There are times in our lives when we reach a crossroads, when we find ourselves stuck between a series of impossible choices. Should we move forward? Should we turn back? Which way is the right way? How do we know?
Erica stared at her significant other, who was on his knee holding out a tiny box with the most gorgeous ring inside. She had no idea what to say, or how to answer his question. Except with…"What the hell, Adam?!"
Adam blinked a few times, slowly standing and holding out his hands. "What?"
"You can't just…I mean you…" she frantically motioned toward the couch and then at him, her eyes looking at the ring. "Adam, I don't even know what this is all about."
He sighed, lifting the box up and turning it in his hands. "I've been waiting for the right moment to ask. Now just seemed like the right time."
"After you practically started a break-up speech with me?"
"Oh no, Erica, no," Adam set the ring box down on the coffee table, then reached out and took Erica's hands into his own. "That was just…I saw you with Kai and I started to doubt myself and…and us." He squeezed her hands with a sheepish smile. "I thought you would leave again and when you told me about telling him to sod off, I realized that you are the kind of woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. You know I'm not good at romance," at Erica's snort, Adam laughed and tugged her closer. "so I hope you weren't expecting some large dramatic proposal…but I do hope you feel the same way about me as I do about you."
"Adam…" Erica whispered, laying her head on his chest for a minute. "Can I see the ring again?"
He chuckled at the excitement in her voice and leaned over, picking up the still open ring box and holding it out toward her. He watched her run her fingers over the stone and band. "Still waiting for that answer, love."
He saw the hesitation, the quick flicker of it in her eyes. "Think it over," he blurted out, surprising even himself. "I want you to want this. No pressure. Take however long you need."
"Thank you. For understanding me, for loving me, for making me so incredibly happy." Erica took the box from Adam and smiled. "Let's do it."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah! Let's get married." She leaned over and pressed her lips hard against his. He responded quickly, one arm wrapping around her waist and the other resting against her upper back. She pulled away, holding up the box in between them. "I'm not going to put this on myself."