"Susy..." he says, his voice breaking with emotion, "will you marry me?"
The whole world seems to hold its breath for a moment. My throat goes dry and, unable to speak, I nod my head. Tears slide down my cheeks, illuminated by the soft light filtering through the curtains. He slides the ring onto my finger and, at that moment, I feel my heart expand to touch every corner of my being.
"Yes," I whisper, finally. "Yes, I do."
We both burst into laughter, realizing that just moments ago, I had been rescued from the clutches of my deranged, mobster ex-boyfriend. He wraps me in an embrace so intense it almost hurts, as if trying to convince me that this is not a dream.
His warmth envelops me and, in that instant, I discover that the future, at last, glows with hope.
"There will be a grand p
