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Is this why he’s nervous? I know he’s not great with heights but my balcony is higher than Penshaw Monument if you don’t include the hill it stands on.
“You go first, the steps get steep at the top,” he tells me.
It’s cold inside the stone pillar with the sudden absence of daylight but I soon warm up again as I start to climb. The stairs are narrow, steep and never ending, and this exertion on top of our run has me sweating buckets.
“You know, I thought the best view would be at the top, but this view is amazing,” Luke jokes from behind me as we reach the steepest part, my arse basically in his face.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” I say breathless from the climb. “Give me a boost?”
With two palms on my bum and a little push from Luke, I emerge onto the open roof of Penshaw Monument.
“You did that for my benefit, didn’t you?” He laughs, knowing I didn’t really need the boost.
I flash him a mischievous smile in response.
“I love you,” he says, reaching out to me.
Just three simple words have my anxiety easing. Was he really that nervous about coming up here?
I don’t have time to think about it as his hands slide down my back to my bum where he pulls me closer with strong arms until I’m flush against his body.
My heart flutters as we kiss. Neither of us cares that we’re sweaty from our run and climb, we’re too lost in each other to even notice.
Reluctantly, he pulls away and smiles as if he knows a secret I don’t. He turns me so I’m looking out across Sunderland, the real reason we’re here. We can see even further than usual from up here and it’s breathtaking. He settles into place behind me as we enjoy the peace and quiet. Content just standing together listening to the sounds of nature around us.
“Can you remember the first time we came here?” he asks me after a little while, the sun beginning to dip beneath the horizon.
“I nearly passed out right there.” I laugh, pointing at the small wooden bench halfway up.
“Because you were trying your hardest to hate me and exerted yourself.”
“I didn’t stand a chance. I knew I wanted you the second I saw you even if I didn’t want to admit it to myself.”
It’s true, one glance at his strong arms and beautiful collarbones had me weak at the knees.
“And look at us now.” He chuckles. I smile and lean into him, revelling in the safety and security of being wrapped in his arms. He takes a steadying breath before continuing. “I didn’t know it at the time but looking back now, I fell in love with you the moment I met you,” he tells me.
“I don’t know why…I was so awkwardly mean to you. You were half naked and, honestly, the hottest nerd I’d ever seen. I didn’t know how to act.”
He laughs and it illuminates everything inside of me. I’d do anything to hear that laugh for the rest of my life.
“It was your feistiness. The way you planted your hands on your hips and told me off had me hooked.” He takes my hands in his. “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you fall in love with me, but I’m so grateful.”
“Luke,” I say, brushing my hand over his cheek, “I love you so much.”
He steps out of my embrace, taking one of my hands in his and reaching into his pocket with the other.
“Natasha Borthwick.”
“Oh my god,” I whisper as he drops to one knee in front of me. Tears fill my eyes as I clasp both of my hands to the sides of my face.
“It would help if you could hear this.” He laughs, and I move my hands from my ears.
“Sorry,” I swipe at a rogue tear, “sorry, continue.” I sniff, doing my best to compose myself.
It doesn’t work so Luke carries on regardless.
“I can’t imagine my life without you. I truly believe my mam sent you to me at a time when I needed you most. I was ready to give up on everything I’d ever worked for until I saw how strong and resilient you are, even if sometimes you don’t believe it. I know it’s fast, we’ve been together for less than a year, but I knew right away that you’re always going to be my person.” He takes my left hand in his, the pad of his thumb rubbing against my bare ring finger as he speaks. “I love you and I’ll keep loving you every day for the rest of my life if you’ll do me the honour of marrying me?”
