A picture worth four words(Nicole) Everything was perfect. The time was 6:23pm. Mark had been setting this up for months. The location, the ring, the girl, especially the girl, seemed too good to be true. Amelia was an old soul. She loved everything old fashioned and wore everything from her grandma's closet. Today, she was dressed in a grey-slate sweater set and a charcoal pencil skirt. Her ensemble was crowned with a brilliant, scarlet felt tipped hat; complete with a black silk ribbon. Her cinnamon braids twisted and bent as she looked over her shoulder, back at Mark; tantalising him without even knowing it. His heart pulsed and thudded when her scent frolicked across his nose.

Mark observed her with reverence. The site was so serene. Her silhouette was framed by the tangerine glowing of the sun, which made her stand out as the sun does from the day. His gaze was hypnotised; his motion transfixed. It was as if she moved in slow motion. Her grace was incomparable. She was an angel among men.

He had brought her to the meadow they both loved. The field was laced with wild flowers. Their fragrance fell between the billowing blades of tall grass. The pond beside their favourite tree rippled with anticipation as if it knew Marks plan. Leaves rustled in their branches gossiping about the two lovers. They had hiked there as children. They shared their first kiss there. And now he would hopefully add another happy memory to the place.

Amelia couldn't swallow the delight she felt. The love that had been shared in the beautiful setting could be felt in the breeze that brushed against her cheek. The rays of the setting sun were cooling as the light they detained abated. Old, gnarled trees took residence there and dimpled its refinement. She was glad to be with Mark and ecstatic he was there to share that with her.

Amelia was a wonderful photographer. She couldn't wait to capture the beauty inside of one perfect moment in time. The light was just right. The atmosphere and attitude of the new evening was matchless. Mark was beyond compare. She could not think of a finer setting she would rather be.

Mark watched Amelia as she set up her camera. He loved to watch her work. The look on her face of pure concentration and study was one he adored most. The way she knitted her eyebrows together with pure focus was so fetching. Her full lips were in a pout of frustration as she tried to find an even spot for her tripod. He offered his help, but she rejected it with a flick of her delicate ringless hand.

When she finally settled in a place she liked, Amelia let out a sigh, as if she had been holding it in the entire time. Now it was Marks turn to breathe. In with the brave, out with the weak he told himself. The time was nearing. With either answer she made, it would be the beginning of a new life for the both of them.

Amelia stepped up to the camera and focused the lens. Mark steadied his hand around the box. They inhaled at the very same instant. She counted to three. On three, Mark held the open ring box up before the lens. Amelia only saw the the twinkle of the bulb. She thought a shadow had crossed the scene. She missed the ring completely. Mark didn't have the courage to try again. He was too disappointed that his romantic gesture had been unnoticed and overlooked.

Amelia had seen what though. She had known all along how and when Mark was going to propose due to his sister, Marie, having a big gob. She asked Mark if he would take the next shot as she moved and directed a tangle of weeds. As Mark counted down, Amelia quickly and quietly unfolded the answer to his silent question. On the wink of the bulb, Amelia had revealed in the picture, a simple, hand written response; yes.

---