Chapter the First: A Meeting Most Unconventional In the age of glowing screens and bureaucratic rituals, when suitors swiped more than they sought, a curious meeting unfolded—not at a ball, nor upon a moonlit stroll, but within the solemn chambers of a county office. Rebecca, bright of spirit and quick of wit, sought employment at the Department of Social Services. Myles, a man of quiet strength and sacred rule-following, oversaw the foster care unit. He was, by all accounts, her superior in title only—for Rebecca’s charm was a force no title could contain. She dropped hint after hint—subtle, sly, practically espionage-level. Myles, steadfast and oblivious, missed them all. He lived by a code, and one such rule declared: Thou shalt not date a co-worker. But fate has little regard for man-made commandments. — Chapter the Second: The Carriage Ride and the Great Unveiling It wasn’t until Myles moved to a new position that destiny made its move. Summoned to a full-day training, the two shared a car ride—cordial, composed, professional. Until, on the return trip, Rebecca let down her guard and shared the full tapestry of her past: childhood, hardship, and heartache—laid bare in the span of a single ride. Myles listened with reverence, and began to wonder: was this madness… or something more? A friend—ever the meddling matchmaker—declared the two a perfect match. Rebecca, emboldened, visited Myles’ office, apologized, then asked, “Well, what do you think about that?” Myles, caught between work-mode and whiplash, said nothing. But that night, he texted her. — Chapter the Third: A Game of Wits and Fireworks On January 14, 2023, they embarked on their first official outing—a whimsical contest at Dave & Buster’s, followed by Chinese food and plenty of laughter. Myles, ever the gentleman, let her win at first. Rebecca, ever the competitor, trash-talked him into glorious defeat. He retaliated, gently, strategically—and emerged victorious in the end. But it was the ride home that cast the real spell. As they crossed the lake, the sky erupted in fireworks. In the middle of January. For no reason at all. They stared, stunned, and laughed—whispering about sparks, omens, and magic. It was, quite literally, enchanted. — Chapter the Fourth: Of Notes, Kisses, and Shared Saturdays Valentine’s Day arrived. They went to Olive Garden—not for romance, but for reconnaissance. They mocked clichés with affectionate irreverence and shared their first kiss with perfect timing. Weeks later, Rebecca left a note on Myles’ desk: “I love you.” He responded in kind by text—though his heart had already decided. Saturdays became sacred—reserved for exploration and delight. They traveled, tested their limits, tasted life. Their weekdays remained separate, still coworkers in name, but weekends belonged wholly to them. — Chapter the Fifth: The Longest Night, the Brightest Promise On December 21, 2024—the winter solstice—Myles prepared his heart, a tree, and a plan. Each ornament on the tree told a piece of their story: places visited, memories made, laughter preserved in glass and glitter. The final ornament held a ring. He knelt and spoke of darkness and light—how the solstice is the longest night, yet every day after grows brighter. He vowed to walk beside her through every season, come what may. She said yes. And with the ring came two gold bangles, a tribute to the Rebekah of Scripture, chosen and adorned to become a bride. This was not a proposal. It was a covenant. — Epilogue: The Tale Yet Unfinished Myles and Rebecca are a balance of opposites: the thinker and the feeler, the quiet and the firebrand. They complement, challenge, and complete each other. Their story began not in a castle or under a spell, but with ethics, awkwardness, and a well-timed trauma dump. And still, it became a fairytale. And so, dear reader, know this: Their story is only beginning