Tove just looked at the ring, not saying a word.
"That's gorgeous, it really is," Tove said finally, closing the box and handing it back to Hayden.
"What? No, "what are you doing, its too soon for this" rants?" Hayden asked.
"No," Tove replied. "I think by now, you know what you want and you know what's best for both of you....I'm staying out of it."
"....surely you have an opinion of some sort," Hayden said, still waiting.
Tove shrugged. "Ya know, if anything I'm happy for you. I've seen you change so much over the past six months, its unbelievable....and its great to see. She's really good for you -You really seem happy and if the two of you want to get married then more power to ya."
"I really am happy," Hayden said, with a small smile.
Tove got a glint in his eye and smiled. "So, when are you going to propose?"
~~~~~~
Three weeks later, they celebrated being together for six months.
Hayden had taken her back to Mirabelle - the sight of their first date and wanted to follow it up with a walk on the pier. After tonight, those places would bring a whole new meaning to their relationship.
"Steph and her boyfriend broke up...again," Cara said, taking his hand as they walked along the pier.
"Oh yeah, what great catastrophe did befall them this time?" Hayden said wryly, knowing the extent of Steph's dramatic personality.
"Marriage," Cara replied.
Hayden swallowed hard, "what? Who brought up marriage?"
"Tommy- I think it scared Steph away..."
Hayden continued walking, looking down at the worn wood of the pier. His right hand was stuffed in his pocket, palming the velvet box that encased the ring. "She doesn't seem like the type who would be scared off by that - if anything, she seems like the hopeless romantic type," he commented.
Cara shrugged, "yeah she is in certain ways - I think its just that we're so young, ya know? There are so many things she wants to do in her life and in her career. The time just isn't right for her, I suppose," Cara said.
It was then that Hayden stopped, putting his hands on her shoulders and turning her around to face him.
"What about you? What do you think?" Hayden asked, looking her squarely in the eye, his hands still on her shoulders.
Cara looked at him, a bit confused by his question and his sudden behavior. "What do I think about Steph not wanting to get married? I think its best for her honestly....she's right. We're really young and its a big step. After all, she and Tommy had only been together a few months...."
"You and I have only been together six months," Hayden stated.
"Well, yeah...but its not like we've talked about marriage either," Cara replied.
He was taken aback by her comment and it was all she needed to say -- Hayden straightened, took his hands off her shoulders and continued walking, "yeah...that's true...we haven't."
Cara continued walking beside him, stealing glances at him in an effort to better read his demeanor. It was almost as if she'd struck a nerve - but she had no clue what had happened or why.
~~~~~~~
After a quiet drive back to their home, Hayden and Cara arrived and settled into the living room for a glass of wine.
Cara couldn't help but notice how quiet Hayden had remained since their conversation on the pier.
"Did I do something wrong?" she asked.
Hayden gave her a small smile and rested his hand on her knee, "no, not at all sweetheart."
He stood up a second later, realizing what was still in his pocket.
"I'm going to go upstairs and change. Do you need anything?" he called from the hallway.
Cara merely nodded that she didn't need anything, took a sip of the wine in her glass, trying to grasp what happened to make him act differently all of the sudden. The evening had begun perfectly and now he was all over the place and more jumpy then ever.
Hayden turned the bedroom light on to change into a t-shirt and a pair of pants. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box. He stood, taking a look at it for a moment, then pushing it as far back into his dresser drawer as it would go.