“Now you’re scaring me,” he replies, and I can tell he is concerned.

“Don’t be.” Taking a deep breath, I start with my memorized words.

“Forrest, you came into my life and turned it upside down. Pushing me to open up to you, calling me ridiculous names, and showing me that sex can mean so much more than a means to an end. Putting your life on the line to fight for me, which I will forever be grateful for. You taught me to feel again and allow myself to be loved and to love in return, a gift I never thought I deserved.” Feeling a tear trickle down my cheek, I’m trying so hard to hold myself together. “I know this is quick and totally out of character for me, and certainly not the norm, but I am also a person who doesn’t like a fuss.” Taking a step closer to him now, I take his hand in mine. “Will you marry me, here, tonight, with just our friends around us? Standing up and promising to always fight for me and reminding me every day that I’m worthy of your love?” My whole body is quivering, and I feel like I can’t breathe as I wait for his answer.

“Are you sure this is what you want? No big white puffy dress, your family around you, and the romantic proposal I would’ve planned?” Forrest’s words hit me hard because he hasn’t answered me yet.

“It doesn’t always have to be the man to ask, you know, women can do it too.” My voice is getting a little snarky now as I start to panic that he isn’t going to say yes.

“That’s not what I said, Harper. I just don’t want you to regret this. Because I will marry you right here, standing in just my towel, if that’s what you want. Damn, woman, I already told you I was never letting you go, and I meant it. I don’t care how quick this is, because I’m ready. I love you so much that every day I wake up and wonder how I got so lucky.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses me softly. “So yes, Harper, I will marry you here in some tiny chapel if that’s what you want. And I don’t care who asked who, just having a ring on your finger and to be able to call you my wife is more than I ever hoped for.” Forrest looks deep into my soul, and I know that he accepts me just as I am, and that’s all I can ask for.