Finally (Toby)

Today was the day. Maddy had visited her counselor for the last time yesterday, and Toby had been there through everything. He remembered the struggles that they faced together:

"Maddy, listen to me. You are beautiful. You don't have to be size 2 to be perfect. You already are," Toby said hoping with all of his might that this time she would listen and look away from the stupid mirror.

She looked at her stomach and grabbed at something that must have only been in her mind.

"You don't understand. I'm so fat. No one is ever going to love me. I'm undesirable," Maddy cried and fell to her knees wrapping her arms around her stomach.

Toby looked at the woman who had stolen his heart years ago. Taking  a deep breath, he sat down next to Maddy and held her close to him.

"You're wrong. You know that?" Toby asked kissing the top of her head.

"How? How can I be wrong?" she buried her head into Toby's shoulder.

"Because I love you. I have loved you forever. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Your ex was an ass, excuse my language, but he was. Anyone who treats such an amazing woman as yourself that way is an ass. Madeline, I love you with all of my heart. I swear to you, I will never leave you. You and I will get through this."

Maddy looked up into Toby's eyes at a loss for words. He gently put his hand against Maddy's delicate cheek and looked back. She didn't move away, so he did something the two would never regret. 

Toby bent  his head down and kissed Maddy with the passion he had felt for her from day one. 

From that day, the two were inseparable. Toby dedicated himself to helping Maddy beat her bulimia. She had gone through three years of counseling, and Toby never left her side.

Today, was their anniversary and Toby had made reservations for dinner at Maddy's favorite restaurant.

At 6 p.m. Toby drove to Maddy's apartment in his recently bathed and cleaned pickup. He had even picked out his nicest blue button-up shirt and black dress pants for the occasion. Nervously, he picked up the flowers from the passenger seat. They were the best orchids that the florist shop had. Toby recalled Maddy telling him they were her favorite flowers, and he wanted tonight to be special.

Taking a deep breath Toby went to Maddy's door and knocked. Without delay she opened the door smiling.

At that moment, it seemed as if all the oxygen had left Toby's body. Maddy was beautiful. She too had chosen to wear blue. Her dress was a royal blue with lace flowers. The skirt fell just above her knees and her long brown hair flowed down her back in curls.

"Wow," was all Toby could muster.

Smiling Maddy said, "Are those orchids for me?"

"Oh, right. Yes, here," Toby said extending his arm to make them reach her.

"Are you okay? You seem on edge," Maddy said taking the flowers into the apartment to put in a vase of water.

"I've honestly never been better. Before we go, Maddy I want to talk to you."

Toby's heart felt like it was going to explode out of his chest.

"Sure, what's going on?" Maddy asked.

After another deep breath, Toby got down on one knee.

"Maddy, you are the strongest woman I know. You have made it through every battle thrown at you with the utmost grace. I am so proud of everything you have done and become. I love you, with every bit of me. I want to spend every day with you growing and learning together. I want to make you happy every day. You are perfect, and I just I love you so much. Will you marry me?"

Without even looking at the ring in Toby's hand Maddy ran over to him and kissed him with as much passion as he had the very first time they kissed.

"I will marry you. I love you Toby. You are my best friend and the only one I want to spend the rest of my life with. So, yes. Every day yes."

And the rest is just icing on the cake, for finally everyone was happy.