As Sarah sat in the sitting room with my mom, chatting and laughing like old friends, I excused myself to go to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. My dad followed behind me, a sly grin spreading across his face like a slow-moving sunrise.
"Wow, son, you seem more like your father every day," he teased, his voice filled with pride and amusement, like a gentle breeze rustling through leaves. "Having eyes for the ladies, just like I did when I was your age."
I chuckled and shook my head, feeling a sense of embarrassment wash over me like a warm wave. "Dad, stop it," I said, laughing, trying to play down the compliment.
But my dad just winked at me, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "I'm serious, son," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "You've got a good eye for quality. Sarah seems like a wonderful girl. She's got a sparkle in her eye, and a smile that lights up the room."
I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards my parents for welcoming Sarah into our home with open arms. "I'm really glad you like her, Dad," I said, my voice filled with sincerity, like a heartfelt prayer. "Sarah is...she's like a morning sun in my life. Always getting brighter each passing minute."
My dad's expression turned serious, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding, like a cozy fireplace on a cold winter's night. "I can see that, son," he said, his voice filled with emotion, like a gentle stream meandering through the countryside. "You light up when you talk about her. She's good for you, Gabriel."
I nodded, feeling a sense of agreement, like a gentle nod of the head. "She is, Dad," I said, my voice filled with conviction. "She's the best thing that's happened to me in a long time. She makes me feel alive, like a breath of fresh air on a spring morning."
My dad put a hand on my shoulder, his grip warm and reassuring, like a comforting hug. "I'm glad to see you happy, son," he said, his voice filled with emotion, like a heartfelt blessing. "That's all your mother and I have ever wanted for you."
As we returned to the sitting room, the tension in the room had shifted like a sudden change in weather, from a gentle breeze to a intense storm. My mom looked like she had been taken aback by something Sarah had said, her expression a mix of shock, concern, and confusion, like a puzzle she couldn't quite figure out. She turned to Sarah and asked, her voice trembling slightly, "Sarah, would you mind telling Gabriel and my husband what you just told me? I want to make sure I understand correctly."
Sarah nodded, taking a deep breath before beginning her story again, like a diver plunging into the depths of the ocean. "I was going through a really tough time," she started, her voice trembling slightly, like a leaf in the wind. "I was struggling with depression, and I had hit rock bottom. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, with no lifeline in sight. I had planned to go to the bar that night and get drunk, to numb the pain and try to forget my troubles. And then...and then I was going to end my life."
My mom gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock, like a bird taking flight. My dad's eyes widened in surprise, and I felt like I had been punched in the gut, like a boxer taking a hit. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"But then you showed up, Gabriel," Sarah continued, her eyes locked on mine, like a laser beam focusing on its target. "You were going through your own struggles, but you saved me that night. You told me about what you were going through with Stephanie, and it made me realize that I wasn't alone. It made me realize that there was still hope, like a glimmer of light in the darkness."
I felt a lump form in my throat as I remembered that night, like a flashback from a movie. I had been so caught up in my own pain that I hadn't even realized the impact I had on Sarah.
"If it wasn't for you, Gabriel, I wouldn't be here today," Sarah said, her voice cracking with emotion, like a dam breaking. "You changed my mind that night. You made me want to live, like a phoenix rising from the ashes."
My mom got up from her seat and walked over to Sarah, enveloping her in a warm hug, like a mother embracing her child. "Oh, Sarah, we're so glad you're here," she said, tears streaming down her face, like a river overflowing its banks. "We're glad you're a part of our lives, Sarah. You're like a daughter to us."
My dad nodded in agreement, his eyes shining with tears, like a mirror reflecting the sun. "We're glad you're here, Sarah," he said, his voice choked with emotion, like a man trying to hold back his tears. "You're a blessing to our family."
As the truth sank in, I felt a wave of emotions wash over me like a tsunami crashing onto the shore. I had never really thought about the impact I made on Sarah that night, but now that she had revealed her story, I was overwhelmed with gratitude, love, and a sense of wonder. If not for me, she would have ended her life, and I never would have had the chance to fall in love with this beautiful, incredible woman.
I got up from my seat, my heart beating with emotion, like a drum pounding in my chest. I moved towards her, my feet carrying me across the room as if drawn by an unseen force. I gently took her hands in mine, feeling the softness of her skin, the warmth of her touch. I helped her stand up, looking into her eyes with all the love I had in my heart, like a shipwrecked sailor gazing up at the stars.
"Sarah, I...I don't know what to say," I stuttered, my voice trembling with emotion like a leaf in the wind. "I had no idea...I had no idea I made such a difference in your life." I felt like I was drowning in the depths of her eyes, like a man lost at sea.
Sarah smiled, her eyes shining with tears like diamonds in the sunlight. "You did, Gabriel," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, like a secret shared between lovers. "You saved me that night. You gave me a reason to live."
I pulled her into my arms, holding her close as if I would never let her go again, like a man clinging to a lifeline. I felt her warmth, her softness, her beauty. I felt like I was home, like I had found my haven.
"I'm so glad I did," I whispered, my lips buried in her hair like a man seeking refuge. "I'm so glad I got to meet you, to love you." I felt like I was pouring out my heart, like a man emptying his soul.
Sarah wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight like a vice. "I'm glad too, Gabriel," she said, her voice muffled against my chest like a child seeking comfort. "I love you."
"I love you too, Sarah," I replied, my voice filled with emotion like a man overflowing with joy. "I love you more than anything in this world." I felt like I was shouting it from the rooftops, like a man proclaiming his love to the world.
As we hugged, I felt a sense of peace wash over me like a wave crashing onto the shore. I knew that our love was meant to be, that we were meant to find each other in that dark moment. And I knew that I would never let her go again, that I would always be there to hold her, to love her, like a man holding onto his lifeline.
At that moment , I knelt down on one knee, feeling like this was a perfect moment before my presence, I asked her the question. "From the deepest part of my heart, I feel like this is the right time to do this, Sarah, will you be my wife, the mother of my kids and ready to live forever with me?", With tears running down her cheeks, she couldn't contain her emotions.
"Yes!, I'll Gabriel, I always will!." I stood up as we shared a passionate kiss before my parents, I had proposed without a ring, yet it felt so perfect, because something or rather someone or some people who were dear to me was present, My parents.