"But he who dares not to grasp the thorn should never crave for the rose"

~*~

Five years later :-   ( INDIA)

Blake got down the stairs with excitement filled in his blue eyes. He was very happy that day.  He had a bouquet of white and red flowers in his hand, and he had worn a light-blue button down.

"Good morning, mom," he chirped. Mrs.Halter smiled at him. "Good morning. Come have your breakfast."

"Oh, no, mom. Today there's no time for that," he said.

"But it's still very early to go to the hospital."

Blake shook his head. "It's not that. Bye mom!"

"Wait Bla--," Mrs.Halter began, but he was already gone. She shook her head in mock dissapointment.

Blake's eyes glistened. It was a big day for him. He was going to propose Lucy today and he wanted everything to be perfect. He had waited for the right time, for the right age, and now that they were settled with their jobs, he thought it was alright to do it. Blake hid the bouquet in the car and called Lucy.

"Ready?" he asked through the phone. He had told her he had a surprise for her.

"Ready," she replied. He smiled as he disconnected the phone.

Lucy opened the door. She had worn a light-purple dress with pink flowers embeded on it. She looks beautiful, Blake thought, but forbore to say it. Lucy had got most of her memory back, leaving out a bit of it. But Blake didn't care; things were back to normal and plus they had built alot more memories, which were much beautiful than the first ones.

"Let's go," Lucy said, wearing her seat belt. Blake smiled and pushed the accelerator.

"So, where are we going?" she asked.

"You'll see," he grinned.

Lucy looked forward, noticing that the place was far from the city. They crossed the hustle and bustle of the cars and the skyscrapers, and were driving along a calm and scenic road. After almost an hour, Blake stopped the car. He got out the car and opened the door for Lucy. She got out, closing the door behind her.

"Come on," he said, extending his hand. Lucy placed her hand in his and he clasped it gently, walking her to a small cottage.  The entrance was semi-circular gate, decorated with flowers and their gentle fragrance filled the air. Blake pushed the door open and led her in.

Lucy was surprised to see what this little cottage contained. It was circular room, dark, pitch-black. But the thing that surprised Lucy were the thousands of stars. Yes, thousands of stars were protruding out, forming a three-D effect in the room. They glowed in their positions, some high above the ceiling, some below, and some Lucy's height. Lucy moved forward and touched one.

It formed a circular image of them. A small image of Blake and Lucy dancing on the road floated in the air. She was spellbound. It looked so beautiful.

"Touch them, and you'll find us," Blake whispered to her. Lucy touched another star. It formed their image again, this time in America, with the lanterns.

"How did you do this?" she asked.

He grinned. "Well, that's a secret"

She laughed. She touched another one, and it went on. Numerous images of them floated in the room, like butterflies. And, Blake spoke from behind.

"I love you, Lucy. I've never loved anyone more than you. I want to grow old with you. You complete me, and without you I'm just some man without a soul. You don't know what you do to me. I want to be there for you forever, protect you, be there for you in each and every moment of your life. You make me feel like I'm the luckiest man on earth. You, you are the only one I want to live with..," he said, as Lucy touched the last star which was in her reach. It vanished. "You've got me on my knees."

Blake was on his knees, smiling.

"Will you be my wife? Will you marry me, Lucy?"

Lucy's heart bloomed with mirth. She couldn't believe it.

"Yes, Blake, I will," she said, smiling, light oceans of tears forming in her eyes. Blake threw his arms around her. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"I love you, Blake," she said, rocking in his arms gently as a slow, romantic music played in the background.

Perhaps certain decisions in your life are just the right ones. You don't think twice before taking them, but somewhere down your heart, a small voice calls out, "Yes, you've done the right thing." And these decisions are never regretted. Because these are the decisions that your heart makes. Irrevocably, clumsily, unthinkably, laughably and purely.

~*~

" OH MY GOD!" Kristine screamed in delight. People turned to look at her in the cafe. She redened and apologized. Eros laughed. "It's your habit," he said.

"Congratulations," Eros and Kristine then said in unison.

"Thank you," Blake and Lucy chirped, laughing.

"Thirteen years. We managed to pull it together, after all," Kristine said, smiling. The four of them looked at each other. Yes, thirteen years and they had been there for each other as pillars of support and strength.

"When's the wedding, by the way?" Eros asked, breaking the silence. Lucy and Blake looked at each other blankly.

"We.. we don't know," Lucy said.

"I think that'll take them another 13 years to decide," said Eros, sighing.

"Since you both haven't even planned anything, I have an idea. You both will have two weddings," Kristine said, out of nowhere.

"Two weddings?" Blake asked, surprised.

"Yes. One in church and one in Indian style. You know, with all the rituals and everything."

"Kristine-," Blake began.

"When will you both get married?" Lucy interrupted. Eros and Kristine looked at her in surprise. She sighed.

"Look, guys. We've grown up, okay? We all will now have less time for each other. Eros will be busy with his criminal cases, he's a lawyer. Kristine, you will be busy reporting the news. Do you both think you're gonna get time? Don't you understand? And let's not pretend that you both aren't madly in love with one another and cannot think of a life without each other," Lucy explained.

"And you, Eros. Why don't you propose her?" Blake asked, annoyed.

Eros looked at Kristine who was now blushing. A smile crept across his face.

"Okay," he said, trying to supress his laughter.

"It's not funny," Lucy said. Blake looked at Eros and smiled, trying to control laughing as well.

"What exactly is so funny for you both?" Kristine said, looking up. Eros' smile widened. Lucy couldn't control it herself.  Kristine looked at the three of them, confused. Then, they burst out laughing.

"It's just that.. I'm so not used to serious talk," Eros said, laughing.

"I know, right," Lucy said, joining in. Once they had finally finished with laughing, Kristine spoke again.

"We'll carry out with your two - wedding plan then. And as for your engagement, Eros and myself will plan it for next week," Kristine assured.

"And I'll convince your parents. Actually it will be easy, they won't even need convincing," Eros said, folding his arms across his chest. Blake and Lucy looked at each other and smiled. Then, they threw their arms around  them and said, "THANK YOU!"

~*~

That night, Lucy looked at the moon with pleasure. Blake wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"It's 3.a.m, Blake," she said, looking at him.

"I saw you awake. These are the perks of having an extra key to your house," he said. Lucy laughed.

"I'm so happy, Blake. We're beginning to live a new life now, where we'll be together, always"

Blake nodded and kissed her forehead.

" I love that," she said.

"And I love you."

She smiled. Her heart was beating faster than before. She held Blake's hand and looked at him, who gave her a geniune smile filled with love and affection.

" I wish this moment freezes right here, forever," she said.

"We'll have many more to come. But I want all the moments to freeze, all the moments I've spent with you," he said.

Blake and Lucy were so incomplete without each other. Blake without Lucy was like a bird without a sky. And as for Lucy, she was a sea without Blake. A sea without a shore. Because some people are just made for each other. And they, after all, were one of them.

~*~

Next chapter: The Engagement.

Only three more chapters left. Thank you so much to all my amazing readers who are so encouraging and inspiring! ^^
~*~