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.

He watched her hair, wild and curly, long and tangled from the wind. He watched how simply she dressed, and it made him-almost involuntarily

and said, "Looking at you now... can

woman in the world I'd rather be with than you. Did you know... you're not my

a few times,"

You have a beauty that's captivating-here," he

that's the magic. You, just

go without seeing those beautiful eyes of yours, without kissing those luscious lips, or burying my face in

softly, "that your scent

Celeste replied, shaking

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

him to a very serious

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

serious? I thought you didn't even want to get married," Celeste said,

engagement ring, didn't I?" Peter said, looking at her

it was just symbolic," Celeste

married. The only thing I

them

up as night falls, a small dance floor here, and the altar right beneath this

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

herself that Peter wasn't the type to get married -much less to dream up a wedding.

serious-really serious-and from the sparkle in his eyes, it was obvious he truly wanted the wedding to take

made her heart swell with

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

What do you think?" she asked, a wide,

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