[Elizabeth Olsen POV]
I woke to the smell first.
Something smoky and rich drifted through the house, the kind of smell that made you instantly aware of how empty your stomach was. For a moment, I stayed where I was, half buried in the warmth of the blankets, trying to understand why the scent of wood smoke and seasoning was filling the air this early in the morning.
Then I noticed the other half of the bed.
Empty.
I pushed myself up slowly, still groggy from sleep. My hair was a mess, and the strap of my nightgown had slipped out of place. I pulled it back over my shoulder and adjusted the band across my chest before swinging my legs off the bed.
The smell grew stronger as I stepped into the hallway.
Curious now, I made my way downstairs, following the scent toward the glass door that opened to the pool area. Soft morning light spilled through the windows. I reached the door and gently pushed it open just enough to peek outside.
And there he was.
My baby stood near a large smoker beside the pool, with an apron on. He was holding a tablet in one hand and a brush in the other. A cooking video was playing. The chef on the screen spoke with calm authority.
"Make sure to baste the salmon every thirty minutes to avoid drying."
Lin Yi nodded seriously, like a student taking instructions from a professor. With exaggerated focus, he opened the smoker, brushed the fish carefully, then closed the lid again.
I leaned quietly against the doorframe, smiling. Sleep still clung to the edges of my thoughts, but the sight of him standing there with such determination was strangely adorable.
Then I cleared my throat.
Lin froze.
He slowly turned.
Our eyes.
For half a second, he froze again. Then panic flashed across his face. He quickly shut off the video, nearly dropping the tablet as he tried to hide it behind his back. The motion was so awkward it almost made me laugh.
"Morning, babe," he said quickly.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Morning," I replied slowly.
He shifted his weight like a kid caught sneaking cookies before dinner.
"I can see you are having fun," I pointed at the apron, which had 'I give warm hugs' written on it.
"I do give warm hugs," he flashed a smile.
I glanced at the smoker, then back at him.
"Nothing smells like smoked salmon?"
He scratched the back of his neck.
"Well… maybe a little something."
I stepped outside, the cool February air brushing against my skin. The smell of the smoker was stronger now, warm and savory.
"You're cooking?" I said, clearly amused.
Lin straightened slightly, trying to recover his composure.
"I may or may not be attempting something important."
"Important enough to hide the evidence?" I asked, nodding toward the tablet he was still awkwardly holding behind his back.
He hesitated, then sighed and brought it out again.
"Okay. Fine. The video is helping."
I crossed my arms, still smiling.
"Babe," I said gently, "you realize we have chefs who could do this perfectly, right?"
He shook his head immediately.
"No. That's not the point."
I tilted my head, studying him now with growing curiosity.
"Oh?"
He finally exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Ah… you caught me," he admitted.
I laughed softly.
He removed his apron and stepped closer, wrapping his arms around me. He pulled me gently into a hug. His chest was warm against my cheek, and I could still smell the smoke and spices clinging to his hoodie.
"I was trying to surprise you with a birthday breakfast," he said quietly. "I know I won't be around to celebrate on the actual day. So I thought… maybe I could make it special today. Something for you to wake up to."
He sighed.
"Guess I ruined the surprise."
I stayed in his arms for a moment, enjoying the warmth. Then I pulled back slightly so I could look up at him.
"You know," I said, studying his face, "we have chefs who could cook something like this perfectly."
Lin Yi's expression stiffened a little, as if he expected criticism.
"But," I continued, pointing toward the smoker behind him, "you're out here at five in the morning trying to do it yourself."
I shook my head gently.
"The effort means more to me than any perfect meal someone else could make."
His shoulders relaxed instantly.
A slow smile spread across his face, the kind that reached his eyes.
Lin Yi lowered his head toward me and then pressed a soft kiss against my forehead.
When he pulled back, he looked straight into my eyes.
"Go get ready," he said quietly, "I got a surprise for you later."
"Oh?"
Lin Yi shrugged casually, though I could see the excitement he was trying to hide.
He gave me a light nudge toward the door.
"So go on," he said. "Get ready."
As I stepped back inside, I glanced over my shoulder.
Lin Yi had already turned back to the smoker, lifting the lid carefully as if it held something priceless.
He does this and later drops 40 on teams. Olsen thought after looking away from him.
. . .
[Third Person POV]
Elizabeth returned downstairs a little while later, refreshed and dressed for the morning. The faint scent of smoked salmon still lingered in the air, now mixed with the warm aroma of coffee.
Lin Yi was already in the dining area.
He was carrying the last few dishes from the kitchen's food warmer to the dining table, moving carefully as he arranged everything. When Elizabeth stepped into the room, she slowed down.
The table was covered with food.
Her favorite breakfast had been laid out almost perfectly. There was avocado toast topped with a light sprinkle of seasoning, the smoked salmon Lin Yi had been working on outside, hard-boiled eggs served alongside a small bowl of kimchi, a pot of fresh coffee with half and half, and a plate of cut fruits.
Elizabeth stopped for a moment, looking at the spread with genuine surprise.
"Wow," she said softly.
Lin Yi glanced up at her.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said, still looking at the table. "You remembered all my favorite things for breakfast."
Lin Yi straightened slightly and crossed his arms with a hint of playful arrogance.
"Well," he said, shrugging, "only the best for you."
Elizabeth laughed quietly and took a seat at the table.
Lin Yi joined her, now fully dressed after his early morning cooking adventure. He began serving the dishes, placing a portion of salmon and avocado toast on her plate.
Elizabeth watched him for a moment before speaking again.
"So," she said curiously, "when did you even have time to prepare the smoked salmon? That takes a lot of work."
Lin Yi sat down across from her and poured coffee into her cup.
"I started yesterday," he said casually.
Elizabeth looked up.
"After you went to sleep early," he continued. "I started prepping the salmon. I soaked the fillet in a wet brine overnight."
He gestured toward the dish.
"Then I woke up early this morning to start smoking it. Takes about two hours if you want to do it properly."
Elizabeth blinked.
"What time did you wake up?"
Lin Yi lifted his cup and took a sip of coffee.
"About three."
She stared at him for a second longer.
The realization slowly sank in.
He had played the Thunder game yesterday, come home tired, and still stayed up to prepare the salmon before waking up again at three in the morning to finish cooking breakfast for her.
Elizabeth's expression softened.
There was a quiet warmth in her eyes now as she looked at him.
She picked up a piece of the salmon with her fork and took a small bite.
Lin Yi immediately watched her face with intense focus, like a chef waiting for a judge's verdict.
Elizabeth chewed thoughtfully.
Then she tilted her head slightly.
"The flavor is really good," she said. "But the salmon is… a little dry."
Lin Yi instantly dropped his head in exaggerated disappointment.
He slumped slightly in his chair, looking like someone who had just failed an important exam.
Elizabeth could clearly see the hint of drama in his reaction.
She leaned forward.
Then she leaned closer to kiss him gently on the lips.
When she pulled back, she smiled.
"I will love no matter how you make it," she said softly.
. . .
Later in the day, Lin Yi led Elizabeth outside their beach gate down a narrow path that curved gently toward the beach, eyes closed. The morning sun had climbed higher now, casting a warm glow over the water. The sound of waves rolled steadily in the distance.
Elizabeth had changed into a simple black bikini that tied at the neck and hips. Lin wore dark swim trunks and a loose white linen shirt, unbuttoned to the waist.
"I know you are taking me to the beach since you asked me to change," she said," but I know it is more than that."
"You'll see," he replied with a small grin.
"You may open them now."
Elizabeth stopped.
She opened her eyes. Before them stood a small, temporary beach bar constructed of weathered wood and white canvas, stocked with an array of chilled bottles, fresh fruit, and pre-mixed cocktails in glass pitchers. A handwritten sign on the bar read simply For Lin & Elizabeth. Two large beach umbrellas had been set up nearby, along with towels, a cooler, and a low table.
Elizabeth blinked in surprise.
Elizabeth turned to him and asked. "You arranged all of this?"
Lin Yi spread his arms casually.
"Just a little beach bar," he said. "Thought it might be nice."
They approached the bar. Elizabeth selected a pitcher of pineapple juice—mint leaves floating in the liquid—while Lin Yi poured himself a glass of iced tea with lemon. They carried their drinks to the shaded area beneath the largest umbrella and settled onto the wide beach towels spread over the sand.
They clinked their glasses lightly before taking a sip.
After a few sips, Elizabeth set her glass aside and reached into her bag for the sunscreen. She handed the bottle to him with a smile.
"Would you mind? I would rather not burn."
Lin Yi took it.
Elizabeth turned slightly in her chair and looked over her shoulder with a playful smile.
"Well?" she said. "Don't just hold it."
Lin Yi laughed quietly and squeezed some sunscreen into his hand.
She lay face down on the towel first. He knelt beside her, warmed a generous amount of lotion between his palms, and began at her neck.
His hands moved with deliberate care. Slow, firm strokes that followed the line of her shoulders, then down the length of her spine. Elizabeth closed her eyes and exhaled softly, the tension in her muscles melting under his touch. He continued lower, tracing the curve of her lower back, then along the sides of her hips and butt.
He made sure to give her perky ass a good squeeze before gliding to the backs of her thighs. His fingers lingered briefly at the sensitive skin behind her knees before moving down to her calves and finally to her feet, where he massaged the lotion in with gentle pressure.
"Very thorough," Elizabeth murmured with a teasing tone.
"I aim to please," Lin Yi replied.
They rested for a time, listening to the rhythmic roll of the waves. Eventually, Elizabeth stood and walked toward the sand.
"Come on," she said.
Lin Yi followed her.
Before long, they were both crouched near the shoreline, building sand structures like two overly competitive children.
Elizabeth's sandcastle was surprisingly detailed, complete with small towers and carved patterns along the sides.
Lin Yi's… was not.
It looked more like a pile of sand that had been politely shaped into something resembling a mound.
Elizabeth crossed her arms and looked at both constructions.
"Well," she said, "I think we know who wins."
Lin Yi stared at her sandcastle for a moment.
Then he stretched his arms above his head dramatically and yawned.
"Oh wow," he said loudly. "I'm tired."
As he stretched, his arm "accidentally" swung sideways and knocked directly into the side of Elizabeth's sandcastle.
The tower collapsed instantly.
Elizabeth gasped.
"Lin Yi!"
She looked at the destroyed castle in disbelief.
Then she scooped up a handful of sand and threw it toward him.
Lin Yi jumped back.
"Oh, it's like that now?" he said.
Before she could respond, he lunged forward and tackled her gently into the sand.
Elizabeth burst out laughing as they landed.
They rolled slightly as they playfully wrestled, both trying to pin the other down while the waves continued crashing quietly behind them.
After they finished playing in the sand, they soon returned to the umbrella to ocean-gaze relax.
. . .
. .
.
[Elizabeth POV]
The ocean was calm this afternoon.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
I was listening to the slow rhythm of the waves while the warmth of the sun settled over my skin. The beach was quiet except for the wind and the occasional gull overhead. Lin sat beside me, finishing his drink, his eyes drifting out toward the horizon.
Then I heard it.
A distant humming sound.
At first, I thought it was just another small aircraft passing along the coastline. It wasn't unusual around here. I barely paid attention to it.
But Lin suddenly leaned forward and pointed out toward the water.
"Hey," he said casually. "What's that?"
I squinted toward the sky.
A small plane was flying low along the shoreline, slowly pulling something behind it. At first, the banner was too far away to read. It fluttered in the wind as the aircraft moved closer.
I shaded my eyes with my hand.
The letters slowly became clear.
My heart stopped.
Elizabeth… Will You Marry Me?
For a moment, I just stared.
My brain struggled to process what I was seeing.
My name.
On the banner.
Slowly, I turned my head.
Lin wasn't sitting beside me anymore.
He was in front of me.
Down on one knee in the sand.
For a moment, I could only stare at him. The wind tugged lightly at his hair while the waves rolled behind him. In his hand was a small ring box, already open, the diamond catching the sunlight.
My eyes filled before I even realized it.
Lin smiled softly, though I could see the nerves in his expression.
"I figured," he began quietly, "if I was going to ask the mother of my children something this important… the whole ocean should probably witness it."
My hand moved instinctively to my mouth.
He glanced briefly down at my stomach, then back into my eyes.
"You already gave me the greatest gift anyone ever could," he said. "You're carrying our child. And every day I wake up realizing how lucky I am that you chose me."
His voice steadied as he continued.
"I know basketball keeps me busy. I know there will be long seasons, travel, games, pressure… all of it. But no matter where I go, the one place I always want to come back to is you."
The wind carried the faint sound of the plane fading in the distance.
Lin held the ring a little closer.
"So," he said softly, "Elizabeth… will you marry me?"
At that moment, the world felt very small.
Just the ocean.
The sand.
The man kneeling in front of me.
And the tiny life growing inside me.
Tears slipped down my cheeks before I could stop them.
I nodded, laughing through the emotion.
"Yes," I whispered. "Of course I will."
Lin's face broke into the widest smile I had ever seen.
He slipped the ring onto my finger, his hands slightly unsteady. Then he stood and pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly as the waves rolled quietly behind us.
. . .
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