The car slowed as it reached the bottom of the hill.
Gravel crunched beneath the tires.
The engine finally went quiet.
For a moment there was only the sound of wind moving through the tall grass.
Dante stepped out first.
He walked around the car and opened the back door.
Leah stepped out carefully.
Her blue dress moved softly in the breeze.
She lifted her eyes.
And immediately saw it.
The hill.
And the ancient tree at the top.
Her breath caught.
Someone was standing beneath it.
Tall.
Still.
Wearing black.
Leah's heart skipped.
"Izana…"
He looked exactly the way she remembered every time he brought her here.
Calm.
Elegant.
Waiting.
Dante leaned slightly against the car.
"Well," he said casually.
"There he is."
Leah barely heard him.
Her eyes stayed on Izana.
"He planned this?" she asked quietly.
Dante smirked.
"You think the boss does anything halfway?"
Leah laughed softly under her breath.
Then she began walking up the hill.
The grass brushed her ankles with each step.
Izana began walking toward her too.
Slow.
Steady.
Like he had all the time in the world.
They met halfway.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Leah looked at him carefully.
The black suit.
The wind moving through his black hair.
"You look nervous," she said.
Izana raised an eyebrow.
"I don't get nervous."
"You do today."
He stepped closer.
"You're imagining things."
Leah smiled.
"No I'm not."
Izana leaned down slightly.
Then pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"You look beautiful," he murmured.
Leah sighed softly.
"You always say that."
"Because it's always true."
She looked up at him.
"You're being very sweet today."
"Is that a problem?"
"No."
She shook her head.
"Not at all."
Izana held out his hand.
"Come on."
Leah placed her hand in his.
Together they walked the rest of the way up the hill.
The ancient tree stood tall above them.
Its branches stretched wide.
Like it had been protecting the hill for centuries.
Leah smiled when she saw the picnic blanket.
"And cake," she added.
Izana glanced at it.
"You like cake."
"I do like cake."
She laughed quietly.
"I like this place."
Izana looked at her.
"You've always liked it here."
Leah nodded.
"This was always our quiet place."
She looked around.
The breeze.
The hill.
The tree.
"I'm glad you brought me back."
Izana guided her gently down to the blanket.
"Sit."
Leah sat down.
Then looked up at him.
"Are you going to sit too or just stand there looking mysterious?"
Izana sat beside her.
Close enough for their shoulders to touch.
Leah leaned slightly toward him.
"So…"
She pointed at the cake.
"Should we start with this?"
Izana reached for the candles.
"Obviously."
Leah watched him light them.
"You're taking the birthday thing very seriously."
"It's important."
"To you?"
"To me... and you."
Leah smiled softly.
He handed her the knife.
"Make a wish."
She closed her eyes for a moment.
Izana watched her carefully.
She then blow out the candles and opened her eyes. Her gaze met Izana's.
"What did you wish for?" he asked.
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"Because then it won't come true."
Izana smirked slightly.
"I'm pretty sure it will."
Leah cut the cake.
They both took a slice.
She took the first bite.
Her eyes widened immediately.
"Oh wow."
Izana raised an eyebrow.
"That good?"
"Yes."
She held the fork toward him.
"Try it."
Izana leaned forward and took the bite.
He chewed slowly.
Leah watched him closely.
"Well?"
"It's acceptable."
Leah laughed loudly.
"Acceptable?"
"That's the highest praise I give cake."
"You're impossible."
She dipped her finger into the frosting.
Then gently smeared it onto his cheek.
Izana blinked.
Slowly.
Leah tried not to laugh.
"You didn't."
"Oh I did."
Izana scooped a little frosting.
And tapped it onto her cheek.
Leah gasped.
"Izana!"
"You started it."
She wiped frosting onto his nose.
Now they were both laughing.
Real laughter.
The kind that made it hard to breathe.
"You're terrible," Leah said.
"You love it."
"That's the problem."
They sat under the tree for a long time.
Talking.
Teasing.
Watching the sky slowly change color.
Eventually the sunlight softened.
Golden.
Evening.
Izana looked toward the horizon.
Then back at Leah.
"I have another surprise."
Leah groaned dramatically.
"Another one?"
"Yes."
"You've already done too much."
"Not yet."
He stood.
Then held his hand out.
Leah grabbed it.
"Where are we going now?"
He nodded down the hill.
"There."
Leah followed his gaze.
The small pond reflected the sunset.
"Oh…"
"That's pretty."
They walked down the hill together.
The grass moved around their legs.
The air felt cooler now.
When they reached the pond Leah stepped closer to the water.
"It looks like glass," she said.
Izana stood slightly behind her.
Then pointed across the lake.
"Do you see that?"
Leah squinted.
"See what?"
"Right there."
She leaned forward slightly.
"I don't see anything."
"Look harder."
Leah laughed.
"Izana I swear if this is a joke—."
"Just look."
She stared across the water.
The trees.
The reflection of the sunset.
"I really don't see—."
Behind her…
Izana lowered himself onto one knee.
The velvet box opened quietly.
The ring caught the orange sunset light.
Leah sighed.
"I give up."
Then she turned around.
And froze.
Her eyes widened instantly.
"Izana…"
He looked up at her.
Calm.
But completely serious.
"Leah."
Her hands slowly moved to her mouth.
"You're…"
"Yes."
Tears immediately filled her eyes.
"I love you," he said quietly.
"You changed my life in ways I never expected."
Leah's voice shook.
"Izana…"
"You stayed when you could have left."
"You trusted me when no one else would."
He held the ring toward her.
"You are my home."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"So I want to ask you something."
Leah nodded quickly.
"Yes."
Izana chuckled softly.
"I haven't asked yet."
"I already know."
He smiled slightly.
"Will you marry me again?"
Leah dropped to her knees in front of him instantly.
"Yes."
Her voice cracked.
"Yes!"
She grabbed his face and kissed him.
Hard.
Emotional.
Izana caught her as she leaned forward.
Their kiss slowed after a moment.
Gentle.
Warm.
When they pulled apart Leah laughed through tears.
"Yes," she whispered again.
Izana slid the ring onto her finger.
It fit perfectly.
Leah stared at it.
Her eyes wide.
"Izana…"
Then she threw her arms around him again.
Pulling him into another kiss.
He wrapped his arms around her waist.
Holding her close.
When they finally separated he rested his forehead against hers.
"Happy birthday," he murmured.
Leah smiled through her tears.
"This is the best birthday ever."
They stayed by the pond for a long time.
Holding each other.
Watching the sun disappear behind the hills.
And above them…
The ancient tree stood quietly.
Like it had been waiting for this moment all along.