Van met Cheyenne down in the small park by his house. After a long, tearful, discussion, he also knew what he must do.
Getting down on one knee, he said "Cheyenne, we may be young and have a lot of growing up to do, but I love you. I love you, sweetheart, and I couldn't imagine my life without you. I will not let you go through this alone. Will you marry me?"
And with that, it was settled. They were going to leave town together. Van went back to his house to gather his things, knowing in his heart he was doing the right thing. They hitched a ride on a Greyhound, and hand-in-hand drove to Nevada. Neither of them had a lot of money, but they found an inexpensive little wedding chapel on the outskirts of Las Vegas, and followed their hearts. They found a cheap motel and had a blissful first night as man and wife. It wasn't until the next morning that reality set in.
"Van! What did we do?!?" We're too young to be married and having a child! I'm the captain of the drill team; you're the quarterback for the football team. We're popular!" Tears started to stream down her face as she continued, "Oh, Van. How could this have happened to us?"
Taking his hand in hers, he said "Cheyenne, honey, I know this isn't ideal. It's definitely not how I pictured my life to turn out. I never dreamed I would end up married and staying in a cheap hotel, a baby on the way, not even graduating from high school. We no longer have a choice. We are going to be parents. I'll find a job somewhere, and we'll somehow make it work."
She took him fully into her arms and peered deeply into his eyes. Somehow, she knew he was right. They no longer had a choice, and they would both have to give it their all to make it work.