Prologue
"Mariana!"
Mariana's petite eyelids slowly cracked open as Micah pulled her up so he was facing her. She was slightly shivering from the coldness as her body temperature was slowly returning to normal, but she gave Micah a weak smile.
"Hey..." She whispered softly.
He smiled down at her sleepy face and gently caressed it with one finger as a tear slipped down her eye.
"Oh Mariana, I'm so happy your alive." He murmured close to her ear. He thought he had lost her forever but having her alive in his arms made him never want to let go.
"I'm very happy too," She said with relief and laid against his warm chest, feeling and hearing his soft heartbeat.
He kissed the top of her forehead and cuddled her close. "I thought I had lost you..." He rested his chin on top of her curls that tickled his jaw a little.
Mariana's eyes traveled up to Micah's face which were focused ahead, deep in thought. She could feel his palm slowly rubbing her back protectively from what lurked in the darkness.
He sighed and gently pulled her away at arm's length so their eyes locked.
Around here were sore and had bags under. Her lips were slightly parted as some loose strands of hair drooped down like wet leaves down her face.
Micah bit the bottom of his lip before, unsure of what he was about to say. "Mariana, I-" He paused for a minute, gathering up his thoughts. "I just want to say that I'm really happy for you to be alive and I really care about you Mariana, I really do."
Mariana's face lit up at hearing his sweet words. She blushed a little bit and looked down for a minute before returning eye contact.
"And I would like to get to know you more." He took her both her hands into his and drew her attention to his face.
"Mariana, would you like to be my girlfriend?"
Mariana was stunned and frozen on the spot. She was speechless at the question Micah had just asked her. He looked at her with promising eyes. Seeing the hope in them made her gaze soften into a smile as she slowly nodded.
"Yes Micah, I would love to," she smiled.
His lips curved into a smile that lit up his whole face. Mariana giggled at his cute response. He pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her.
"Oh thank you Mariana! I promise you won't regret it." He smiled and kissed her again.
