Me Before You
Chapter 26

Monica and Joshua retraced the road to a pine forest surrounded by a small river. Above the river there is a wooden bridge that connects the area where Monica lives with shady pine forests.

Unlike the previous, the two of them walked while holding hands. Enjoy the view around them. The mood is very cold. The shining sun is not too hot, because it is spring.

The breeze that comes from the spring wind also accompanies the second step in climbing this wooden bridge. The gurgling sound of the river water leads them to remember the past, where Monica takes Joshua around Gibbston Valley for the first time. Until finally they arrive at a place that is believed to be full of hope.

The big pine tree was still standing in the same place, nothing had changed. The shade is also the bark of the tree that is slightly peeled is still the same as one year ago. They both stopped in front of the tree.

"I haven't been here in a long time" Joshua said, looking up at the end of the tree.

"Hm, right." replied Monica, confirming.

Yeah, after last year's incident, Monica decided to stay in the City with Angela. But his stay in the City did not make Monica forget her parents in the Village. Monica comes home every weekend and returns to the city on weekdays. The girl now works at Angela's wine bar, helping to run her family's shop.

"I miss picking grapes and playing here." continued Monica again, making Joshua Spencer look up at Monica.

Joshua smiled faintly, "are you happy?"

Monica looked back at Joshua, her forehead shriveling in confusion. "happy?"

"I'm just asking, are you happy with your life now?"

"Yes, I'm so happy. But, if I remember the past, I miss it and want to go back to that time."

"I get. The past cannot be separated from humans, but we cannot be in that time. Because there is a future waiting for us. It is undeniable that the future has something to do with the past."

Now it was Monica's turn to smile thinly. He confirmed Joshua's words, unfortunately he did not reply to the man's words.

"Oh, yes, I want to say something" Joshua said, switching the conversation. "You said you wanted to have your own show for the proposal, right?"

"Yes, right. Wh why? Are you thinking about it?" Monica laughed a little.

Joshua shook his head, "i've thought about it and I'll make it happen soon."

"Oh, really? What's that like?" monica Goda.

Joshua smiled obliquely, then he approached Monica and held Monica's hands together. "Maybe you'd think it's a little cringe or something. But I really want you to be a part of me,"

Joshua sighed first, then he said, "so, Monica Frances, will you marry me? Enjoy life with me, be my life companion, be a parent with me and grow old with me."

Monica smiled broadly. "You don't have to ask a question that's clearly the answer."

"Who said I know the answer? I don't know the answer yet. You could've said 'no' in the middle of the road, right?'

"So much as she wanted to know my answer?"

"Actually I just need your confession, because I've never heard you say love or anything like that to me."

"Is that so? I think you know everything even if I don't say it."

Monica shrugged her shoulders, then the girl said, "well, I'll say it." she said, "Joshua Spencer..." Monica hung up on her words, then the girl continued, "Without you saying it, I will happily always be by your side, being whatever you want me to be. Accept all your advantages and disadvantages."

Joshua Spencer smiled broadly at Monica's confession for the first time. The man was a little relieved, because all this time he was not the only one who fell in love. A little childish indeed, Joshua who seemed to need a confession from a woman.

"Do you need another confession, Mr Spencer?" monica asks trying to convince Joshua of his simple confession. "If you want, I can give it more now, when we're married."

This time Joshua Spencer showed his little laugh, not expecting that Monica would boast in conveying her feelings to Joshua. Without a second thought, Joshua Spencer hugged Monica tightly amid the gusts of spring wind and soothing sunshine.

Joshua made a promise to himself that he would continue to love Monica, no matter how tough life's challenges might be. Even though the distance is separated or the memory disappears again.

...----------------...

...Letter From Joshua to Monica...

...----------------...

Actually, I don't know exactly what's been going on lately. But once I knew you, I felt something unusual. It may sound too ordinary and silly, I want to know more about you. However, what happens is that when I get to know you, I get even more clueless about how I feel.

I seem to have no hope anymore when people around you want you who is like now. Smile happily without thinking about anything. I understand their worries, even I'm worried about you.

But for now....

I can't.

I want to, but I can't.

I need some time to think about it. Of course everything will be fine, if we get used to it.

If you're reading this letter, I just want you to know that I'm the Joshua Spencer you once knew.

Sorry I can't tell you directly. I'm too depressed to say this to you directly,

You don't need to know me well, I'm enough to hold on to our old memories. All for your own good.

At that time, I could not see you because right on that day I moved and only heard from my friends. Looking at you as you are now, I'm pretty sure you must be happy with your life now, before even seeing me again.

Actually, if you could go to my place, I would love to take you away and be your tour guide. Like you did that day, when we met again.

There's still one secret I can't tell you until now. Maybe when you go into town and see me again, I'll explain everything.

Thanks for the last two weeks, I'm glad we could see each other again.

^^^From your past,^^^

Joshua Spencer^^^^^