look up at him, licking my lips nervously. "What are you doing here, Erik?"
He smiles at me, a dimple flashing in his cheek. "You said to me once that if you could stay in the arcade forever, you would. So, I thought that bringing the arcade to you wouldn't hurt anything." He reaches out, taking my hand. The feel of his hot fingers against my cool ones makes me shiver.
I gaze up at him, not really understanding what's happening. "That doesn't really answer my question, does it?"
He smiles again and shakes his head. "I was trying to think of the best way to beg you to come back to me. And I figured that using a place that we were so happy once could only help my circumstances." He tugs me closer, using his free hand to brush a lock of my hair back and cup my cheek. My eyes fill with tears as I scan his face. He seems so earnest.
"What about the future?" I whisper.
He pulls me against his big body. I lean my head back, not sure that this is even real. Ever so slowly, he starts talking. "I have realized a few things since you left. I realize I don't have any control over what may happen. I can't predict the future. But one thing I can do is be with you, be whatever you need, for as long as you will let me. And I realized how foolish I've been to push you away for something that's completely out of your control. I'm sorry, Annika."
I bite my lip. "That doesn't really solve any of the things you were really worried about though, does it?"
He laces our fingers together, his eyes burning into mine. "None of that really matters though. Does it? I mean, there is an income disparity between us. There is no denying that. And you are much too young for me. But I can't help the way I feel."
He hesitates. "I love you, Annika. So much that it hurts. And if you are willing to set aside all of these shortcomings that I have, I will promise that you will have me for as long as you want me."
My breath leaves my lungs. It takes a second to get my bearings. "What are you saying, Erik?"
He smiles at me softly, that dimple flashing in his cheek again. "If you're asking whether I brought a ring with me, the answer is yes. I don't know if you want that though." He tilts his head, his gaze dropping to my lips. "I love you, Nika. I'm crazy about you. And I'll do whatever I have to do to have you by my side. Even if that means appearing at public functions as nothing more than your boyfriend."
My brow furrows. "Oh, Erik. I was so destroyed when we broke up. I don't know if I can do that again. I don't know that I will survive."
He meets my eye again, stepping back for a second. Then he pulls a ring box out of his pocket, dropping to one knee. My hands fly up, covering my mouth. My eyes widen. "You're going to do this right now?"
He opens the ring box. I’m expecting a gorgeous, dazzling platinum and diamond ring. But instead of that, the ring he won me at the arcade sits nestled amongst the velvet. I start crying at that, the fact that he managed to keep that ring.
It means more to me than I can say.
“See, Annika? I do know you,” he says, grinning. “And I would gladly pledge my life to you rather than see you walk away from me again. Give me your hand.”
I hesitate for a moment, wiping my eyes. Then I take a deep breath and extend my shaking hand towards him.
His fingers are warm when he takes my hand.
"Ready?"
I manage a nod. "Yes, Erik. You have to know that my answer is yes."
He grins. "Let me get through my speech, woman."
Shaking my head, I grin. "Okay."
He takes a deep breath. Looking at me, his gaze fears me. "Nika, you are wise and funny and brave and extremely compassionate. I would be lucky to spend my life with you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?"
Tears overwhelm me, making it almost impossible to speak. I nod enthusiastically, forcing out the word. "Yes…"
He slides the ring up my fourth finger, a grin on his lips. "I'm a lucky man."
He stands up and pulls me close, bending me back