A/N: Apologies for the delay in updating- as you'll see, this prompt was quite open and my muse didn't cope well with that after being spoon-fed for the previous 23 chapters! lol. I really struggled for inspiration, so thanks to narkybynature for the idea - although I'm not sure this is what she had in mind. It's just a small drabble, but I hope you all like it. Do let me know.
X Me: write whatever you wish (I'm sticking with the letter theme and subtitling this 'X marks the spot')
"Happy Birthday Ruth," I said as I handed her a small envelope.
We had not long finished a leisurely breakfast on the decking, and were enjoying the early rays of sun. She accepted the envelope with a smile and opened it. Inside was no gift but a note of longing love and the next step for her to take. When she had decoded the note, which given her intellect and analytical skills, didn't take very long, it took her in the direction of the television stand and she soon found another note which took her upstairs to our bedroom to a painting that hung above our bed. It is funny how we see things each and every day but fail to actually look at them. Had Ruth looked more closely at the picture earlier that morning, she would have noticed the note and the game would have been up, but thankfully she hadn't.
Her copy of the Iliad was her next destination, somewhat fitting as that had also formed part of a birthday treasure hunt a few years earlier. The note hidden in the book led her to the cupboard under the stairs where she found a considerable sized box, wrapped in birthday paper. Thinking she'd finally found her gift, she eagerly unwrapped it and opened it only to find it empty, save for another note. She threw me a playful glare, but her eyes were shining; she was clearly enjoying the game.
She made her way to the bathroom, and inside the cabinet was another note where I professed my love once again and offered her the clue to her final destination. The garden swing. A large wooden and bamboo structure where we have spent many a warm night since I joined her in her exile, cuddled together; talking, reading and on occasion indulging in more amorous activities. It's Ruth's favourite place on the property so I couldn't think of a better location to finish her treasure hunt.
She hurries outside and examines the swing extensively, looking behind and under it, lifting the cushions. I bide my time and after a few minutes she gives up, unable to locate her gift.
"Harry, I don't understand, the clue clearly leads to- Oh!" She turns around to find me on one knee in front of her, holding a diamond solitaire her birthday present, if she chooses to accept.
She sits down on the swing and I take that as my cue to say something. "Ruth, I love you and these past six months living with you have been the happiest of my life and yours too, I hope. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
Tears began to roll down her cheeks and for a few moments, she was speechless, but she didn't keep me in suspense for long. And when she did find her voice, I wasn't disappointed, even though she only spoke one word.
"Yes."