"Joe, I-"
"I don't ever want to be without you again. Marry me."
"Now? It's too soon. We're too young."
"What does age matter? All that's important is how much we love each other." He put up a hand and added, "I know it's a little sudden. We don't have to do it right away. I'll wait forever if that's what it takes."
Tears came to her eyes as she said, "I will. I will marry you." They kissed to seal the pact with the passion of newlyweds. For the rest of the night she held onto him, swearing to keep her promise to Joseph's mother to take care of him for the rest of her life.