S A R A H

I lean against Noah's chest, his arms wrapped around me like a fortress. The warmth of his embrace contrasts with the cool night air that brushes against my skin.

We're sitting on the balcony, wrapped in a shared blanket, the city lights twinkling below us, but my eyes are drawn to the moon. Its silver glow bathes everything in a soft light, making the moment feel almost ethereal.

Our bare bodies press together, under the blanket. His fingers trace absent patterns on my chest, and I close my eyes, letting myself sink deeper into the feeling of safety and love that his presence brings. It feels surreal, almost fragile, like if I speak too loudly, the moment will shatter.

"You're quiet," Noah murmurs, his lips brushing against my hair.

"I'm just... happy," I whisper, tilting my head back to look at him. His eyes catch the moonlight, glowing with a warmth that makes my heart ache in the best way. "I never thought I'd feel this kind of peace again."

His lips curve into a smile, soft and genuine. "Me neither."

We fall into silence again, the kind that doesn't feel heavy or awkward. It's the kind of silence that speaks louder than words. I reach up, my fingers brushing against his cheek, and he leans into my touch, closing his eyes for a moment.

"You're staring," he teases, opening his eyes again.

I laugh softly, my cheeks warming. "Can't help it. You're kind of nice to look at."

He smirks, leaning down until our noses almost touch. "Only kind of?"

"Don't push your luck," I tease back, but my voice wavers slightly, betraying how much I adore him.

He doesn't reply with words. Instead, he kisses me, slow and deliberate, as if he's savoring every second. His lips are soft against mine, unhurried, but full of emotion. My hand finds its way to the back of his neck, pulling him closer, as if I could melt into him completely.

His arms tighten around me, and for a moment, I feel his heart racing against mine. It's like the world fades away, leaving just the two of us under the vast expanse of the sky.

"You're my everything," he says suddenly, his voice breaking the stillness. "I know I've made mistakes. I know I've hurt you, but I swear, I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

I shake my head, tears pricking my eyes. "You already have, Noah. Just being here... loving me... that's enough."

He presses a kiss to my forehead, lingering there as if trying to convey all the things he can't put into words.

We sit like that for what feels like hours, watching the moon climb higher into the sky. The cool breeze carries the faint scent of flowers from the garden below, and I feel a sense of contentment I haven't known in years.

"Do you ever think about the future?" I ask, breaking the comfortable silence.

"All the time," he says without hesitation. "And you're always in it."

I smile, my chest swelling with emotion. "Good. Because I don't want a future without you."

He pulls me closer, his lips brushing against my temple. "You won't have to."

As the night deepens, we stay there, wrapped in each other and the promise of a life filled with love and second chances. And for the first time in a long time, I feel like everything is exactly as it should be.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" Noah asks, his voice low and soft.

I smile, tilting my head to look up at him. "How could I forget? You were so arrogant. You didn't even say hello, just gave me that cocky smirk and walked away."

He laughs, the sound deep and warm. "In my defense, I was trying not to stare too much. You were... distracting."

"Distracting?" I raise an eyebrow, feigning offense. "That's what you're going with?"

"Completely," he says, leaning down. "You walked into my life like you owned the room, and I didn't know what to do with myself."

I roll my eyes but can't help the smile that tugs at my lips. "You were impossible."

"And yet, here we are," he says, his tone softening. "Funny how life works."

I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Do you ever think about how close we were to losing this? How everything could have gone differently?"

"Every single day," he replies, his hand brushing through my hair. "That's why I'm never letting you go again."

The sincerity in his voice makes my chest tighten, and I reach up to brush my fingers along his jaw. "I don't want you to."

We lapse into silence again, the kind that feels full and comforting. His hand keeps moving through my hair, lulling me into a state of peaceful contentment.

"What's something you've never told me?" I ask suddenly, my voice breaking the stillness.

He pauses for a moment, as if considering. "I used to write you letters," he admits quietly.

"Letters?" I pull back slightly to look at him.

He nods, a sheepish smile on his face. "When we weren't talking, when I thought I'd lost you... I wrote everything I couldn't say out loud. I never sent them, though. Just kept them in a drawer."

I stare at him, my heart swelling with a mixture of sadness and love. "Noah..."

"They're yours if you ever want them," he says, brushing his thumb along my cheek. "But only if you promise not to laugh at my handwriting."

I laugh softly, the sound catching in my throat. "I promise."

As the night deepens, our conversation turns to lighter topics, dreams for the future, places we want to visit, the little things we want to do together. His voice is like a melody, soothing and full of warmth, and I find myself sinking deeper into his embrace with every passing minute.

Eventually, exhaustion begins to creep in. Noah notices first, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "You're falling asleep on me," he teases.

"Am not," I mumble, though my eyes are already half-closed.

He chuckles, shifting slightly so he can lift me into his arms. "Come on, let's get you to bed."

I don't protest, letting him carry me inside. He places me gently on the bed, tucking the blanket around me before slipping in beside me. His arms find their way around me again, pulling me close.

As I drift off, the last thing I hear is his whispered promise: "I'll love you forever, Sarah."

And for the first time in what feels like forever, I fall asleep with a heart that feels whole.

"I love you too, Noah."