Love Stories

Our adventure book

Every Valentine's Day, Christmas, birthday, after an argument, after a business trip, or just a random Friday; he would bring her a book. And she would curl up on the couch and read it, and then she would tell him about it over tea. They cherished those talks together; she loved just talking to him and he loves just watching her talk so excitedly.

For her birthday, he decided that he would build her a bookshelf and fill it with all her favorite books and all the other ones he gave her.

And hidden inside a scrapbook he's made for her is a surprise.

"Oh!" She gasps in surprise as I lead her to the living room. Inside is a bookcase, made of dark wood and polished to a mirror-like finish. It's filled with all the books I've ever bought her. She runs a hand along one of the shelves. "You made this?" She asks, smiling. I nod and she runs over, to engulf me in a hug.
"Thank you," She whispers. "I love it so much." My heart warms, and I smile at her.
"I'm glad you like it."
"I don't like it, I love it!" She squeals, attempting to wrapping her arms around the massive shelf. She runs her hand along all the books, soaking up all the memories of our little talks. Her hand pauses when she reaches a large book. "This is new," she smiles curiously opening it. I've called it our adventure book, like the one in the movie Up. She opens the book, and places a hand over her mouth. I've filled the book with pictures and little things I've saved from our adventures over the years. She laughs as she flips to a page with a selfie of us the first time we went skiing together, way back in grade 10.
"Aww we're so cute!"
Photos of us in New York, skiing, hiking, pictures of her laying on the couch having a lazy day. Christmas, Valentine's Day, random fridays, everything. I've picked the best photos and put them all together in one book. She slowly rifles through the pages, smiling warmly, and as she nears the end, my heart starts to race more and more. She flicks the last page over, and stops to read it.
It reads: I can't wait to go on adventures with you for the rest of our lives. A simple ring is tied to the page.
Her eyes are glued to the page.
"Take my hand," I mumble.
"What?" She says, shaking her head to clear it.
"I'm trying to ask you to marry me, so take my damn hand!" I laugh. Something finally clicks and her eyes spark.
"Stop." She laughs. "Stop. This is not happening." I nod and snatch up the book and untie the ring.
"Hazel Rosalind Gardner, will you go on adventures with me for the rest of out lives?" She nods, smiling so hard she can't speak. I slip the ring on her finger, the thin band complimenting her hand perfectly.
"I love you," she manages to choke out.
Then she kisses me, and I am breathless. It's brimming full of promises, and sweet sunlight, and life and love and hope itself.

YEET guys did u like it?? I'm totally shipping Hazel and Elliot on their own. #hazelliot forever!!! Thanks for reading!