Chapter 7: A Proposal in the Making
The days had passed in a blur since Simon returned home. His mandatory year of rest had been nothing like the time he had expected. Instead of the solitude he anticipated, he found himself immersed in family life, the chaos of daily life bringing with it an odd sense of comfort. And through it all, there was Gigi.
A Special Day
It was the evening before their seventh anniversary, and Simon was sitting in the expansive study of the Jenner family estate. His fingers tapped lightly on the desk, his thoughts far from the stack of papers in front of him. He had been planning this for months—ever since he decided that he would return to Gigi, to make things right, to finally show her what she meant to him.
Tomorrow, he thought. Tomorrow will be the day I ask her to be mine forever.
He had been preparing for this moment for years, but it had taken him time to decide exactly how he would do it. There were many ways to propose, but Simon knew Gigi. She was not one for grand gestures or anything too flashy. She would want something personal. Simple. Something that showed him how much he truly understood her.
But he still wasn't sure. His combat-honed mind was great at strategy and war, but this... this was different.
A Quiet Dinner
The next day, Gigi was already excited. She had planned to spend the evening with Simon, celebrating the anniversary of the day they first met. She had no idea what Simon had in mind, though. He had been distant lately—suspiciously so—but in the best way possible. His quiet confidence had made her think he was planning something special.
As evening approached, Simon prepared dinner in the large, modern kitchen of the mansion. Gigi watched him from the doorway, leaning against the frame with a soft smile on her lips. "I still can't believe you're cooking," she teased. "Are you sure this isn't some elaborate plan to get out of a proposal?"
Simon chuckled softly, not looking up from the stovetop. "I promise you, I'm not trying to get out of anything."
Gigi raised an eyebrow. "Then what's with all the secrecy lately?"
He turned to face her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Would you believe me if I said it was all part of the surprise?"
She crossed her arms, her gaze intense yet playful. "I don't know... you're pretty good at keeping secrets, but I have my suspicions."
Simon's heart raced as he finished setting the table. This dinner was a small part of a much bigger plan. He had already asked Kris for her blessing, and his family was in on the surprise. It was all coming together. But now, as the evening unfolded, Simon realized how nervous he was. He had faced countless battles, dealt with life-and-death situations, but this... this moment with Gigi felt like the greatest challenge of his life.
A Surprise Announcement
Dinner was served, and Simon and Gigi shared an intimate meal together. The conversation flowed effortlessly, as it always did between them. They spoke about everything and nothing—old memories, the future, and everything they hoped to build together. But as dessert came to an end, Simon stood, his voice suddenly more serious.
"Gigi, there's something I've been planning," Simon began, his gaze steady but his heart pounding.
Gigi looked up, her eyes curious but warm. "What's that?"
Simon stepped closer, his crimson eyes softening as he reached into his pocket. His fingers brushed against the small box inside, and he paused. It's not the time yet, he reminded himself. Not yet.
"I've been given a second chance in this life," Simon said quietly. "I've fought, I've bled, I've seen the worst of the world. But none of that matters if I can't come home to someone who makes everything worth it."
Gigi stood up, a look of concern crossing her features. "Simon, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying," he continued, "that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Gigi. I want to build a life that's ours. But, I also need to make sure this moment is right."
Gigi's expression softened, her eyes glistening with understanding. "You're not ready yet, are you?"
Simon shook his head, offering her a small smile. "No, not yet. But I will be. Soon."
Gigi closed the gap between them and placed a hand on his chest. "Whenever you're ready, Simon, I'm ready."
He sighed with relief, a weight lifting off his shoulders. This wasn't the grand proposal he'd envisioned, but it was real. Honest. They didn't need fireworks or elaborate gestures to understand each other.
For the first time in years, Simon realized he had everything he needed in that moment. The rest would come when it was meant to.
To be continued...