Sonia and Andre walked hand and hand through the dense crowd. The carnival resembled a winter wonderland. Laughter and chatter surrounded them as people waited in lines to get on rides or to purchase food. The smell of cotton candy, funnel cakes, and BBQ filled the atmosphere. There was a brisk chill in the air and light snowflakes fell all around them.

It was the first time in three years that Sonia visited the fair. The place brought back so many memories, including a not so distant one.

"I can't believe this place looks almost the same as it did four years ago," Sonia said.

"Almost the same set-up too, except for a few new rides here and there. I heard the same guy owns the place. He still runs a tight ship around here too," Andre said.

"Thanks for bringing me." She snuggled closer to him.

"I thought maybe we could ride the infamous Ferris wheel while we're here," he said.

"You can see the view of the mountains from it. It's so nice."

"Would you believe that in all the months that I worked here, I haven't ridden that thing?"

"Let's take it for a spin," she said. "I'm sure your mom and my dad are occupied at the moment."

They were headed to the other end of the fairground to meet their parents to enjoy a cable car ride together, and then to the booth to take a few pictures. When they arrived at the Ferris wheel the line was extra long. A crowd of people were waiting and further inspection revealed that the ride might have been down, maybe broken. Either that or the attendant had gone on break.

"Hmmm, maybe we should come back after the cable car ride," she suggested.

"Looks like we'll have to do that. You know what…wait right here for a moment, will you? The main office is right behind that building. I'm gonna go see what's up and see if they can make this happen for us."

"Okay, I'll try to save us a spot in the line," Sonia said.

He kissed her on the forehead and then disappeared through the crowd.

Sonia stuffed her hands in her pockets and waited. Soon, her memories took her back four years ago when she first saw Andre. He was right. It'd been like love at first sight, but back then, she didn't even know what that was. All she knew was that she felt a consistent pull towards him. Who would have known that she'd end up with a reformed bad boy who made her happy every day? If she had never left Aspen Valley, things would've been different.

There were always what-ifs…

But maybe this was the way it was meant to be.

The attendant manning the Ferris wheel returned to his port and the crowd parted. She looked around for Andre, but couldn't find him. Intent on getting on the Ferris wheel with him, so they could enjoy the views, she moved forward to take her place in line. Luckily, she was the first one.

But no one moved to stand behind her on the line. She looked around, confused. It was odd because the attendant was standing right there with his ticket bucket ready to take new riders. She began to notice something strange. The people in the crowd were looking at her and the empty Ferris wheel.

"What's going on?" she asked the attendant at the gate.

The guy smiled but didn't reply.

Sonia looked out into the crowd again and saw her dad and step-mom standing front and center, holding hands, grinning and whispering in each other's ears.

She had only taken a few steps toward them when Andre called her name from the far left.

"Sonia." He walked toward her.

"Andre, what's going on? All these people are looking at me," she said, her heart beating a trillion beats a minute.

"It's because you're beautiful," he said, taking her hand.

She chuckled nervously. "Andre, let's be for real…"

"I am being for real," he replied.

Lights began flashing on the Ferris wheel and, without anyone onboard, started spinning.

"I love you, Sonia. You're the only one for me. I knew it the moment I saw you. Like an endless Ferris wheel, our love knows no bounds."

Andre turned her around and she looked up immediately at the lights on the wheel flashing avidly, reflecting beautifully on the night sky. There was a question on the wheel, illuminated by letters that lit up.

It read: Sonia, will you marry me?

"Oh my God," she breathed, her heart stopping in her chest.

She couldn't breathe. This was surreal. Like a dream.

Andre got on one knee and produced the biggest diamond ring she'd ever seen and asked her for her hand in marriage.

"Marry me, Sonia."

She couldn't see for the tears in her eyes, but she found the strength to voice her intent.

"Yes. Of course I'll marry you."

He slipped the ring on her finger and her heart flooded with joy. If someone had told her that on this day four years ago that she would actually end up mated and married to her biggest crush and the love of her life, she wouldn't have believed them. Now her fantasies were actually becoming. reality.

When he rose and took her lips in a kiss, the whole crowded began clapping and cheering them on. They drowned out the crowd for a while, losing themselves in the embrace. Sonia was grinning from ear to ear when they parted, but what brought the most content was seeing both of their parents smiling and cheering right along with the crowd.

He gently wiped tears from her face with his thumb. "I don't think I've ever seen you cry."

"I'm crying because I love you," she said, and then slipped her hands around Andre's neck and kissed him again.