Chapter 66 – The Proposal Before the Proposal
March 2, 2019 – 10:40 AM
Kris Jenner Residence – Hidden Hills
The electronic gate opened slowly. The black SUV drove into the silent driveway. Mike Edwards was behind the wheel, wearing dark jeans, a dark gray dress shirt, and no visible badge. Just him. And his intention.
In the passenger seat, a small, dark wooden box rested inside a discreet leather bag. There was no ring yet just the symbol of the decision: a reliquary with a handwritten message, folded with military precision.
He was greeted by Corey, Kris's partner, who greeted him with a respectful handshake.
"She's waiting for you in the garden. She said it would be more... symbolic."
Mike nodded.
"She always thinks of everything."
10:55 AM – Back Garden
Kris Jenner, dressed in a casual white and light blue ensemble, sat in a wicker armchair with beige cushions, under the shade of the trees. A table set with hibiscus tea, fresh fruit, and linen napkins completed the scene.
Mike approached calmly. When she saw him, she smiled.
"Agent Edwards. Or should I say... potential future son-in-law?"
Mike smiled respectfully.
"Just Mike. Today, more than ever, I'm just the man who loves your daughter."
Kris gestured for him to sit.
"You know... it's not every day a man like you asks to see me. Usually, men avoid talking to me alone."
"Because you're a woman who commands respect. And because being transparent with you takes courage."
She nodded, taking the cup.
"So let's get to the point. You want to marry my daughter."
Mike didn't hesitate.
"Yes. I do."
Kris crossed her legs, eyes steady.
"Why?"
Mike took a deep breath.
"Because she made me cease to exist as a code name. Because she saw me when I was nothing but a tired man. Because she never wanted what I did. She wanted who I am when I'm with her. And because... every morning I watch her sleep is confirmation that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
Kris didn't look away.
"And do you know what it means to be a part of this? Of our family. Of our exposure. Of the consequences that will come the day this is truly public?"
"I know. And that's why I waited two years. To prove—to myself, to her, and to the world—that I'm not here for the spotlight. I'm here for constancy."
Kris set down her cup.
— "You're different. We all knew it. Stormi loves you. Kendall has never been so... stable. Serena."
Mike took the small box out of his bag and placed it on the table. He opened it.
Inside, the locket. Tarnished silver. Rustic, but beautiful.
— "It's not a ring yet. It's a promise. A symbol that the proposal will come. But first... I needed to know that you saw me as someone worthy of walking with her."
Kris was silent for a few seconds.
Then she took the locket and opened it. She read the small note.
"She is light where I was shadow. Peace where I was steel. My home where before there was only mission.
— Mike*"
She closed her eyes, holding back her emotion. When she opened them, they were teary.
— "She always had a delicate heart. But with you, she has strength. And no... I don't just give you my blessing. I thank you. For loving my daughter with all your soul."
Mike nodded. Silent.
"When do you plan to do that?"
"Later this month. Just the two of us. Then we'll tell the world in our own time."
Kris laughed.
"Good luck keeping this a secret. But... if anyone can, it's you."
12:10 PM – In the car, heading home
Mike drove in silence. The now-closed box was back in his bag. His eyes were on the road, but his heart was calm.
He took out his phone and texted:
Mike: "I'm coming back. Don't open the wine yet. I want to tell you something, looking you in the eye."
Kendall replied within seconds:
Kendall: "I'll wait for you. Always."
Chapter 67 – The Promise
March 2, 2019 – 5:42 PM
Kendall Jenner Residence – Hidden Hills
The sky was already beginning to turn amber. Late afternoon light streamed through the house's wide windows in soft hues. The city outside continued its hustle and bustle, but inside, everything was calm. The kitchen was silent. The scent of sandalwood incense filled the air.
Kendall was in a loose sweatshirt, barefoot, sitting on the couch, a book open on her lap, but unable to truly concentrate. Her fingers flicked through the pages like an automatic gesture.
The electronic gate dinged. She glanced at her phone. A notification:
Mike: "Gate opened. I'm coming."
She took a deep breath.
Something in the tone of that message carried... intention.
Seconds later, the front door opened smoothly. Mike entered with his usual presence: unhurried, but heavy. He wore dark jeans, a thick gray t-shirt, and in his hands, only a small, dark wooden box.
He found her on the couch. He stopped. He looked at her as if trying to memorize the moment.
"Hi."
She smiled, standing up.
"Hi. Wine's still on ice. But you said you wanted to talk first."
Mike approached. He looked at the couch, then at her. He touched her hand.
"Come with me."
5:58 PM – In the garden, behind the house
Kendall walked beside him, curious. Mike stopped beneath the tree where she used to read during the summer. The sun was now setting behind the hills, painting the sky with gold and lilac hues.
There, beneath a small light-wood pergola, with two rustic cushions placed side by side, Mike stopped.
She looked around.
"You planned this...?"
"Not with words. But with intention. Every step I've taken since I met you... has led me here."
He took her hands in his.
"Kendall, I've lived two lives. The first was made of silence, codes, and missions. The second began when you looked at me as if I weren't an enigma, but someone worthy of affection. I spent years disappearing into cities and faces... and for the first time, I was seen."
She bit her lower lip, her eyes welling up.
"Mike..."
He released one of her hands and took the wooden box from his inner pocket. He opened it. Inside, now, was a simple, elegant ring with a small hand-carved detail on the inside: a geographic coordinate. The coordinate of Echo Park, where they had had their first unofficial 'date.'
Mike knelt. Not out of obligation. But as a gesture of reverence.
— "I want to live this life with you. I want to wake up with you, grow old with you, protect every silence, every laugh, every uncertainty. Kendall Nicole Jenner… will you marry me?"
She brought her hands to her face. She was crying lightly, without despair. Just raw, genuine emotion.
— "Yes. Yes, of course I will."
He stood up. He carefully placed the ring on her finger. There was no photographer, no shouting, no audience. Just the two of them.
And the world suspended.
6:20 PM – Sitting in the garden
She rested her head on his shoulder, the two of them sitting on the cushions under the pergola.
— "You asked my mother's permission, didn't you?"
Mike smiled.
— "Yes. This morning. She read the letter I wrote. And told me you were stronger... because you were truly loved."
Kendall wiped away a tear.
— "She told me you made her cry. And that no one had ever made her cry like that. Not even in a good way."
— "It's because I didn't come here to achieve fame. I came here to build a home. And that requires... vulnerability. Truth. Persistence."
She kissed him on the cheek.
— "And now?"
— "Now... we live. Calmly. No rush to tell the world. Just with the certainty that we belong together."
7:10 PM – Living Room
Back at home, Mike opened the bottle of wine. Kendall placed two glasses on the table. He poured. They toasted wordlessly.
Then they sat on the floor, facing the fireplace. Kendall leaned against him, looking at the hand with the ring.
— "Did you have this engraved... the coordinates of the park?"
— "The place where you made me smile for the first time in public."
She looked at him.
"And you still think you're not a romantic man?"
He smiled, his eyes wide.
"Maybe I just learned from the best teacher."
She snuggled into his lap, the fire dancing.
"Now you're not just my invisible boyfriend anymore."
"I'm your fiancé. Visible... only to you."
Chapter 68 – Voices and Silences
March 4, 2019 – 7:18 AM
LAPD Western Division – Parking Lot
The sound of the parking lot gate opening marked the beginning of another day. Mike Edwards adjusted the holster at his waist. The still-warm sun reflected off the hood of patrol car 12-A-27.
Athena Grant approached with a cup of coffee in her hand and a sharp gaze.
"Good morning, fiancé."
Mike raised an eyebrow.
"It took less than 48 hours for this to circulate?"
"Kendall told Hailey. Hailey sent the audio to Kylie. Kylie sent it to Kim, Khloé, and Kourtney. Then it became a group."
Mike chuckled lightly.
"I should have anticipated a more efficient information chain than the NSA."
"You did something beautiful. And now… it's public. At least within your inner circle."
He leaned against the patrol car, crossing his arms.
"It's still sinking in. I've always been one for short missions. An engagement seems like an open-ended operation."
Athena looked at him with a smile.
"Welcome to the most difficult mission. Keeping love grounded and your heart whole."
Mike nodded.
"And you? Are you going to be a bridesmaid or an honor sergeant?"
"I'll be whoever you want, partner. But I'll warn you right now: I hate pale pink dresses."
8:45 AM – Patrol on Pico Boulevard
The patrol car glided smoothly along the center lane. The city was beginning to throb more strongly. Street vendors, mothers with strollers, distracted students.
Athena looked at her tablet. Mike, attentive to the flow.
"Have you told anyone on the 118 team?" she asked.
"Not yet. I want the news to spread slowly. To them, I'm just Athena's discreet partner who sometimes shows up at barbecues."
"But now he has a ring in his pocket and a last name to share."
Mike gave a slight smile.
"Who would have thought... the operations analyst, now a guest list analyst."
9:10 AM – Code 459 – Attempted Residential Break-in
"12-A-27, call code 459, 2214 South Ridgeley Drive, neighbor reports a man trying to break in through the back."
"12-A-27, on his way," Athena replied, as Mike accelerated.
The patrol car arrived at the scene in three minutes. A simple house with a wooden fence and a yard partially covered in dry leaves.
Mike got out first, observing the surroundings. Smooth movements. Hand on holster, but without excessive tension.
A man in a gray hoodie was trying to climb over the side gate.
"LAPD! Freeze! Hands up!"
The man froze. Mike approached in a semicircle, while Athena flanked him on the left.
"I didn't do anything! It's my aunt's house!"
"Then your aunt can confirm," Mike said firmly but in control. "Stay where you are. Hands visible. Don't move."
After approaching and confirming with the owner, it was a real relative, but one experiencing a drug addiction. Mike and Athena calmly led the man to the ambulance.
Back in the patrol car, Athena looked at Mike.
"You look different."
"What do you mean?"
"Lighter. As if... now there's a home waiting. Not just a house."
Mike was silent for a moment. Then he replied:
"That's exactly it."
Meanwhile...
Kim Kardashian Residence – Main Living Room
Kendall was sitting on a large sofa, facing her sisters—Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, Kylie—and her best friend Hailey Bieber, who had arrived with a Balenciaga bag and curious eyes.
Khloé was already holding a glass of champagne.
"Okay, Kenny, everyone here. Drop the bombshell with all the details. Or we'll torture you with questions until dinner."
Kendall took a deep breath. She placed her left hand on her thigh... the ring now visible in the natural light streaming through the windows.
Silence was instantaneous.
Kim's eyes widened.
Hailey clapped her hand over her mouth.
Kylie let out a low, "Oh my God."
Kourtney simply smiled.
"It's real," Kendall confirmed. "Mike proposed to me on Saturday. In the garden. Under the pergola."
Khloé jumped to her feet.
"I KNEW IT! I told you he was the one!"
Kim took Kendall's hand to see the ring up close.
"This is... understated. But beautiful. And this coordinate here?"
"Echo Park. Our first real date."
Hailey sat beside her friend, her eyes welling up.
"He loves you. I can tell. And he cares for you... so calmly. That's rare. That's gold."
Kylie, overcome with emotion, added:
"He's family. Stormi loves him. And now he's officially ours."
Kourtney, looking at the ring:
"And you look... radiant. You know when you look at someone and see... peace? You are that right now."
Kendall smiled. The most genuine smile he'd shown in years.
"Because that's what he is. Peace. And constancy."
4:00 PM – End of shift
Mike parked the patrol car in the LAPD yard. He calmly unbuckled his seatbelt, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension.
Athena looked at him.
"You know what?"
"Send it."
"You're not just my partner anymore. You're an example. Of how you can live two lives… and still be whole."
Mike nodded silently.
"Thank you for reminding me of that every day."
She smiled.
"Go home. You have a bride waiting."
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