After a lovely dinner, Ethan, Alex, and Emma took charge of cleaning up the dishes. They strictly instructed Olivia to go for a walk, take her multivitamin, and rest while they tackled the kitchen duties. Olivia, already feeling the day's activities catching up with her, reluctantly agreed. She took her medication, then stretched out on the sofa, battling the sleep that was steadily overtaking her.
As Ethan, Alex, and Emma worked in the kitchen, the sound of laughter and playful banter echoed around. When they finally finished, Ethan stepped out and immediately noticed Olivia, fast asleep on the sofa. With a soft smile, he signaled Emma and Alex to be quiet. Quietly, he walked over and gently scooped Olivia into his arms.
The moment he lifted her, Olivia smiled in her sleep, nestling closer to his chest as if sensing his familiar presence. "Ethan..." she murmured softly, a gentle smile playing on her lips. Ethan couldn't help but chuckle quietly, his heart swelling with affection.
As he carried her up to their bedroom, she mumbled again, "I love you, honeybun."
Ethan bit his lip to stop his laughter from waking her up, but the nickname caught him off guard. "Honeybun?" he whispered, thoroughly amused. Once he laid her gently on the bed and kissed her forehead, he couldn't resist the urge to grab her phone and change his contact name to "Honeybun ❤️🐻." He chuckled to himself, imagining Olivia's reaction when she found out.
He signaled to Emma, who followed them upstairs, to lay next to Olivia in bed. "She's going to be out cold for a while," he whispered. Emma smiled as she snuggled beside her best friend, while Ethan and Alex headed to the guest room.
Alex was uncharacteristically quiet, his brow furrowed as if lost in deep thought. Ethan, noticing the serious expression, decided to ask, "You alright, man? You seem distracted."
Alex sighed, nodding slightly. "Yeah, I'm fine... I was just thinking about the proposal." He glanced over at Ethan, a slight frown on his face. "I actually planned to propose to Emma at the grand launch event, but then the pregnancy news came out. I didn't want to take the spotlight away from you guys. Since then, I've just been carrying the ring everywhere, waiting for the right moment."
Ethan felt a pang of guilt. He hadn't realized how much Alex had been holding back. "Man, I'm sorry... I didn't know. But you shouldn't feel like you're ruining anything. You've been so patient."
Ethan's mind whirled with ideas, and then it hit him. "You know what? Let's make it happen tomorrow! I'll help you plan a grand proposal, something Emma will never forget."
Alex's face lit up at the suggestion. "What do you have in mind?"
Ethan grinned, excitement growing. "We'll set it up in the dome garden. You could lead her on a little treasure hunt with clues, and each one can bring her closer to the final destination—the dome. I'll decorate the whole place with her favorite flowers and string lights. We'll have floating lanterns all around, creating a magical vibe. And there, in the middle of it all, you'll be waiting with the ring."
Alex's eyes sparkled as he listened, clearly loving the idea. "That sounds perfect, Ethan."
"And don't forget to record the whole thing!" Ethan added. "It'll be a memory you'll want to cherish. Trust me, after losing my mom so young, I made it a point to document every special moment. Photos, videos... they're all I have left of her."
Alex nodded, feeling touched by Ethan's sentiment. "Yeah, you're right. I want every moment captured."
With the plan in place, Ethan and Alex wasted no time. They quietly snuck into the dome garden, gathering decorations to transform the space into a dreamlike scene for the proposal. White roses, twinkling fairy lights, and floating lanterns were all part of the setup. Together, they worked through the night, ensuring every detail would be perfect for tomorrow's grand moment.
As they strung up the last set of lights and stepped back to admire their handiwork, Alex couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement mixed with nerves. "She's going to love this."
Ethan clapped him on the shoulder. "You've got this, man. Tomorrow's going to be one of the best days of your life."
They shared a smile, knowing that tomorrow would be unforgettable, not just for Emma and Alex, but for everyone.