Classes kept Aedan and Cheri both very busy, and their lives somewhat uneventful. Just one painful and boring lecture after the other. Half the time the girl who sat beside Aedan slept through class and her snoring drowned out the professor's voice. He really didn't get why people who didn't seem to care about their education even bothered to go to university.
The perk as classes picked up though was that Aedan's roommates started to leave him alone more often since they too were busy. The biggest downside, of course, was that Aedan hardly got to spend any time with Cheri. Mostly they just got to chat for a short time in bed before they went to sleep. But, as finals for the semester approached their talks began to focus more on class and quizzing each other despite their subjects of study being different.
But time just flew by and finals arrived before they knew it. Both aced all their exams.
And of course that meant they had a bit of a break. They stayed back at campus while everybody went home for the holidays. Aedan's family didn't really celebrate so there was no point going home for that, they had when he and his siblings were younger but basically stopped since they were all pretty much grown. He figured his parents just didn't want them to feel left out as children, but he knew his mother hated the season so they all just agreed to let the celebrations fade away over the last few years.
Cheri just stayed behind to keep him company and they planned to spend a lot of time together to make up for spending so little together during the semester. They took a couple days to just relax around the dorm, or just go out for a quick coffee. But after a couple days to rest Aedan took Cheri out to a little island that nobody ever went to. Luckily the weather was still nice there even in winter, so it wasn't too cold. It seemed like the perfect day and the perfect spot.
They brought along a picnic, which they enjoyed slowly. They were just chatting and having a nice time.
Eventually they'd eaten all they could so they packed up the rest and walked around to just take in the view. Cheri eventually stopped to just look out over the water, Aedan just watched her. After a few minutes he stroked her cheek to get her attention. "You know I love you more than anything in the world." He told her as she turned to face him.
"I know, babe. I love you too."
"You're just so amazing. So beautiful and kind. Funny and smart. I'm really lucky to have you and I really can't imagine life without you." He said pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Aww thanks babe. What's with all this mushy stuff though?"
"I just want you to know how much I love you."
"Well I love you too. But you don't have to get all mushy. I mean it's sweet, but you always make me feel special and loved. Now come on, let's have some fun and go for a swim... that water looks so tempting."
Of course for Aedan it wasn't just about telling her how much he loved her, but that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. "Just wait a minute, please?"
But she was already jumping in the water. He sighed and jumped in too. He felt rejected, even though he hadn't been. It was just difficult after working up the nerve and being so close.
Really Cheri? You clueless moment ruiner. I hate you for this.
He convinced her to go back out later, after they got all dried off back at the dorm. The went out to a quiet park and started a fire to hang out around. They'd added more to their picnic basket and brought along a couple thermoses of hot chocolate since it was a bit cool in the evening.
"Now can you just give me a minute before you get all excited to run off and do something?" Aedan laughed, though he wasn't totally joking. He just didn't want her to take it so seriously that she got upset.
"Okay why? What is with you today, you're kind of acting strange. In an adorable way, but still."
"I just have something I really want to say and do." He dropped to one knee while he had the chance and dug out a ring box. "I told you earlier how much I love you, but I'll tell you again. You're the most important part of my life. I love you more than anything in the world and I'm so blessed to have someone as amazing as you in my life. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I've known that's what I wanted since we started dating. Cheri, will you marry me?" He opened the ring box and held it out to her.
"Oh my god. Did I mess that up earlier? I'm so sorry Aedan. But of course I'll marry you."
Cheri cried with joy as Aedan slid the ring on her finger. And kept crying as he pulled her into an intimate hug.
The rest of the evening they spent snuggled close together watching the stars savouring the moment as long as possible.