Epilogue

Several months had passed since Tae and Ariana decided to cultivate their garden, and their love had flourished alongside it. The flowers bloomed vibrantly, painting the landscape with colors that reflected their deepening bond, while the vegetable patch produced fresh produce that added flavor to their meals and joy to their hearts.

One sunny morning, Ariana woke up to the sweet scent of blooming flowers wafting through their bedroom window. Stretching lazily under the soft sheets, she felt a rush of gratitude for the life they were building together. Turning her head, she smiled at Tae, who lay beside her, still fast asleep, his face illuminated by the morning light.

With a playful grin, Ariana decided to surprise him. She slipped out of bed and quietly tiptoed to the kitchen, determined to make breakfast for both of them. As she moved about, she hummed a soft tune, enjoying the peaceful solitude of the morning.

After whipping up some pancakes topped with fresh fruit, she poured two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice and arranged everything on a tray. Just as she was about to carry it to their bedroom, she heard Tae’s sleepy voice calling from the hallway.

“Are you making breakfast without me?” he teased, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he emerged from the bedroom, a disheveled yet adorable sight.

Ariana giggled, holding up the tray triumphantly. “I wanted to surprise you! I hope you’re hungry.”

“I always am when it comes to your cooking,” he replied, his eyes sparkling with affection as he stepped closer to admire her handiwork. “You’re the best.”

They settled at the dining table, and as they ate, their playful banter filled the air, the warmth of their connection evident in every shared glance and laughter. The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the way Tae’s eyes crinkled when he smiled, making Ariana’s heart flutter.

After breakfast, they spent the morning tending to their garden. With every seed they planted and every weed they pulled, they felt a sense of accomplishment—both for the garden and for their relationship. The garden had become a metaphor for their love, requiring care, patience, and nurturing.

Later that day, as they worked side by side, Ariana paused to admire the blossoms, their colors vivid and full of life. “You know, I’ve been thinking,” she said, glancing at Tae, who was squatting next to her, focused on pulling out a stubborn weed.

“About what?” he asked, his brow furrowing slightly in concentration.

“About how much our garden has grown, and how it mirrors our journey together,” she explained. “Every flower and vegetable symbolizes the love and trust we’ve cultivated, don’t you think?”

Tae looked up, his expression softening. “I never thought about it that way, but you’re right. We’ve nurtured something beautiful together. It’s more than just a garden; it’s a testament to our relationship.”

Ariana smiled, her heart swelling with emotion. “I’m so grateful for you, Tae. You’ve shown me what love truly means. I didn’t think I could ever feel this way again after everything I’ve been through.”

He reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers, the warmth of his touch grounding her. “Ari, you deserve all the happiness in the world. I’m just glad I get to be a part of your journey.”

They finished their gardening for the day and decided to take a break, lounging in the shade of the trees that lined their backyard. As they relaxed, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over everything.

“Do you remember when we first started this garden?” Tae asked, chuckling at the memory. “We had no idea what we were doing.”

Ariana laughed, recalling the mishaps they had encountered along the way. “Yeah! I thought I could just sprinkle seeds anywhere, and they’d magically grow. I had no clue about the right soil or how much water they needed.”

“But look at us now! We’ve turned this patch of dirt into a thriving garden,” Tae exclaimed, pride lacing his voice. “We make a great team.”

Ariana leaned her head against his shoulder, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her. “We really do. I love how we tackle everything together. It makes me believe we can face anything that comes our way.”

Tae turned to face her, his expression serious yet tender. “I feel the same way, Ari. I can’t imagine my life without you. You’ve changed me for the better.”

Her heart raced at his words. “You’ve changed me too, Tae. You’ve given me hope, and you’ve taught me that love can be beautiful and safe.”

As they sat in silence, the weight of their unspoken feelings hung in the air, an electricity that pulsed between them. Ariana could feel the depth of their connection, and she knew in that moment that she wanted to take the next step with Tae.

“Tae,” she began, her voice steady but filled with emotion, “there’s something I’ve been meaning to say.”

“What is it?” he prompted, his gaze intense as he focused entirely on her.

Ariana took a deep breath, her heart racing as she prepared to share her thoughts. “I love you more than just the surface of our relationship. You’ve become my partner in every sense of the word. I want to build a future with you, to continue nurturing our love like we do with our garden.”

Tae’s eyes widened slightly, surprise mingling with joy. “Ari, I feel the same way. I want to grow old with you, to create a life filled with memories and love. You are my everything.”

Feeling emboldened by his words, Ariana leaned closer, her heart pounding as she spoke. “So, what do you think about making it official? I mean, I want to take that next step, to think about our future together in a more serious way.”

Tae’s breath caught in his throat, and he looked at her with an intensity that made her heart race. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Yes,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “I want to get engaged, to commit to each other fully.”

A bright smile broke across Tae’s face, his joy palpable. “Ariana, yes! A thousand times, yes! I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I can’t imagine a future without you by my side.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Ariana threw her arms around Tae, burying her face in the crook of his neck. “I love you so much!”

“I love you too,” he whispered back, his arms wrapping tightly around her.

As they embraced, the warmth of the sun enveloped them, and the world around them faded away. In that moment, everything felt right; their hearts were aligned, and the promise of a future together shimmered like the light filtering through the trees.

---

In the weeks that followed, the couple began to plan their engagement. They envisioned a small, intimate gathering with their closest friends and family to celebrate their love. With each detail they discussed, excitement bubbled within Ariana, fueling her anticipation for the future they were about to embark on.

One evening, they sat together on the couch, poring over invitation designs and discussing what they wanted their engagement party to feel like.

“What about a garden theme?” Tae suggested, glancing at Ariana. “It fits perfectly with our story.”

Ariana’s face lit up with delight. “That’s such a great idea! We can decorate with fairy lights, flowers, and have a picnic-style setup.”

“I love it! And we can have a little corner where everyone can write us messages or wishes for the future,” Tae added, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.

As they continued brainstorming, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Their love was blossoming into something beautiful, and the prospect of making a lifelong commitment only deepened their connection.

As the day of the engagement party approached, the couple worked tirelessly to prepare. They spent hours decorating the garden, stringing up fairy lights and arranging flowers in jars. It felt like they were weaving their dreams into reality, and every moment spent together only brought them closer.

Finally, the day of the party arrived. With their friends and family gathered around, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. The garden looked magical, adorned with vibrant blooms and twinkling lights, creating a fairytale ambiance.

Tae and Ariana stood hand in hand, their hearts racing as they took in the scene. They exchanged knowing smiles, fully aware of the significance of this moment.

As the evening unfolded, laughter and joy filled the air. Their friends toasted to their love, sharing stories and memories that brought warmth to everyone’s hearts. When it was finally time for Tae to propose officially, the moment felt surreal.

With everyone gathered around, he took a deep breath, feeling Ariana’s hand in his steady his racing heart. “I want to thank all of you for being here to witness this special moment. Ariana, you are my everything. You’ve brought light and love into my life in ways I never thought possible. I promise to cherish you and support you for all the days of my life.”

Ariana’s eyes sparkled with tears as she listened, the weight of his words filling her with joy.

Tae knelt down on one knee, pulling out a beautiful ring that caught the light just right. “Ariana, will you marry me?”

A collective gasp filled the air, and Ariana felt her heart swell with love and happiness. “Yes! Yes, of course, I will!” she exclaimed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she slipped the ring onto her finger.

Cheers erupted around them as they embraced, the love and support from their friends and family enveloping them like a warm blanket. In that moment, Ariana felt the world fade away, leaving just the two of them, lost in the joy of their love. As they held each other tightly, the excitement and energy of the evening pulsed through the air, wrapping them in warmth and happiness.

After the initial shock and joy, their friends and family rushed forward, showering them with congratulations. Hugs and laughter filled the garden, creating a tapestry of love that wrapped around Tae and Ariana like a protective shield.

“Look at that ring! It’s gorgeous!” one of Ariana’s friends exclaimed, admiring the way it sparkled in the twinkling lights.

“Thank you! Tae designed it himself,” Ariana beamed, glancing at her fiancé, who was grinning ear to ear, clearly pleased by her reaction.

“You two look perfect together!” another friend chimed in, raising a glass in their direction. “To Tae and Ariana!”

“To Tae and Ariana!” everyone echoed, lifting their glasses in celebration.

The evening turned into a beautiful whirlwind of laughter, heartfelt speeches, and delicious food. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the garden transformed into a dreamy wonderland, the soft glow of fairy lights illuminating the joyous atmosphere.

Amidst the celebration, Tae pulled Ariana aside for a moment of quiet reflection. “Can you believe this is happening?” he asked, his voice filled with awe as he took her hands in his.

Ariana smiled, her heart racing. “I can hardly believe it. It feels like a dream come true.”

“It is a dream,” Tae replied, his expression sincere. “But it’s also just the beginning. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, building our future together.”

Tears of happiness brimmed in Ariana’s eyes as she nodded. “I feel the same way. I’ve never been this happy before.”

They shared a tender kiss, sealing their promises and dreams in that quiet moment. When they pulled away, Ariana could see the love shining in Tae’s eyes, a reflection of everything they had built together.