Just a couple of years ago. If anyone had told her that she would finally get some peace and happiness she would have told them they had to be joking. After being caught up in bad situations, making questionable decisions, and just all around self sabotaging for so long she had given up hope on having a happy ending. And over time, as things started changing, as she started changing her own attitude and lifestyle, she was grateful for the things that had turned out in her favor. But still she wasn’t holding on to any expectations, she wasn’t asking for more than what she had because she was happy enough with things as they were, finally.
“Huh?” To say that she was shocked when Ram just blurted out his question, as quickly and breezy as if he was asking her what she wanted to eat for dinner, was an understatement. She thought maybe it would happen once his life felt more secure and things started calming down for him a little more. So she was at a loss for words, not expecting something like this to happen anytime soon. Especially not when she was in a drab hotel robe after just having gotten out of the shower. Of course she was over the moon that it was happening. But it wasn’t something she needed in order to solidify their relationship or to reassure her of their love for each other. After everything they had been through over the years together she was honestly just happy that they were together in any capacity. Still, it didn’t make her heart leap any less to hear him express his feelings, to put it all on the table and firmly state that this was something he wanted. That he wanted her. Not only did he want her but he wanted her for the rest of his life. Growing up she had all she needed in the material sense. But she had lacked what she really needed, the most fundamental thing everyone needed, to be loved and wanted by someone. Ram had shown her what that kind of love was like time and time again, even through their ups and downs. He was her best friend and the love of her life. There wasn’t a future for her that she could ever see without him. The rush of overwhelming feelings, of all the happiness and the love that she had for him, caused the tears to spill freely down her cheeks. She brought her free hand up to her mouth, to cover the way her jaw had dropped and hopefully also keep her from sobbing like a complete child in front of him. Until she realized she still had yet to answer him. “Oh my god. I’m supposed to say words. Yes! Of course I want to marry you. How is that even a question?” She managed to say between her cries. It felt weird not being on the same level as him so she kneeled down to the floor with him, holding his face in her hands, looking at him like he was the most precious thing in the world to her. Because he was. “It’s always been you. It’s only ever been you for me. You’re my best friend and my partner in crime. You make every day better. And no one has the power to make me as angry or as happy as you do. And I know we’re strong on our own but we’re so much stronger together, when we’re working as a team. I don’t ever want to know what life is like without you. So yes! I wanna spend the rest of it with you.”
Ram’s face was consumed by a wide grin when she said yes, his relief and excitement completely evident on his face. Who wouldn’t be excited to spend the rest of their life with Poppy Montenegro? She was one of the greatest people to come out of Rosewood, but she was so much more than that and after everything that had happened Ram promised himself he would fully appreciate that. He would appreciate her for all the small things that made her her. Sometimes he was sure it was impossible to fully explain the way he felt about her and why he felt that way, something that had once driven him to try and write it out instead even if it wasn’t his specialty, but thankfully she didn’t seem to need the words. “Right. It’s you and me against the world. Always has been, always will be.” He nodded slowly, not wanting to cause her hands to shift away from him. At the moment he felt like he needed to touch her. It was the only thing keeping him grounded. “We’re doing this.” Even if he tried tampering down his smile at the moment it was impossible. At one point thinking about the future had made him nervous. Football was always a risk, and if that was gone he wasn’t sure what else he had. But knowing Poppy would be there had his stomach turning in the best way possible. For the first time he was excited about what else life might have to offer. “Does this mean I’m officially your sugar daddy for life? Because I’ve been trying to win that title since you moved in with me.”