The sun filters through the leaves, dappling the clearing with patches of warm light. I lean against our oak tree, its rough bark pressing into my back, and watch as Nathan chases Meri around in circles. Her high-pitched giggles fill the air, mingling with the rustle of leaves and chirping of birds.

It's a perfect day for a birthday picnic. The kind of day that makes you forget, just for a moment, that anything bad could ever happen.

"Careful, you two!" Mum calls out as Meri stumbles, nearly face-planting into the grass. Nathan scoops her up just in time, swinging her onto his shoulders.

"I've got her, Mrs Reid," he says, grinning. "No grass stains on my watch."

I smile, watching them. Nathan's always been good with kids, but he's especially brilliant with Meri. It makes my heart ache in a way I can't quite describe.

Dad appears at my side, offering me a paper plate piled high with food. "Thought you might be hungry," he says softly.

I take it, even though I'm not really. Eating's been a struggle lately, but I know it makes them feel better when I try. "Thanks, Dad."

He settles down next to me, his own plate balanced on his knee. For a while, we just sit in silence, watching Nathan and Meri's game evolve into some sort of complicated tag involving invisible force fields and time freezes.

"How are you feeling today?" Dad asks eventually, his voice casual in that way that means he's trying not to worry me.

I shrug. "Okay. Bit tired, but that's nothing new."

He nods, and I can see him fighting the urge to press for more details. Instead, he says, "It's nice, this. Being out here, all together."

"Yeah," I agree. "It is."

We lapse back into silence. I pick at my food, managing a few bites of sandwich and crisps. It's good - Mum always makes the best picnics - but everything tastes a bit like cardboard these days.

After a while, Nathan and Meri collapse onto the grass near us, both red-faced and panting.

"Having fun?" I ask, grinning at them.

"Your sister," Nathan gasps dramatically, "is trying to kill me. On my birthday, no less!"

Meri giggles, poking him in the side. "You're just slow, old man!"

"Old man?" Nathan clutches his chest in mock outrage. "I'll have you know I'm in the prime of my youth!"

"Yeah, but you're a proper grown-up now," Meri points out. "Eighteen's ancient."

We all laugh at that, and I catch Dad wiping away a fake tear. "Hear that, Beth? We're practically fossils."

"Speak for yourself, I'm still seventeen," I tease.

Mum joins us then, carrying a coolbox. "Who's ready for cake?"

Meri lets out a cheer, scrambling to her feet. "Me, me, me!"

"Hang on a minute," Mum laughs. "Let's sing happy birthday first, shall we?"

We gather around as Mum pulls out the cake - Vanilla sponge, Nathan's favourite. Eighteen candles flicker in the soft breeze as we sing, our voices a bit off-key but full of love.

"Make a wish!" Meri demands as we finish.

Nathan glances at me, his expression soft. "Don't need to," he says quietly. "Got everything I could wish for right here."

I feel a lump form in my throat, but I push it down. Not today. Today is for celebrating.

As Mum starts cutting the cake, Dad pulls out a small pile of presents. "Time for gifts, I reckon," he says.

Nathan protests weakly, but we can all see he's pleased. He's always loved birthdays, even if he tries to play it cool.

There's a new watch from his parents — who are running late, stuck in traffic apparently — a collection of vintage comic books from my parents, and a decorated card from Meri.

"This is from me," I say, handing him a small, wrapped package.

He opens it carefully, revealing a leather-bound notebook. "It's beautiful," he says, running his fingers over the cover.

"Open it," I urge.

He does, and his breath catches as he sees what's inside. I've filled the first few pages with photos - moments from our time together. There's us at the beach. Nathan and Meri building a snowman last winter. The two of us curled up on my sofa.

"Beth," he whispers, "this is... it's amazing. Thank you."

I shrug, suddenly a bit embarrassed. "Thought you might like something to remember... you know. The good times."

He looks up at me, eyes suspiciously bright. "Every time with you is a good time."

"Oh, get a room, you two," Dad grumbles good-naturedly, breaking the moment before it gets too heavy.

We all laugh, and the conversation turns to lighter topics as we dig into the cake. It's delicious, and I manage a few bites before the nausea starts creeping in.

As the afternoon wears on, I find myself getting tired. It's frustrating - I want to join in, to laugh and play like we used to. But my body has other ideas.

Nathan notices, of course. He always does. "Want to sit for a bit?" he asks quietly, nodding towards our tree.

I nod gratefully, and he helps me up. We settle against the trunk, my head on his shoulder, his arm around my waist.

"You okay?" he murmurs.

"Yeah," I say. "Just need a breather."

He presses a kiss to my temple. "Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."

We sit in comfortable silence, watching the others. Mum and Dad are attempting to teach Meri how to play rounders, with limited success. It's nice, seeing them all so relaxed and happy.

"Thank you for this," Nathan says after a while. "For arranging all of it. It's perfect."

I smile up at him. "You're welcome. Though I can't take all the credit - my parents did most of the actual work."

He chuckles. "Still. It means a lot, having everyone here. Especially you."

I swallow hard. "Wouldn't miss it for the world," I manage.

Nathan opens his mouth to say something else, but he's interrupted by the sound of a car pulling up nearby.

"That'll be Mum and Dad," he says, perking up. "Want to go say hello?"

I nod, and he helps me to my feet. We make our way over to where Nathan's parents are climbing out of their car, looking flustered.

"So sorry we're late," his mum says, pulling him into a hug. "Traffic was an absolute nightmare."

"S'alright," Nathan assures her. "You're here now."

There's a flurry of greetings and hugs, Nathan's parents cooing over how much Meri's grown and chatting with my parents. I hang back a bit, suddenly feeling awkward and out of place.

But then Nathan's at my side, arm around my waist, anchoring me. "You good?" he asks softly.

I nod, leaning into him. "Yeah. Just tired."

He kisses my forehead. "We can head off soon if you want. I know it's been a long day."

"No, no," I protest. "It's your birthday. We should stay as long as you want."

Nathan looks at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, he turns to the group.

"Actually," he says, raising his voice slightly to be heard over the chatter, "there's something I'd like to say. If that's alright?"

Everyone falls quiet, looking at him curiously. I frown, confused.

"Nathan?" I whisper. "What are you doing?"

He just smiles at me, that crooked little half-smile that never fails to make my heart skip. Then he takes a deep breath and addresses the group.

"First off, I want to thank you all for being here today. It means the world to me, having everyone I love in one place." He pauses, swallowing hard. "Especially because... well, because I know how precious time is. How quickly things can change."

I feel my chest tighten, realising where this might be going. "Nathan," I start, but he squeezes my hand gently.

"Let me finish?" he asks softly. I nod.

He turns back to the others. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. About life, about the future. About what really matters." His voice cracks slightly, and he clears his throat before continuing. "And I've realised something. Something I think I've known for a long time, but was too scared to admit."

Nathan turns to face me fully then, taking both my hands in his. "Beth," he says, his voice soft but steady, "you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. You make me laugh when I'm sad, push me to be better when I'm lazy, and love me even when I'm being a complete prat."

I laugh wetly at that, feeling tears start to well up.

"I know we're young," Nathan continues. "I know people will say we're crazy. But I don't care. Because I also know, with every fibre of my being, that you're it for me. You're the one I want to spend every day with, for as long as we have."

My heart is pounding so hard I can barely hear over the rush of blood in my ears. Is he really doing this?

"So," Nathan says, and to my shock, he drops to one knee. "Elizabeth Reid. My best friend, my soulmate, the love of my life. Will you marry me?"

For a moment, I can't breathe. Can't think. Can't do anything but stare at him, this beautiful, wonderful boy who's offering me everything I've ever wanted.

Then, finally, I find my voice.

"Yes," I whisper, then louder, "Yes! Of course yes!"

Nathan's face breaks into the most radiant smile I've ever seen. He surges to his feet, pulling me into his arms and kissing me deeply. I can taste the salt of our mingled tears, feel the warmth of his hands on my face.

When we break apart, I'm vaguely aware of the others cheering and clapping. But all I can focus on is Nathan.

"I love you," I whisper, pressing my forehead to his. "So, so much."

"I love you too," he murmurs back. "Always."

And in that moment, surrounded by the people we love, with Nathan's arms around me and his promise ringing in my ears, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, always is possible after all.