My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

Peter and Celeste had gone to Willowcombe. The little family was lying under a blanket, shaded from the sun by a huge tree-one that Celeste had always loved, and that Spike, back when he was younger, had loved climbing.

Peter had one hand tucked under his head. Celeste rested her head on his chest, while his other arm wrapped protectively around her small body.

His eyes were closed, and he breathed in her familiar scent of roses-a scent that, for him, now meant "home."

Every time he caught the fragrance of roses, he knew: that was what home smelled like now.

"I love you, Celeste," Peter said suddenly, without even opening his eyes.

Hearing him, Celeste lifted her face and gave him a bright, joyful look. She turned her gaze toward their twin girls, sleeping peacefully in their bassinet.

"Peter... I love you even more. I love you for everything you've given me," Celeste said with emotion.

Peter opened his eyes at her words, intrigued.

"What have I given you?" he asked curiously.

Celeste smiled warmly, meeting his gaze, and then she began to speak:

"You've given me a family. Before, I was alone... well, not completely, I had Spike, my old cat, who now spends more time sleeping than awake.

"But you you came out of nowhere and gave me this beautiful family. You gave me a home, a real home, like the one I used to dream of when I was a little girl watching from the outside.

"Since I've been with you, I have to confess I'm not afraid anymore. I used to live my life in fear, always worried that something might happen to me, and there'd be no one to care for me or for Spike. But ever since you arrived, that fear disappeared.

"I love you because you gave me the chance to be a mother again—and not just once, but to two beautiful little girls.

"Having you, having our daughters, having Spike, and this home-I don't need anything else. This is the life I want. I want a simple, peaceful life. I want a family life. I want a life with you and our girls," Celeste finished, her voice heavy with emotion.

features. He watched her hair, wild and curly, long and tangled from the wind. He watched

said, "Looking at you now...

no woman in the world I'd rather be with than you. Did you know...

me that a few times," Celeste

beautiful than you. You have a beauty that's captivating-here," he said, pointing to his heart, "and here," he said, motioning to all of

that's the magic. You, just being you, have captured me completely. I don't even know what spell you cast on me... but believe me, I can't be without

those luscious lips, or burying my face in your neck to lose myself in your

said softly, "that your

Celeste replied, shaking

"just look at you. I'm almost twice your age and now you're my partner-and soon, you'll

led him to a very serious

want to get married? And also, very important: where do

didn't even want to get married," Celeste said, a little

ring, didn't I?" Peter said, looking at her as if it were the most obvious thing

I thought it was just symbolic," Celeste

because we're truly getting married. The only thing I need to know is when and where you want it to

pointing around them as he spoke, already imagining it

be a perfect spot for a wedding... just picture it: a few tables over there, a few more there, string lights hanging up as night falls, a small dance floor here, and the altar right beneath this big, beautiful tree. What do you think?"

surprise of it all. Peter had already imagined everything—and it wasn't that she didn't want to contradict him, but... everything he described was exactly

type to get married -much less to dream up a wedding. Once again, she

eyes, it was obvious he truly wanted the wedding to take place there

her heart swell with

said, her voice light with excitement. "Just imagine-simple decorations on the tables, candles, soft little touches

to get married at sunset. What do you think?" she asked, a wide, happy smile blooming

than making you happy, Celeste," Peter said, taking her hand and kissing it sweetly, then using his other