Author's Note: Regarding the poem "Risks" in the previous chapter, I surfed the Web trying to find out who the author is but I came across no less than 5 websites listing 5 different people as the author, so I listed the author as unknown in the story which interestingly enough was listed as the official author on two other websites. No copyright infringement was intended with respect to my use of the poem.

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback. Some have said that the chapters are a little too short, I agree. I didn't realize how short they were until I looked at the story in its posted form. Should I write another story, I will definitely keep this in mind. Thanks again.

Some one asked me what is the difference between a tennis bracelet and a regular bracelet. A tennis bracelet is a diamond line bracelet. According to EM Smith Jewelers of Chillicothe, Ohio, legend has it that tennis star Chris Evert used to regularly wear a diamond line bracelet. During a nationally televised match, she lost the bracelet and play was suspended while she looked for it on the court. Afterwards, the diamond line bracelet became popularly known as the "tennis bracelet."

Central Park in early summer was positively beautiful. And on a 70- degree day it was positively crowded with people as well. Walking across the park with the sun shining on her face, the tree leaves blowing in the wind, and the smell of grass in the air, Rory could see Tristan in the distance talking to a hotdog vendor. When she got closer, he immediately turned to face her.

"Hey," he said then smiled nervously.

"Hey."

"Do you want a hotdog?" he asked gesturing toward the cart.

"No thank you, I'm not really hungry."

"Okay," Tristan said. After a few awkward minutes of silence, he turned to her and said "Well?"

"Do you believe in fate?" Rory asked as they approached a bench near the pond and sat down.

"When it comes to us, yes."

"I don't want to. I like to think that people control their own destinies. But maybe some things are meant to be." She stopped. Was she doing the right thing, she wondered. Then she looked into Tristan's eyes and she knew she had to press on. "I'm not asking you to give up your job completely but I'd love it if you could find a way to spend more time with me and the kids."

"I'm sorry but it's too late."

A thousand clichés flooded her mind. His words cut like a knife. It felt as if someone had punched her in the stomach. It seemed as if the ground had fallen away from under her.

"No, I'm sorry Tristan. I knew you wouldn't wait for me forever," she said turning away quickly.

"No. No. You don't understand. I resigned from DuGrey Incorporated this morning, so I'm officially unemployed. I have all the time in the world to spend with you; are you sure you want to spend it with me?"

"Tristan," Rory began, her eyes filling with tears. Slowly she rose from the bench then got down on one knee.

"Rory, what are you doing?"

"Tristan," she said grabbing his hands. "I'm not sure a relationship between us would work, but I'm willing to give it a try. What I am sure of is that my life is considerably better because I've had the honor of loving you." Tristan sat silently for what seemed like an eternity. "Well?" Rory asked visibly shaken.

"Okay."

"Okay!"

"Okay."

Rory jumped up then threw her arms around his neck. Tristan, stunned, rose slowly putting his arms around her waist and drawing her close.

"I love you Mrs. DuGrey."

"I love you more, Mr. DuGrey," Rory said as she stood on tiptoe gently brushing her mouth against his.