Troy smiled having heard what Aria said. "Well I'm glad you both had fun." He said and opened the front door for them then stepped inside and moved so they could enter as well. He could hear the adults talking and laughing in the parlor room. It was nice to know that both families were getting along so well. Lyle looked at Aria then at Troy as they walked inside. Troy then closed the door behind them. "Troy, could you give me and Aria a few minutes. I sort of want to talk to her about something. It's a private matter." Lyle explained. Troy was surprised but smiled and nodded. "Of course. I'll be with the others, feel free to join us for drinks when you're ready." Troy said before excusing himself, leaving Lyle alone with Aria.

Noting the worried look on her face, Lyle felt terrible. Was he really such a bad person that the thought of being alone with him frightened her? He pulled her into a hug and held her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Do I really frighten you by wanting to be alone with you?" He asked her quietly. He hadn't meant to scare her so much, "I'm sorry."

"You didn't ruin anything. I'm just...stubborn I suppose." Lyle started. He looked at her and gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry I worry you so much. I don't mean to. I am not opposed to your signs of affection, I just don't like the idea of people using that to tease me. It's...annoying. A-and even though I get embarrassed, it doesn't mean I don't enjoy it." He explained quietly. Great, now he was nervous. What if he didn't say the right things or messed up somehow? "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me...and I hope you know that I love you very much even if I have a strange way of showing it. I..I know I don't shower you with affection as you'd like. I suppose it was due to the way I was raised. We are taught to respect those we love, we don't assault them with kisses like other people might." He muttered quietly, scratching the back of his head nervously.

Lyle blushed hearing what she said. "I am aren't I?" He asked and chuckled softly. "T-there is a reason why I asked to be alone with you but...now I don't know if I should tell you now or wait until we get home." He admitted. Though half of him just wanted to do it now before he put it off any longer. She was in a good mood, so was he. It was the perfect chance.

"Same here. No words will ever be able to express how much I love you or how I feel when I'm with you. Ecstatic doesn't even come close." Lyle kissed the back of her hands softly and sighed quietly. "Close your eyes please. I want to give you something but it needs to be a surprise." He said to her. Hopefully he was doing the right thing. She had waited enough.

When Aria had closed her eyes and he made sure sue wasn't peaking, he reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a small royal blue velvet box. Inside was a real gold engagement ring with flowers hand carved into the band. There was a flower at the top which was encrusted in small diamonds with a large diamond as the center of the flower. Her name was carved onto the inside of the band, making it completely custom and one of a kind. It had cost a lot, but it was worth it. Aria deserved the best. He opened the box and stared at the ring for a while before getting down on one knee and presenting it to her. "Y-you can open your eyes now." He said nervously. "Y-you've been waiting very patiently and I'm sorry for making you wait but I just wanted it to be perfect because you d-deserve the best. I meant it when I said that I loved you. You've always been there for me through my good days and bad days. You've always been a great friend which turned into more. Something I wasn't expecting but don't regret either. I would be the happiest man if I could wake up next to you for the rest of my life. I know I'm not perfect, but I can promise you that I will always love you and protect you. Honor and respect you. That is...if you allow me to."

She said yes! She actually said yes! A huge weight was lifted off his shoulders hearing her. Lyle stood and kissed her back softly then took the ring and slid it onto her ring finger. It was a perfect fit and looked stunning on her hand. "Perfect." He said quietly. His thumbs carefully wiped away her tears and he placed the velvet ring box back in his inner jacket pocket. "You really like it?" He asked and was glad that she did. "It's a one of a kind custom made ring, just for you. It took quite a while to make but I think it was worth the wait." Lyle explained, gently reaching out and tucking some hair behind her ear.

"You're right, there will never be anything better." Lyle agreed with a chuckle. He hugged her back and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I love you so much too." He said. When asked if they should join the others, Lyle pouted a bit. "I don't want to. I'd rather just spend time with you. However, we can't be rude and we can always spend time together later. We can read together before bed if you'd like. Come now, we can't keep the others waiting." Lyle said, taking hold of Aria's hand and leading her towards the other room where they could hear the others talking.

"Ah, there you both are. We were starting to worry you had gone to bed." Lyle's mother commented. "Sleep sounds great right now." Lyle muttered under his breath quiet enough not to be heard. "I just needed to speak to Aria about something, that's all. I apologize for keeping you all waiting." He explained and then Troy approached them with drinks. "Aria, I did not know if you were a fan of the occasional drink so I brought you some hot chocolate. But I can easily get you a drink if you would like one." Troy informed.

Troy smiled at her and noticed the engagement ring. "That is a beautiful ring. I don't think I noticed it before." He noted. Lyle looked at Troy then at the adults who were looking at him. "You gave her the ring?" His father asked. Lyle blushed and cleared his throat then took a sip of his drink. It was an occasion that called for celebration but they could celebrate back home. Not here. "Oh congratulations you two, we're very happy for you." Troy's mother chimed happily, making Lyle looked down at his feet. "A little." He whispered to Aria. "I can stay up a little longer though." He added and turned to the adults. "T-thank-you." He thanked them. It had been long overdue, the engagement ring but Aria loved it and it looked stunning on her.