A/N: Not much to say...PLEASE REVIEW!
"HE ASKED YOU TO MARRY HIM?" exclaimed Leah's closest friend.
"Yes Erica, he asked me to marry him."
"But I didn't know Amish people gave rings, I thought they didn't really care about possessions like, well, me!"
"I don't know, I mean, I know they don't collect things and stuff, but he said he bought the ring before he left the first time, but I was so upset that he decided not to give it to me then."
"Well... it would have been perfect timing. So did you say yes?"
"No..."
"YOU SAID NO? YOU ARE SO CRAZY..."
"ERICA! STOP! I didn't say anything. He doesn't want me to. He's coming back, and I'm supposed to give him my answer then."
"So what are you going to say?"
"I don't know... I mean, I love him with all my heart, and I would love to spend the rest of my life with him, but what about his family? What about his father? They basically disowned Eli..."
Leah stopped and remembered Ethan's brother. He was not spoken of by his own family, because he decided leave his Amish community to attend college. His family was proud of him, but that was the problem. They were not supposed to be proud. To them, pride is a sin. Finally, Leah spoke again.
"Ethan has a heart of gold. I know that he will try to find a way to please everyone, so I need to make him see that I will be happy if he chooses to stay with his family. Even if it is an illusion."
"You really love him, don't you?"
"More than anything."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leah moped around her house for days, only thinking of Ethan. Her haunting dreams had ceased, but her thoughts controlled her now. How could she answer him? She would love to marry him. But she was so young! What would her mother say? She had yet to tell her of Ethan's question. She was very afraid that her mother would be angry with her, and worse, Ethan. Finally, he had sent Leah another letter.
*Leah,
I can come visit you in two weeks. My dad knows of my proposal. I will tell you more when I see you. I cannot write you more, I have much work to do before I leave. I love you Leah. I will see you soon.
With all my love,
Ethan*
The two weeks flew by faster than Leah could handle. The morning Ethan was due to arrive, Leah awoke early to a strange sound. Leah walked out of her room and down the hall to her mothers room.
"Neil... I miss you every day. Nothing is the same without you. You were the only one that truly loved me as much as I loved you. One day I'll meet you back in heaven... I promise... please... meet me at the gates of heaven."
Leah's mother was trying to connect with Neil again. Roberta had done this several times since his death. Leah quietly snuck back to her room and tried to go back to sleep, but instead found herself staring at the ceiling in anticipation for Ethan to show up. She still had not come up with an answer for him. When the doorbell rang, Leah raced to open the door to find a very tired looking Ethan.
"Ethan, are you okay?"
"Now that I am here, I am doing better."
"You look like something is wrong."
"Me and my father had a fight. He said he cannot handle another one of his sons throwing away his life."
"This is about me, isn't it."
"Leah, everything will be fine."
"Okay... how long are you staying?"
"As long as I choose to."
Leah tried not to act startled as she realized that his decision to stay longer must go with her decision to marry him.
"Leah, you are very beautiful." Ethan spoke as he took Leah into his arms and kissed her gently on the cheek.
"Come on, let's go put your stuff in your room."
"Leah, tonight, let's lay under the stars again."
Leah kissed Ethan and said "Okay Ethan, we'll lay under the stars."
That night, Leah set up a picnic under the stars. She laid a soft cotton blanket on the grass, and lit two white candles and set them aside. The sky was clear, and there was a soft breeze in the air. Leah gave a slight chill, and Ethan wrapped his arms around her. She could feel his warmth through their clothes. She was happy again.
"I love you, Leah."
"Ethan, I love you too."
Ethan reached for her hand and ran his fingers across the ring.
"The ring fits you. That makes me happy."
"Ethan, I need to ask you a question." Ethan touched her chin slightly so she would face him. "If you and I get married, how will your family react?"
Ethan sighed slightly, but spoke. "Leah, things will be complicated with my family. But they will not lose contact with me. My father is very upset. He thinks that I will not be the same if I chose to marry a girl from the modern world."
"Even me?"
"Yes. But Leah, my family likes you. Things will be okay."
"Will they? Can you promise me that everything will be okay?"
"Yes, Leah. I promise you. Things may become complicated at times, but I will make them okay. I will not hurt you."
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"I will marry you."
Ethan smiled widely and kissed Leah with more passion than he had ever before.
"Leah, I love you."
"I love you too."
