Laughing heartily, Mia leapt onto Ashley's back, wrapping her arms around her shoulders like a playful child demanding a piggyback ride. Ashley chuckled, gripping Mia's legs securely as she gave a small bounce to adjust Mia's position. In her other hand, she held the action camera Mia insisted they use for her vlog.

"Hi, guys!" they greeted simultaneously into the camera. Mia peeked over Ashley's shoulder, grinning, and kissed her cheek, her hands gently squishing Ashley's chin. "I'm with this big baby right here," Mia teased. "We're heading to Train Street, right, babe?" She tilted her head toward Ashley.

"Yup," Ashley confirmed with a nod. "We're going to try their famous egg and coconut coffee," she added, flashing a quick smile at the camera before refocusing on the path ahead.

When they arrived at their destination, Ashley carefully set Mia down. Mia took control of the camera, holding it in one hand while the other instinctively reached for Ashley's. As Mia chatted animatedly with a store owner, Ashley found herself mesmerized, her gaze lingering on Mia's radiant face.

This trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, was part of their getaway after everything had settled back in Switzerland. With the chaos behind them, they'd taken this time to explore potential wedding destinations and enjoy being together without interruptions.

Ashley leaned in suddenly, planting a kiss on Mia's cheek. Caught off guard, Mia blushed, puffing her cheeks in playful indignation. "You're overdoing the PDA, Detective," she said, laughing.

Ashley just shrugged nonchalantly, her attention diverted by the approaching train. Mia grinned, gesturing toward the track. "Here it comes!" she said as they stepped aside. Ashley raised the camera, capturing snapshots of the train as it sped by.

Later, they found a small table just beside the railway. Their orders soon arrived, and both thanked the server before settling down. "Go on, have a taste," Mia encouraged, nudging Ashley's cup toward her.

Ashley tilted her head, inspecting the creamy coffee before lifting the cup to her lips. She took a sip, blinking as the rich flavors hit her palate.

Mia leaned closer, grinning mischievously. "So? How is it?" she asked, breaking into laughter when she noticed the frothy egg cream clinging to Ashley's lips and the tip of her nose. "Look at you!" she giggled, wiping her lips and nose gently. "You look like a kid."

Ashley chuckled softly. "It's good! I honestly can't taste the egg—it's more like a custard cream. Sweet, but the coffee balances it out perfectly," she said. Her grin widened as she leaned forward conspiratorially. "Should I make this in my shop?"

Mia's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you think you can recreate it just from tasting it?"

Ashley shrugged casually. "I can try. But do you know how to make this at home?"

"Of course I do," Mia replied with a smug smile. "I just wanted you to taste it from an authentic Vietnamese café."

"Well, mission accomplished," Ashley said with a nod. "I like it. Though, if I drank this all day, I'd be up all night—it's robusta coffee, after all."

Mia laughed. "Yeah, and then you'd drag me into your wide-awake adventures."

Ashley smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, that's a guarantee."

The two shared a laugh, their joy as sweet and warm as the coffee in their hands.



Mia smiled widely, her heart fluttering as she watched Ashley take in the serene beauty of the Hoai River in Hoi An. Both of them were on a small boat for the flower lantern release, their guide paddling quietly through the glowing water. Tilting her head, Mia turned her camera toward Ashley, who was gazing in awe at the floating lanterns.

"See? Look at my big baby's reaction," Mia whispered into the camera, her voice filled with adoration. The lens focused on Ashley, her face illuminated by the soft lantern light. "She looks so cute," Mia giggled, her cheeks flushing.

As Ashley released a lantern into the river, Mia heaved a contented sigh. Her heart swelled with joy at the simple, beautiful moment. Quietly, she murmured into the camera, careful not to catch Ashley's attention. "Right, guys," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You know, Ashley already proposed to me." She quickly flashed her left hand to display the ring.

Ashley noticed the camera pointing her way and smiled, giving a small wave as she prepared another lantern. Mia's heart raced. "She's always doing her best for both of us," Mia added softly, turning the camera toward herself. She glanced at Ashley, who was engrossed in the lanterns, then reached into her bag with a shy grin, pulling out a small box.

"You see this?" Mia said, focusing the camera on the box. "Well, since she proposed to me, it's only fair I propose back," she giggled, her face flushing a deep pink.

She cleared her throat, opening the box to reveal a ring. As she waited for their guide to stop at a particularly beautiful spot, where the river was filled with glowing lanterns, she couldn't help but marvel at Ashley.

"Woah," Ashley murmured, pulling out her phone to snap pictures of the mesmerizing scene. The lantern lights reflected off the water, casting a warm glow on their skin.

"Ah," Mia whispered, unable to contain her admiration. "How can someone be so beautiful and handsome at the same time?" She laughed softly, speaking into the camera. "You know, I never thought I'd say things like this. My best friends used to gush like this, but..." She sighed, chuckling. "Gosh, my heart."

Ashley turned to her, smiling warmly. Mia quickly handed her the camera. "Hold this for a second, babe," she said.

Ashley chuckled, taking the camera and adjusting it to record both of them. She glanced at Mia, only to freeze in surprise as Mia held up a ring, her grin mischievous.

"What are you—" Ashley stammered, her voice catching as her eyes darted from the ring to Mia's face. "No way! You're not... seriously..."

Mia laughed, raising the ring higher. "Marry me," she said simply, her smile radiant.

Ashley blinked, speechless, before glancing at the camera. "Guys, are you seeing this?" she asked, zooming in on the ring with a laugh. "Oh my gosh!" Her ears turned pink as the blush spread across her cheeks.

"Fletcher!" Mia called playfully, using Ashley's middle name.

"What, Carter?" Ashley shot back, laughing.

Rolling her eyes dramatically, Mia repeated, "I said, marry me!"

Ashley grinned, lifting the camera higher to capture them both. "Are you forcing me to?" she teased.

"Yes," Mia said with a laugh. "Because there's no way you're getting away from me. Not happening!"

Their guide offered to hold the camera for them, and both thanked him before turning back to each other.

"So?" Mia asked again, her voice soft but sure. "Marry me?"

Ashley exhaled, pretending to deliberate. "Do I even have a choice?" she teased. Then, her expression softened, and she reached up to cup Mia's face. "Of course, I'll marry you. I'll always marry you. I'll always choose you, no matter what." She leaned in, sealing her words with a tender kiss.

"It's recorded now—no backing out," Mia teased, sliding the ring onto Ashley's finger. She kissed the spot where the ring rested and smiled. "I love you."

"You know I love you even more, sugarplum," Ashley replied, her voice full of affection. As they leaned in for another kiss, the glow of the flower lanterns around them seemed to wrap them in a cocoon of light and love.