The Things We Do for Love

"Was it too much? Did I--"

"Im just teasing you," Angie said. "You know I want Lauren home by midnight, right?"

Lauren giggled. A curfew. She must be the only kid in the world who was pleased by that.

He looked down at Lauren, obviously confused. "What do you want to do? Go see a movie?"

Lauren wanted to be with him; that was all. "Maybe we could play cards here. Or listen to music. "

David frowned, glanced at Angie, who said quickly, "Ive got work to do upstairs. "

Lauren loved her for that. "What do you think, David?"

"Sure. "

"Okay," Angie said. "Theres food in the fridge and pop in the carport. Lauren, you know where the popcorn maker is. " She looked pointedly at David. "I will be walking through every now and then. "

Lauren should have been irritated by that, but in truth, she loved how it made her feel. Cared for. Cared about. "Okay. "

Angie said good night, then went upstairs.

When they were alone, Lauren took the flowers and put them in a vase. As soon as she finished, she got his present from the kitchen and took it to him. "Merry Christmas. "

They settled into the big overstuffed sofa, cuddled up to one another. "Open it," she said.

He unwrapped the small box. Inside lay a small gold St. Christopher medal.

"Itll protect you," Lauren said, hearing the catch in her voice. "When were apart. "

"You might get into Stanford," he said, but there was no conviction in his words.

He took a deep breath, then let it out.

"Its okay," she murmured. "I know well be apart. Our love can take it. "

He looked down at her. Slowly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautifully wrapped package.

It wasnt a ring box.

She took it from him, surprised at how unsteady she suddenly felt as she unwrapped the present. She hadnt known until just now--this second--that shed expected a proposal tonight. Inside the box lay a pair of tiny diamond heart earrings, suspended from thread so delicate it looked like fishing wire. "Theyre beautiful," she said in a shaky voice. "I never thought Id own diamond earrings. "

"I wanted to buy you a ring. "

"These are great. Really. "

"My mom and dad dont think we should get married. "

So they were going to have to talk about it. "What do you think?"

"I dont know. Remember that lawyer my dad wanted to talk to?"

"Yeah. " It took everything she had to keep smiling.

"He says there are people who would love this baby. People who would want it. "

"Our baby," she said softly.

"I cant be a father," he said, looking so sad and beaten that she wanted to cry. "I mean. I am one. I know that, but . . . "