Chapter 245: Will you marry me Kayden Vale?

Rhys

The boat slowed to a gentle drift as we reached the hidden cove, the engine fading into a soft murmur that blended with the rhythmic hush of waves against the hull.

From the deck, I could already see the lanterns glowing in a perfect, luminous circle around a large cream-colored blanket strewn with plush cushions and thousands of scarlet rose petals.

Palm trees stood like silent, graceful sentinels framing the intimate scene, their fronds swaying softly in the warm island breeze as if nature itself had been paid to perform for this exact moment.

The sky had deepened into an inky velvet blackness by the time we arrived at the secluded far side of the island, and the stars were beginning to prick through the darkness like scattered diamonds.

The captain helped us ashore with a knowing smile, steadying the small wooden boat against the gentle surf.

The moment my bare feet sank into the cool, powdery sand, I took Kayden’s hand in mine. His fingers were warm, familiar, yet my own trembled with barely contained anticipation.

I led him toward the lantern-lit circle, my heart thundering so violently in my chest that I feared the sound might echo across the quiet cove.

Even my breathing felt unsteady, shallow, as adrenaline coursed through every vein.

"Rhys... what is this?" Kayden breathed, his voice trembling with pure wonder as we stepped fully into the soft, golden glow.

The lanterns cast flickering shadows that danced across his handsome face, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw and the wide, awestruck shine in his eyes.

Right at the center of the glowing circle, rose petals had been meticulously arranged into the shape of a large, elegant heart.

While Kayden stood transfixed, admiring the delicate setup—the way the petals shimmered like living embers under the lantern light, I lowered myself onto one knee.

My fingers, still shaking, reached into my pocket and pulled out the small velvet box. I opened it slowly, revealing the custom platinum band that held a single brilliant sapphire diamond.

"Kayden Vale," I began.

The sound of his full name made him turn sharply. He gasped audibly when he saw me kneeling there, one hand pressed to his chest as if trying to steady his own racing heart.

I didn’t pause. I couldn’t. The words I had rehearsed for days poured out like a long-awaited confession.

"From the moment you crashed into my life as that annoying, cocky rookie, I knew you had changed everything. I thought I was strong before I met you—tough, independent, unbreakable on the ice and off it. But you showed me what real courage looks like. You taught me how to love without fear, how to fight for someone who matters more than anything else in this world. Falling in love with you has been the greatest, most transformative thing that has ever happened to me. You make me want to be better every single day. I want you as mine forever. I love you so much, Kayden. More than I ever thought possible."

Tears spilled freely down Kayden’s cheeks now, but his smile remained radiant.

I drew in a deep, steadying breath, letting the final words I had carried since the very beginning of our planning finally escape. "Will you marry me?"

For one suspended heartbeat, the only sound was the gentle waves kissing the shore.

My heart pounded so hard against my ribs I could feel it in my throat as I waited.

Then Kayden laughed through his tears and nodded fiercely. "Yes. Yes, Rhys. A thousand times yes. I want forever with you. All of it—the messy parts, the loud parts, the quiet ones, the chaotic hockey seasons and the lazy mornings in bed. I want every single day with you, every single night. I’m yours, completely."

I rose to my feet, slipped the ring onto his finger—it fit perfectly, because I had spent days ensuring every measurement and detail was customized just for him—and pulled him into my arms.

When I drew back just enough, I kissed him slowly, deeply. His hands cupped my face tenderly while I held his waist as if he might vanish like a dream. The salt from his happy tears mixed with the sweet warmth of his lips, and in that perfect moment, the whole universe narrowed down to just us.

Then the cheering erupted from behind us.

"SUPRISE!"

Leo and Miller burst out from behind the palm trees, grinning like mischievous fools. Starlight meowed indignantly in Miller’s arms, clearly unimpressed by the dramatic timing.

On a large tablet set up on a sturdy stand near the blanket, familiar faces filled the screen in a vibrant collage. Soren waved excitedly in his sparkling skating outfit, clearly moments from performing. Rhoda was already crying happy tears, dabbing at her eyes. Gabriella blew dramatic kisses while shouting congratulations.

A handful of our closest teammates—Jaxson, Theo, Luca—and even Coach were all crammed into the video call, hollering, clapping, and cheering wildly.

Kayden pulled away from me, his eyes wide with joyful shock. "Oh my goodness! Everyone... You—" He pointed at Miller and Leo, laughing through fresh tears. "Did you two plan all of this? How?"

"Every single part," I whispered, pressing my forehead gently to his. "You deserved the whole world, baby. Even if half of it had to be on a screen tonight. Our real family, the ones who matter most are here, celebrating with us."

Kayden smiled, radiant and tear-streaked, and kissed me again. Our friends and family cheered even louder from both the tablet and right beside us.

The lanterns seemed to glow warmer as I leaned deeper into the kiss.

When we finally pulled away, we were both panting softly against each other, foreheads still touching, breaths mingling in the warm night air.

"I don’t know what to say," Kayden whispered, covering his face with both hands as more tears escaped.

Leo stepped closer and pulled his brother into a tight, protective hug. "I’m so happy for you, baby brother," he murmured, rubbing soothing circles on Kayden’s back. "You found the happiness you’ve always wanted, and I’m so glad it’s with someone who’s truly worth it. Someone who sees you, loves you, and fights for you the way you deserve."

That only made Kayden cry harder. He buried his face in Leo’s shoulder, his shoulders shaking with overwhelming emotion.

Miller walked up to me and bumped my fist solidly. "I’m so proud of you, Ice Prince. You bagged a talented, incredible hockey player. So now... if I ever need your help with a proposal and—"

He must have said it a little too loudly, because Leo turned toward him instantly, hands planted firmly on his hips, one eyebrow arched in that signature sharp way.

"I hope it’s not what I think it is," Leo said, voice laced with playful suspicion. "If you think I won’t figure out any surprises you’re planning, you are gravely mistaken. My prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate gyrus operate at exceptionally elevated levels of executive function, enabling superior pattern recognition, probabilistic forecasting, and deductive reasoning. Coupled with my highly attuned mirror neuron system and hyper-efficient hippocampal encoding, concealment of any significant intent becomes neurologically improbable—bordering on impossible. My neural pathways are wired for hyper-vigilance and rapid cross-referencing of micro-expressions, vocal inflections, and behavioral anomalies, rendering surprise virtually unattainable where I’m concerned."

Someone groaned loudly.

All eyes turned toward Rhoda on the screen, who threw her hands up in mock exasperation.

"Oh son, please not now. We don’t need your neuroscientific bullshit in a moment like this. Save the brain scans for the lab!"

We all burst into laughter.

Leo scoffed dramatically, crossing his arms, which only made the laughter grow louder, echoing across the cove and mixing with the sound of the waves.