Summary: Widower Noa Keawe proposes to his girlfriend in Aurelia.
Author’s note: This was written for Round 54 of #ChoicesCreates: Important Questions/Weddings
Although Noa had visited Aurelia many times before, this time was different. One way or another, the course of his future would change.
After his wife Luana had died, Noa focused on raising their son Koa and on ruling Ebrimel with Kailani. He wasn’t looking for a serious relationship. He hadn’t expected to fall in love again, but while in Aurelia, he had met a beautiful young woman named Chrysantha Lucerne. He was drawn to her immediately, and began traveling to Aurelia more often so that he could see her. As they grew closer, it became harder for him to be separated from her. Now he and Kailani were in Aurelia to talk about political issues with Annelyse, but he had a more personal reason as well: he was going to ask Chrysantha to marry him.
As they entered the Golden Hall, they were greeted by Annelyse. Koa had come with them, and he ran up to her eagerly.
“You’re getting so big!” she said to Koa. She then looked to Noa. “Shall we go find Chrysantha? I’m sure she’d be happy to watch Koa while we talk politics.”
Soon Koa was running up to Chrysantha, and she gave him a hug. “I missed you!”
Noa smiled as he watched them together. He was so happy that Koa liked Chrysantha and that Chrysantha was so good with him. “Did you miss me too?”
“Of course I did!” She gave him a hug and a quick kiss.
Noa and Kailani spent the day discussing politics with Annelyse, and then they all had dinner together. After they put Koa to bed, Noa turned to Chrysantha. “Would you like to go for a walk in the gardens?”
She nodded, and he reached for her hand. As they headed out, they passed Kailani and Annelyse, who were sitting close together. Noa noticed the way that Kailani was looking at Annelyse. Maybe he wasn’t the only one that had found love in Aurelia.
Noa had become very close to Kenna and Raydan, and he knew that their relationship had begun in the Aurelian gardens. Years later, they were still very much in love. Although he knew he would never be able to pull off anything nearly as romantic as Raydan had, he hoped that he and Chrysantha could begin their future together there and be just as blessed.
Noa and Chrysantha began strolling through the gardens. When Noa noticed some yellow daffodils, he plucked one and handed it to Chrysantha. “For you, my golden flower.” Although Noa didn’t have the knowledge of flowers that Raydan had, he knew what Chrysantha’s name meant.
She smiled. “Thank you. And this is for you.” She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.
When they pulled apart, he faced her and looked into her eyes. “Chrysantha, I love you. I never thought I could be this happy again, but then I met you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
Chrysantha’s eyes widened. “Yes! Yes, of course!” She jumped into his arms, and they kissed passionately. She then pulled her head back and gazed at him tenderly. “I love you too, Noa. So much.”