The following spring, Jaakko found himself pacing outside the workshop, a small velvet box clutched in his hand. He'd been carrying it for days, waiting for the right moment to ask Lena the question that had been on his mind since autumn. The idea of proposing filled him with both excitement and dread, and now that the moment was near, he wasn't sure if he could go through with it.
Ilmo leaned against the garage door, watching his brother with an amused expression. "You're going to wear a hole in the ground if you keep that up."
Jaakko stopped, running a hand through his hair. "This is a bad idea. She'll probably think I'm an idiot."
Ilmo laughed, shaking his head. "You're overthinking it, as usual. Just be yourself. You don't need anything big or fancy—that's not your style, and it's definitely not hers."
Jaakko hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Simple. Just… simple."
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Jaakko took Lena for a walk along the lakeshore. The air was warm and filled with the scent of blooming flowers. They stopped at their usual spot on the dock, the water reflecting the fading light like liquid gold.
Jaakko took a deep breath, his heart pounding as he turned to face her. "Lena, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."
Lena tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "What is it?"
He fumbled with the box, nearly dropping it in his nervousness. "I, uh… I mean, we've been together for a while now, and I… I think you're amazing. And I was wondering if… if you'd maybe, you know…"
Lena raised an eyebrow, clearly amused but patient. "Jaakko, are you trying to propose to me?"
Jaakko's face turned red as he finally managed to open the box, revealing a simple gold ring. "Yes! I mean, yes. Will you marry me?"
Lena's laughter rang out, warm and full of joy. "You're such a dork, you know that?" she said, but her eyes were shining. "Of course I'll marry you."
Relief and happiness washed over Jaakko as he slid the ring onto her finger. They stayed on the dock long after the sun had set, talking about their future and what their wedding might look like.
That summer, Jaakko and Lena were married in a small ceremony at Coffee World. The park's gazebo served as a whimsical backdrop, its lights twinkling in celebration. Ilmo stood proudly by Jaakko's side as his best man, delivering a speech that had the entire crowd laughing and tearing up in equal measure.
As the night wore on, the newlyweds danced under the stars, surrounded by friends, family, and the warmth of a community that had grown around them. For Jaakko, it was more than a wedding—it was a testament to how far he had come, and a promise of the life he and Lena would build together.