Chapter 38 - The Weekend Getaway
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By the time late July rolled around, the intense summer heat had completely blanketed the city in a thick, shimmering haze. Marcus surprised me on a Friday afternoon by packing a small duffel bag and driving us three hours north to a secluded, beautifully rustic cabin on the rugged coastline. The sudden escape from the relentless pace of the clinic was exactly what my soul desperately needed.
The cabin sat perfectly on a high rocky bluff overlooking the vast, endless expanse of the deep blue ocean. The salty breeze whipped through my hair as we stood on the wooden wraparound porch, listening to the rhythmic, soothing crash of the waves against the jagged rocks below.
"This place is absolutely breathtaking, Marcus," I breathed, wrapping my thick cardigan tighter around my shoulders against the evening chill.
"I thought we could use a little time to ourselves," Marcus said softly, stepping up beside me and wrapping his strong arms securely around my waist. "Between the massive clinic expansion, Sophie's graduation, and Ethan's summer classes, it feels like we haven't had a quiet moment to just breathe in months."
"You always know exactly what I need before I even realize I need it," I smiled, leaning my head against his chest, listening to the steady, reassuring beat of his heart.
We spent the entire weekend completely unplugged from the world. We took long, winding walks along the desolate beach, collected smooth sea glass, and drank rich red wine by a crackling fire in the stone hearth.
On our final evening, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant, fiery shades of orange and violet, Marcus took my hand.
"Rachel," he began, his voice suddenly thick with raw emotion.
"What is it?" I asked, turning to face him fully.
May you like
He didn't drop to one knee, and there was no grand, theatrical spectacle. He simply looked deeply into my eyes, his gaze filled with a love so pure and steady it took my breath away.
"I want to spend the rest of my life watching the sunset with you. Marry me."
