"Lily, I bought this store we can start off to a new beginning. I love you"
"I … like you too Alec, but we just think very differently. And in any case I can just keep this store. I am sure you will be able to put it to better sure than I have."
The cold and crisp air bit at their exposed necks and chilled them as they spoke. Still, they held their gaze.
" What if it could be our store?" his comment left Lily confused. Was he proposing a partnership? She was not business savvy to understand hints like that.
Alec put his hand in the right pocket of his black tweed coat and pulled out a small box. He opened it to produce a beautiful platinum and solitaire ring that glistened under the sun. Looking straight Lily's eyes, he posed the question. " Lily, I love you so much, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me? "
Lily was surprised to say the least. Tears filled her eyes, as she was overwhelmed with emotion. The boy she fell in love with and made plans of marriage with 15 years back was standing in front of her asking her to marry him. She covered her mouth with both her hands and looked straight into his eyes. All she could see there was love for her. She knew Alec, she knew how much he loved her, and he knew how much she loved him.
This was a decision she did not want to regret. She nodded positively, overwhelmed in emotion, unable to speak.
The nod was enough for Alec, and he hugged her tight and swept her off her feet.
***
Lily stood at the till after counting out an entire day's worth of sales. She had never seen so much money in all her life.
"Did well today, Alec noted as he kissed lily delicately on her cheek."
"Thanks to you," Lily gave credit where credit was due.
Alec had brought in so many loyal customers, that Lily was in awe each and every time someone stepped through the door. Naturally the sales went up and Lily had begun to form a strong relationship with publishing houses.
People were happy with her little shop, just as happy as she had been. She had even paid off most of her mortgage, and them barking back at her door was a distant memory and no longer a concern. She had even had enough to pay Holly for her time that she worked there. Things were finally playing in her favor. The best part of it all was the man that stood close to her; the man who had helped her during her desperate time.
She looked to him.
"What?" He asked, his lips turning into a smile.
"Thank you, Alec."
"Well, its my business too now. And you don't ever need to thank me. I love doing this with you. "
"I love you." She said, her eyes beginning to water.
"I love you, Lily."
Alec locked the door as he pulled Lily into the back where they had made love. Lily thought back to that marvelous night. He lay with her as he did that night, pulling her close and tightly.
The bookshop offered a sweet calmness to the two of them. It was the epilogue of an exceptionally busy and agonizingly troubled couple of months, and Lily couldn't think of a soul that she would have rather spent her time with than Alec.
A silence hung between them, but it was one of comfort, and not of awkwardness. Lily listened to the beat of Alec's heart, and how well it synchronized with her own. She began to drift to sleep as Alec's voice drew her from her near slumber.
A question came to her mind but she knew this was the right time to bring it up. "So, Rose then?"
Alec laughed as he responded, " Yes mam and what if it's a boy!"
THE END