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In a wordless daze, Sam found himself standing in front of the engagement ring display. He knew he was way ahead of himself but he couldn't control the urge.

The clerk asked him something but he didn't respond, he just pointed. A thick platinum band with a circular inset diamond the width of the band.

He had no idea the carat or the price of the ring. He picked the one that he knew belonged on Leah's hand. The clerk asked if he wanted it engraved and suddenly he did. More than anything.

Sam thought for a moment of all the meaningful things he could have engraved on Leah's ring. Finally, he settled for the simple truth. "One soul."

Sam sat and waited as the front door was locked and the jewelry was pulled for its nightly trip to the vault. He watched the sales clerks as if from a great distance, feeling the immensity of what he was doing. Of the commitment he was making. It would be months, possibly years before the time would be right for a proposal, but he would carry this small box as a promise of what the future holds.

"All done, sir. Congratulations."

Sam took the little black box and put it in his pocket. "Thank you."

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