*Vic's P.O.V.*

I woke up, sweat pouring down my body. My eyes strained to catch a glimpse of anything in the dark room. I didn't quite remember falling asleep, but I was glad I awoke from that nightmare. I didn't understand what to call it really. I mean, it thrilled me to see her awake. But then...she disappeared.

That whole dream left me dissatisfied, and I felt my memories tugging their way into my mind.

---

We were ice skating at a chilly rink in New York. I decided on taking her on another trip for her birthday. Tonight was her special night, and I was itching to take her on a shopping spree. I didn't think that tonight was the right time to propose, but I definitely was going to keep my eyes opened.

She twirled in the air and returned to skating. I watched her in awe. Many on-goers clapped, but she ignored them as she continued to build up her speed. She was skating in long strides, and suddenly, she was flying through the air. She landed back on the ice in the next second, doing some spins as a cool down.

I skated up to her on wobbly legs, using the wall for support. "Wow," I managed to choke out, "You were incredible. How did you do that?"

"My father always took me skating when I was younger. I used to take lessons, and it was his dream for me to skate in the Olympics."

I grabbed her hand. "Well you should definitely try it out," I encouraged.

She shook her head, loose strands of hair hitting her in the face. "No," she spoke up, "It was always his dream. Never mine."

"Well. What is your dream?"

She smiled, "To work in a coffee shop and marry my favorite rock star."

I laughed, playing along, "Isn't that every fangirl's dream?"

"Oh, yes. But I have a feeling that I might just get a chance," she winked.

"What makes you think that?" I flirted.

"The awesome sex speaks enough."

I grinned at the subtle compliment, "The sex is good then, huh?"

"Fantastic!" She smirked, unlacing her ice skates.

"Looks like you got yourself a keeper, then," I unlaced mine and stuck my cold feet into my vans.

"I wouldn't trade him for the world!"

I felt like my smile was as big as the joker's. She finished untying her skates and slipped on her combat boots. I stuck my hand out to her, helping her up. "Come on," I murmured, leading her to the rental shack, "Let's turn these in and go shopping."

After shopping around and a long exercise, I finally found what I was looking for. There was a jewelry store tucked inbetween a toy store and fast food shop. I tried to not perk up in that direction as we walked past, but I caught her staring at the rings on display. Her eyes lingered on one especially, and I made a mental note to visit that shop tomorrow.

As we headed back to our hotel room, I saw a white flake fall in my face. I stopped and looked up at the sky in delight. Tiny white flakes fell onto us and I pulled her into me.

"The first snowfall..." she sighed, star struck.

I stared at the happiness radiating off of her face and murmured, "You're beautiful."

She looked at me and our eyes met. I gently touched my lips to hers, not in a lust filled way, but a perfect moment kind of kiss.

I pulled away and opened my eyes, smiling, "Happy birthday, love."

She hugged me tightly and I relaxed.

The next day, I woke up super early, trying hard to not wake Riley. I scribbled a quick note about food and left to visit the jewelry store we passed by the night before.

I quickly entered the shop, and without hesitation, asked the man at the counter about the ring Riley seemed fascinated about. He filled me in on all the details, what it was made out of, the pros and cons, etc. But I tuned his words out as I studied the little piece of silver.

It certainly was breathtaking, in a simple kind of way. The band seemed to be sliced in two, and was held together by a gray-blue gem. The gem caught in the light as I turned it around in my fingers. It sparkled and seemed to change to create an almost light blue appearance. It certainly was mesmerizing.

"I'll take it," I said to the man.

I ignored the price and swiped my credit car along the machine. The man made me sign a bunch of papers indicating that I did indeed pay for it. He handed me a receipt and the dark blue velvet box, carrying the precious ring inside. It also carried my future.

---

And now my future was in the hands of death itself. I looked at the ring, and I jumped as I saw the finger it sat on twitch. It caught briefly in light, flickering to a light blue.

My heart sped up and I thought I was just imagining things. I pinched myself to see if it was another dream. I grimaced in pain and realized it wasn't.

Seconds later, I heard that voice. That voice I longed to hear for days now. She weakly called for me. And I reached out to her. I could see a nurse in the corner of my vision, frantically asking for a doctor. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was her. Awake, alive, and breathing. And that one word she uttered out, the first word that tumbled from her mouth, caused me to believe that staying was the best desicion I made. That one word repeating over and over in my head.

"Vic."

Notes

AHH. It's the final countdown!

2 MORE!

~L