Chapter 11

"You were right, Henry, it is peaceful here," Danielle said as she stood on the porch of Henry's house on the lake. "And beautiful as well."

It was a lovely warm night, very strange since there were four days left until Christmas. The sky was clear and the full moon reflected brightly on the lake. Overhead, a shooting star went sailing across the night sky.

"It is beautiful, isn't it?" Henry said, opening the screen door. He had two mugs of hot apple cider in his hand, one he passed off to Danielle. "It's been in my family for as long as I can remember. When my parent's died, they left this to me." He smiled. "I come here when I need to escape from the daily grind, usually on the weekends. Puts things in perspective and I am able to handle what life throws my way more easily."

Danielle accepted the mug and took a sip. "Delicious," she said. "You always know exactly what I want."

Henry smiled, and then directed her attention to the sky. "Look," he said, "a shooting star."

Danielle looked in the direction of his finger. "You're right," she said, nodding her head. "It's another one." She smiled and turned to him. "I've never seen so many stars before."

'That's because there are no bright lights out here to block the view." He smiled and put the mug down on edge of the wooden railing. He edged closer to her.

"I brought you here for a reason, Nicole," he whispered in her ear. All the while, his hand was in his pocket, turning the box over and over.

She turned to face him. "It was my idea to be alone."

Henry smiled and touched her cheek. "Well, I agreed to it, didn't I?"

Danielle nodded. "Yes you did. " She looked at him. "I have to tell you something, Henry. Something that will affect both our futures."

Henry nodded. "And I feel the exact same way." He sighed and looked in her eyes. "I know we've only known each other for a short time, but I've never felt anything like this before, Nicole and I know that I want to live the rest of my life with you by my side. That's why..." he reached in his pocket and pulled out the box. "I wanted to give you this."

He pulled the box from his pocket and handed it to her. "I wanted to give it to you last night, but you were in such a hurry..."

Danielle looked down at the box, a little afraid to open it. "Henry," she started, but he put his finger to her lips.

"Open it, Nicole," he whispered. "Please."