Chapter 14
The following weeks were filled with quiet changes. Lila didn't overhaul her life overnight, but she took small, deliberate steps toward releasing her perfectionism. She started saying "good enough" more often, leaving small tasks unfinished if they weren't crucial. She even gave herself permission to have a messy kitchen after cooking, something she never would've tolerated before.
But it wasn't always easy. Some days, the familiar anxiety crept back in, whispering that she should double-check her work or fix the details that weren't quite right. On those days, Lila had to remind herself that not everything needed to be perfect to be meaningful.
Alex noticed the changes. He watched her with quiet pride, always offering gentle encouragement when he saw her struggling. They began to spend more time together in ways that felt less about accomplishment and more about being present—simple walks, casual dinners, and lazy Sundays on the couch.
One Sunday afternoon, they found themselves in their small living room, Alex flipping through a book while Lila absentmindedly sketched on a notepad. The house was quiet, save for the soft rustling of pages and the occasional crackle from the fireplace.
"I've been thinking," Alex said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence.
"About what?" Lila asked, looking up from her sketch.
"About us. Our future." His voice was calm, but there was an underlying seriousness to it.
Lila felt her heart skip a beat. "What do you mean?"
Alex set his book aside and turned to her, his expression thoughtful. "We've been through a lot together. And I know we're still figuring some things out—especially with you trying to let go of perfectionism. But I've been thinking about what comes next for us. Where we're headed."
Lila's heart raced slightly as she tried to read his face. "Are you… talking about something specific?"
Alex smiled, reaching over to take her hand. "Yeah. I want to start planning our future together. I'm talking about marriage, about building a life—maybe even a family someday. But I want to make sure you're ready too."
Lila blinked, her heart doing somersaults. She hadn't expected this conversation today, but hearing it made her realize how much she'd already thought about it, even if she hadn't voiced it out loud.
"I've thought about it too," she admitted, her voice soft. "A lot, actually. But I guess part of me was scared. I've always felt like I needed to have everything figured out before we could take that step. Like I needed to be 'perfect' first, you know?"
Alex's gaze softened. "You don't have to be perfect, Lila. You just have to be you. I want to spend my life with you—the messy, imperfect, wonderful you."
Her chest tightened with emotion, and for a moment, she struggled to find the words. "I want that too. I want a future with you, Alex. But I think part of me was afraid that if I wasn't ready in every possible way, I might ruin it. That I'd make mistakes."
"We're both going to make mistakes," Alex said gently. "That's part of life, part of being in a relationship. But that doesn't mean we can't have something amazing together."
Lila looked into his eyes, seeing the truth of his words, and felt her heart swell with love for him. He was right—they didn't have to be perfect. They just had to keep showing up for each other, learning and growing together.
"So… what do you think?" Alex asked, a playful glint in his eyes now. "Do you want to start planning our messy, imperfect future?"
Lila smiled, her heart full. "Yeah. I do."
The following weeks passed in a whirlwind of excitement and quiet conversations about their future. They didn't rush anything—there were no grand announcements or elaborate wedding plans just yet. Instead, they focused on the small steps. They talked about what they wanted their life together to look like—where they might live, what kind of home they wanted to build, and what their hopes were for the future.
One evening, while they were curled up on the couch, Alex casually mentioned the idea of taking a trip together—just the two of them, away from the pressures of everyday life.
"Where would we go?" Lila asked, intrigued.
"I was thinking somewhere quiet, maybe up in the mountains. Just us, no distractions," Alex suggested, his voice soft.
Lila liked the sound of that. The idea of retreating into nature, away from everything, felt like the perfect opportunity to deepen their bond.
A few days later, they packed their bags and headed to a small cabin nestled in the mountains. The air was crisp and cool when they arrived, the towering trees and distant mountains creating a peaceful, secluded atmosphere. Lila immediately felt herself relax, the weight of the world slipping off her shoulders.
For the next few days, they spent their time hiking, sitting by the fire, and talking late into the night. The natural beauty around them and the simplicity of their days allowed them to focus on each other in ways they hadn't in a long time.
On their last night in the cabin, Alex surprised Lila with a quiet dinner under the stars. He had strung fairy lights around the trees, creating a soft glow that illuminated the small table he had set up outside. The evening was cool, but the warmth of the fire crackling nearby kept them comfortable.
As they sat down to eat, Lila felt a deep sense of contentment. There was no pressure, no need for everything to be perfect. It was just them, together, enjoying the moment.
After dinner, as they sat by the fire, Alex turned to her, his eyes serious but full of love. "Lila, I know we've been talking about our future a lot, but there's something I've been wanting to ask you."
Lila's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"
Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, his hands steady as he opened it to reveal a simple, elegant ring.
"Lila, will you marry me?"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at the ring, then back at Alex. She had never felt more certain of anything in her life.
"Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Yes, I will."
Alex slid the ring onto her finger, and they both sat there, wrapped in the glow of the fire and the love they had built together. It wasn't a grand, elaborate proposal—it was simple, intimate, and perfect in its own way.
As the stars twinkled above them, Lila realized that she had finally let go of her need for perfection. Life was messy, unpredictable, and full of surprises, but in that mess, she had found something real—something that made every imperfect moment worth it.
And as Alex held her close, she knew that their future, whatever it held, would be just as beautiful.