************
Brian opened the door and smiled at Ami.    

Ami smiled nervously when Brian opened the door.  She had no idea why she was 
so nervous.  It was only Brian; they had had dinner a thousand times in the 
last six months.  He had been telling her all week he had a surprise for her 
tonight.  Ami was completely clueless as to what it may be, but the idea of 
what she hoped it to be made her stomach uneasy with anxiety.  

--You look amazing.
Ami stepped inside the doorway and kissed him softly.
--Thank you.  Not so bad yourself.
--Was Hailey all right staying with Nick and AJ?
Ami laughed.
--She was excited actually.  I think she has a crush on Aaron....

Brian and Ami continued polite small talk through dinner.  There was an 
uneasy tension in the air.  A million times Brian put his hand in his pocket 
that held the small black velvet box.  He had recited his lines endlessly.  
It made no difference, he was a nervous wreck.  What if she said no?  What if 
she still wasn't ready?

Ami couldn't figure Brian's mood out.  He seemed distant all night, almost as 
if he was somewhere else as they talked.  What in the world is he up to...

--Did you really cook that, or did you buy it and hide all the boxes 
somewhere?
Brian faked a hurt expression.
--I'll have you know I cooked every bit of it myself.
--No help at all?
--Well...I had to call Jane Carter a few times...but I did cook it.
--It was really good.  Thank you...but, why all the fuss?  We could have 
just..
--I want tonight to be special.
Ami nodded knowingly.
--Right...was this my surprise?  You learned to cook?
Brian's stomach tightened; he thought his heart would dance right out of his 
chest as he stood up and reached for Ami's hand.
--Come with me.
--Where...are we going?
He remained silent as he escorted her into his living room.  Brian motioned 
for her to sit on the couch and then took a seat beside her.
--I've been thinking about this for a long time and...
--What?  Brian, is something wrong?
Brian looked down at the floor and took a deep breath as he reached in his 
pocket.  He left his hand on the box and began.
--I thought I lost you once, and it took every ounce of energy I had to go on 
without you.  The simplest things turned into a complete ordeal.  Getting out 
of bed hurt, breathing hurt...everything was just...
--Wrong.
Brian nodded in agreement.
--Nothing was right the entire time you were gone.
--I know.
--You came back, and... Ami, I know that you've only been back a short time, 
but it feels like I've loved you my whole life.  I miss you when you're not 
here.  I miss you when I have to leave.  I miss you when I lay down at night. 
 I miss you when I wake up in the mornings.  I don't want to miss you 
anymore...I want you with me all the time.
There was a sudden lump in Ami's throat.  He's really gonna ask me...
--Brian...
He pulled his hand and the velvet box from his pocket.  
--Ami, will you make me the happiest man alive?
Brian opened the box and took Ami's hand.
Ami was sure her heart stopped beating when she saw the ring.  She could feel 
the tears in her eyes.
--Marry me?
Ami was silent for a moment, afraid if she spoke everything would come out 
wrong.  She looked at Brian, fear and love evident in his blue eyes.
--Help me out here, Ami.
She reached out and placed a delicate hand on his cheek, the tears in her 
eyes slowly making their way down her face.
--Brian...I...I...can't...