Forever

Chapter 33

Dex's POV:

I wrung my hands nervously, a habit my aunt gave me. Marella would be here any minute. I thought back to the dinner at the Golden Rose with Linh and Wylie. That seemed like it had happened last week rather than last year! A flash of light caught my eye- Marella was here!

Marella's POV:

I fussed with the hem of my scarlet halter dress. It had no back, and when the skirt fanned out- well, it was short, okay? I paired diamond earrings Dex had given me a while back with a silver and opal choker. 

Glancing at a clock(do elves have clocks?) I rushed to grab the crystal Dex had given me and glittered away. As I pieced back together and my eyes started working again, my breath caught in my throat. 

Dex stood in the middle of a pure white desert (White Sands National Park) in front of a brilliant periwinkle and pink balloon! It was huge, towering over a basket where Dex waited. WOAH. I ran over to him,

"Hey Dexy!" I called, climbing over the rim. He stared a little when the skirt flared. I blushed and lightly smacked his face. "Don't get any ideas." Twisting one of the braids in my hair I added, "What is it?"

"It's a human thing, they call it a hot air balloon. It can fly." He blushed hilariously red. Switching on a burner in the basket's center Dex inflated the ginormous balloon even more, and we slowly lifted off the ground. 

The open sky had turned into a vast pink and magenta plain with barely a cloud in sight. Looking down, I watched the sugary white sand grow smaller and smaller. The sun had begun to disappear behind a mountain range, bathing the desert in a soft, home-y glow. I was glad for body regulation, though we were in the desert, the air was chilly.

"Wow." I breathed, taking in the view. Dex cleared his throat,

"I made this for you," he handed me a silver box. Inside I found a small black object that looked familiar, "It's a copy of Sophie's ipod." he said. I pushed the 'On' button and a slow song began to play. Sneaky Dexy. I grinned, clearly understanding. Grabbing his shoulders, I whirled him around the basket in a dance Sophie called a Waltz. 

Dex put his hands on my waist, and slowly levitated us up, out of the basket! We twirled through the air with the sun kissing the top of the mountains, violins and cellos playing in the background.

 Eventually, our levitation got shaky, and we drifted safely down inside the basket. Dex was breathless and laughing, cheeks flushed pink. I was about the same. Unexpectedly, I flung my arms around his neck,

"Thank you." I whispered, only for him. He laughed softly, then stood up.

Dex's POV:

It was time. Standing up, I took a deep breath.

"Marella? You are the most amazing person ever. I love you more than anything. Your smile, your laugh, every little detail. 

You are sweet, smart, fiery, feisty(she grinned at that and my legs turned to water), and beautiful. All my best days are with you, the happiest moments, you're there. I can't stand being away. I need to ask you, will- will you marry m-"

Marella's POV:

When he got to

"I can't stand being away." my heart pounded and my palms began to sweat, I knew what was coming. Not wanting to wait any longer, as soon as the question was spoken, before he could say my name, I just up screaming,

"YES YES YES! Yes I will marry you!" He looked surprised at first, stunned. Then he let out a sigh of relief, "About time." I commented, he smirked. OK, enough of this. I grabbed a fist full of his shirt and kissed him long and hard. 

** SLIGHTLY GRAPHIC **

A strong breeze whipped my hair around our faces, shielding us. Dex gripped my cheeks, pulling us closer. Arms around his neck, I held him to me, even though he was like 6 inches taller. 

Lightning and fire crackled through my veins and I had to keep the sparks from flying, literally. Finally, after a sweet eternity, we broke apart gasping. My lips felt swollen, and his were beginning to bleed. I laughed,

"Sorry." He smiled,

"That's just fine. Here." He pulled a small box from his ankle-pockets. Inside was a beautiful platinum ring, fixed with a ruby and periwinkle crystal swirling around each other. The band sparkled with tiny diamonds, looking on the inside I found two words carefully carved in the metal, "Together Forever". I gasped,

"It's beautiful, Dex." He pulled me close and slowly let the balloon drift back to earth. The stars were peering down a t us from a lapiz blue sky. I sighed happily, nuzzling his chest with my head.

Dex's POV:

When the balloon touched down with a jolt, I helped Marella up, and we stepped into a faint beam of light, letting it catch us and take us back.

The moment we stepped through the doors of Rimeshire my mom practically ran into the room.

"Well? How did it go?" she whisper-yelled as to not wake the triplets. Marella smiled and held up her hand, showing off the ring. 

My mother squealed and engulfed her in a hug. Then she turned to me and squeezed me so tight, I couldn't breathe. When she stepped back, Marella slipped her hand into mine. I beamed at her, my beautiful, feisty Marella. 

Together.

Forever.