"That was good you guys."  The director says.
I walk up to him and ask, "May I talk to you privately?"
He looks at me concerned and says, "Sure."
We walk into his office and I tell him that I'm not going to be here for a while, and that I'm not sure when I'll be back because I have to see my dying friend.
"How are you going to tell AJ and the guys this?  You know they're going to be very upset.  And what about you and AJ's engagement?  That has got to be a pretty big issue to think about."  He asks.
"I know.  But if they care anything about me, they're going to have to except this."  I say.  "My question is, who should I tell first?"
"I'd tell AJ first, in private; then you can break the news to the rest of them."  he says.
I nod and walk out of the office and over to the guys.  I look at all of them sadly then at AJ.
"AJ can I talk to you?"  I ask.
"Sure babe."  He says walking over to me.
We walk down the hall to my dressing room, I close the door behind us.
I look at him and say, "You might want to sit down."
He sits down and says, "Babe, you're scaring me.  What's wrong?"
I pause for a couple minutes, then the words just come pouring out.  "AJ, I can't go on tour with you.  I got a call today tell me that a dear friend of mine is dying.  I agreed to stay with this friend until she dies, it was her last wish.  I know you're probably angry, but if you love me you'll understand."
Then I fall to the floor crying.  AJ comes to my side and wraps his arms around me.
"I'm not mad at you baby, I never could be.  This is something you have to do, and I respect it totally.  But...when are you leaving?"  AJ asks.
"About 8:00am day after tomorrow."  I say looking at the ground.
Trying to cheer me up, AJ says, "Well, we'll just have to make tomorrow a Valentine's Day you'll never forget."
I give him a half smile.
He wipes the tears from my eyes and says, "It's going to be OK, I know you'll be back; and when you are, we'll still be in love.  I trust you, and you can trust me.  Just remember this, you're wearing my ring, and I won't forget that either.  That ring's a promise to both of us, it will hold our love, even across the sea."
I lean forward and press my lips against AJ's soft lips.
"Sometimes I wonder how I could be so lucky."  I say.
"I'm the lucky one."  AJ says.

(Valentines Day)

It's about 7 o'clock, Sarah and Brian already left for the night.  I'm zipping my dark blue dress when I hear a knock at the door.  My dress still unzipped, I peak through the peephole to see who's outside; it's AJ.  I open the door and let him in.
 "Hey babe." He says.
"Hey.  Umm...sweetie, could you help me out here?"  I ask him as I turn around.
"Sure."  AJ says, zipping the back of my dress.
"You ready for a night you'll never forget?"  AJ asks.
"Yep, I can't wait."  I say.
AJ and I go down stairs and walk outside.  Then he puts a blindfold on me, takes my hands, and starts leading me somewhere.  Then he stops, and takes off the blindfold.  I open up my eyes and see AJ, holding a dozen white roses.  He's standing in front of a black carriage, with a white horse waiting to pull it.  Tears come to my eyes.