seven ❀ proposal

luke wanted everything to be perfect.

he stood on the beach, the wind tousling his hair, which made him think about how much time he spent on it. maybe too much, considering how much it was being messed up.

still, he stood, just beside the edge of the ocean, holding a bunch of pink balloons.

pink, because that was her favorite.

he knew she knew something was happening. after all, luke definitely wasn't the type to plan a date and then bail. if anything, he'd bail other things for a date with julia.

he really loved her.

he saw her arrive at the top of the hill, watched her hands fly up to her mouth when she saw him there, standing on the beach in nice clothes, carrying a bunch of pink balloons, staring up at her like she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

and she was.

she looked perfect. her hair fell around her face perfectly. he had never seen her more radiant or beautiful, never been so sure and so in love. it was more than just how beautiful she was. it was more than the beautiful pink dress she was wearing. it was more than that.

he looked in her eyes, her beautiful, beautiful eyes, and saw everything inside of her that was beautiful. and the things that weren't so beautiful. but he cherished how kind she was and how bright she was and how vivacious and curious and wonderful she was.

and that was why he'd hidden a ring in one of the balloons.

"luke?" julia asked quietly, walking down the beach to him. "what's this?"

luke handed her the first balloon, and a needle. "pop it," he instructed.

she did as she was told, and a rolled up piece of paper fell into the sand. she picked it up and unrolled it.

"read it out loud," he said quietly.

"i love you because of your smile," she whispered, smiling widely.

he handed her the next one.

pop!

"i love you because of your laugh."

pop!

"i love you because of your heart."

pop!

"i love you because of your kindness."

pop!

"i love you when we're kissing."

pop!

"i love you when we're fighting."

pop!

"i love you when you're glaring at me."

pop!

"i love you always."

she was crying. her voice was shaking and she was crying and she was clutching all of the little notes he'd written the other day in her hand and she'd never looked more beautiful.

"i get to pop the last one," he said quietly, taking the needle and popping it.

the ring fell into his hand, and luke fell onto one knee.

julia's tears abruptly stopped, and then she was crying harder.

"julia," he whispered, looking up at the most beautiful woman he'd ever known. "i love you so much, and i can't imagine a future without the most amazing woman that i know. will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

she was crying so hard that she couldn't answer, but she nodded, choked out a "yes" and that was all luke needed.

he slid the ring on her finger and got up, pulling her to him and kissing her, tears and all. "i love you."

she was a mess, but she was his beautiful mess.

forever.

-

i smiled so hard.

lulia forever !

-h