The next week passed by in a blur. Allie had gone with Ben’s family to his swearing in ceremony and sat and watched as he and a dozen other young men had pledged their loyalty to the country, the flag and the forces. They’d all gotten certificates and then taken pictures and headed home.

After that they had four days left. It had taken him awhile to get everything he needed together, and he’d gotten more information so she now had a mailing address for him and a list of what was acceptable to send and what wasn’t. Essentially she could send letters but nothing else.

Ben tried to split his time between his family and her, but as the days passed everyone was getting more and more anxious. He was spending most of his time trying to assure everyone that this was what he wanted and he would be okay.

On Monday night they all went out to dinner and when they got home they’d just sat up and reminisced, and around midnight everyone had gone to bed.

As soon as they’d gotten to his room Ben had swept her into his arms and kissed her as though he never wanted to let her go, and she’d given in to him.

They’d made love as quietly as they could, and when they were finished they’d lain in bed together, holding each other as they tried to forget how he would be leaving in less than eight hours.

“Allie,” Ben said as he rolled over and looked down at her.

“Yes?”

He took a deep breath and sat up.

She didn’t like the look in his eyes and she sat up with him, pulling the sheet up to make sure she was covered. He looked as though he was going to say something terrible and her mind immediately jumped to him telling her it was over and he didn’t want to try to stay together after he left.

“Ben, you’re scaring me,” she said softly when he just stared at her.

After a pause he reached over and opened his bedside drawer. She could only watch as he reached inside and pulled out a small ring box.

“Ben?” she asked when he turned to her, holding the box in his hand as he looked at her.

“Allie,” he started, “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember, and I don’t want you to just be my girlfriend. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He paused and extended the box to her. “Alison Chase, will you marry me?”

She just stared at him for a moment and then launched herself at him.

“Yes,” she whispered in his ear as he caught her and held her close. “Of course I will.”

He let out a sigh and held her until she was ready to pull away.

When she finally did she shifted so she was sitting beside him and he could keep his arm around her. She needed to feel connected to him.

With a smile he picked up the ring box he’d dropped when he’d had to catch her, and she smiled as she took it from him and opened it.

The ring was beautiful. It was a simple solitaire and it sparkled beautifully. It was small and understated, and it was perfect. As she was staring at it he pulled it out of the box and held it out to her.

She felt tears sliding down her cheeks as he slipped it on her finger. It was a perfect fit.

“I love you, Allie,” he said softly as he wiped the tears from her face.

“I love you too, Ben,” she whispered against his lips as she moved to kiss him.

They lay back on the bed together and held each other. Neither wanted to fall asleep because that would mean the night was over, but somewhere around four in the morning they both drifted off, still wrapped up in each other’s arms.

* * * * *

The next day was the hardest day of Allie’s life.

The bus was leaving at eight a.m. and they had to be there at seven-thirty.

They’d gotten up at six and his mother had made everyone breakfast. No one had been hungry and they’d all sat around picking at it. At seven they’d packed up the car and his parents and sister had driven together while Ben had driven her in their second car.

His parents hadn’t been thrilled they’d gotten engaged. They felt they were too young to make such a big decision, but had been placated when they’d promised they would wait until after Allie graduated and they were settled somewhere before actually getting married.

When they’d arrived at the pickup spot the bus had been ready and it was time to say goodbye. Everyone had cried, even his dad had cried as he’d hugged him goodbye. When Ben had given her one last hug letting go of him had been the hardest thing she’d ever done.

They’d all watched him get on the bus with the others and then watched the bus drive away.

His dad had driven his mom and sister home, and after Allie had composed herself she’d driven the second car home. Then she’d been at a loss.

His family had told her she was always welcome and they were there for her if she ever needed anything, but with Ben gone she didn’t feel comfortable spending all of her time there. She needed to go home and get ready to start her own post-school life.

They would be her family soon enough, but right now she had to deal with starting school, and with Ben being gone.