He also never got down on one knee until now.

He lifts the top up and I draw in a loud breath and cup my mouth. Nestled inside the cushy pillow is a simple but large diamond engagement ring. It looks nearly flawless as it flashes against the glow of the fire. There's a row of thin diamonds encrusted around the outer edge hugging what has to be at least four carats. I stare at the way it sparkles against the metal. He didn't go for platinum. He didn't go for gold. He went for rose gold, and I know without a shadow of a doubt it's because I wear my mom’s necklace and the one Grammy got me all the time, and they’re both rose gold. James knows how much they mean to me. He also didn't go for a traditional princess cut diamond. He went for the pear-shaped cut, the least common engagement ring.

We most definitely aren't like everyone else.

"Please, sweetheart, put me out of my fucking misery and just say yes already. Say yes to forever with me."

Tears are streaming down my cheeks and my lips feel swollen from the emotion. I can barely focus over the pounding of my sprinting heart to formulate words. The only thing I can do is give him my shaking left hand as my answer.

I think my response shocks him. His wide blue eyes stare at me with hope, and his beautiful lips that worship me like a queen part with disbelief.

"You're… you're," he stammers, and I can't recall a time when James faltered his words.

I nod my head and smile at him. "I was a fool to say no the other times you asked me."

He stares at me with profound awe. He's not even blinking. I giggle at him, then wiggle my fingers.

"I finally say yes, and now you're going to make me work for it?"

James falls to the side and catches himself with his hand. He's sitting back on one foot and staring up at me with his baby blues. His hand is shaking as he runs it through his hair. It's a little longer than usual, but I like it on him. The way he's acting is adorable. I gather my dress and attempt to bend down so I'm eye level with him, but James raises his palm for me to stop and gets back up on one knee.

"I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack. You're really saying yes? Don't play with me, Aubrey. I'm old."

A laugh rumbles in my chest. My lashes fall to a half-moon as true happiness settles in my heart.

"Yes. I'm saying yes, James."

I find it endearing how stunned he is. He blinks rapidly and looks between the jewelry box and me, then attempts to take the ring out.

I'm standing in the cabin where we found love in the most unusual way. And now, four years later, James is on one knee asking me to be his wife.