Page 91 of Landing Liam

“You’ve been quiet,” I say, glancing up at him.

“Just thinking,” he replies, though I notice the faint nervous energy in the way his thumb brushes over my knuckles.

“About what?” I press gently.

He stops walking, turning to face me. His brown eyes meet mine, soft and loving. “About how lucky I am. About how much my life has changed since the day I met you.”

My chest tightens at his words, and I give his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Liam…”

“I know I’ve said this before,” he continues, his voice dropping to a quiet murmur, “but I didn’t think I’d ever find someone who could see me the way you do. Someone who could make me feel seen and understood. You’ve given me that.”

Tears prick the corners of my eyes, but before I can respond, he releases my hand and reaches into his pocket.

My breath catches as he kneels before me, the clearing falling into a hush so profound it feels like the world is holding its breath.

“Maggie Cooper,” he begins, the sound steady despite the emotion shining in his eyes, “you walked into my life during a snowstorm and turned everything upside down. You’ve made me believe in things I didn’t think were possible—hope, second chances, a future beyond what I thought I deserved. I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

He opens a small velvet box, revealing a delicate gold ring with a sparkling diamond. It’s simple and timeless—perfect.

For a moment, I can’t speak. Then, through the tears slipping down my cheeks, I manage to whisper, “Yes. Yes, yes, yes.”

Liam slips the ring onto my finger, his hands steady even as his voice shakes when he stands. He pulls me into his arms, and when he kisses me, the world fades away, leaving only us.

I never dreamed too far into the future because I was always afraid. Afraid of losing more people. But standing here with Liam, I don’t think I’ve ever been more sure that this is where I belong. That he’s where I belong.

We sit on a rocky outcropping overlooking the valley, and I rest my head on Liam’s shoulder, staring at the ring on my finger.

“I can’t believe you did that,” I say.

“Why not?” he teases. “You didn’t think I’d let you get away, did you?”

I laugh, my hand resting on his chest. “No, I guess not.”

For a while, we sit in comfortable silence, the world around us quiet and still. And as I look out at the view, I realize that this life—the one we’re building together—is everything I never knew I always needed.

I never thought my life would look like this. Peaceful, calm, perfect.

Who would have guessed all it took was landing Liam.