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

"Looking

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

me that a few times," Celeste said, rolling

tell you that now, for me, there's no one more beautiful than you. You have a beauty that's

the magic. You, just being

without seeing those beautiful eyes of yours, without kissing those luscious lips,

Peter said softly, "that your scent makes me feel at

Celeste replied, shaking her head in

have you by my side," he continued, "just look at you. I'm almost twice your age

led him to

get married? And also, very important:

you didn't even want to get

didn't I?" Peter

I thought it was

love, if I've decided we're getting married, it's because we're truly getting married. The

sat up slightly, pointing around them as he

a few more there, string lights hanging up as night falls, a small dance floor here, and the altar

wasn't that she didn't want to contradict him, but... everything he

Peter wasn't the type to get married -much less to dream up a wedding. Once again,

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

made her

said, I love it," Celeste said, her voice light with excitement.

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

it sweetly, then using his other hand to gently draw her closer by