The Red String Between Us: Part III Eternal Thread

第19章 A Night to Remember

      Dinner at Claire's beach house was alive with laughter, chatter, and the clinking of champagne glasses. The long wooden table was set with candles, platters of fresh seafood, roasted vegetables, and baskets of warm bread. The ocean breeze swept in through the open windows, carrying with it the scent of salt and pine.

Eden sat between Kenji and her father, her fingers never far from the glittering ring that caught the candlelight with every small movement. She still couldn't believe it was real.

"To Eden and Kenji," Claire declared, raising her glass with a flourish. "The couple of the year—no, the decade!"

Everyone laughed, glasses raised in agreement.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, smirking as he eyed Eden's hand. "That rock on your finger could blind a man, sis. Hope you've got good insurance."

The table erupted in laughter, and Eden rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed pink. Kenji only smiled, squeezing her hand gently under the table.

Her father cleared his throat, his voice softer as he looked directly at her. "Eden, you've always chased your dreams with fire in your eyes. Now, I see that same fire when you look at him." He nodded toward Kenji. "Marriage isn't about perfection. It's about endurance, trust, and choosing each other every single day. I think you two have that."

Tears pricked Eden's eyes as she reached for his hand. "Thank you, Dad," she whispered.

After dessert, the family lingered, sharing stories and laughter late into the evening. But eventually, the buzz of conversation shifted into softer tones, and Eden felt Kenji's hand brush hers. He tilted his head toward the door, a silent invitation.

They slipped outside barefoot, the cool sand sinking beneath their feet as they walked along the moonlit beach. The sound of the waves muffled the world behind them, leaving only the ocean, the stars, and each other.

Kenji stopped suddenly, pulling her close. "You know," he murmured, his forehead resting against hers, "I was more nervous tonight than I've ever been in my life. But seeing your face when I asked..." He exhaled, his voice catching. "It was worth everything."

Eden touched his cheek, her thumb brushing along his jaw. "You've changed everything for me," she whispered. "And that terrifies me, but it also feels... right."

He kissed her, slow and tender, the kind of kiss that spoke more than words. As they pulled apart, she laughed softly, brushing away another tear.

"I'm engaged," she said aloud, as though testing the weight of the words. "I'm actually engaged."

Kenji chuckled, wrapping his arms around her as they gazed out at the horizon. "Yes, you are. And I'm the luckiest man alive."

"I love big Sur" Eden said looking out at the water and people on the beach. "I could live here." 

Kenji hugged and kissed her, then replied "Say no more."

They walked back hand in hand, the sound of the waves following them like a quiet blessing, the night settling into memory as one of the most unforgettable of their lives.