The sun was beginning its slow descent when Hansen climbed the last set of stairs to the rooftop, a box of decorations tucked under one arm. The air was warm, the sky painted in gold and rose. Perfect.
Lucas was already there, stringing up lights along the railing.
"Finally," Lucas huffed. "I thought you fell down the stairs."
"Not today," Hansen shot back, setting his things down. "We don't have time for me to die." Lucas snorted. "Point taken."
Together, they transformed the rooftop into a warm, glowing sanctuary. Hansen worked silently, carefully, almost reverently. Soft amber fairy lights wrapped around the posts
A pathway of candles leading to the center
White and blush roses arranged beside a small table
A speaker hidden behind a planter for the song he would sing. A framed photo of him and Sunshine from their first week together.
Lucas watched him step back and admire the setup, awe creeping onto his face.
"Bro… this is actually beautiful."
"It needs to be," Hansen murmured. "She deserves nothing less."
Meanwhile, Ciara kept Sunshine occupied at their place. Sunshine sat on her bed while Ciara rummaged through her closet for the "perfect outfit."
"Why do I need to dress up?" Sunshine asked, confused. "It's a regular evening."
Ciara poked her head out of the closet. "Because, sweet girl, sometimes you just feel pretty for no reason."
Sunshine frowned. "That makes no sense."
"It doesn't have to." Ciara shoved a soft, flowing dress into her hands. "Wear this."
Sunshine held the dress up. "Ciara, this is too nice for..."
"For Hansen?" Ciara raised a brow. "Really?"
Sunshine flushed slightly. "…Fine."
As Sunshine changed, Ciara texted Hansen.
She's getting dressed. You better be ready.
Back on the rooftop, Hansen read the message and his breath caught. "She's on her way."
"Relax," Lucas said, handing him a small velvet ring box. "And stand up straight. You look like you're waiting for a dentist appointment."
Hansen took the ring, his hands trembling. "Lucas…"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks. For helping."
Lucas punched his shoulder lightly. "You deserve to be happy too, man. And Sunshine… she's happiness."
Before Hansen could answer, Ciara texted again.
We're leaving now. 5 minutes. She's perfect. Don't mess this up. Hansen shoved his hands into his pockets, pacing in small circles as Lucas lit the last candle. The rooftop glowed. It was quiet, warm, romantic and ready.
As footsteps echoed up the stairwell, Hansen froze. Lucas whispered, "Showtime," and slipped behind a tree to watch from a distance.
The moment Sunshine stepped onto the rooftop garden, she froze. Her dress swayed gently, her hair catching the glow of the candles.The entire place shimmered. Fairy lights draped from the railings like falling stars. Soft music floated in the air, and the walkway leading inward was lined with white rose petals.
At the center of it all, Hansen stood with his back toward her, hands behind him, shoulders slightly trembling. Sunshine gasped, her heart pounding.
"H…Hansen?"
He turned. When Hansen turned to face her, his breath left his chest. She had never looked more beautiful. Her breath hitched. He looked breathtaking in his black suit, open collar, hair slightly windswept by the cool night breeze, but most of all, his eyes were soft, warm, overflowing with love.He walked toward her slowly.
Each step heavy with emotion. Hansen stepped forward, stopping right before her, he took both her hands gently almost reverently with the glow of the candles reflecting in his eyes. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke.
"Sunshine…"
His voice cracked already, surprising even him. He took a shaky breath, "I've rehearsed this speech so many times… but now that you're in front of me, every word feels too small." Her lips parted, her breath catching.
"You came into my life quietly. No noise. No expectations. Just… light." He swallowed hard.
"A light that reached places in me I didn't even know were dark."
Sunshine's eyes flooded instantly.
"You made me better, without trying. You made this house a home. You made this heart.." He pressed her hand against his chest, "...alive again."
Sunshine's eyes began to glisten.
"You changed me," he whispered. "You made me want to be better. Not for the world. Not for anyone else. For you."
A tear slid down her cheek. Hansen reached up but didn't touch her, he wanted her to feel everything without distraction.
Hansen knelt down slowly, one knee on the glowing pathway, lights reflecting in his watery eyes. He brought out a small velvet box. "I don't want a life where I look around… and you're not there."
His voice softened to a trembling whisper.
"I don't want mornings without your smile, or nights without your laugh, or a future that doesn't have you in every part of it. Sunshine… you're my peace. You're my home. You're the only future that makes sense to me.
With every part of me, I promise to love you, protect you, and grow with you. If you'll let me, I want to spend the rest of my life making you feel as treasured as you truly are"
She covered her mouth, tears spilling.
Sunshine let out a broken sob. Hansen opened the box revealing a ring more elegant than extravagant, timeless, meaningful.
" Kendra Sunshine Cruz…
Will you marry me?"
The world stood still. Sunshine stared at him through blurry eyes, her heart pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks, but a soft, trembling smile tugged at her lips.
"H-Hansen…" she whispered, trying to breathe, but the emotion hit her like a wave.
Every moment they had shared, every argument, every apology, every laugh flashed before her eyes so vividly she felt overwhelmed.
She covered her face for a second, overwhelmed with happiness she couldn't speak. Her shoulders shaking and tears falling uncontrollably.
Hansen panicked instantly. "Sunshine? Sunshine, hey, are you okay?"
He stood up, holding her, wiping her cheeks gently. She grabbed his shirt and cried into his chest throwing her arms around his neck.
"Yes…"
She breathed out shakily.
"Yes! I'll marry you!"
Hansen… yes, a thousand times yes!"
He froze then laughed out a relieved, overwhelmed sound as he hugged her tightly. He lifted her off the ground, spinning her around as she cried against his shoulder.
"You scared me," he whispered, forehead resting on hers.
"You scared me first!" she sniffed..
"You said yes," he breathed, stunned, smiling against her cheek. "You actually said yes."
She laughed through her tears. "How could I ever say no to you?" They stayed there, wrapped in each other as the candles flickered around them, the sky dimming into twilight.
Finally, Hansen pulled back slightly, cupping her face with both hands. "I love you," he said, voice thick.
"I love you too.... always," she whispered back as she smiled through the tears.