After their successful escape from the Bank of Spain, Raquel and Sergio had returned to their home in Palawan a few days ago and were slowly managing to find a way back into their routine.

Paula and Mariví were still staying with friends. Raquel and Sergio wanted to make sure everything went smoothly with their return before getting them back to the house with them. It was now only a few days until their family would finally be reunited. Raquel couldn't wait to have them in her arms again but she was also looking forward to a few more days with Sergio alone after they had almost lost each other.

_

Sergio had excused himself a while ago and Raquel assumes he is reading in his study. She goes swimming for a bit, letting the sun warm her skin. Being back in the sunshine after so many dark days still feels surreal, and she promises herself never to take it for granted again.

When she comes back to their bedroom, she finds a box on their bed that wasn't there before. A little card peaks out under a light green satin bow.

Raquel curiously takes the card and turns it around. She recognizes Sergio's handwriting.
„Tonight I know what you'll be wearing, Inspectora. Meet me on the porch in an hour. "
She smiles at their little inside joke and butterflies begin to stir in her stomach.

Carefully she lifts the top of the box and wrapped inside satin paper she finds a beautiful flowy white summer dress with little flowers printed all over it.

She runs her fingers along the fabric and gasps at how beautiful it is. Sergio must've had it made special for her.

Raquel quickly hops under the shower, puts on a little make up and brushes her long hair. For a second she considers pinning her hair up but decides to wear it open.

The dress fits her perfectly, hugging every curve in just the right way, the slit on the side accentuating her slender legs, the thin straps showing off her arms and shoulders. It's sexy yet casual, just her style, and the white fabric looks stunning against her tanned skin.

She takes one last look in the mirror, puts on a bit of shiny lip balm and steps onto their porch.

It's a beautiful evening, the palm trees swaying calmly in the light breeze while the sky is already changing colors, indicating yet another breathtaking sunset.

And there he is. Sergio. Just like her he is barefoot. When she first met him he would've never walked around outside without any shoes and she loves how relaxed he's become. He's looking very handsome in a beige linen suit, his hair ruffled by the wind, flashing his beautiful smile at her.

Raquel can't help but blush under his intense gaze and marvels at the fact that he still has this effect on her.

Sergio holds out a hand to her and she takes it, closing the distance between them. He hands her a beautiful bouquet of flowers and for a second, she relives the first time he handed her flowers back in Madrid. Even back then he already cared so much, and she knew in that moment that she loved him.

She smells the flowers. „Thank you, cariño." Raquel says and kisses him on the cheek. „What is all this about? "

Sergio doesn't answer right away but takes a step back. „Let me look at you", he says and Raquel twirls around for him, grinning from ear to ear.

„You like?" she asks, a twinkle in her eyes.

„Beautiful"he says and pulls her back to him, hugging her tight. „You are so beautiful, my darling. "

Raquel beams up at him „I love the dress so much. Thank you."

„Come on, I have a surprise for you."
Sergio takes her hand and leads her down to the beach.

A dinner table is set under a white gazebo on the beach. There are candles and champagne and all their favorite foods on the table. Behind it the waves lap calmly at the shore while the sky begins to turn into spectacular colors.

Raquel grasps his hand tighter, trying to find her speech again. „Oh Sergio" she whispers, this is so beautiful. I can't believe you did all this."

Tearing her gaze away from the beautiful scenery in front of them, she turns to him and presses her lips to his. Sergio pulls her close and breathes her in. Raquel closes her eyes, loving the feeling of being in his arms. His embrace is her favorite place in the world.

„Ready for dinner?" he mumbles into her hair and kisses her on the head, reluctant to let go of her. She nods and they sit down on opposite sides of the table.

„Here's to us." Raquel says, clinking her glass to his. „To us." Sergio repeats and smiles at her.

They eat and talk and just enjoy each other's company, constantly touching and caressing. Both of them are still acutely aware of how close they came to never be able to experience an evening like this again. They're still trying to realize that they are actually back here in their little paradise. Happy and healthy and finally safe.

After a delicious dinner Sergio pours them both another glass of champagne and suddenly starts fidgeting in his chair.

„Are you okay, my love?" Raquel asks, wondering why he suddenly appears nervous.

„I wanted to give you something." Sergio says and pulls a little box out of the pocket of his white shirt. Ever since they escaped the bank, Sergio had planned to do this.

For a second his mind flashes back to his proposal. He wouldn't change the way he proposed to her because in that exact moment he needed her to know that he still meant every single word about wanting to spend the rest of his life with her.

When she said yes to him, they had no idea if they would even make it out alive, if they would even get a chance to become husband and wife. That is why right now he needs her to know that his proposal wasn't a heat of the moment kind of thing, that it had nothing to do with fear or panic.
He needs her to know that he was never more serious about anything in his entire life.

With shaky hands Sergio slides the little box across the table. „Open it", he whispers.

Raquel smiles at him and then carefully opens the box. She gasps. „Sergio…" is all she can manage to say, words failing her as she looks at what's inside the box.
On a velvet pillow she finds a delicate vintage gold ring with a stunning oval cut green sapphire that is enclosed by three small diamonds on each side. It takes her breath away.

Sergio looks at her while she carefully observes the ring with nimble fingers and his heart swells at how much he loves the woman in front of him.

Articulating his feelings never came easy for him but he came so close to losing her several times. Holding back isn't an option anymore.

He reaches across the table to put his hand on hers and takes her out of her reverie. Still speechless, Raquel looks up at him with the brightest smile and shining eyes, giving him the time to find his words.

„Raquel, I will never be able to tell you how much you mean to me. You're my family, my home, my everything. I love you so much, Raquel. More than you'll ever know. And I can't wait to marry you."

Tears well up in Raquel's eyes at his words. With the ring in her hand she stands up, and walks around the table. She sits down on his lap and he welcomes her into his arms, pulling her as close as possible. Raquel breathes in his familiar scent for a moment, ravelling once more at how perfectly she fits into his embrace.

Gently she frames his face with her hands, stroking his beard and cheeks, lovingly gazing at him through teary eyes. She sees so much love reflecting back at her that it takes her breath away.

„Oh Sergio", she whispers „I love you too, mi amor. I love you so much and I'll be forever grateful to have found you." Raquel lets her tears fall and leans in to kiss him, hoping to show him that he means the world to her. That he is her world.

When they finally pull apart Sergio takes the ring out of her hand.
„May I? " he asks shyly and she holds out her hand to him. With shaky hands he places the ring on her finger.
„Perfect", he whispers and bends his head to kiss her hand.

Raquel lifts his chin with her fingers, making him look at her.
„It really is perfect, my love. This evening, the ring, everything… This all feels like a dream."
She kisses him again, showing him and also a little herself that this dream is in fact their reality.

Her gaze falls back onto the ring. „I can't wait to be your wife, Sergio", she whispers.

Sergio wraps his arms around her, pulling her impossibly close. His lips find hers in a searing kiss as the golden sun sinks into the ocean behind them.