Chapter 9 - The Proposal
The sun was setting over the Hudson River,
painting the sky in shades of violet and gold.
Nathan had taken Leah to the rooftop of the first building he ever owned.
It wasn't a palace,
but a simple brick structure in Brooklyn.
"This is where it started,"
he said,
looking out at the skyline.
"I worked three jobs to buy this place,"
"just like you."
Leah looked at the city,
feeling a sense of peace she had never known.
"We’ve come a long way,"
she said.
Nathan turned to her,
his hands in his pockets.
"I spent my whole life trying to build a fortress,"
"thinking that if I had enough money,"
"nothing could hurt me or my mother."
"But I was wrong."
"I was just building a prison."
"You broke the walls down,
Leah."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small,
velvet box.
He didn't get down on one knee,
because they were equals now.
He stood before her,
the box open to reveal a ring with a simple,
perfect diamond.
"I don't want a maid,"
"and I don't want a business partner."
"I want a wife who will tell me when I’m being an arrogant fool,"
"and who will stand by me when the world gets dark."
Leah felt her breath catch in her throat.
"Nathan..."
"Yes,"
she said,
before he could even ask the question.
"A thousand times,
yes."
As he slipped the ring onto her finger,
the lights of the city began to twinkle,
like a thousand stars reflecting the joy in her heart.
They weren't just a headline anymore.
May you like
They were a family.
***
