Chapter 25: The Ring and the Storm
Elliot had planned everything.
A cozy, secluded cabin by the lake just two hours from the city. No phones. No work emails. Just them. Just peace.
It was their first trip away since everything fell apart — and Elliot wanted it to mean something.
He wanted Julian to feel how serious this love was.
How forever it felt in his bones.
He packed a ring in the lining of his coat pocket.
---
The cabin was perfect.
Wooden beams, large windows, a fireplace, a porch that overlooked still, blue water. Julian couldn't stop smiling as they unloaded groceries and set up the record player Elliot had lugged from home.
There was laughter. Long walks. Firelight kisses and coffee in bed.
It was perfect.
Until the third day.
---
Julian had gone into town to pick up more coffee.
As he came back up the gravel path to the cabin, he saw Elliot standing near the porch steps, talking to a woman — a beautiful woman — who was visibly pregnant.
Julian froze.
She reached out and touched Elliot's arm. He leaned in, his face soft with affection. And then her husband came around the car and they all laughed together like old friends.
But Julian didn't see the husband.
He only saw her.
And Elliot.
And something inside Julian cracked.
---
He didn't say anything at first.
He just cooked dinner quietly.
His voice clipped. His movements distant.
Elliot noticed immediately. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Julian."
Julian's hands trembled as he set the table. "Is that why you brought me here? To make it easier to tell me you've found someone else?"
Elliot blinked. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Julian's voice rose, shaking now. "The woman — on the porch. She's pregnant. And you— You were smiling. Laughing. You didn't even tell me who she was."
Elliot's eyes widened — and then, he laughed.
Which only made Julian turn away, furious and embarrassed.
"Julian, stop. Please." Elliot grabbed his wrist gently. "That's Anna. She's my childhood best friend. I haven't seen her in three years. She and her husband are vacationing nearby, and they just happened to run into me at the store."
Julian's shoulders stiffened. "So I'm being paranoid?"
Elliot cupped his face. "No. You're being scared. I get it."
Then he reached into his coat pocket.
And pulled out a small velvet box.
Julian froze.
Elliot opened it.
Inside, a silver band with a delicate black sapphire sat nestled in velvet.
"I wasn't sneaking around. I wasn't hiding anything. I was planning this. Tonight. After dinner. On the porch under the string lights you love."
Julian's hand flew to his mouth.
Elliot went to one knee.
"Julian Hale — you are the strongest, most beautiful, most complicated man I have ever known. I have loved you at your weakest. I have been loved by you at mine. And if you'll have me — even with all our scars — I want a thousand more nights just like this."
Julian whispered, "Oh my god."
"So?" Elliot asked, eyes a little wet.
Julian dropped to his knees too, laughing through his tears. "Of course. Of course yes, Elliot. I love you. I love you so much it hurts."
They kissed there on the floor, hands tangled, the ring forgotten for a second.
Outside, the wind picked up.
But inside, two hearts — once cracked, now healed — beat like thunder.
Together.