The Circle Closes

He placed an aged, leather-bound book on her lap. "I picked up something for you earlier. You said you liked poems."

"It's a first edition!" She gasped, greedily thumbing through the pages. Then her face fell. "Oh wait...I'm not too good at reading German."

He laughed softly. "I can. I could translate as I read it to you."

"OK." She settled herself on his chest, the rough wool of his sweater rubbing against her cheek as he read. The words moved over her like a half-whispered melody until all she knew was darkness, and the gentle drift of the breeze and the sound of his voice.

Es ist unsinn, sagt die vernunft. It is nonsense, says reason.
Es ist was es ist, sagt die Liebe. It is what it is, says love.

Es ist unglück, sagt die berechnung. It is misfortune, says caution.
Es ist nichts als schmerz, sagt die angst. It is nothing but pain, says fear.
Es ist aussichtslos, sagt die einsicht. It is hopeless, says insight.
Es ist was es ist, sagt die liebe. It is what it is, says love.

Es ist lächerlich, sagt der stolz. It is ridiculous, says pride.
Es ist leichtsinnig, sagt die vorsicht. It is foolhardy, says caution.
Es ist unmöglich, sagt die erfahrung. It is impossible, says experience.
Es ist was es ist, sagt die liebe. It is what is, says love.

"Rachel." His voice was pitched so low it barely reached her ears.

She woke. "Mm?"

"Marry me."

She drew herself up sharply and stared at him. He simply held her eyes, his expression benign and untroubled.

"You know how I feel and it hasn't changed from the first time I asked. And I'm asking again, because I want to."

She didn't answer right away. Her gaze was drawn towards the open window where the moon shone silver and gold. She kept her eyes fixed upon it until a shadow crossed its face and the light faded.

Only breathe...

The sky above tilted, spinning towards destiny, stretching the stars in the distance like a million pieces lost.

I ask for nothing else...

When everything stilled, a faint glow suffused the moment, like it had been waiting to fall for so long, transmuted to meet a single perspective.

I understand.

She leaned in, fingers lightly tracing the shape of his mouth, the line of his cheek. "I'm looking forward to the day when I will surrender my share of the blanket, split the difference on the thermostat and bake your favorite lasagna every Thursday for the rest our lives." Her face was solemn, but there was a twinkle in her eye. "You down with that, doctor?"

His face broke into a smile. He entwined his fingers with hers, bringing up her hand to press his lips against it in a gesture of wordless joy.

Yes.