Chapter Forty: Three Years Later

"Seriously, you'd think after being together for three and half years you'd remember I hate surprises," I groaned loudly.

"And you'd think after three and half years you'd remember I'm good at surprises," Clarke mimicked at me.

"Okay, but it's never involved putting me on a plane and not telling me where I'm going. I can't believe I let you talk me into getting on this plane," I said.

Do not get me wrong. I still loved Clarke and I still trusted him to all ends of the universe, but unsurprisingly agreeing to get on a plane and having no idea where I was going was not ideal. Not to mention he had literally bribed all the air hostess to not say a word to me. Now walking through the airport Clarke was doing his best to hide where we had landed.

"Can you just do me a favour and try to enjoy this for me? The last three years has been me flying back and forth and seeing you on the weekend, and sometimes I'd get there and you'd be too busy," Clarke reminded.

"Ah, sometimes it would be the other way around, thank you very much. Have you already forgotten our two-year anniversary?" I said a little high and mighty.

"No, but that was unavoidable and I more than made up for it," Clarke said quickly. "Just...please, Rory? I promise you'll love every second of it."

"Fine, as long as you tell me where we are," I said.

"You'll find out any second, especially once we cross the border," Clarke pointed out.

"Well, I know we're in a different country at least."

"Rory," Clarke sighed, and stopped walking to look directly at me. "Can you do me a favour and please just let this surprise happen and try not let my planning be in vain?"

I could see it was annoying him, my need to know everything so I sighed and nodded at him in response.

"Thank you," Clarke smiled, kissing my forehead, and then talking my hand to continue walking through the airport.

I went through the border trying to ignore any signs I saw, but no matter how hard Clarke tried he couldn't hide that we were in Europe, I just didn't know where yet, and as we went through the border I was never going to see any signs because the moment we were in the public area of the airport, there were people trying to take photos of Clarke and I.

I can't say that in the three years we had been together I had gotten used to living in the public life, because I hadn't. The world knew my name and my face, although I was mostly known as Clarke Watson's girlfriend, it was a part of me now. It made law school a little awkward in the beginning because people knew that about me, and that was all they thought of me, until they got to know me, then things got better. Sometimes at law school when Clarke wasn't there I wasn't bothered and I was just Rory, but back in New York or in public with Clarke I was Clarke's girlfriend again. I didn't hate it because I loved Clarke, with literally every fibre of my being, but sometimes I just wished things could be normal for us.

One of our bodyguards led us through the crowd and out into a car where someone had already collected our bags. Once the car door shut, I sighed.

"Vultures," Clarke muttered. "I haven't even done anything wrong. Why bother us?"

"Actually you haven't done anything wrong in years. Didn't I just read that you were one of the world's successful millionaires under thirty?" I praised him a little.

He laughed a little. "I knew sending you that magazine was a mistake."

"No, Clarke it's great," I rolled my eyes a little, putting my hands on him to shake him a little in annoyance. "You've done everything you wanted to do. You've built that company back up and made it your own and made it successful. You deserve the praise and the recognition, and I know for a fact that your Dad would be extremely proud."

Clarke looked directly into my eyes and I saw something in them I had come to see often with Clarke. I saw love, and admiration. Clarke had become so much more of a man than I ever thought he would be when we first met. He was everything I wanted in a man, supportive, strong, funny, and smart and knew how to be independent but chose to lean on me as well. He had become my best friend and I couldn't believe how lucky I had gotten to find the man of my dreams.

"I wish my Dad could see us now," Clarke told me, grabbing my hand to hold mine in his. "I would've loved to see his reaction to me dating you."

I laughed a little. "I'm not sure he would believe it. Although, I'm sure if he could see the person you've become he'd understand."

"You mean the person you've helped me become," Clarke muttered.

I rolled my eyes a little. "I've helped but it is mostly on you. You can only change if you want to, and you wanted it. I mean, you didn't right away and I let you know that...but you got there."

Clarke chuckled at me and moved his hands so he could put his arm around me and he kissed me forehead. "Somehow, I got so lucky to meet you and for you to...get over how much of an asshole I was."

"Well, turns out you were just an asshole on the outside lucky for me," I joked with a small smile and Clarke just hugged me tighter.

We sat in the car for quite some time and I still had no idea where we were, and I was now okay with that. It was obvious Clarke had gone to great lengths to plan something for us. I knew he wanted to go somewhere the moment I finished law school, and I say the moment I finished because I didn't exactly have long. I had to move back to New York, well in this case move back into Clarke's penthouse. Clarke hadn't moved at all and I was glad because I did love that place. We decided on living together about half way through law school but we agreed on one thing, it was time to redecorate the place for us. We loved Henry, but it had been a while now and we would always have memories of him, and we'd keep the little things, the important things, but it was also time for us to be a real couple. So I had to move in, get furniture and then I had interviews...well hopefully. Being at Yale meant it wasn't too hard to apply to some of the bigger law firms, and I wanted to corporate law, something my background as an assistant helped me with. I had to be picked though out of many others who went to big law schools like me, and then I had to do well for a year to get a position, so I wouldn't have a lot of free time still for a while.

Our lives were definitely always going to have interruptions. I mean, my boyfriend was CEO of big company, and I knew I didn't have to get the big job, something small or maybe not even working, but it wasn't what I wanted for myself, I wanted a career and no matter how it impacted our lives, Clarke supported it.

"Okay, we're here. You can finally see where we are."

Clarke got out of the car first with a large smile on his face. I frowned slightly as Clarke held the door open for me to get out. I slowly got out, kind of scared to see where he had taken me after so much anticipation and the moment I got out, I wasn't disappointed. In fact my mouth hung open.

"Paris," I said, turning to Clarke who was in front of me smiling like an idiot. I should also mention he was standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, dead giveaway.

"Where else?" he smiled, walking up to me and taking both my hands in his.

"I...I don't understand," I admitted.

"Well, I think it's safe to say Paris hold a dear place in our relationship," Clarke told me, putting his forehead closer to mine.

"Well...yes," I agreed slightly. "Expect...it wasn't perfect. I freaked out after it, avoided you. We fought the day before too."

Clarke laughed slightly. "Yes...I remember. I also remember going up to the top of this tower and talking to you...really talking to you for the first time. I know that's the moment everything changed for me. I know it's the moment I started to feel something for you. When we were here we both just weren't ready to admit we wanted a relationship. Heck I wasn't ready and if it had turned out that way we wouldn't be standing here now. Everything that happened in Paris happened exactly the way it did to make sure we could stand here right now."

As Clarke spoke he put his hand to my cheek and with his fingertips moving my hair. I found myself smiling. Paris was long ago, four years. It was also the first time I had ever slept with Clarke and of course now I didn't regret it, but I remember how chaotic it felt and how it messed with me for a while and I guess I focused on the bad stuff then. Clarke was right. At the top of this tower we had a conversation and I felt so close to him in that moment. We had a great dinner as well, and great night out and despite that one fight, it was actually good. Paris would always be special to us, it had to be.

"Okay," I nodded slightly smiling. "So it wasn't all kind of perfect last time we were here. Tell me we get to go to the top again though."

"Of course we do," Clarke smiled widely. "Wouldn't be right if we didn't."

So Clarke and I took the elevator to the top, surrounded by the many other tourist looking for the same experience. I held Clarke's hand as we stood in the elevator and I couldn't stop smiling. This really was a good surprise. The people we had been when we were here last definitely didn't reflect who were now, especially as a couple, but that was for the best. Clarke was right. Everything that happened here happened exactly the way it needed for us to end up here.

Once we were at the top I stepped out to look at the view, something that I definitely still loved. I soaked it all up as I felt Clarke's hands come around my waist to hug me from behind.

"Good surprise then?" Clarke asked me softly, speaking into my ear.

"Yes," I breathed out, smiling slightly. "You are still the only person in the world that can pull of surprises I like."

"Good," Clarke told me, "because I've got one more for you."

Before I could even think to ask what the other surprise was, he let go of me but made sure to turn me slightly to the side so I could face him. Without a beat or a second for me to take anything in Clarke suddenly got down on one knee. I know most girls dreamed of this moment, and I had...many times. I imagined gasping, crying maybe, anything...instead I was frozen, literally in shock.

"Aurora Diana Edwards," Clarke spoke and I realised he was nervous, I heard the shakiness in his voice. "I...I should've known I was going to fall in love with you the moment we meet because no one had spoken to me the way you did that day. No one else could've helped me become the man I am today. You are confident, smart and the most beautiful woman I have ever met in my life. Each day, even after nearly four years I fall in love with you more and more as I learn something new and you continue to impress me with the woman you've become. I couldn't imagine living another day in my life without you to experience it with me. So...I feel to need to ask you...if you'll marry me?"

Clarke reached for his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened it to show me the ring inside. It was perfect and the moment I saw it I knew it. I was small, with a thing silver band and one single cut diamond. He knew I didn't need to get a fancy ring, I wanted simple. I should've answered immediately then, yelled it out, but I was honestly in absolute shock. I couldn't move let alone yell my answer out. So my shocked and confused brain said something stupid instead.

"Are you serious?" I whispered.

I thought it might've offend Clarke but I'm pretty sure he could see the shocked look on my face and he smiled slightly. "I mean I am down on one knee and all so I think it's pretty serious."

I laughed slightly and it made Clarke smile wider and I realised that I had started to cry. I think my brain was finally starting to come around.

"In that case...I definitely have to say my answer is...yes," I told him. "I mean, how could I ever say anything else to the love of my life?"

"Oh, thank God."

In one quick minute Clarke sprung up and came towards me, putting his hands to my neck and then pulling my lips to his. We kissed, strongly and passionately in that moment, but only for a moment. We pulled away, putting our foreheads together. I realised the moment we kissed I had started crying. Just small tears though, happy tears though, and it was covered by a nervous and excited laugh as Clarke slid the ring onto my finger. I couldn't stop smiling then, looking at it, and looking at him. I had never exactly dreamed of getting married, it had never been a big deal to me like it was for some, but when it was the right person, and I loved them unconditionally, I knew it was right. Not much else would make this any better.

"My best friend is getting married people! Whoa!"

I jumped slightly at the voice and suddenly realised something. Whilst Clarke and I were sharing this very personal and intimate moment we were in public and people had definitely seen this proposal, and I think I had heard clapping even, but I wasn't sure. What I was sure of though was exactly whose voice it was that had cut through the bubble Clarke and I had been in. I turned to the side and moved to see Ava, and she was holding a camera.

"Oh, god you filmed it all," I said immediately.

"Well, duh," Ava said, like it was obvious. "When Clarke told me the plan and told me he'd fly me to Paris of course I offered to film it. This moment need to be immortalised. I've only been bugging him to propose all year."

"And I told you once she finished school," Clarke rolled his eyes slightly.

"And here we are," Ava smiled sweetly.

"Well, at least everyone back home can see it then," I nodded at her.

"You mean re-watch it..." Ava said slowly.

"Huh? Oh my God...Kieran....DAD!"

I don't know how I hadn't noticed them standing behind Ava, and they had obviously seen then whole thing, but knowing my Dad was here, something about it just made it all feel better. I broke away from Clarke and ran towards my Dad and flung my arms around him. He hugged me tightly, very tightly. Something told me this moment was hard for him, I mean his only daughter was getting married. Wow that did sound weird.

"I don't understand...how you'll here," I frowned, stepping back from my Dad.

"Well...Clarke called, and he...asked for my blessing first," my Dad explained. "I said yes of course. Then he told me about the plan to surprise you with it all."

"Yeah, and it was a serious plan too," Kieran butted in. "We've been here since yesterday, and then came up the tower an hour ago to make sure we would be here and so we could hide and you wouldn't see us, and it worked."

"Clarke," I sighed, turning around to look at him.

"What?" he shrugged innocently. "I know you pretty well, Rory, and I know how important these people are to you, and I know this is about us, but I also know it was going to be ten million times better if your friends and family were here for it."

"Thank you," I whispered with a smile and then walked my way back over to him. "This is truly the best day ever."

"I wanted it to be perfect. I love you way too much to settle for anything less," Clarke smiled and pecked me quickly.

"Right. I'm all into you two being and lovy-dovy right now, I am, and you two deserve this moment, but...we also have a celebration to get to," Ava slid in.

"You planed a celebration too? Not knowing if I'd say yes?" I asked Clarke.

He shrugged but with a small smile as he did. "I decided to be hopeful. Wanted to make sure I had everything ready no matter the answer. Can you blame me?"

"No...I would've done the same."

"Good, let's go then."

It was clear Clarke had planned every detail out and he had obviously been planning it out with Ava. I was surprised Ava was so willing to help with a romantic gesture though. Nearly a year ago now her and Parker broke up. Turns out as a relationship they didn't work, but business wise things were going great, so they decided they needed to break up to make sure that lasted. Ava was pretty devastated, and she kind of went into the slum I did when I broke up with Isaac. For the first time ever, she didn't love, love. She needed time though because she would come around. It felt like her planning this was her coming around.

Clarke had gotten a limo for all of us, and even my Dad seemed excited about it. I was so happy to see him here, to see him so happy for me. Over the last couple of years my Dad and Clarke had gotten quite close. They just clicked, had a lot in common and once my Dad got to know Clarke I think he knew he was good for me. My Dad hadn't liked my boyfriends in the past, he could be hard to be please, but that was not a problem for once.

Clarke and I still sat in the limo together and we all drank champagne. I couldn't stop looking at the ring on my finger, seeing it there, knowing he would really be mine forever. I mean, I always knew he would be, but actually having this, it just felt nice.

"Do you like it?" Clarke whispered into my ear, as he put his arm around.

"You did will, Mr Watson," I praised him with a smile.

Clarke chuckled. "Watson...future Watson?"

I frowned slightly. It wasn't something I had thought about before. "Aurora Watson. Wow..."

"Too weird?" Clarke asked me.

"No," I assured him, looking into his eyes. "Don't take this as an offence but I wouldn't take the name just for you. I would have Henry's last name too, your Dad..."

Clarke paused for a moment then smiled and pushed some hair from my face. "I don't take any offence from it because you're right. If my Dad were here, nothing would make him happier knowing I'm going to marry you."

We pulled up to a restaurant and it took me a moment but I recognised the restaurant. It was the same one Clarke had taken me to last time after we visited the tower. He had hired it out and it was just all of us in there, eating, and drinking and talking about old times, the good times, know there'd be so many more in the future.

I knew I was happy, and I knew my life was exactly where it was supposed to be. That doesn't mean the next few years, or any year from here was going to be easy but I knew I could get through it because I had Clarke. He couldn't solve every problem by any means but knowing he would be there was just enough. I didn't know what the future would hold though. I hoped it included me getting a job in New York and Clarke's job being successful and us having the wedding we wanted. Then maybe getting a dog because kids would be much further down the road for us. I hoped it would include happiness and all of us being together. Ava would be my maid of honour, of course and no matter what happened with that girl in my life I always wanted her there. Kieran, well I needed him for advice, not so much anymore, he used me for advice with his boyfriend, but he was always that realistic person in my life I needed. My Dad was my family, and I knew he'd be there for me no matter what but it was nice to know he was proud of me.

As for Clarke, I think back to that day in New York when we met and I yelled at him. I didn't regret it for one minute because if I had been nice and friendly he probably wouldn't have thought much of me and who knows where we'd be. Then there's me...well me, I'm finally me. I feel like me like I know what I want, and that includes Clarke being a part of my life. What my future really held, was that I was going to live my life, and be Aurora Watson.