The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, casting long, golden rays across the sprawling fields of Parker's farm. The dew on the grass sparkled like a sea of diamonds, and the early morning air was crisp and fresh, carrying with it the scent of blooming wildflowers. It was the kind of morning that promised new beginnings, where the world seemed full of possibility.
Lydia stood at the edge of the garden, her gaze sweeping over the rows of vegetables and herbs she and Parker had tended together. The farm had always been a place of refuge for her, a sanctuary from the chaos of her past. Now, it felt more like home than anywhere she had ever known.
She knelt down, gently brushing her fingers over the leaves of a rosemary plant. Her thoughts drifted to Parker, and a smile tugged at her lips. He had always been there for her, even when she didn't realize she needed him. From the moment she returned home, heartbroken and lost, he had been her rock, her constant in a world that felt like it was falling apart.
As if on cue, she heard the familiar sound of Parker's boots crunching on the gravel path behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know it was him; she could sense his presence, feel the warmth of his gaze on her even before he spoke.
"Morning, sunshine," Parker's deep voice rumbled softly, a hint of amusement in his tone.
Lydia turned to face him, her heart doing that little flutter it always did when he was near. He was standing a few feet away, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his jeans, looking every bit the ruggedly handsome man she had fallen for. The early morning light highlighted the sharp angles of his face, the strength in his jaw, and the warmth in his hazel eyes.
"Good morning," she replied, standing up to meet him.
Parker's eyes softened as he took her in, and without another word, he closed the distance between them. He reached out, his large hand gently cupping her cheek, his thumb brushing over her skin with a tenderness that made her breath catch.
"I was looking for you," he said, his voice low and intimate. "Figured you'd be out here, taking care of our garden."
"Our garden," Lydia echoed, the words filling her with a warmth that spread from her chest to the tips of her fingers. "I like the sound of that."
Parker's lips quirked into a smile, and he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "So do I."
They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's presence, the world around them fading into the background. It was in these quiet moments that Lydia felt the depth of their connection, the unspoken understanding that passed between them without the need for words.
But today, there was something different in Parker's gaze, a seriousness that Lydia hadn't seen before. She felt a flutter of apprehension in her chest as she looked up at him, searching his eyes for a clue to what he was thinking.
"Parker, is something on your mind?" she asked gently, her hand coming up to rest on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm.
Parker's gaze flickered, and he took a deep breath, as if steeling himself for what he was about to say. "There is," he admitted, his voice soft but steady. "I've been thinking a lot about us, Lydia. About our future."
Lydia's heart skipped a beat. She had known this conversation was coming, had felt it building between them for some time now. But hearing him say the words, seeing the earnestness in his eyes, made it all feel so real, so immediate.
"What about our future?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Parker's hand slid from her cheek to the back of her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair as he pulled her closer. "I want you by my side, Lydia. Always. I want to build a life with you, here on this farm, where we can be happy and free to love each other without holding back."
Lydia felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She had never doubted Parker's love for her, but hearing him speak so openly, so earnestly about their future, made her realize just how deeply he cared for her.
"I want that too, Parker," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "More than anything."
Parker's eyes searched hers, and for a moment, it seemed as if he was trying to memorize every detail of her face, every curve and line. Then, with a tenderness that took her breath away, he lowered his head and captured her lips in a slow, lingering kiss.
It was the kind of kiss that spoke of promises and dreams, of a future filled with love and happiness. Lydia melted into him, her arms winding around his neck as she kissed him back with everything she had. She could feel the intensity of his emotions in the way he held her, the way his lips moved against hers as if he couldn't get enough.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing heavily, their foreheads pressed together as they tried to catch their breath.
"I love you, Lydia," Parker murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "I've loved you for so long, and I can't imagine my life without you."
Lydia's heart swelled with emotion, and she pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, her lips trembling slightly as she whispered back, "I love you too, Parker. So much."
For a long moment, they simply stood there, holding each other, the world around them quiet and still. It was as if time had stopped, allowing them this moment of peace and clarity.
But then, Parker pulled back slightly, his expression turning more serious as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. Lydia's breath hitched in her throat as she realized what he was about to do.