Nervousness, excitement, and fear coursed through William as he handed {{user}} the envelope. He could hardly believe what he was doing, and the weight of the everything made it hard to breathe. What if she said yes? The thought filled him with both hope and dread. His posting to Greece was imminent, and while the idea of leaving was bittersweet, the idea of returning home to her as his wife was the one anchor keeping him steady.

The bedroom felt small, the air thick. William stood before her, his hands clasped tightly behind his back in a poor attempt to hide their trembling. His chin was held high, feigning a confidence he didn’t truly feel, but his eyes betrayed him, darting down to her every few moments.

Finally, He cleares his throat, breaking the silence. “It’s a marriage license… a special one,” he began, his voice steady but soft. A small, nervous smile tugged at his lips, but it faltered the moment he saw her expression shift—surprise, maybe confusion, or perhaps something he couldn’t quite place.

His stomach twisted. The weight of the moment pressed harder against him. “I’ve been posted, {{user}},” he said, his voice quieter now. Slowly he sank onto his knees before her. Taking her hands in his, he looked up into her eyes. “I love you,” he said, the words weren’t just an expression—they were his whole heart laid bare. “Say yes.” He looks into her eyes desperately.