a large wooden art studio with floor-to-ceiling glass windows built at the edge of the lawn.
Inside the studio, eight-year-old Emma and Lily were sitting at twin drafting tables, happily painting illustrations for a new children's book series that I was authoring with Hart Global Media.
I sat on the porch bench, wearing a soft linen dress, sketching in my leather sketchbook.
Michael walked out from the kitchen carrying two iced teas, setting one down beside me. He sat beside me on the wooden bench, slipping his arm naturally around my waist and pulling me close against his chest.
"What are you drawing?" Michael whispered near my ear, his lips brushing gently against my skin.
I showed him the page.
It was a sketch of our family—Michael, Emma, Lily, and me—standing together under a glowing streetlamp, holding hands.
Michael smiled—a deep, beautiful smile that warmed my entire soul.
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, navy-velvet box, setting it gently on the open pages of my sketchbook.
My heart skipped a beat. I looked up into his gray eyes, which were shining with raw, unreserved love.
Michael knelt down on one knee in front of the bench. He opened the box, revealing a stunning platinum ring set with a brilliant cushion-cut diamond surrounded by tiny red rubies—a subtle, beautiful nod to the red fox that had brought us together.
Michael didn't speak with his voice. He raised his hands and signed each word with deliberate, perfect grace:
CLARA. YOU TAUGHT MY DAUGHTERS HOW TO SMILE AGAIN. YOU TAUGHT ME HOW TO LOVE AGAIN. WILL YOU MARRY US?
Tears of pure, unadulterated joy filled my eyes. I didn't hesitate for a single second.
I reached out, wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him deeply under the warm spring sunlight.
May you like
"YES!" I signed frantically against his chest, laughing through my tears. "YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!"
Emma and Lily came bursting out of the art studio, cheering and laughing as they threw arms around both of us, piling onto the wooden porch in a giant, joyous family hug.
