“It’s perfect.” I examined the intricately handmade wedding ring I had specially created for Cindy. It glistened and prisms of light bounced off of the huge diamond in the center. I looked up and shook the hand of the most established jewelry maker in all Cardalph. I told him that I was satisfied and that we absolutely had a deal with this ring.

Proposing with a ring to a potential bride is not a common occurrence here on this planet, but I wanted the experience for Cindy. Since she was unable to find true love on her home planet of Earth, I was determined to make sure she felt every drop of her importance to me and that she had the wedding of a lifetime here with me worlds away from Earth. I wanted to make sure she forgot all about her tortured past and where she came from. She had never felt love until now, and I was ready for her to see a new horizon in the distance. I was ready to give her a future with me…with us together, that shone as bright as the stars.

I paid for the ring and raced out of the store, back into my car. As the leader of Cardalph, I was supposed to have a chauffeured driver take me everywhere I needed to go. However, I couldn’t help but love feeling the wind in my hair and be out on the open road behind the wheel myself. I wasn’t going to be a traditional leader anyway.

I had planned a romantic dinner, complete with a violinist to play as I got down on one knee to propose to Cindy. She had been through hell back on Earth, and I wanted to show her that the pain she had suffered in her past life ended now, with her becoming my wife. I would do anything for her.

I went home, showered, shaved, and put on my best suit. I looked at my watch. It was 6:30 in the evening. I had made reservations for 7:00 at the most expensive restaurant in downtown Cardalph. They served delicious seafood, which I had chosen after I learned of Cindy’s love for it.

I had arranged for Cindy and me to have a private table in the back, away from other dining people. The violinist would show up before our meal began, but after we had ordered drinks. All of this was planned to be a surprise for her. I had told her to meet me at the restaurant, but she knew about nothing more than just the dinner plans.

My soul felt alive and electric with anticipation. I couldn’t wait to see the excitement on her face when I finally got down on one knee and proposed to her. I knew she expected the wedding to happen, but I wanted to thrill and captivate her. She was glorious and special, and I wanted to make sure she felt that way on the inside too. She had so much sparkle within herself; I wanted to help her unleash it.

When I arrived at the restaurant, I was surprised to see that Cindy had not gotten there yet. I was led to our table by a young gentleman. He placed the menus on the table and put his hands behind his back. “Good evening sir, my name is Cronulir. May I start you off with some wine or anything else to drink?”

“Yes please, bring your finest bottle of champagne.” I didn’t even need to consult the beverage menu because I knew I wanted the most luxurious items for the evening.

Cronulir nodded and turned on a heel to fetch the champagne. I took a moment to check out the table while I waited. The lighting was soft and romantic. There was a single red rose in the center of the white table-clothed table. A set of gas-burning flames flickered in lanterns that hung on the wall.

The waiter brought back the champagne, but I didn’t want to open it until Cindy arrived. I checked my watch again. It was almost 7:30. I began to get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Where was Cindy? I hoped she wasn’t hurt or in trouble somewhere needing me.

My mind started to wander. I tried to think of any clues Cindy might have left lately that hinted she was unhappy here. Before I could work myself into a destructive session of worry, I heard Cindy’s small feminine voice. “Togtulir,” she whispered and I turned around.

I was struck immediately by the way she looked. She had our native Cardalphian skin tone. She looked stunning and breathtaking. I was supposed to be the one planning the elaborate and clever surprise, but here Cindy was stealing the entire show and I couldn’t be more elated. With my mouth hanging wide open, I was too mesmerized to utter anything other than “wow.”

Cindy traipsed over to me with a sexy strut. She was wearing a short black dress with a plunging neckline, leaving little to the wandering eye or imagination. Her breasts looked glorious, plump and edible. I wanted to devour them in one bite, skipping dessert entirely. She was my dessert, and she looked amazing as a Cardalphian.

I stood up to greet her, wrapping my arms around her tiny waist. I held her for a few moments, breathing in the scent of her hair and perfume that smelled like strawberries and sunshine. “You look breathtaking, Cindy,” I whispered into her neck, tickling her there with little splashes of kisses until I felt chill bumps fill her new blue skin.

“Thank you,” she looked up at me with adoring eyes, swooning with romance. She stood on her tiptoes in order to reach up to kiss my lips. Her taste was addicting. I wanted to fuck her right here on this table, but I knew that wasn’t possible.

“Why don’t we sit down? I’ve planned a very relaxing and spectacular seafood dinner for you.” I motioned to the table and she sat across from me. I took her hands in mine, noticing how small and slender her fingers were in comparison to mine. She was wearing red nail polish which matched the red rose on the table almost perfectly. I brought her hands up to my mouth, kissing each knuckle softly, but ardently.

“Togtulir, before we order the food, I want to tell you something. I’ve been thinking about being here, and I want this to be my home. I want to build a life with you here.” Cindy’s eyes shine with tears.

“I want nothing more in this world than to be committed to you, to our relationship. You have shown me enormous amounts of hospitality and kindness that I will never be able to repay. I realize now that fate has brought us together. We were meant to meet each other. The passion and the connection we share has been so strong, I know it was meant to be. With help of your aunt, I was able to get this Cardalphian suit. I want to be viewed as one of your people, so that you can be better respected, and that I can finally fit in where I belong.”

Cindy paused, waiting for me to respond. I couldn’t wait a single second longer to propose to the beautiful woman sitting in front of me. Without a word, and without the violinist there yet to play, I got down on one knee. It seemed as if it were happening in slow motion. I pulled the ring from my coat pocket and opened its tiny little case. Cindy gasped and held her hands up to her mouth in surprise. Her eyes were twinkling with a radiance even brighter than the diamond sparkling between us.

“I’ve been to dozens of planets, have traveled half this galaxy and have experienced so many things. I have never met anyone like you, and I’ve never loved as completely as I do now with you. Will you please do me the honor of being my wife?”

Cindy jumped out of her seat to meet me halfway on the floor. She threw her arms around her neck. “Yes! Yes, Togtulir I will be your wife. It will be a great honor for me too.” We laughed in unison as tears rolled down and streaked both of our cheeks. It was the best moment of my entire life.