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.

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

"Looking at

curious about the strange look he was giving her. "There's no woman in the world I'd rather be with than you. Did you know... you're not my type at all?" Peter said,

few times," Celeste said, rolling her eyes

I can tell you that now, for me, there's no one more beautiful than you. You have a beauty that's captivating-here," he

You, just being you, have captured me completely. I don't even know what spell you

can't go without seeing those beautiful eyes of yours, without kissing those luscious lips, or burying my

"that your

Celeste replied, shaking her head in

to 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

led him to

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

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

didn't I?" Peter said, looking

it was just

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

slightly, pointing around them as he spoke, already

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

was still caught in the 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

Peter wasn't the type to get married -much less to dream up

sparkle in his eyes, it was obvious he truly wanted the wedding to take place

made her heart swell

light with excitement. "Just imagine-simple decorations on the tables, candles, soft

What do you think?" she

Celeste," Peter said, taking her hand and kissing it sweetly, then using his other hand to gently draw her closer by the neck, pulling her