CHAPTER 2

Her eyelids fluttered and for a minute she didn't know where she was. She poked her head up and peered around the cave. She lay in her and Ian's room, the door closed. No Ian held her with his strong arms which she craved to have wrapped around her, holding her close.

Her hands ran along the sheets that covered her before grazing against something smooth and soft. A piece of paper laid there, waiting to be opened, with cursive letters that read, Wanda on the front.

To my dearest Wanda,

I am sorry that you have woken up without me by your side. You are probably wondering how you got in to our room, but you looked so peaceful I didn't want to disturb you, so I carried you.

Anyway, when you wake up, come meet me in the newly crafted cave, I'll be waiting for you.

See you soon,

Yours always,

Ian

She smiled down at the letters, at the neatly written words of her true partner. After seeing the words, meet me, she was already letting her feet carry her the way they had the day before.

Just as he had said, Ian was there waiting. He sat on the rock where she had been sitting just hours ago, his eyes closed, and his breathing deep and even. He looked so peaceful; his lips were slightly parted as his breathing continued quietly.

Shuffling across the room and kneeling down in front of him, she barely made a sound. She took his hand gently in his, intertwining their fingers together and watched as his fingers fluttered open in surprise. His eyes were confused for a second as he tried to figure out where he was. She crushed her lips to his and kissed him passionately with everything she felt for him.

Wanda was the first one to break away for air, both of them panting heavily. "Hi." Was she said at first as she gazed intently at her partner with the flushed cheeks.

He smiled at her in awe and love, brushing his lips over hers softly. "What a pleasant thing to wake up to."

She giggled, a common reaction this new host had. He stood up slowly, bringing her up with him. "Wanda, come here, I have something that I truly wish to ask you."

Ian's face was nothing but serious and businesslike now, which scared her. "Ok, sure. What is it?" he pulled her along, further into the cave.

Candles and roses lined the walls, a table set for two and steaming plates of bread and soup was centred in the middle and a double bed was positioned in the furthest corner. Wanda gasped in awe and surprise and turned on Ian with a big grin spreading across her face. "What is this place?"

He smiled slyly. "Our new room."

Wanda's eyes widened. "What? No, you're kidding me!" she exclaimed excitedly. "You did all this in one day?"

"Well, in more than one day and I had help from some of the others." She turned back to examine the room, her eyes soaking in all of the details. When she turned back around, Ian was down on one knee, staring intently into hers.

He took both of her hands into his own and held them tightly. She couldn't work out why he was on one knee and looking so nervous, until he began to explain himself.

"My dearest Wanderer, you probably don't know why the hell I am doing or what I am about to do but I want you to know that this can seal our love. Wanda, -"

"Ian, I know what you're doing. Mel once told me about the time Jared proposed to her, I understand."

Some of the nervousness seemed to go, but not quite all of it. "Oh, that's great." He squeezed her hands before continuing with the proposal. "I fell in love with you when I first came around about your personality. From then on, I only knew that I wanted you and I wanted you to want me. And you did and then every day I found myself falling even more in love with you each day. I plan to spend each and every day for the rest of my life with you. I love you more than life itself. So, I can seal my undying love for you, I wish to have your hand in marriage. So, my Wanderer, will you marry me?"

She smiled and whispered, "Yes, yes of course I will!" she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close, continually pressing her lips to his. "I love you so much, Ian."

"I love you too, my Wanderer."

Finally, Wanda could see her future crystal clear. It was clear the rest of her life belonged with Ian, no one else could ever replace him. So, when he finally left this world, it would be her turn to depart this life, so she can join him forever onwards. But for now, she was content with just staying in the arms of her Ian.