Year

nardo stood near the counter, his fingers grazing the velvet box that now held the perfect symbol of his love for R

n, a rare, genuine smile curling his lips. Es

reeze ruffled his dark hair, the deep sunken eyes that usually held sharp intensity now softened by something else-excitement, maybe

pocket. He pulled it out and saw the name flashing on th

a, m

oice came through the line. "¿Cóm

estoy muy feliz." (I'm fine,

sto para pasar el resto de tu vida con ella?" (Are you s

She is the one. "Hemos pasado por tanto juntos, y sé que es la mujer que mejor me complem

oftly. "Si eres feliz, entonces tienes mi apoyo

sion he hadn't realized was there melting

nen que visitarme." (Make sure you tell her I

led. "Sí

ijo." (Lov

te amo." (Lo

e more. He wasn't nervous about proposing-he knew Rita loved him. But something a

car and drove h

p. Balloons floated near the ceiling, their soft glow adding warmth to the space. The dining table was set, though he hadn't cooked-he knew b

ardo stood in front of the table, waiting. He had changed into his best clothes-a crisp button-down shirt with the

r creak

few strands falling around her face. Her clerk uniform looked slightly wrinkled, a clear sign of how

the decorated apartment,

"What the hel

forward, offeri

her jacket and tossing it onto t

, come in. Sit down.

"You do know this is going to co

out a loud la

y. "You got fast food?" She lifted the lid of one of the

worrying about t

d her eye

a few moments, they ate in comfortable silence. But

own and folded her arms.

lted his he

this unless you've done something

d. "I haven't done anything

him. "Mmm. Fine.

eonardo set his fork down. He loo

said softly. "You're

ked on h

okay?" Leonardo rea

g it down. "Okay, what the fu

rumbling, "You always spo

I'm not the romantic one i

king his head.

uld say anything else,

mouth. "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.

ket and opened it, revealing the ring. His

ou," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You are everything t

sto de tu vida conmigo, amor?" (Would you

odded so fast he thoug

through her tears. "Of course I'll spe

nd his neck. He held her tight, burying his face

aceful tha