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"Lando," she whispered, her voice full of awe. "This is beautiful."

He led her to the center of the clearing, his hands still holding hers as they stopped under the lights. For a moment, they simply stood there, the world quiet around them.

"I wanted to bring you here because..." Lando began, his voice unsteady for the first time that evening. He took a deep breath, his thumb brushing against her hand. "Because this place feels like us—calm, warm, and something I never want to let go of."

Gianna blinked, her heart pounding as she watched him drop to one knee, his hand slipping into his pocket to retrieve a small velvet box.

"Gianna," he said, looking up at her with a vulnerability that made her knees feel weak. "You've been my everything for as long as I can remember. You've shown me what it means to love and to fight for it, even when things weren't easy. I don't want to do any of this life without you. Will you marry me?"

Her hand flew to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes, her breath catching in her throat. For a moment, she couldn't find the words, overwhelmed by the depth of his love and the beauty of the moment.

"Yes," she finally whispered, her voice shaking. Then, louder, "Yes!"

Lando's face broke into a radiant smile as he slid the ring onto her finger. He stood, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off the ground as she laughed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I love you," he murmured, pressing his forehead against hers.

"I love you too," she whispered back, her hands cupping his face as she kissed him, the vineyard lights twinkling around them like stars.

For that moment, it felt as though the world had paused, holding its breath to celebrate the beginning of their forever.

AFTER SPENDING more time in the vineyard, savoring the intimacy of their moment, Lando and Gianna walked back to the house hand-in-hand, the glow of the evening still radiating between them.

Back at the house, Gianna flopped onto the couch, staring at the sparkling ring on her finger with a mixture of disbelief and joy. Lando joined her, sitting close enough that their knees touched, his arm draped casually around her shoulders.

"Are you ready to tell everyone?" he asked, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Gianna tilted her head, her eyes meeting his. "Just our friends. I want to keep this for us a little longer before the world knows."

"Perfect," Lando said, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Let's call them."

They started with Max and Pietra, knowing they'd be the most excited. The video call rang twice before Max's face appeared on the screen, Pietra leaning over his shoulder.

"Hey, you two!" Pietra greeted cheerfully. "How's Italy?"

Lando tilted the camera to reveal Gianna's hand, the ring catching the light. "It's amazing. Especially now."

Pietra gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "No way!"

Max squinted at the screen, then broke into a grin. "You finally did it, mate! Took you long enough."

"Hey, I had to plan it perfectly," Lando said, mock-defensively, making Gianna laugh.

"Congratulations, you guys!" Pietra exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you!"

They spent the next several minutes talking, Max joking about how he knew Lando had been planning something but didn't think he'd actually propose on this trip. Pietra was already talking about engagement parties and wedding plans, but Gianna reminded her they wanted to take things one step at a time.

After hanging up, they called Callum and Aurelia, who were equally thrilled. Callum teased Lando about being a "soppy romantic," while Aurelia made Gianna promise to share every detail of the proposal when they saw each other next.

By the time all the calls were made, it was late, and the house had grown quiet. Lando and Gianna sat on the couch, their phones now resting on the coffee table.

"Think they'll keep it quiet?" Gianna asked, resting her head on his shoulder.

"They will," Lando assured her. "They know how important it is to us to keep this private for now."

Gianna sighed contentedly, her fingers tracing the edge of the ring. "I'm glad we told them. But I'm even more glad that, for now, this is still just ours."

"Same here," Lando murmured, leaning down to kiss her hair. "And no matter what, it'll always be ours first."

They stayed there for a while longer, wrapped in the warmth of the moment, before heading to bed, ready to dream about the future they'd just promised to share.

THE REST of their holiday in Italy was nothing short of magical. The days were slow and sun-soaked, filled with laughter and moments of intimacy that made everything else in the world seem far away.

In the mornings, they woke to the sound of birds and the soft rustle of leaves outside their window. Lando would make coffee while Gianna lingered on the balcony, soaking in the view of the sprawling vineyard. They'd eat breakfast together under the warm sun, talking about their future, from the simple things like decorating their apartment to dreams of traveling the world.

Afternoons were for exploring. They wandered through cobblestone streets in nearby villages, holding hands as they popped into quaint shops and sampled fresh gelato. Sometimes, they'd find a quiet spot in the vineyard to sit and share a bottle of local wine, the soft breeze carrying the scent of lavender.

One day, they rented a small boat and drifted along the serene waters of a nearby lake. Gianna teased Lando about his rowing skills, and he retaliated by pretending to tip the boat, making her squeal with laughter.

Evenings were the most special. The sunsets painted the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, casting a golden glow over the vineyard. They'd have dinner at cozy restaurants or enjoy a meal back at the house, cooked together with whatever fresh ingredients they'd found at the local market. Lando always insisted on doing the dishes, sending Gianna outside to relax under the string lights.

On their last evening, they decided to stay in. They set up a blanket on the grass under the stars, sharing stories and dreaming about their wedding. Lando pulled her close, his voice soft as he whispered, "This has been the best trip of my life."

Gianna smiled, leaning into him. "Mine too."

As they gazed up at the stars, their hands intertwined, they felt ready for whatever came next. The time away had been exactly what they needed—a chance to celebrate their love, recharge, and prepare for the next chapter of their lives.

#AUTHORSNOTE

There are only two more parts left of their story and I'm so sad.

Thanks for reading and don't be a silent reader, I love to read your thoughts!

J