13 ： Destine in the fate

felt　a　sense　of　contentment　she　had　never　known　before.　“Erik，”　she　said，　her　voice　filled　with　emotion，　“I’ve　never　been　this　happy　in　my　entire　life.”

    Erik　squeezed　her　hand　gently.　“Neither　have　I，　Sukie.　You’ve　brought　so　much　joy　into　my　life.　I　can’t　imagine　a　future　without　you.”

    Their　days　were　filled　with　small，　intimate　moments　that　solidified　their　bond.　From　quiet　mornings　spent　sipping　coffee　on　the　porch　to　long　hikes　through　the　picturesque　landscapes，　every　experience　was　a　testament　to　their　growing　love.　Sukie　often　marveled　at　how　effortlessly　they　fit　into　each　other’s　lives，　how　natural　it　felt　to　be　with　Erik.

    One　evening，　as　they　sat　by　the　fireplace，　the　flames　casting　a　warm　glow　over　the　room，　Erik　turned　to　Sukie　with　a　serious　expression.　“There’s　something　important　I　need　to　ask　you，”　he　said，　his　voice　steady　but　laced　with　a　hint　of　nervousness.

    Sukie’s　heart　skipped　a　beat.　“What　is　it，　Erik?”

    Erik　took　her　hands　in　his，　his　eyes　locking　onto　hers　with　an　intensity　that　took　her　breath　away.　“Sukie，　I　know　our　journey　together　hasn’t　been　conventional，　and　there　have　been　many　unexpected　turns.　But　I’ve　never　been　surer　of　anything　in　my　life.　Will　you　marry　me?”

    Sukie　felt　tears　well　up　in　her　eyes，　a　mixture　of　overwhelming　joy　and　disbelief.　“Erik，　yes！　Of　course，　I　will！”　she　exclaimed，　throwing　her　arms　around　him.

    Erik’s　face　broke　into　a　radiant　smile　as　he　held　her　close.　“You’ve　made　me　the　happiest　man　in　the　world，”　he　whispered.

    The　days　that　followed　were　a　flurry　of　preparations　for　their　wedding.　They　decided　on　a　small，　intimate　ceremony　by　the　lake　where　they　had　first　shared　their　dee