On a cold Wednesday evening in the middle of December, the apartment is decorated with Christmas lights, wreaths, and garland. The Christmas tree is in the corner of the living room, near the window that looks out over the city.

     He hands her a box decorated with balloons and a bow wrapped around it. She sits on the couch with the lights on the Christmas tree illuminating her face. Her heart is beating fast, from all the nerves and excitement, that it's pounding in her ears. There is a part of her that wants to take her time opening it, but there is also a part of her that just wants to hurry and open the gift. Just before she can open the box she hears a familiar voice, but it sounds so far away.

     The voice sounds like it's getting closer, calling her name, as if it's coming from right next to her.

     "Keiley!"

     Keiley snaps out of her daydream. "I'm sorry, Nick. What happened?"

     "I asked you what you wanted for your birthday and then you zoned out. Are you okay?"

     She reaches across the dinner table to grab Nick's hand and smiles at him. "I'm fine."

     Nick squeezes Keiley's hand. "Okay. I just want to make sure."

     Before she takes a bite of her dinner, she squeezes his hand in return. After she finishes her bite, she wipes her mouth with a napkin. "So, you were asking me what I wanted for my birthday?"

     "Yes. Your birthday is coming up. It's a pretty big birthday for you this year. Is there anything specific you would like?"

     "I know I eventually want a new car, but that's to big of a gift." She hesitates for a moment. "This may be too much to ask, but I have always wanted a dog. I've never had a dog of my own before." Keiley looks down at her dinner plate before looking back up at Nick. "Look, I know we've only been dating for a little over a year and this is a lot to ask from you..."

     "Honey, it's okay. I ask you what you want as a gift and all you did was tell me what you really want. Now, I can't promise anything, but I will se what I can do."

     Keiley gives him a small smile and takes another bite. "Thank you."

     Nick and Keiley continue eating their dinner in silence. The only sound is that of raindrops hitting the window beside them.

     After finishing dinner, they wipe their mouths with napkins and look into each other's eyes. No words need to be said. They enjoy each other's company.

     With his blue eyes looking into her brown ones, Nick can see that there is something on her mind. "Keiley, is there something bothering you?"

     "No, just thinking."

     "Ok." Nick stands up to clear the dinner plates off the table. He goes to the kitchen to was the dishes, when he looks over and sees Keiley staring off into space. "Penny for your thoughts."

     Keiley doesn't say a word. She places her elbows on the table and puts her face in her hands.

     Nick stops washng the dishes and dries his hands on a towel. He walks over to Keiley and kneels beside her. Rubbing circles on her back he say, "honey, talk to me. What's wrong?"

     She picks her head up, wipes a tear from her eye, and looks at Nick next to her. "I'm scared."

     "What are you scared about? Are you scared of turning another year older?"

     Keiley shakes her head. "No, I'm not scared about turning another year older." She takes a deep breath to gather her thoughts. "I'm scared about us."

     Nick is taken aback. "Us? Why are you scared about us?"

     Shifting in her seat, she turns to face Nick. "I've never been in a relationship that's lasted this long before. I'm just afraid that I might ruin it. I have never been very good at relationships, and I don't know why." Tears roll down her cheeks. "I don't want to lose you."

     He lifts his hand to her face to wipe the tears away with his thumb. "Oh, honey. You have nothing to be afraid of. I don't ever plan on going anywhere. I'm yours for as long as you'll have me." Nick wipes more tears away before he takes both of her hands in his. "Keiley, look at how far we've come. We've been together for over a year and I like to believe we're still going strong."

     She looks down at their joined hands before looking into his ocean blue eyes. Her vision is blurred because of the tears that are threatening to fall. "You are a sweet, thoughtful, and loving man. What did I ever do to deserve you?"

     Nick kiss the back of her left hand. "Just by being yourself. You have one of the biggest hearts I have ever known. You're kind, funny, and loyal. The list can go on forever about how wonderful you. Dare I say it, I'm the luckiest guy in the world, to have found someone as amazing as you."

     Keiley takes her left hand, keeping her right hand in his, and runs her fingers through his soft, light brown hair. "Thank you." She gives him a soft kiss on the lips. "I love you."

     He reaches up to push back some of her thick, curly, brown hair behind her ear. "I love you, too."

     She wipes the tears from her eyes, reaches for his hands and stands, pulling Nick up with her. "Come on. I'll help you with the dishes."

     While listening to music from the 50s, the two of them work together. Keiley dances while washing the dishes. Nick sings and dances as he dries the dishes and puts them away. They spend the rest of the rainy, autumn evening, singing and dancing to the radio.

     Three weeks have gone by since Keiley told Nick what she wants for her birthday. Her birthday is next week and she's wondering what he will give her as a present. This will be the second birthday she will spend with him.

     She walks down the street of town, glancing in shops that have windows decorated for the holdays giving her ideas for Christmas presents. Looking around Keiley sees happy couples walking hand in hand. She smiles at them as they pass by each other on the sidewalk, but deep down inside it frightens her.

     Keiley is lost in thought when she collides with a fellow pedestrian wearing a trench coat and carrying shopping bags. "I'm sorry."

     "Hey! Watch where you're going! Didn't you see me?! Come on!"

     "I'm very sorry sir. I honestly didn't see you. I'm sorry."

     "Yeah right. Whatever, lady. Just remember to get out of the way next time!"

     Keiley apologizes again to the man wearing the trench coat before continuing in the direction she was walking. Up head she sees an elderly gray-haired man wearing a fedora, sitting on a wooden bench. "Excuse me, sir?"

     The man turns and sees her standing next to the bench. With a raspy voice he says, "Yes?"

     Is this seat taken?", she asked.

     He gestures for her to sit down. "No, not at all. Please take a seat."

     She gives him a smile and takes the seat next to him. "Thank you." When she sits down it's the first time she notices his neatly combed, gray mustache.

     The elderly man can sense there is something on Keiley's mind. "Hey. You okay, kid?"

     Keiley comes out of her daze when she hears the man speak to her. "Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine."

     The man shifts to face her as best as he can. "Look kid. If you haven't noticed, I've been around a while. I learned many years ago that silence speaks volumes. I should know. I was married to the love of my life for 45 years. I had learned, early on in our marriage, how to read the signs. Come on. What's eating at ya?"

     Keiley shifts her weight so she is facing him. "It's my boyfriend."

     "Oh? Did he pop the question and you're not sure how you feel?"

     That takes Keiley by surprise. "I'm sorry?"

     "Did your boyfriend propse?"

     "No, sir."

     "Enough with the 'sir' business." He reaches his gloved hand out to shake Keiley's. "Please, call me Martin."

     Keiley shakes Martin's hand. "Nice to meet you, Martin. I'm Keiley."

     "Keiley. That's a nice name."

     "Thank you."

     Martin clears his throat. "Ok, so, your boyfriend didn't pop the question. What's the problem?"

     She takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "I don't know what the problem is. I've been with my boyfriend for over a year. This is the longest relationship I have ever had."

     "So? That doesn't sound like a problem."

     "It's not. I suppose I'm just afraid of wrecking it. Afraid I might end up pushing him away."

     "Why? You've gotten this far and you're still together."

     "Hm. I never would have thought about it like that before. Maybe that's what my boyfriend was trying to tell me a few weeks ago."

     "Listen, if he was the type to be easily pushed away, he would have been out of the picture a few months after you started dating. But he's not. He's still very much around."

     "True. When I look back on it, I've pushed most of my boyfriends away."

     "Why do you think that is?"

     Keiley shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know. It could have been a number of reasons." She pauses to really think about it. "It could have been that my feelings changed while dating them and I didn't want to hurt their feelings by breaking up with them. Or it could be because I got scared when I felt like it was getting more serious."

     Martin nods his head. "Ok, so why were you scared when you felt it got more serious?"

     "I think it's because I didn't want to get hurt. I was afraid that if it got too serious, I would fall so hard for the guy, that I would end up getting emotionally crushed. I don't think I ever wanted to know what a broke heart felt like. Actually, I still don't want to know what a broken heart feels like."

     "All your reasonings are plausible. But ask yourself this. If that was how you felt then, how are you making it through your relationship now? You've been with your boyfriend for over a year. I'd say that's pretty darn serious."

     "Maybe Nick, my boyfriend, and I have made it this far because he could be the right one for me. Or maybe because I felt he was the right guy to take a chance with, risking my heart for."

     "That sounds reasonable enough for me kid."

     Keiley is so excited she practically jumps off the bench. "Thank you, Martin."

     Marting tips his hat. "You're welcome. Now, go get 'em."

     After shaking Martin's hand, she turns and heads for Nick's apartment.

     Nick is at the mall shopping for a birthday present for Keiley. He knows what she wants, but he wants to do something a little different.

     As he continues walking through the mall there is a store that catches his eye, which gives him an idea. He walks into the store and is approached by a blonde-haired woman in her early to mid-40s.

     "Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you?"

     "Hi. I'm looking for something to give my girlfriend for her birthday."

     "Is there something specific you have in mind?"

     Nick walks around the story looking at the different displays, while the lady follows him. "As a matter of fact, yes." He stops at one of the displays and searches for the one he wants.

     "Very good, sir. My name is Elizabeth. If there is anything you need, let me know."

     Nick smiles. "Thank you."

     He continues to look at the varieties of jewelry on display as Elizabeth walks away, when suddenly something catches his attention.

     "Excuse me, Elizabeth?"

     Elizabeth turns and walks over to where Nick is standing. "Yes, sir."

     With a smile that could light up the night sky he says, "I've found the one I want."

     She sees what Nick has chosen. "Excellent choice, sir. Would you like me to wrap it for you?"

     He ponders for a moment. "No, that's ok. Thank you, though."

     "Alright, is there anything else I can help you with?"

     "That will be all. Thank you."

     Nick pays for the item and Elizabeth hands him the bag. "She'll love it."

     He takes the bag from her. "I sure hope so. Thank you for your help."

     "It was my pleasure. Come back and see us again."

     After giving her a smile and a slight nod, he turns to exit the store, heading for home.

     It's a cold, rainy evening in December. The apartment is all decorated for the Christmas season. The tree is in the corner of the room next to the window that overlooks the city.

     Keiley and Nick are enjoying a nice, quiet, candlelight dinner that Nick made special just for her, since it's her birthday. They are having pot roast with garlic mashed potatoes and a side of green beans.

     She reaches across the table to grab Nick's hand. "Thank you for making this delicious meal."

     Nick wipes his mouth with a napkin and smiles at her. "You're welcome. Happy birthday."

     Keiley returns his smile. "Thank you."

     After dinner, both Keiley and Nick stand up from the table to put away their dishes. Nick starts washing the dishes in the sink while Keiley clears off the rest of the dinner table.

     "Are you ready for dessert?"

     Keiley walks back into the kitchen carrying their wine glasses. "Uh, no, not really. I'm full. Is it ok if we just sit on the couch for a while?"

     "Of course. Anything you want."

     With the two of them working together, they quickly clean up the kitchen.

     Once the dishes have been cleaned and put back in their rightful place, Nick and Keiley curl up on the couch. The Christmas tree brings in the only light into the room, while Christmas music plays in the background.

     Keiley's head rests on Nick's shoulder, with her left arm between them, and her right arm wrapped around his torso. He has his right arm behind her, using his right hand to pull her closer to him.

     The closer Nick pulls her, the more she can feel and hear his heartbeat.

     "Babe, are you okay?"

     "Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

     Keiley lifts her head off his shoulder to look at him. "I can hear your heart pounding. Are you sure you're okay?"

     Nick lets out a sigh and smiles. "I'm fine. I'm just excited to give you your birthday present."

     She's getting excited. "Oh, can I open it now?"

     "Sure."

     Nick gets up from the couch to retrieve the present from under the tree. It is neatly wrapped with birthday wrapping paper with a bow on top. He hand her the box and sits down beside her.

     Keiley turns the box over several times looking for something.

     "What are you doing? You do know you can just tear the wrapping from the side, right?"

     "Yeah, I know that. I was just looking for the card."

     Nick chuckles. "Sorry, there isn't a card. I assumed if I handed it to you myself, you would know who it's from."

     An embarrassed laugh comes out of Keiley's mouth. "Oh, of course."

     Keiley unwraps the gift and opens the box. Moving the tissue paper aside, she sees a paper certificate. A little confused she looks up at Nick. "What's this?"

     "It's a gift certificate. You wanted a puppy, so I'm getting you one. This certificate tells you that your birthday present is a puppy, and you get to pick it out yourself."

     Tears of joy and happiness well up in her eyes. She looks at Nick and plants a big kiss on his lips. After setting the certificate back in the box, she wraps her arms around his neck and gives him the most passionate kiss she ever gave him. "Thank you! This is the best gift anybody has ever given me. Thank you. I love you!"

     "I love you too! And you're welcome."

     She looks back at the certificate in the box, that is laying on her lap. She can't believe he did this for her. This is the best birthday she has ever had. Keiley leans in for another kiss.

     "Wait... there's more."

     Keiley is shocked. "More? Honey, this is enough. You're getting me a puppy."

     "I know, but I wanted to do something else for you."

     While Nick gets up from the couch to fetch the other gift, Keiley sets the box, holding the certificate, next to her on the couch. Nick returns with a bigger box with birthday wrapping paper.

     Keiley takes the box from Nick and sets it down in her lap to unwrap it. She unties the ribbon before tearing the wrapping. She opens the box and sees a stuffed Golden Retriever puppy, with a red ribbon tied around its neck, making the ribbon look like a collar. There is no hesitation when she sees the puppy. She lifts it right out of the box and gives it a great big hug. Tears are forming in her eyes again, so she closes her eyes to try and keep them from falling down her cheeks.

     Keiley opens her eyes and holds the puppy out in front of her, when something tied to the ribbon catches her eye. She lowers the puppy and notices Nick down on one knee in front of her. This time the tears fall down her face and with one hand, she covers her mouth. The other hand is still holding the puppy. She raises the puppy in her hand to look at it again and realizes that the item tied to the ribbon is a silver, princess cut engagement ring.

     "Keiley James, I have loved you since the day I met you. You make me want to be a better man. Your sense of humor, love, and generosity are just a few of the things I love about you. Will you marry me?"

     She lays the puppy down in her lap and reaches both hands out to cup his face. "Yes! Yes, I will marry you, Nicholas Houghton."

     They share a passionate kiss. When the kiss ends, Nick takes the puppy out of Keiley's lap to untie the ribbon, so he can get the rig off to place it on her finger. Once the ring is on, Nick takes both of her hand in his and stands, pulling her up with him. He places his hands around her waist just as she wraps her arms around his neck, her ring sparkling in the light of the Christmas tree.

     "Happy birthday." He leans in to give her a sweet kiss.

     "Best birthday ever."