The pair stood side by side on top of Mother's Hill. Cliff held Claire's hand gently, still unsure of what he truly wanted to say to her.
"It's nice up here, isn't it?" She said, putting her arm around his waist.
"Yeah..." He agreed, placing his around her shoulders. "I need to...no, don't worry."
"Cliff?" She looked up at him. "If you need to say something you can say it, I won't judge you."
"I know." He sighed. "I just...I don't think I can find the words."
"Have a go. I'm happy here with you anyway."
They stood in silence. Cliff doing his best to say what he wanted to say and Claire, waiting patiently but content just being around him and knowing that he returned her feelings.
"I don't have to leave town." He said to break the silence.
"It's great!" She laid her head against his shoulder. "I was so worried you'd leave! I mean, I'd be lonely without you around, and what if I didn't get the chance to tell you I lo..." She was cut off by Cliff pushing his lips tenderly against hers. She stared back, momentarily stunned before returning his kiss.
"Don't worry anymore." He breathed, breaking the kiss but keeping his face close to hers. "I'm not going anymore."
The following Spring...
Claire made her way down the aisle slowly to the altar, where Cliff stood, grinning. He had proposed to her a week earlier, on Spring fourteenth – Thanksgiving.
Claire had brought him chocolate for winter thanksgiving but instead of giving her cookies he had given her the blue feather, which she had accepted instantly.
Carter made them repeat their wedding vows before saying "You may now kiss the bride."
Cliff pressed his lips against his new wife's lips, her blue eyes sparkled as she kissed back.
They walked back down the aisle and exited the church together, hand in hand.
He didn't want it any other way.