The sun was beginning to rise as Amanda and Kane made their way back to the safe house the first light of dawn casting a warm glow over the quiet streets the events of the previous night felt like a distant memory through the adrenaline still thrummed in their veins a reminder of how close they had come to losing everything
They walked in silence the weight of what they had been through have between them but there was also a newfound but there was also a newfound sense of peace a calm that settled over them now that the danger had passed the storm that had threatened to tear them apart had finally lifted leaving behind a clarity that neither of them had felt in a long time. When they reached the safe house Kane unlocked the door and led Amanda inside his hand resting gently on the small of her back the familiar scent of the place wood, leather and the faintest hint of smoke from the fireplace was comforting grounding them in the reality that they had survived. Kane closed the door behind them securing the locks with practiced ease that spoke of years living with one foot in the shadows tonight was different tonight those shadows no longer seemed as menacing no longer held power they once held over him. Amanda turned to face him, her eyes searching his as she took in the exhaustion etched into his features the way his shoulders sagged with the weight of everything he had been carrying are you okay? She said softly reaching out to touch his arm Kane gave her a tired but genuine smile his eyes softening as he looked at her im more than okay he replied his voice low and sincere for the first time in a lo g time I feel like I can finally breathe Amanda smiled back her heart swelling with love and relief I'm glad she said quietly her hand sounding down his arm to take his hand in hers. We're here Kane nodded his thumb brushing over the back of her hand in a gentle caress and were stronger because of it he murmured I never imagined that I'd find someone like you Amanda Someone who could see through my walls I've built and still want to stand by my side. Amanda stepped closer her free hand resting on his chest as she looked up at him her voice filled with emotion im not going anywhere she whispered. You don't have to face anything alone anymore she whispered were in this together Kane's eyes shone with a depth of emotion that took her breath away I don't deserve you he said softly bit im so dam grateful that you're here Amanda shook her head her heart aching with the love she felt for this man they had been through so much he fought so hard to protect her you deserve everything Kane she whispered and im going to make sure you know that every single day Kane's breath hitched his hands tightening around hers as he leaned down to press his forehead against hers. I love you Amanda he murmured his voice trembling slightly I don't think I've ever said that to anyone and meant it the way I mean it now. Tears welled up in her eyes her heart overflowing with the intensity of her feelings for him I love you too she whispered back her voice thick with emotion more than anything. They stood there for a moment wrapped in each others warmth the world outside the safe house fading away as they lost themselves in the comfort of being together. It was a quiet moment it was filled with a deep unspoken understanding one that needed no words after a while Kane pulled back slightly his hand coming up to gently cup her check we should rest he said softly through there was a note of reluctance in his voice it's been a long night Amanda nodded through she didn't want to let go of him just yet. Your right she agreed her voice soft but I don't want to be alone tonight. Can we… just stay closer Kane's expression softened even further his thumb brushing over her cheek as he gave her a tender smile. I'm not letting you out of my sight he promised. Come on he led her to the small bedroom the place that had served as their refuge during the worst storm. The room was simple the bed unmade from their earlier rest it felt like a sanctuary a place where they could finally let down their guard and just be. Kane pulled back the covers they both climbed into bed settling under the blankets with their bodies close their legs tangling together as they sought each others warmth. Amanda laid her head on Kane's chest listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat letting it soothe the last of her lingering fears Kane's arm wrapped around her holding her close as he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. Get some sleep he murmured his voice comforting I'm right here Amanda nodded her eyelids growing heavy as the exhaustion of the past few days finally caught up with her. Thank you she whispered her voice low and comforting thank you for everything Kane's hand stroked gently down her back his touch lulling her into a state of peaceful drowsiness. Sleep my love he whispered ill be here when you wake up as Amanda drifted off to sleep she felt a sense of contentment settle over her a quiet peace that came from knowing that they had faced the darkness and come out the other side. They were stronger now and she knew that whatever the future held they would face it together. When Amanda awoke hours later the sun was high in the sky filling the room with a warm golden light. She blinked against the brightness momentarily disorientated before she remembered where she was. The events of the previous night came rushing back but this time the memories were tinged with victory Kane was still beside her his arms draped over her waist as he slept his features relaxed in a soft morning light Amanda swelled as she watched him her heart swelling with live and gratitude she couldn't believe how far they had come how much they had been through and yet here they were together stronger than ever. Gently as not to wake him Amanda slipped out of bed and made her way to the small kitchen. She felt a surge of domestic contentment as she made coffee the simple task grounding her in the reality of there new begging as the coffee brewed filling the room with its rich comforting aroma Amanda's mind wandered to the future. The danger was behind them and now they could finally focus on building something real something lasting she knew it wouldn't be easy there were still challenges ahead still parts of Kane's world that she did fully understand but she was ready to face it all as long as they were together when the coffee was ready Amanda poured two cups and carried them back to the bedroom. She smiled as she saw that Kane was awake proper up on one elbow as he watched her with a sleepy affectionate gaze Morning he murmured Morning Amanda replied ha ding him a cup of coffee as she sat down beside him I thought that you could use this Kane took the cup his fingers brushing against here's as he gave her a greatful smile your amazing he said softly his eyes filled with warmth Amanda blushed slightly her heart fluttering at the way he looked at her just thought you might need some caffeine after the night we had she said her tone teasing. Kane chuckled the sound deep and rich sending a shiver down her spine I think we both need it he agreed taking a sip of coffee before setting the cup on the bedside table. He reached put pulling her back I to his arms as they settled against the pillows their bodies fitting together perfectly for a moment they sat in comfortable silence sipping their coffee and simply enjoying each others presence. As the morning sun streamed through the window filling the room with light. Amanda felt a deep sense of contentment settle over her they had been through so much faced so many challenges but now as they sat together in the warmth of the new day she knew that they were ready to start a new chapter one filled with hope love and a promise of a future they would build together Kane set his cup down and turned to look at her his expression thoughtful Amanda he began slowly his voice serious I want you to know something. Amanda set her own cup down turning to face him fully what is it? She asked her heart fluttering at the intensity in his gaze Kane took her hand in his thumb brushing over her knuckles as he searched for the right words I've spent so much of my life living in the shadows hiding from things that scared me the things I didn't want to face but you you've shown me what it means to live In the light you've given me a reason to fight a reason to believe in something more. Amanda's breath caught in her throat her heart swelling with emotion as she listened to him pour out his heart the raw vulnerability in Kane's voice the sincerity in his eyes made her realize just how Much this journey had changed both of them. She squeezed his hand encouraging hi. To continue feeling her own emotions well up in response to his words I never thought I could have this Kane continued his voice soft but steady. A life that wasn't defined by fear or darkness but with you Amanda I see a future that's different a future where I don't have to be afraid of who I am or where I come from you've made me believe that I can be more than just the shadows of my past. Amanda felt gears prick the corners of her eyes she had always believed in Kane even when he struggled to believe in himself and hearing him now speaking so openly so honestly made her heart ache with love for him. Kane she whispered her voice thick with emotion you do t have to live in the shadows anymore. We've faced them together and we've come out stronger you've shown me what it means to be brave to fight for what we want and I want to spend the rest of my life fighting for us for this Kane's eyes shone with unshed tears his grip on her hand tightening . I don't ant to loose you Amanda he said his voice trembling slightly I want to build a life with you where we don't have be afraid anymore a life where we can just be us Amanda nodded her tears spilling over as she smiled at him her heart full to bursting that's all I want too she whispered. A life with you Kane whatever comes our way well face it together Kane leaned in capturing her lips in a tender lingering kiss filled with love with the quiet understanding that they had found something rare and beautiful something worth fighting for when they finally pulled back both of them breathless and teary eyed Kane cupped her face in his hands his expression with a fierce determination I want to marry you Amanda he said his voice unwavering I k ow it's sudden and I know we've Ben through a lot but I've never but I've never been more sure of anything in my life. Will you marry me? Amanda's heart skipped a beat her breath catching in her throat as she started ag him in shock and overwhelming joy. Marriage hadn't been something she'd expected to talk about so soon especially with everything they had just gone through as she looked into Kane's eyes she knew without a doubt that this was what she wanted yes she whispered her voice trembling with happiness yes Kane ill marry you. Kane's face broke Into a wide relieved smile before she knew it he had pulled her Into his arms hugging her tightly as they both laughed and cried at the same time. It was a moment of pure unfiltered joy a moment they felt like the beginning of something truly special as they held each other the weight of the world lifted from their shoulders replaced by the lightness of a new beginning the future once so uncertain and filled with danger now stretched out before them bright and full of promise eventually they pulled back their foreheads resting together as they shared a quiet intimate moment. Well have to plan the wedding Amanda said softly a playful smile tugging at her lips find a way to tell everyone without them thinking we have completely lost our minds Kane chuckled his eyes shining with love we'll take it one step at a time he said his tone light and filled with affection no matter what I want you to know that you're the most important thing in my life Amanda ill do whatever it takes to make you happy. Amanda smiled her heart swelling with emotion you already do she whispered just by being you they spent the rest of the morning I. Each others arms talking about their future about the life they wanted to build together. There were still challenges ahead still remnants of Kane's past that needed to be dealt with but they were no longer afraid they had faced the darkness together now they were ready to embrace the light as the day wore on they began to make small steps towards their new life. They talked about where they might live how they would build their careers and what kind of wedding they wanted it was a time of hope and excitement a time when the possibilities seemed endless. In the next few weeks that followed Kane and Amanda took the first steps towards their new life. They found a small cozy apartment in a quiet neighborhood a place that felt like home from the moment they walked through the door. They started making plans for their wedding talking about guest lists and venues all the little details that would make their day special more than anything they focused on each other on building the kind of life they had both linked for but never thought possible. They spent lazy mornings in bed wrapped in each others arms, evenings cooking dinner together laughing about there day. It was simple quiet life it was filled with love contentment that only comes from knowing you've found your place in the world. Kane began to open up more sharing parts of his past that he had kept hidden for so long with each story each revolution Amanda felt there bond grow stronger their love deepening in ways that she hadn't thought possible in return Amanda shared her own dreams her own hopes for the future they talked about starting a family one day, about the kind of life they wanted to create together. It was a future filled with love and promise a future that they both knew they would fight for no matter what. One evening as they sat on the balcony watching the sun set over the city Kane took Amanda's hand in his expression serious I want you to know he began softly that I'm not the same man I was when we first met you've changed me Amanda in the best way possible and im going to spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret choosing me. I don' need you to be anything other than who you are she replied softly because that's tE man I feel in love with I can't wit to spend the rest of my life with you. .