As with all things, time flies when you are having fun. This was especially true when Brandon spent time with his Angel. He lost count of the times they walked hand in hand down the paths of the compound. He chattered like a monkey in a tree while Emma just seemed to smile and nod at his silly stories. Their love grew as they spent more time doing little things.

And then came the camping trip. All of the brothers that were going were so excited to do so. Brandon was no exception. But he had mixed feelings about it. He wasn't sure that Emma would be able to go. At the last minute, the beautiful Emma showed up at his door wearing cute boy shorts and a barely there top. Brandon was in heaven yet again.

She said she was going! And after having their bags placed into the van, Brandon lifted Emma and set her down in his lap. They spent the entire ride to the campground that way. His arms draped across her back as they both snoozed. Whispers, kisses and soft laughs were exchanged as well.

Her uncle had arranged for her to stay in a cabin. Of course the niece of the former president couldn't possibly sleep in a tent! They settled into the little nest and things became quite heated. Unfortunately, a knock to the door stopped them from continuing. It was merely Jamie, handing out the schedules that Jaden had made for the activities.

As the weekend went by, Brandon found himself inside that cabin more than out. The nights were spent with the rest of the guys around a camp fire. With Emma in his lap or by his side at all times, he was the happiest man in the campsite. That he was certain of.

Emma and Brandon had taken a nature hike one day. Brandon had it all planned out. A picnic basket on his arm that had a blanket, sandwiches and a bottle of wine and glasses. He was prepared. When they got to the clearing, there had been two bear cubs wrestling on the other side of the flower covered glen. Brandon pointed them out with a soft laugh and Emma pointed out that momma bear was probably somewhere nearby.

Plans thwarted, Brandon left the picnic basket sit in the glen to keep the bears from following them as they turned and skirted the glen, and found another trail to follow. Laughing and playing tag between and beneath the trees, Brandon came to a screeching halt when he heard Emma shriek, as if in fear.

He ran to where she was and came to another screeching halt. Emma was up on the shoulder of none other than Gage. Gage was the biggest brother that he knew. Taking several gulps of air, he calmly asked Gage to put her down. He even threw in a please when Gage seemed reluctant.

Finally Gage put Emma down and stormed off. Seems that the guys had been looking for Emma and Brandon for more than an hour when they didn't show up for dinner. Feeling like a heel, Brandon held onto Emma's hand and walked back to the camp in silence, his head down.

When they got back to camp, the guys were sitting around the fire. Gage seemed to be pacing, irritated. Brandon ignored all of that and fixed a plate of food for himself and stayed by Emma's side. Gage had yelled at Brandon, and finally Brandon looked up at Gage. He protectively went between Gage and Emma and stood his ground.

Luckily for Brandon, Dean showed up and put an end to the tension. Emma had went back to the cabin and when Brandon turned around, he followed her there. He apologized to her and she forgave him. They spent the rest of the trip in the cabin.

Soon it was time to go home. After lovingly packing their things, Emma and Brandon spent a long morning, saying goodbye to the cabin. And then it was onto the vans. They slept the entire way home.

Brandon had worried himself over the next few weeks about how to give Emma the promise ring he had bought. It was a simple white gold band with a small diamond set in a whorl of filigree silver. It was delicate and beautiful. It was everything he saw in her. The diamond was eternal, the ring, a symbol of never ending love. It was perfect. He just needed the perfect way to give it to her.

Thinking he'd test the waters first. He had bought a diamond and ruby necklace and earring set. Not having the nerve up yet to give her jewelry face to face, he had that delivered to her. And he waited an agonizing two days before finally going to see if she received the set. When she said she had received the set and that they were lovely, Brandon was elated.

Brandon had brought with him a bouquet of red roses, a box of Russell Stover's caramels and the ring. Instead of letting himself into the house, he knocked at the door and then went down on one knee. He held up the bouquet so that when Emma opened the door, that's what she would see first. Her smile was radiant and Brandon presented the box of caramels next, encouraged by her smile.

Then he slid the box out of his pocket and held it up to her. He thought he saw a tear in her eyes when she opened it up. Brandon explained that it was a promise ring and that it held within it his promise to remain loyal and true to his angel. As she slipped the ring onto her finger, Brandon rose and took her into his arms.

"I love you." he whispered into her ear as he kissed her cheek. "I love you too, Brandon." she cried softly. He lifted her off of her feet and walked into the house. No other words were said as the flowers and chocolates dropped to the floor. Her arms around him tightly, and his around hers as the door closed behind them.