Caitlin gently pulled away as the last slivers of sunlight began to disappear behind the horizon."We should probably get out and dry off before it gets too dark," She says, her voice soft but steady.

I smile, but my eyes are still locked on the sky. "Just a few more minutes?"

Caitlin nods and turns to walk back to the grass while I can't help but admire the sunset. The light blue above my head reminded me of Caitlin's eyes, but the red on the other side of the lake at the horizon reminded me of the undertones in my hair. It was like the sky was trying to paint the picture of our love and I couldn't take my eyes off it as I watched the colours mingle together.

"Elena," Caitlin's voice is soft, but I can hear the tremble in it. I turn my head to face her and my heart pounds in my chest at the sight.

She's on one knee.

My hand flies to my mouth as my breath catches, and suddenly the whole world fades, leaving just the two of us beneath the soft glow of the sunset. I can't move for a second, can't even breathe, but Caitlin looks at me with those eyes—eyes that have always made me feel so safe, so loved—and I slowly make my way out of the water, each step bringing me closer to her.

"Elena," she begins, her voice a little steadier now. "I've thought about this moment for so long. And no matter how many times I played it over in my head, nothing could prepare me for what it would actually feel like standing here with you."

I stop a few feet in front of her, my heart pounding, water dripping from my legs, but I can't tear my eyes away from her.

"I remember the first time I saw you," she continues, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I was too shy to even say hello, can you believe that? Me. Too shy. Steph had to introduce me to you because I couldn't even form the words." She chuckles softly, shaking her head at the memory.

"And then there was that day in the park," she says, her eyes softening as she looks up at me. "The rain was coming down so hard, we were drenched in seconds, but I didn't care. That was the first time we kissed, and I remember thinking that nothing else mattered in that moment. Not the rain, not the world. Just us. And from that moment on, I knew you were someone I could never let go."

My chest tightens as the memories flood back. That kiss under the tree, the feel of her lips on mine in the pouring rain—it had been the beginning of everything.

"When we were keeping us a secret," Caitlin goes on, her voice a little quieter now, "I took advantage of every single moment I could spend with you in the quiet. Just you and me, hidden away from the world, like our own little secret treasure. It wasn't easy, but I would've done anything to have those moments with you."

She takes a deep breath, her eyes flickering with something deeper now. "And then... then I messed it all up. When I kissed Lia..." Her voice falters for a second, and I can see the pain in her eyes, the regret that's still there, even after all this time. "I hated myself for it, for hurting you like that. But even when we weren't together, I couldn't stop fighting to win you back. There was this feeling in my heart that wouldn't go away, this feeling that told me you were the one. That I had to make things right."

Tears prick at my eyes, but I don't move. I just listen, my heart full as she continues.

"When you gave me a second chance, I swore to myself I'd do everything I could to make it right this time. And I did. I didn't care what the public said about us, didn't care about the noise. All that mattered was you. Because being able to wrap you in my arms at night, to hold you close and know that you were mine... it kept my nightmares away. You were, and still are, the only dream I ever want to replay in my mind."

Her voice wavers a little, and I can see her eyes glistening now. "And yeah, I didn't win the World Cup. But I won something so much bigger. I won you. And I'll never let that slip out of my hands again."

She pauses, taking a breath, her eyes never leaving mine. "I wanted tonight to be perfect, El. I really did. But then I realized... every night with you is perfect. I don't have to try, because you make it that way."

And then, her voice drops to a whisper, full of emotion and love. "I know this sport will take us all over the world, but the only place I want to end up is with you. So, Elena, will you come home to me?"

I stand there, completely stunned, as Caitlin kneels before me. Her words echo in my mind, but I can barely process them. My heart races, and my breath hitches in my throat. I'm frozen, staring at her with wide eyes, the beauty of the moment washing over me like a wave.

For a few heart-stopping seconds, I can't find my voice. The world around us fades into a blur, and it feels like time has stopped. All I can see is Caitlin, glowing in the warm light of the sunset, the hope and love in her eyes shining brighter than anything I've ever seen.

And then it hits me. She's asking me to be hers forever.

"Yes..." I finally manage to whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. It's barely audible, but it feels like the most powerful word I've ever said.

Before I can even think, I drop to my knees in front of her, pulling Caitlin into me as I capture her lips with mine. The kiss ignites a fire between us—an explosion of joy and love that overwhelms every thought in my mind. I pour everything I feel into that kiss, and she kisses me back, our hearts racing in sync.

When we finally pull apart, I can't help it. I wrap my arms around her, burying my face in the curve of her neck, inhaling her familiar scent. Tears spill down my cheeks as I nuzzle against her, a mix of laughter and sobs escaping me.

"I can't believe this is happening," I say, my voice muffled against her skin. "You make me so happy."

Caitlin laughs softly, the sound vibrating through her chest. I feel her arms tighten around me, holding me close as we both let the emotions flow. We're both crying and laughing at the same time, caught in the whirlwind of happiness and love that envelops us.

This moment—this is everything I've ever wanted, and I can't imagine my life without her by my side. We're finally here, together, and it feels like the perfect beginning to our forever.