The warm morning sunlight streamed through the French doors, casting a soft glow on Tim’s face. Stirring from sleep, he reached across the bed, expecting to find Lily curled beside him. His hand met only cool sheets.

"Where is she?" Tim muttered, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. He smiled, then called out playfully, "Oh, naughty girl, where are you?"

From downstairs, her cheerful voice echoed back. "I’m in the kitchen, lazy bones. Come get some breakfast!"

Tim’s grin widened as he stretched, savoring the happiness that filled him. He never thought he’d feel this way, not after closing off his heart so long ago. His mother’s abandonment had hardened him, making him believe that all women were self-serving. But then Lily came into his life—pure, kind-hearted, and persistent in her love for him. She broke through every wall he’d built.

Drawn by the delicious smell of bacon, he found himself downstairs without even realizing it, standing in the kitchen doorway, watching her. She moved gracefully around the stove, humming softly.

He approached her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, and kissed her cheek. "Good morning, beautiful."

She smiled, tilting her head slightly to meet his gaze. "Good morning, handsome. Sit down, I’ll bring you a plate. I made your favorite—French toast and bacon."

Tim blinked in surprise. "You really are a treasure, you know that?"

Lily laughed as she plated the food. "You’re just now figuring that out? Took you long enough."

"I must have been blind," Tim admitted with a sheepish grin, settling into his chair.

"That’s right," she teased, setting the plate in front of him. "Now eat up, you said we had a full day ahead."

After breakfast, they got ready for the day. Tim seemed especially eager, rushing Lily into the car with barely contained excitement.

"Where are we going?" she asked, curious about the mystery.

Tim glanced at her with a secretive smile. "I’m not telling. Be patient, you’ll see. Just enjoy the ride."

Lily leaned her head back, letting the breeze from the open window play with her hair as they drove. Slowly, the trees gave way to an open view of the ocean. Tim pulled the car to a stop near the beach, and as they got out, he led her toward the water.

Her eyes widened as she spotted a heart drawn into the sand, outlined with candles. Inside the heart, in perfect script, were the words: "Will you marry me?"

Lily gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she turned to find Tim kneeling behind her, a ring in his hand.

"Lily," he began, his voice soft but full of emotion, "I know I wasn’t always the best man in the past. I ignored your feelings for so long, and I didn’t treasure you the way you deserved."

Tears welled in Lily’s eyes, spilling down her cheeks. "It’s okay," she whispered. "I know you didn’t understand your feelings back then."

Tim nodded, his own eyes glistening. "But if I could change anything, I would have loved you sooner. You mean everything to me, and I can’t imagine my life without you. So..." His voice caught, and he took a deep breath before continuing, "Will you marry me?"

Through her tears of happiness, Lily nodded. "Yes… yes, I will marry you."

Tim’s hands trembled slightly as he slid the ring onto her finger. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for loving me, my sweet girl."

Without warning, he scooped her up into his arms, spinning her in circles as laughter bubbled from both of them. "Tim!" she shrieked, half laughing, half breathless. "Put me down, I’m dizzy!"

Laughing, Tim set her back on her feet. "Sorry, I couldn’t help it. I’m just so happy."

They embraced, their lips meeting in a tender kiss as the ocean waves lapped gently at the shore. Hand in hand, they strolled along the water’s edge, basking in the warmth of the moment.

"I have one more surprise for you," Tim said after a while, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Lily’s face lit up with excitement. "Another one? What is it?"

"Follow me," he said, pulling her along the beach.

They walked a short distance before arriving at a white canopy tent set up on the sand. Tim untied the flaps, revealing a cozy picnic spread on a blanket beneath the stars. Lily gasped in delight as she stepped inside.

"It’s beautiful," she whispered, her heart swelling with love for him.

They sat together on the blanket, sharing food and quiet conversation as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink. The day slowly faded into night, and as darkness settled around them, the stars twinkled above, illuminating the final moments of their perfect day.

Tim wrapped his arm around Lily, pulling her close. "I love you," he whispered against her hair.

Lily smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "I love you too. More than you’ll ever know."

And as they sat together under the stars, their future stretched out before them—full of love, promise, and the warmth of a happiness they had both waited so long to find.