"Well, it won't happen if you don't ask her!"

The memory is so strong that Micah is almost surprised to not find his mother standing next to him at the ring display.

That particular argument had been about asking Emily on a first date, but he's pretty sure he would be hearing something similar right now if Joyce Barnes could see him getting ready to leave yet another jewelry store empty handed.

"She's a sweet girl, Micah, and she's good for you! You obviously love each other. What are you waiting for?"

The truth is he's not exactly sure. He has been looking at engagement rings for several weeks now, but for some reason it is taking him a long time to make a decision.

Of course, there's the practical aspect to consider. Even simple rings are problematic for the work of a surgeon. Should he buy Emily an inset that might be more adaptable to the medical setting, or just go for a traditional cut?

"Micah Mouse," his mother's voice says again inside his head. "Your father could have proposed with a ring from a Cracker Jack box and I would have said yes."

This time, the memory is from a more recent conversation. While dating Emily, Micah had found himself thinking more and more about his parents' relationship. Eventually, he had found the nerve to ask his mother about her marriage, and it had been a moving and meaningful conversation for both of them as they recalled both the happy and the sad times in their life as a family.

While the memories are sometimes hazy, Micah can distinctly recall his parents being happily married, sharing smiles and kisses and loving words. In the evenings after his dad came home from work, they would sometimes sit together in the big overstuffed armchair, his mother perched across his father's lap, as they talked quietly. Those were the days before Liz was born, and on a handful of occasions, "Micah Mouse" had been invited to join them in the chair after having been caught peeking at them from the doorway. To this day, Micah has never felt safer than those moments when he was nestled between his parents, listening to their heartbeats and surrounded by their love.

However, Micah's favorite memory of his parents is from when he was about seven. He can still picture his dad coming in from the cold with red nose and cheeks while his mom finished dishes. Micah would have called out a greeting if Dad had not put a finger to his lips and winked, asking for a secret silence. Enjoying the game, Micah had watched enthralled as his father approached his mother cautiously from behind and deliberately caressed the back of her neck with his frozen fingers. His mother had gasped in surprise and whirled around in irritation only to begin giggling when she saw the teasing grin on her husband's face. That's all Micah remembers. He had excused himself from the room in disgust when the kissing started.

Knowing what a happy marriage is supposed to look like is one of the things that makes the idea of marrying Emily so desirable. Of course there will be challenges and disagreements along the way, but he is certain they can be at least as happy as his parents, if not happier. So if it isn't a fear of commitment, what exactly is it that's stopping him now from finding a ring, he wonders again, pulling his coat a little tighter as he exits the jewelry store. Is there some final test they have to pass? Is he subconsciously expecting a sign? His original plan had been to surprise Emily, but maybe it would be easier to put an end to his seemingly fruitless search by asking her first and then going ring shopping together.

Micah still hasn't made a decision nearly two weeks later when he comes back from the hospital half frozen. Emily is making dinner, stirring something hot and savory smelling at the stove. As he takes off his coat, she smiles at him in greeting before turning back to her task. Micah moves through the room to stand behind her, kissing her lightly on the cheek before peeking over her shoulder at the contents of the pot. Then, without fully contemplating what he's doing, he eases his frozen fingertips underneath the edge of her shirt, brushing them against the bare skin at her waist.

Emily shrieks and jerks away from him, the spoon clattering to the floor as she whirls to face him. Her face is wide-eyed with shock, and for a moment, Micah believes she is angry. However, just as he begins to apologize, she laughs and throws her arms around his neck. In that moment, everything clicks into place, and Micah suddenly knows exactly which ring should be Emily's.

The next time Micah goes into the jewelry store, his mother's engagement ring is in his hand. He asks to have it re-sized.