NOT IT
Next Steps [Private RP — Closed]
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When the girls got back from their spa appointment, Sterling was no where to be found. What was found, however, was a trail of red roses petals, leading in the direction of the bedroom.
The lights had been dimmed, and candles had been lit, giving the apartment a very romantic feeling. Soft music played from a speaker somewhere out of sight.
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When Eden found that atmosphere when they got home, she felt a little weird. What was going on? Where was Sterling? Was this another one of his methods to cheer her up? But she wasn’t even upset!
Still, the music warmed her up and the soft, quiet atmosphere raised her spirits. At the same time, she felt a little nervous. Slowly, she walked towards the bedroom.
“Sterling? What’s going on?”*
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The lights in the bedroom were off, the only light coming from the candles placed strategically around the room. Red, pink, and white balloons littered the floor and touched the ceiling, some having tea lights lighting them up.
In the middle of the room stood Sterling, wearing a black suit and his infamous smirk, though this time there was a bit of nervousness hidden in it.
"Welcome home, love," he said softly. His gaze flickered behind Eden, hoping Violeta was recording. He looked back at his girlfriend before reaching out for her with one hand, the other shoved into his pocket. "Care to come a little closer?"
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Eden swallowed, nervousness gnawing at her throat. She could not remove her gaze from Sterling. The black suit perfectly brought out his features, and if that image killed her, then the smirk did wonders.
She slowly walked towards him, confusion spread on her features. What was he doing? The last time he did something like this, he wanted to ask her to prom… was there another function coming along? What?
Slowly, almost hesitantly, Eden reached out to set her hand on his, her eyes flickering towards their hands before moving back to his face.
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Sterling took a deep breath before pressing a kiss to the back of Eden's hand. He smiled down at her, wanting nothing more at this moment than to just kiss her… But he would wait. He had to. It was just going to be a couple of minutes…
"Eden McArthur, you of all people should know how easily you've stolen my heart. And my mind. And… Well, all of me, really… I can't keep my eyes off of you when you're around. You're all that I think about every day and night. And I love it.
"When I first asked you out that day in the hall, I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. I thought I knew what you would be like and how you would act. And, boy, was I wrong," he chuckled softly, shaking his head a bit. "You are more than I ever imagined you to be. More than I ever thought I would get in my life. You're perfect, Eden, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
"So… I guess what I'm trying to ask is—" Here, he slowly got down to one knee, looking up at her with nervous yet hopeful expression as he pulled a small, black box out of his pocket. "—Eden Rose McArthur… Would you marry me?"
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(The ring: https://pin.it/wowkeqltnfqea4 )
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… What? Eden stared at Sterling, still as if time was frozen. Her eyes were wide, his words ringing in her head. Was this really happening? Was her boyfriend really on his knees, looking at her like he wanted nothing more than to hold her and kiss her, and asking her if she wanted to marry him?
Shock sent her speechless. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. And then she felt the first trickle of wetness run down her cheek, and soon enough, her eyes gaze way to more. Eden covered her mouth with her hands, bending down to hide the tears that were running down her cheeks. This is why he planned to send Eden with Violeta. This was why he hadn’t mentioned anything to her—not because it slipped his mind, but because he wanted to propose.
“Oh my God…” Eden whispered, unable to look up. “Sterling… I—I… shit.” She swiped furiously at her eyes, cursing herself for trembling so much. She knew was she wanted to say, so why couldn’t she?
“I mean—Ry—god damn it, yes,” she finally whispered. “Yes, I—I would. Of course I would… I’m jus—shit.” She straightened, turning around, fanning her face, trying to control her tears. She bit down on her lower lip but nothing seemed to slow down the clear liquid from running down her cheeks.
“I would,” she finally, finally said clearly. “Yes, Sterling. A thousand times yes. Oh my God.”
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"Thank goodness…" Sterling breathed, slipping the ring on her finger. He dropped the box and got to his feet, pulling her into a tight hug before he pressed their lips together. This didn't feel real… She'd really agreed to marry him. Gosh, he must have been the luckiest man alive… "Thank you so much…"
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Eden’s arms snaked around his neck, pulling him closer into the kiss, tears still streaming down her cheeks. This couldn’t have been happening. This was too good to be true—Sterling has proposed.
She pulled away from his lips and instead buried her face in his chest, gripping his shirt tightly as she sobbed, letting go of the embarrassment that came with displaying her emotions. She couldn’t believe this was truly happening. Sterling proposed. She’d said yes. Her finger had a ring on it—she would be so heartbroken if it turned out to be a dream.
“I can’t—I can’t believe it,” she sniffled. “I can’t believe you proposed. Oh my God, Ry… how long? How long have you been planning this?”
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Sterling tightened his arms around her when she buried her face in his chest. He didn't know if he would ever stop smiling, he was so happy.
"About a week before the ball. I asked V to help not long after we got back. I thought you were going to find out so many times… And the ring… Oh my gosh, I got it from my parents, and I thought you were going to find it after we got home and started unpacking. It was my grandmother's, you know," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
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“I’m so glad I didn’t,” she breathed deeply. “This is—oh God, I don’t know what to say… I’ll treasure the ring forever. I won’t—I won’t even think about losing it. This is the happiest I’ve been, Ry, thank you so much for choosing me that day, for not giving up on me, for picking me again and again…”
Violeta stood to the side through it all, a camera in hand and a huge grin on her face. She remained silent, letting them have their moment while she filmed as Sterling had requested.
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"And I will continue to choose you again and again and again… Thank you for saying 'yes'. I was so nervous," Sterling admitted, his face still buried in her hair. "We haven't been dating for that long, but I know you're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. I never want to not have you by my side…"
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“Why were you nervous?” Eden sniffled, punching him lightly on the shoulder. “You know I would say yes. I would always say yes. There’s no way I would ever not want to live with you. I was getting tired of Eden McArthur, anyway…”
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"Eden Ainsley…" Sterling tested the name she would be getting soon, loving the way it felt in his mouth. "Eden Rose Ainsley… I like the sound of that."
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Eden’s face flushed when he pronounced the name—the name she would live with once they got married.
“I like the sound of that,” she murmured against his chest. “You always make me happy…”
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Sterling smiled softly before pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead. "I love you so much… You've made me the happiest man in the history of the universe."
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“I love you, too, Ry…” Eden whispered, his kiss sending shivers down her spine. “Thank you.”
Reluctantly, she pulled away, looking back to find Violeta.
“And V… thank you, too, for helping Ry plan this…”
Violeta’s grin was bright enough to rival the sun. “It was my pleasure,” she assured Eden, pausing her video and leaning in for a hug. “I’m happy that you’re happy.”
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Eden hugged her back tightly, eyes turning glossy again.
“I can’t believe it…” she whispered. “This is real, right? This is not a dream…, right?”
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“I can assure you, fiancée, this is not a dream,” Sterling chuckled, grinning as he watched her. “As much as it feels like it.”
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Fiancé. It wasn’t a dream. It was real. She was engaged. To Sterling. Sterling Ainsley, the best thing that had ever happened to her.
“Thank you…” she whispered, voice still laced with disbelief. “Oh, God…”
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Sterling’s smile softened at he looked at her. It was so amazing that she had said ‘yes’… Never in a million years would he have thought he would be engaged to someone so incredible.
“No, thank you, Eden. You’re the one who agreed to marry me,” he chuckled softly.
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Eden pulled away from Violeta to once again fall into her fiancé’s arms, wrapping his arms around him tightly.
“You’re the one who proposed…” she mumbled. “You have no idea how much I wanted to be called your fiancée instead of girlfriend.”
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Sterling leaned down to press their lips together again. “You’re the one who let me try to win you over… So thank you for that…”
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Cheeks flushed, Eden tried pressing their lips together again.
“You’re the one who compelled me to do it,” she whispered. “Ah, Sterling…”
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“Yes, beautiful?” Sterling murmured, burying his face in her hair.
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“I love you…” Eden dug her face deeper into his chest. “So, so much…”
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Sterling smiled into her hair and tightened his arms around her. "I love you, too… More than you could ever imagine…"