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I laugh, watching as Lucy gently takes the rope from the puppy, her tail wagging. "Well, if Lucy approves..."
Ghost grins, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out something, and with a quick, practiced movement, he attaches it to the puppy's collar, then gives her a gentle nudge in my direction.
The puppy comes bounding over, collar jingling. I scoop her up and kiss her cheek. "Did you already get tags for them?" I ask, surprised. "We usually wait until they have adopters..."
Ghost shrugs, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Take a look."
I slide the collar around so I can see it while the puppy busies herself chewing on the button of my flannel shirt. My heart skips a beat when I see a diamond glinting on a delicate white-gold band. Behind it is a heart-shaped tag that reads, "Marry Me." I look up at Ghost, my eyes wide. He's watching me, his expression hopeful.
"Well?" he asks, his voice soft. "What do you say, Ellie? Will you marry me?"
Tears well up in my eyes as scoot over and throw my arms around him, the puppy squirming between us. "Yes," I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. "Yes, I will."
With the puppy squirming happily in my arms, I look up at Ghost, my heart full. His eyes are shining with a joy that mirrors my own, and I can't help but lean in, pressing my lips to his in a soft, lingering kiss. The puppy wriggles between us, her little tail wagging furiously, and we pull apart, laughing.
"Come on," Ghost says. "Let's let the babies play. I want some alone time with my fiancée."
We set the puppy down, watching as she bounds off to join her siblings, the little heart-shaped tag glinting in the fading sunlight. Ghost takes my hand, leading me towards the shelter office. The building is quiet, the dogs having been fed and settled for the night. It's a peaceful contrast to the lively play outside, and I can't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me.
Inside the office, Ghost pulls me into his arms, his gaze serious. "I meant what I said, Ellie," he says, his voice low. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want us to keep doing this, saving dogs, making a difference. Together."
I look up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. "I want that too, Ghost," I say, my voice barely more than a whisper. "More than anything."
He smiles, pulling me closer. "Then let's celebrate," he says, reaching for a bottle of champagne that's been chilling in the fridge. He pops the cork, the sound echoing in the quiet office, and pours us each a glass.
"To us," he says, raising his glass. "To our future."
"To us," I echo, clinking my glass against his. We drink, the bubbles tickling my nose, and I can't help but laugh. This is real. This is happening. I'm going to marry the man I love, and together, we're going to change the world.
As we celebrate, I can't help but think about how far we've come. From two strangers brought together by a shared cause, to partners, to lovers. And now, to fiancés. It's been a journey filled with challenges and heartache, but also with joy and love. And I wouldn't change a thing.
Because in the end, it led me to Ghost. And I can't imagine my life without him.
