Chapter 27

Now, I could tell you it was a carriage, or Will on a White horse like Prince Charming or some other very cheesy and over-used symbol of romance. Thankfully, William is much more creative and original than that. See, simplicity is the key to it all; overdo it, and you're trying to hard. But too little, with a hidden meaning, and you can never get it wrong. As long as the message is personal, directed at the individual and could not be replicated to anyone else. As long as it highlights the times spent together, even a single red rose could be meaningful, unique, tear-jerking.

Actually, it was a van. A huge van, and at the sides there was an enormous picture of Machu Picchu, with the ad shouting 'Come to Peru! Land of mystery, land of the unexpected, land where anything can happen'.

"Come on already, we're following a very tight schedule." William was smiling, happy that Lizzy was favourably surprised.

She went into the car, and found some chairs and more posters everywhere. And, of course, coffee.

"where are we going? " she asked, comfortably sipping her coffee while the driver fought with traffic.

"to Peru of course! But here's the catch; we're not just travelling distance. We're also conquer time today." She did not quite understand, and he would give no more explanation. She just had to wait and see, and honestly, she did not really mind. The time in the van was spent quietly, she looking at the pictures that brought back memories of ehr childhood, and him admiring her features, the tiny movement of muscles that brought about the subtlest of smiles, making her even more radiant in his eyes.

Soon, they have arrived at the location; a school building which seemed to have been prepared for some sort of a concert.

"Every week, there is an educational concert organized for the children to teach them classical music appreciation. Most only come to socialize and not get flunked, though i do believe it is making a change in the right direction. People need some culture, to not forget about the jewels of the past." William explained when they arrived.

"please, come this way" a security guard asked. For security purposes, Will and Lizzy went in at the side door, unnoticed by everyone.

"Will! You cannot be serious!" Lizzy was pleasingly shocked as she saw who was giving the concert: the violinist of so many years ago in Lima, the first and only concert they both attended together, and which served as a starting point of both the beginning and the end of that phase in their relationship.

"i told you we were time-travelling. Now hush and enjoy!" Will winked. The concert was exquisite, every note hit perfectly, the passion of the artist filling the hall full of excited students. At the end, everyone was getting out of the auditorium, and it seemed like a safe time for the two to exeunt. They walked out and went to a room where some tee and biscuits were served and where students could talk with the violinist about the art of music. They were chattering about the beauty of the pieces played and the obvious talent of the artist, they heard a student shout

"There she is!" and saw them, as if in slow motion, run towards toward them.

"Quick, come, I know a place where we can hide. Trust me!" he whispered to her, dragging her by the arm already. She followed, suspicious, smiling to herself. They ended up in the auditorium, deserted and with candles placed for lighting purposes.

"Thank you"

"I do believe I had a debt to repay" he explained. Moments after, they heard the playing of a violin, and asked "may i have this dance?" which she agreed to without hesitation. It was a slow piece, which with the candles set a perfectly romantic mood. They did not talk, just enjoyed each other's company; the sound and feel of each other's breath, the warmth of their closeness, the drumming of their hearts playing the same beat. Until, eventually, the silence was broken by William.

"lizzy?" she looked up at him. "Yes?"

"I love you. And not just an 'I love you for now'. It's an 'I'll love you for ever'. These past years I have never stopped loving you, or believing you to be superior to every other being on this planet. I'm not sure you are the right person for me, or that I am the right one for you. Please, don't interrupt me, I am trying to be completely honest. I know you know, circumstances are not the best. I know how much you care about what you do, and you know how much sacrifice being my wife would require. I love your passion, Lizzy, I do not want you to lose it. Even worse, I do not wish to be the one causing you to lose it." She had to interrupt, she could stand this no longer.

"Will, are you breaking up with me?" she inquired, calm, angry, hurt, confused, disbelieving.

"I am more selfish than to do that, Lizzy. I am asking you to fight with me. I love you, and no matter how many times I say it, it doesn't make it any less true or deep. I love you. And I think, if one cannot forget or stop loving someone for this long, it has to mean something; a greater purpose, a definite answer. I know we can make this work, Lizzy. Together, I have faith in Us."

"If you'll have me... I think I'd quite like to take you as my husband" said Lizzy.

"Lizzy! But... are you sure? There can be no divorce, you understand, this is final. IF we get married, we stay married." He was uncertain. She smiled.

"I have faith in Us, too." She was certain. He smiled.