Lena had been pacing in her bookstore, trying to focus on the task at hand, but her mind kept drifting to the same place. She hadn't heard from Theo in days, and the silence made her heart ache with uncertainty. She knew he was coming back, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed.
The bell above the door jingled, and Lena looked up, expecting it to be a customer. But when her eyes met his, her breath caught in her throat.
Theo stood in the doorway, his dark hair a little longer than she remembered, his jaw more defined, but it was the look in his eyes that stole the breath from her. The man she had loved from the moment they met was standing there, looking as if he hadn't aged a day.
"T-T-T theo," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Theo smiled, the familiar, warm smile that had always made her heart skip a beat. "I missed you, Lena," he said, taking a few steps toward her. "I'm home."
Lena rushed toward him, her arms flying around his neck as he enveloped her in a tight embrace. She could feel the warmth of his body, the steadiness of his heartbeat, and for the first time in over a year, everything felt right again.
"I missed you so much," she whispered into his shoulder, her tears soaking his shirt.
Theo pulled back slightly, gently cupping her face in his hands. "I'm sorry I was gone for so long. But I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere."
Lena looked up at him, still processing the rush of emotions. She felt as though time had stopped, that they were the only two people in the world. "You came back," she whispered, a smile tugging at her lips. "You came back to me."
"I came back for you," Theo replied softly.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. Lena's heart raced as she stared at the box in his hand.
"I've been thinking about this for a while," Theo continued, opening the box to reveal a dazzling diamond ring. The center stone was a large round diamond, flanked by smaller diamonds on each side, sparkling in the light like a thousand stars.
Tears welled up in Lena's eyes as she gazed at the ring, overwhelmed by the beauty and significance of the moment. "Theo… this… this is too much."
"It's not too much," Theo said, his voice steady. "You deserve the world, Lena. And I want to give you everything. Will you marry me?"
Lena's heart was racing, her chest tight with emotion. She didn't hesitate. "Yes. Yes, I'll marry you, Theo."
Theo slid the ring onto her finger, and as it sparkled in the light, Lena couldn't believe that this was really happening. She had dreamed of this moment for so long, and now it was here. Theo had returned, and he had come to ask her to spend forever with him.
---
A few days later, Theo had arranged to meet Lena's father. It was an intimidating prospect for him, but he knew it was important to ask for his blessing. He had always respected Mr. Jenkins, but he also knew that asking for his daughter's hand in marriage would be the hardest conversation of his life.
Lena's father was sitting in his favorite armchair, reading the newspaper when Theo arrived. He stood up when he saw him, extending a firm handshake. "Theo," he said, his tone gruff but not unkind. "It's good to see you back in town. How's New York?"
"Busy," Theo replied, taking a seat across from him. "But it's nothing compared to Brindle Bay."
Her father nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He had always appreciated Theo's honesty. "Good to hear. And how's Lena?"
"She's doing great," Theo said, his heart swelling with pride at the thought of her. "She's been working hard, growing her business. She's… she's amazing."
There was a pause, and then Theo took a deep breath, his hands slightly clammy. "Mr. Jenkins, I'm here today because I want to ask for your blessing. I love your daughter. More than anything in this world. And I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Will you allow me to marry her?"
Lena's father studied Theo for a long moment, his gaze piercing. Theo could feel the weight of the silence in the room, but he held his ground. He had made up his mind, and nothing was going to change it.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mr. Jenkins spoke. "Theo, you're a good man. I've watched you grow over the years, and I've always seen the way you look at Lena. I can tell that you love her."
Theo's heart pounded in his chest, waiting for the words that would define the rest of his life.
"I give you my blessing," Mr. Jenkins said, his voice softening. "Take care of my daughter. Make her happy."
Theo's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. I promise you, I'll love her with everything I have."
---
The wedding was everything Lena had ever dreamed of, and more. It was a lavish affair, held at a grand estate just outside of Brindle Bay, overlooking the ocean. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the venue, which had been transformed into a fairy tale setting.
The ceremony took place in a garden, surrounded by white roses and delicate string lights. The guests sat on rows of white chairs, each adorned with satin ribbons, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation. The soft hum of a string quartet filled the air as Lena walked down the aisle, her heart racing as she saw Theo standing at the altar, looking more handsome than ever.
She wore a stunning off-the-shoulder wedding gown, the lace detailing giving it a timeless elegance. The dress hugged her figure perfectly, and the long veil cascaded behind her like a gentle waterfall. Her father, walking beside her, smiled down at her with pride.
Theo's eyes shone as he saw her approach, his breath catching in his throat. She looked like a vision, more beautiful than he had ever imagined. His heart swelled with love, and he couldn't wait to make her his forever.
When they finally stood before each other, hands clasped, Lena felt a sense of peace settle over her. This was it—the moment that would define the rest of their lives.
The vows they exchanged were simple, heartfelt promises, spoken softly yet with conviction. Theo promised to love her with everything he had, to stand by her through every storm, and to cherish her for all the days of their lives. Lena promised to be his partner, his confidant, and his love, always and forever.
As the ceremony came to a close, the guests erupted in applause, and Theo pulled Lena into a passionate kiss. It was a kiss that sealed their vows, marking the beginning of their journey together.
The reception was equally grand, with an elaborate banquet spread across long tables covered in white linens and sparkling crystal chandeliers hanging overhead. The dance floor was filled with laughter and music, and the couple shared their first dance as husband and wife under a shower of soft, golden light.
The evening was a blur of love, joy, and celebration. The wedding was everything Lena had ever dreamed of and more—a symbol of their love, their commitment, and the future they were building together.
And as they drove away in a vintage car, the words Theo had spoken that morning echoed in Lena's mind.
I'm not going anywhere.
Theo had returned, and together, they had started their forever.
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