| When Peyton and Ayzlin had finished their lunch, they walked around, ducking in and out of different stores. Today you could tell that they were a happy couple; Peyton put his arm around her waist and kissed her a few times. While they were looking around a store that sold inexpensive, but not cheap, jewelry, Peyton noticed Ayzlin looking at some of the rings dreamily. One in particular, he noticed, caught her eye. "Look Peyton- it's beautiful." She pointed to a ring in the showcase with a small diamond set on a thin silver band. "It's so simple, so perfect." Peyton smiled at her. Then he got an idea. "Are you ready to go beautiful?" Peyton asked her, the wheels in his head turning. "Yeah," she replied, a longing tone in her voice. The sweet couple continued their walk around the mall. When they came to a store close to the jewelry store they'd been in, Peyton told Ayzlin he needed to go and look at something, he'd meet her at the food court in fifteen minutes. She nodded and continued to look at the rack of shirts. He made his way across to the tiny store. He pointed at the ring and said,"I'll take it," and smiled, thinking of what Ayzlin's reaction would be when he gave it to her. ============================================================================ When Peyton met Ayzlin back at the food court, he'd hidden the little box containing the ring in his coat pocket. He walked over to Ayzlin and took her hand. " Where to now?" Ayzlin asked. " I dunno. How about the park?" Peyton suggested, the wheels still turning. "Sure." Peyton and Ayzlin walked out to where he was parked. He opened the door for her and she got in. He walked around back and then got in. "So, did you get anything in wherever you were looking?" Ayzlin inquired. "Oh, maybe, maybe not," Peyton replied playfully. "Peyton, you have to tell me," Ayzlin whined as they pulled out into the busy street. " Well, okay. I did buy something. But before I show it to you, I want you to answer this question: what would you do if I asked you to marry me?" Ayzlin was taken aback When she found her voice, she answered," I would have to say no because while I do love you, I'm only seventeen and you never know what could happen tomorrow." "Good, because that's how I feel. But don't you feel like we need to take this relationship one step further?" "What are you saying Peyton?" " What if I gave you a promise ring?" he asked. "I'd take it. I'd go that one step further, if it would get me closer to you," she replied. There was quiet for awhile until Peyton pulled in to the lot of the park. He stopped the car and pulled the little box out of his pocket. " I promise to always be everything you need and to always protect you. I never wanna see you hurt," Peyton promised as he opened the box. "Oh, Peyton," Ayzlin sighed, looking at the ring. Peyton took it out of the box and gently slid it onto her finger. They kissed each other and then hugged, wanting to hang on to the moment. Peyton opened his eyes for a second and saw that it was snowing outside. "Ever seen it snow in LA?" Peyton asked. Ayzlin pulled out of his hold and looked out the window. She took a breath in as she watched it fall. Peyton turned the radio on and put a CD on. A romantic song came on and he went around and opened her door. "May I have this dance?" She smiled and nodded. He took her hand and stood her up. He held her close as they danced to three slow songs in a row. Then they turned the CD off and took a walk. ============================================================================ Ayzlin and Peyton were laughing and holding hands as they made their way up to their hotel rooms. They had taken a long walk in the park and then gone to dinner. Ayzlin was glad she'd taken the day off. Peyton's room was on the second florr and Ayzlin was on the third floor. She walked him to his room, and they kissed just outside the door. The kiss would have lasted longer, but Ayzlin's cell phone rang. It was Jack, Peyton's dad. "Hey, Ayzlin. Are you and Peyton back yet?" there was a tone of concern in his voice. "Yeah, we're just outside of his room. What's wrong?" Ayzlin asked. Peyton tried to get her to tell him what was going on, but she just held up a finger, indicating for him to wait a minute. "You guys need to come to the hotel resturant, okay?" " What's wrong? What happened?" "Nothing's wrong. I need to tell Peyton something, and I think he needs you for support on this." "Okay, we'll be right there." Chapter Nine |