“We deal with it all together, Alice. We always have. And yesterday you said that it doesn’t matter what happens because a moment together is worth a lifetime of pain. It’s the same for me. It always has been, even when I didn’t know it. So I don’t want you to worry about any of the other bullshit. I need you with me, Al. I love you and I can’t get through my life without you, whether I’m sick or healthy or whatever.” Dana stopped, wiped the tears from her eyes, and reached into her bag to bring out the ring box.

“I never had one of those wedding dreams as a kid. I was always in tournaments and trying to qualify and whatever, so I never really sat around and thought about dresses and flowers and all that stuff. And I know none of that really matters anyway, but if you want to have it, you can. Whatever you want, Al, just tell me and I’ll buy it for you. It doesn’t matter what it is. You told me once that nobody bought more than what you absolutely needed your entire life, and I’m not going to let you live like that. I want you to have your dream wedding, your dream house, whatever you want. I want you to be happy, Al. Whatever you want, you can have. I might not be the most romantic person on the planet but I can do that…”

“You don’t have to buy me things, Dana! It’s really sweet that you want to, but I don’t need anything special. I just want you to be okay…”

“I will be if you’re with me. Anyway, since I never did all that wedding planning stuff or had a boyfriend, my grandma gave me this ring when I graduated high school. It was supposed to be passed down, but since my dad got my mom a ring my grandma gave it to me. I know it’s nothing special, but I was wondering if you’d wear it…” Dana trailed off, watching Alice’s face apprehensively as she opened the box.

Alice’s eyes filled with tears when she saw the white gold band with a simple diamond setting. “I had it engraved,” Dana said softly. “I got it done the week after you first kissed me.” When Alice shot a glance at her, Dana giggled nervously. “Yeah, I know, I was the one moving too fast then I guess. But that was when I knew you felt the same way about me as I always had about you, so I went and got it engraved with that date because that was when I started to believe it could work with us. And as much as I fucked it up I still think it can work, if you want to I mean.”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to, Dana,” Alice said softly.

“So will you wear it? And, uh, marry me? I don’t know if I’m allowed to ask since you already did, but…” Alice cut her off with a kiss.

“Of course I will, Dana. Nothing on earth would make me happier. I really mean that,” Alice murmured, hugging Dana to her. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” Dana whispered.

“I got this right before you moved in with me…officially I mean,” Alice said softly, putting the platinum band with a sapphire flanked by a small diamond on either side into Dana’s hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t give it to you yesterday, but it wasn’t really something I planned out in advance.” Dana nodded, then waited patiently for her to continue. “Anyway, what I said yesterday is totally true. I really don’t care how long I have with you. I mean, of course I hope it’s until we’re both old and grey, but even this is worth it. I love you, Dana. I always did and I always will, and I don’t care where the wedding is or how fancy it is or anything like that. As long as I’m with you none of that matters. I just want to be with you as long as I can. Because I really do think that together we can work through whatever happens. I love you so much that nothing else really means anything,” Alice finished, crying openly as Dana took the ring back and slid it on Alice’s finger for her. Alice did the same, and then they were kissing and whispering sweet nothings to each other for what might as well have been hours before going home, giving no thought to the phone call that was expected any minute.