Sunday—April 19, 2020
This time as we ride out into the vines, the tiny bursting buds have exploded and filled the brown trunks with greenery. Row after row, hill after hill of beautifully lush vines fill the landscape. Edward drives us down several, but he only slows to point out how they're beginning to flower before continuing farther back on the property than I've ever been.
When we top the final hill, he slows to a stop as the last row of vines looms on the right. "See those?" He points to a spot in the distance where green rows pick back up. "That's our neighboring vineyard. We buy grapes from them and make two different types of wines."
"Oh, wow." I nod, impressed. "I guess I thought every vineyard made their own wine."
He presses the pedal, aiming us for a small wooded area between the two sets of vines. "Nah. Not all vineyards are wineries."
"Cool," I respond, nestling closer under his free arm. "This racket is much more impressive than I realized."
"Yep." He chuckles, bringing us to a stop and pinning me with his shining eyes. "It is, and I'd love to explain it all, but we have other things to focus on right now."
"Yeah?" I ask, looking around. We're in a small clearing beside a tiny stream. The weather has been just warm enough for tiny purple wildflowers to begin blooming. "What is this place?"
He nods toward a tree, lifting his chin for me to look up. "That was my treehouse when I was ten."
I jump off the cart, feeling like a kid myself as I imagine young Edward spending his boyhood on this vineyard and hiding away in this clearing. "I love it," I say, spinning with my arms spread. "I bet you had tons of fun here as a kid."
Edward's already got our supplies off the cart and spread the blanket across the grass, using the picnic basket to anchor it down. "When I could keep my kid sister away."
"You can't be serious?" My jaw drops, appalled. "I can't imagine Alice as anything but a cute little sprite."
His long, lean legs are stretched in front of him, and he's rocked back on his taut arms. "She was a pain in my ass, but that's a story for another day." He lifts a hand and beckons me with a lone finger. "Come here." Following his command is as easy as breathing, and as I get closer, he sits up straighter, patting the space beside him. "I'd like a minute of your time if that's acceptable."
"Acceptable?" I giggle, plopping down and crossing my legs. "You can have all my time. My entire life, if you'd like."
His pretty pink lips purse to hold back a smirk. "Always trying to beat a man to the punch."
He shakes his head, opening the picnic basket and withdrawing a small something I can't quite see. It's enclosed in his long, talented fingers, and he stares at his own hand as if he's pondering whether he should continue.
My brows furrow, and I put all my focus on his hand. When I realize what he's holding, my breath catches in my throat. "Edward." My voice is barely a whisper, but he hears me.
Of course he does.
His eyes are wet and shimmery when he finally brings them to mine. "I know we've been here before, with me giving you jewelry while we're trapped somewhere. But this time, I want you to know that I explicitly picked this for you." He pauses, sighing. "Times are unusual, so I wasn't able to get it sized properly yet, but I will." He shifts closer and opens the velvet box. "I know we've only known each other for four months, but that's all I need. You're my soulmate, the missing piece, my other half. Please, say you'll marry me, Bella."
I just stare at the ring in awe, my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. I know I'm supposed to say something, but I can't quite remember what. Edward Cullen has stunned me silent.
"Bella." He clears his throat. "This is the real proposal."
Are y'all tired of me making us all depressed we aren't locked in with this Edward? One more and an epi to go!
See you tomorrow :)