Chapter 419

Olivia

As we watched our friends hug tightly in front of the Christmas tree, I couldn’t resist snapping a few pictures.

“They can thank me later,” I teased, taking several photos and slipping my phone back into my pocket. “But I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

“Olivia, name one time you didn’t tell Angela literally everything that’s on your mind,” Nathan chided.

I blushed. “Okay. You’re right.”

Either way, I couldn’t have been happier for my friends. As they pulled apart, Angela couldn’t seem to contain her excitement. She grabbed Levi’s hand and dragged him over to us, holding her hand out to show off her new ring.

Layla and I couldn’t help but ogle at the beautiful ring, admiring its intricate design and delicate stone. “It’s gorgeous, Angela,” I said, leaning in. “He’s got good taste.”

Cade and Nathan, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to resist teasing Levi as they clapped him on the back in congratulations. Nathan chuckled, shaking his head at Levi’s slightly bewildered expression. “Dropped the ring, huh? You had us worried for a moment there, buddy.”

Levi’s cheeks turned a shade of red that matched the red lights on the Christmas tree. He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, well, I’ve had this ring for months now so I’m just surprised I didn’t lose it beforehand,” he admitted. “I just didn’t know when to propose.”

Angela’s eyes widened in shock as she looked at Levi. “Months?” she repeated incredulously. “But we’ve only been together for less than a year!”

Levi met Angela’s gaze with a soft smile, his eyes filled with unwavering love. “I meant it when I said I loved you from the very beginning, as soon as I set eyes on you,” he confessed, his voice filled with sincerity.

My heart swelled with happiness for our friends, witnessing the depth of their love and commitment to each other. I pulled Angela into a tight hug, overjoyed for her. “I’m so happy for you, Angela,” I whispered.

Layla joined in, hugging Angela from the other side. “Congratulations, you two,” she said. “Now, when’s the wedding?”

Angela and Layla went on to gush about wedding dreams, but meanwhile, I kept thinking back on the moment I had shared with Nathan. I knew what I wanted now, all thanks to Levi’s proposal and the celebration of love.

And finally, I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Nathan,” I began, my voice trembling ever so slightly, “could we talk for a moment? In private?”

Nathan’s brows furrowed in mild confusion, but he agreed and let me pull him away. I led him off to the side, just out of earshot of the others.

“What’s up?” he asked. “Everything okay?”

“I… I was thinking about our wedding,” I began, my heart pounding in my chest. “About how I don’t want a courthouse wedding. I want something special. Something that we’ll never forget. And I don’t want to wait.”

“Okay,” he said slowly and cautiously. “What are you saying?”

“Well,” I said, “what if we didn’t have to wait for the perfect wedding? What if we had all of the makings for a perfect wedding right here?”

Nathan’s confusion deepened, and he chuckled softly, thinking I was joking. “Liv, are you suggesting we get married tonight?”

I met his gaze, my eyes serious. “Yes.” I replied, my voice steadier now. “I am.”

“Liv, if this is a prank—”

“I’m serious, Nathan,” I insisted, taking his hand in mine and giving it a squeeze. “Look, I know it might not be the big, snowy wedding we initially planned, but… Nathan, I don’t want to wait anymore. Our love is what matters, not the setting or the weather. Our entire pack is here to celebrate with us. It’s about us, about our love.”

Nathan’s eyes widened in surprise, and he fell silent, seemingly lost in thought. I watched his expression carefully, waiting for his response.

For a long time, he just stayed like that, his eyes scanning the ground around our feet. I could practically hear the gears turning in his head before he finally lifted his gaze to meet mine and spoke.

“But the snow,” he finally said, his voice hesitant. “You’ve always dreamed of a snowy wedding, Liv. You said so yourself. It hasn’t snowed yet tonight.”

I smiled softly. “I did dream of it,” I admitted. “But tonight, surrounded by our pack and our friends, celebrating love, it’s just as, if not more, memorable than a picture-perfect wedding in the snow. Don’t you agree?”

Nathan’s eyes softened, and he reached out to cup my cheek, his thumb gently brushing my skin. “You never cease to amaze me,” he murmured, his voice filled with affection.

I leaned into his touch, my heart swelling with love for him. “So, what do you say?” I asked, my eyes searching his.

A wide grin spread across Nathan’s face, his blue-green eyes sparkling with excitement. “I say, go and get your dress,” he said softly. “I want to make you my wife tonight.”

My cheeks flushed red. “You’re sure?”

Nathan nodded vehemently. “I’m positive. I think you’re right; I think tonight is perfect. The setting, the festival, the pack, our friends… We could do it in the gazebo, have the band play the music and the photographer take pictures for us. It’ll be a huge party, and everyone will love it and remember it forever.”

His words made my heart skip a beat, and without a second thought, I lifted up onto my tiptoes and cupped his cheeks in my hands, kissing him deeply. When we pulled apart, our breaths were coming out in little white puffs of mist, mixing in the air between us.

But then, just as we were lost in our own world, Angela and Levi, as well as Layla and Cade, approached us with curious expressions on their faces. Angela was the first to speak, a knowing look in her gaze.

“What’s going on, you two?” she asked, although I had a feeling that she knew already.

I turned to face our friends, my heart pounding with both excitement and a hint of nervousness. “I’ve been thinking,” I began, my voice filled with determination. “About what you two said earlier, Angela, Layla. Love doesn’t have to be perfect, and tonight is special because we’re all here celebrating.”

Angela exchanged a knowing glance with Layla, and then she turned her attention back to me. “And?” she prompted, her voice filled with anticipation.

I took a deep breath, my gaze sweeping over our friends. “Nathan and I have decided to throw a surprise wedding. Tonight.”

Angela’s eyes widened, and she gasped in delight, her excitement bubbling over. She threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “Liv, that makes me so happy!” she said, swaying back and forth slightly with the hug.

“You’re sure it’s okay?” I murmured as we pulled apart a bit. “I don’t want to take away from your engagement.”

But Angela just shook her head. “Absolutely,” she said. “This just makes it even better.”

“Congratulations,” Layla chimed in, stepping forward. “I take it that it’s time to go back and get you all dressed up and wedding-perfect, then, huh?”

I nodded excitedly, tears in my eyes. “I think so,” I said, turning to look up at Nathan, up into his sparkling eyes. “I think so.”