"Carlisle, this is beautiful!"

She stared at the small clearing with the pond hidden deep within the forest. There was a blanket spread out next to the water and on it was a small basket of food. For her, she assumed, as he did not eat anything. Carlisle smiled at her, still standing in the shadow of the trees as she walked over to the pond and sat down on the blanket.

"I wanted it to be perfect", he admitted as he walked over to her. His skin sparkled in the sunlight and she could not believe that this God walking the earth could love her. He sat down next to her and kissed her, sending shivers down her spine.

***

Ashley forgot all about time and space for the hours to come. All that existed was her and Carlisle in this amazing clearing, far away from everything that could possibly disturb them.

Carlisle did not make a move to take her home before the sun started to sink behind the trees. Then he rose from the blanket where they'd been lying for the past hours and then helped her rise as well. She smiled at him as he started to lead her towards the forest, obviously intending not to pick her up before they reached the trees and therefore making this wonderful day last even longer.

On the way they passed a place in the clearing where the sun's rays were still able to find the ground. There he suddenly stopped her.

"Ashley."

She looked at his glistening face and noticed how solemn he was.

"Ashley, I know this might be the wrong time for you to answer this, considering what has happened to you and your family lately, but I want you to think about it for as long as you need."

She blinked and nodded. To her surprise, he knelt down in front of her.

"Ashley Tyler, will you marry me?"

For a few moments she just stared at him. He slowly rose once again, looking deep into her eyes.

"As I said, I want you to think about it, as this might not be the best of times to…"

"I will", she whispered and blinked so that she would not cry. Carlisle fell silent.

"I want to marry you, Carlisle", Ashley managed to say as the tears of joy started to roll down her cheeks. The smile on Carlisle's face was one that she would remember for the rest of her life. He then bent his head down and kissed her, lifting her up in his arms and spinning her around as he did.

"I love you so much, Carlisle", she whispered as they finally broke the kiss. He just smiled, before he pulled up a small box from his pocket. In it lay a small ring. To most people it would not be anything special; a simple silver-ring with a small diamond. But to Ashley it was the most beautiful jewel she had ever owned.

As Carlisle carefully put it on and then kissed her hand, his skin sparkling in the last rays of the sun, Ashley could not believe that she was awake. It was as if she was dreaming the best dream she'd ever had and she never wanted it to end.

But one thing she had to find out before her happiness would be complete.

"Carlisle, will you turn me? Into a vampire?"

He silently studied her, his cold hand carefully wiping away one of the last tears from her cheek.

"In a few years, when others might find it more… appropriate", he said after a while. "But only if that is what you really want, Ashley. I would never do it otherwise."

Ashley nodded. That made perfect sense as she was currently looking like she was of the same age as his adoptive children.

"I could never imagine a life without you, Carlisle", she said. "And if I have to wait to get it, I will."

He smiled and kissed her forehead.

"The healer of my broken heart", he whispered, before he let his lips touch hers again. And in that moment she felt complete.

The story will continue in Tears of an Angel, hope you all read it as well! Thank you so much for all your kind reviews!