They had met on a day much like this one. Claire had come to the seaside to clear her head, to escape the noise of the city and her hectic life. She wasn’t expecting anything, least of all to meet someone who would change her life. But there he was, sitting at the edge of the pier, a book in his hand and a calm, thoughtful expression on his face. He seemed so at peace with the world, and for some reason, she felt drawn to him.
It hadn’t taken long for them to strike up a conversation. They talked about everything—books, travel, life, and love. Lucas had an effortless charm, a way of making Claire feel understood without even trying. It was as if he could see into the deepest parts of her, the parts she rarely showed anyone.
As the days passed, Claire found herself coming back to that beach more often, hoping to see Lucas. And every time, there he was, waiting for her, as if he had known she would come. Their bond grew quickly, but naturally, like the tide that ebbed and flowed at their feet. Soon, their daily conversations turned into long walks, stolen glances, and eventually, tender touches.
It was during one of those walks, beneath the soft glow of the moon, that Lucas had taken her hand for the first time. His touch was gentle, almost hesitant, as if he was afraid of breaking the delicate moment. But Claire didn’t pull away. Instead, she had intertwined her fingers with his, feeling the warmth of his hand against hers, grounding her in the reality that this—whatever this was—was real.
Now, months later, as Claire stood on that same beach, she found herself thinking of all the little moments that had led to this one. The way Lucas laughed, the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about his passions, the way he listened—really listened—when she spoke. He had become so much more than a stranger by the sea. He had become the center of her world.
But tonight, something was different. Lucas had asked her to meet him here at sunset, his voice on the phone filled with a quiet urgency she hadn’t heard before. Her heart raced as she glanced at the sky, the last rays of sunlight casting long shadows on the sand.
She didn’t have to wait long. In the distance, she saw Lucas walking toward her, his tall figure outlined against the fading light. Her breath caught in her throat. Even after all this time, just the sight of him made her heart skip a beat.
When he finally reached her, he smiled, that same smile that had drawn her to him months ago. “I was worried you might not come,” he said softly, though the warmth in his eyes told her he had known she would.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Claire replied, her voice barely above a whisper. There was something in the air tonight—something electric, something she couldn’t quite place.
They stood in silence for a moment, the sound of the waves filling the space between them. Then, Lucas took a deep breath, stepping closer to her. “Claire, I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About us. About what you mean to me.” His voice was steady, but there was a vulnerability in his eyes that made her heart ache.
“What is it, Lucas?” she asked, her voice soft but full of concern.
“I came to this town to find peace, to figure out who I was and what I wanted,” he began, his eyes never leaving hers. “But I found something more. I found you. And somewhere along the way, I realized… I don’t want to live a life without you in it.”
Claire felt her pulse quicken, the weight of his words sinking in. Her eyes began to well up with tears, but she smiled, unable to stop the warmth spreading through her chest.
“I love you, Claire,” Lucas continued, his voice full of emotion. “I’ve loved you from the moment we met on that pier. And I want to spend every day loving you, for the rest of my life.”
Without hesitation, Lucas reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. Claire gasped softly as he opened it, revealing a simple but beautiful ring.
“Will you marry me?” he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Tears spilled down Claire’s cheeks as she nodded, her heart overflowing with happiness. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. “Yes, I will.”
Lucas slid the ring onto her finger before pulling her into a tight embrace, their lips meeting in a kiss full of promise and love. The sun finally disappeared below the horizon, leaving them standing in the twilight, wrapped in each other’s arms, ready to begin the rest of their lives together.
