Chapter 14: Forever

One year after graduation, when they were both twenty-three, Sophie planned something special.

It was a perfect July evening in New York, warm but not too hot, with a gentle breeze carrying the scent of summer flowers through the city. Emily had just gotten home from her job at a small gallery in Chelsea when Sophie greeted her at the door with a mysterious smile.

“Pack a small bag,” Sophie said. “We’re going on an adventure.”

Emily raised an eyebrow. “An adventure? Soph, it’s a Tuesday. I have work tomorrow.”

“I already talked to your boss. You have tomorrow off.” Sophie’s smile widened. “Come on, Em. Trust me.”

Emily couldn’t help but smile back. After four years together, she’d learned that Sophie’s surprises were always worth it. “Okay. What should I pack?”

“Something nice to wear. Something comfortable for walking. That’s all I’m saying.”

Thirty minutes later, they were checking into a boutique hotel in Midtown - somewhere they’d never normally splurge on, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

“Soph, this is too much,” Emily protested, but she was already moving to the window, pressing her hands against the glass as she looked out at the glittering cityscape.

“Nothing’s too much for you,” Sophie said, coming up behind her and wrapping her arms around Emily’s waist. “Besides, this is a special night.”

“What are we celebrating?” Emily asked, leaning back into her embrace.

“You’ll see,” Sophie murmured, kissing her neck softly.

They freshened up and changed - Emily into a flowing deep blue dress that Sophie loved, Sophie into fitted black slacks and a burgundy button-up. Then they headed out into the warm summer evening.

Sophie led them to a small Italian restaurant in Little Italy, tucked away on a quiet side street. The moment they walked in, Emily felt a wave of nostalgia.

“This reminds me of...” she started.

“The restaurant back home,” Sophie finished. “It’s actually the same chain. I found it a few months ago and I’ve been waiting for the right time to bring you here.”

Emily felt her eyes prickling with tears. “Sophie...”

“I know it’s not the exact same place,” Sophie said softly, taking her hand. “But I wanted to bring you somewhere that reminded us of where we started. Of that first date, when we were so young and so in love and so hopeful about the future.”

“And now here we are,” Emily said, squeezing her hand. “Living that future we dreamed about.”

They were seated at a cozy corner table, candlelight flickering between them. They ordered wine and pasta, and spent dinner talking about everything and nothing - Emily’s gallery internship, Sophie’s latest music production project, their friends back home, their tiny Brooklyn apartment that they loved despite its quirks.

“Remember when we used to talk about moving to New York?” Emily said, her eyes bright. “When we were still in high school, lying in your bed, dreaming about the future?”

“And now we’re here,” Sophie said, echoing Emily’s earlier words. “We actually did it. We made our dreams come true.”

“We did,” Emily agreed, her voice soft with wonder. “Together.”

After dinner, as they stepped out into the warm night, Sophie took Emily’s hand. “Walk with me?”

They strolled through the streets hand in hand, the city alive around them - couples dining at outdoor cafés, musicians playing on street corners, the gentle hum of traffic and conversation. Eventually, Sophie led them toward Central Park.

The park was beautiful in the evening light, the last rays of sun filtering through the trees, families and couples scattered across the great lawn, the sound of laughter and music drifting in the air.

Sophie guided them along winding paths, past Bethesda Fountain where street performers were entertaining crowds, deeper into the park until they reached Bow Bridge.

The ornate cast-iron bridge stretched across the lake, and even though the sun had mostly set, the sky was still painted in soft pinks and purples, the city lights beginning to twinkle in the distance. The water below reflected everything like a mirror, doubling the beauty.

“Oh, Soph,” Emily breathed, stopping in the middle of the bridge. “This is gorgeous. I’ve lived here for four years and I’ve never come here at sunset.”

“I know,” Sophie said softly. “I’ve been planning this for months. Waiting for the perfect evening.”

Emily turned to look at her, about to ask what she meant, when she saw the expression on Sophie’s face - nervous and excited and full of love.

“Em,” Sophie began, and then she was lowering herself onto one knee.

“Oh my god,” Emily whispered, her hands flying to her mouth, tears already blurring her vision.

“Emily Morrison,” Sophie said, her voice shaking but clear. “Six years ago, a dare brought us together. One kiss changed both of our lives forever. And every single day since then has been better because you’re in it.”

Emily was crying now, unable to speak, just nodding as tears streamed down her face.

“You’re the bravest person I know,” Sophie continued, pulling a small velvet box from her pocket. “You had the courage to be yourself when it was terrifying. You had the courage to love me openly when you were scared. You had the courage to chase your dreams and build the life you wanted.”

She opened the box, revealing a delicate gold ring with a small diamond that caught the fading light.

“We moved to this city together with nothing but dreams and each other,” Sophie said. “We’ve built a home here. We’ve built a life. And I want to build forever with you.”

“Yes,” Emily sobbed, unable to wait for the actual question. “Yes, yes -”

“I haven’t asked yet,” Sophie said with a tearful laugh.

“I don’t care, the answer is yes!”

“Emily Morrison,” Sophie said, smiling through her own tears, “will you marry me?”

“Yes!” Emily dropped to her knees in front of Sophie, throwing her arms around her neck. “Yes, I’ll marry you! A million times yes!”

They were both crying and laughing as Sophie slid the ring onto Emily’s finger with shaking hands. It fit perfectly, the diamond catching the last light of the sunset.