"Well, thank you all so so much for all of the wonderful gifts. You really didn't have to get me anything at all, but I really appreciate it." Misty started, smiling at her family members who were all watching her open presents. 

           "Umm, well, actually, you have one more gift." Clay started, nervously. 

          "Oh, did I miss one?" Misty began looking at the floor around the wooden kitchen chair that she sat on in the living room.

           "Just mine. I wanted to give it to you first, but by the time I worked up the courage to give it to you, you had already opened everyone else's gift." Clay handed Misty a medium sized, deep white box, tied with a beautiful blue ribbon. 

           "Did you wrap this?" Misty asked, grinning as she carefully untied the ribbon on the four-inch-by-four-inch box. Glancing to her right, she saw Clay nod. 

            Misty took the lid off of the box, seeing a folded up piece of paper in it at first. She felt her eyebrows flicker together in confusion as she pulled out the paper, looking intently at it. It was a picture taken from the sky of a bunch of pastures, corrals, a few barns, and a house. 

         "There's a couple other things in the box, too." Clay said, kneeling down beside Misty.

         Misty pulled out the second piece of paper, opening it up. Across the top "Deed of Ownership" was written, and on the middle of the paper was a sticky note that said "Congrats, love Clay." The last thing in the box was a key, tied to the same blue ribbon that the box was wrapped in. 

         "What is all of this, Clay?" Misty asked, not picking up on any of the hints. 

         A smile rose to Clay's lips as he looked at her and said, "You got the ranch." 

        Misty swore her heart stopped for a second when Clay gave her the news. "What? How could I have gotten the ranch? I never went in to the bank to-"

         "I paid for the down payment." Clay's smile was wider than the Rio Grande. 

         Everyone in the room was wide eyed, and joined in a conglomerate of "aww's" and "that is so sweet," among other various compliments. 

          Clay could clearly read the hesitation on Misty's face as she stared at what was in her hands. She was trying to wrap her head around what just happened. The ranch of her dreams was finally hers; her biggest dream was starting to come true. But, it wasn't hers. It was partially Clay's since he paid the down payment. "I-I don't know what to say." Misty whispered, partially because she was still blown away, but also because she really did not know what to say. 

           Clay's voice was quiet too, even though the room was loud with chatter about how sweet it was of Clay to give Misty such an extravagant gift. Standing up, Clay went behind Misty to wrap his arms around her chest, giving her cheek a kiss. "Surprise, darlin'. You like it?" 

          Misty reached up, resting her hand on Clay's hands, interlacing their fingers. "Yeah, yeah, I do. Thank you so much, babe." She turned her head to give Clay a quick kiss. 

           Everything about Misty's body language and hesitation told Clay that something was wrong, and that she wasn't entirely happy with his gift. Letting out a sigh, Clay pulled away from Misty, saying that he was going to go grab a trash bag to put all the wrapping paper and everyone's plates and such in. 

           While Clay was in the kitchen, he leaned against the counter, dropping his head, asking God what he should do. He had honestly thought that when Misty had said that all she wanted for her birthday was her ranch, that that was a sign to Clay to snatch it up before it was gone. It was too good of a deal to pass up, and he wanted nothing more to make Misty's dream come true. Taking in a deep breath, Clay grabbed a trash bag, walking back out into the living room. 

         When he returned, the majority of the people were outside, catching one more game of cornhole before it became too dark to see. Various people were somewhere in the house talking to one another, a few people outside by their trucks, saying goodbye. Misty was still in the living room with her aunt, and a couple other family members. Despite his disappointment that Misty wasn't over joyed at his gift, he still walked over to the woman he knew he loved, wrapping an arm around her slim waist. This was her day. Their conversation about why she wasn't happy about owning the ranch could wait until tomorrow.

          Seeing Clay made Aunt Tia turn away from her conversation with Misty. "Clay, I just wanted to say that I think that what you did for Misty, payin' the down payment on that ranch, was by far the sweetest thang I have ever heard." 

          Clay looked down at Misty, saying, "I would do anything for her, for her dreams to come true."  

           Misty looked up at Clay, seeing in his eyes that they were going to have a discussion about this later. 

           Tia did not seem to pick up on the growing tension between the couple because she just continued on about the ranch, asking Misty every little question she could think about it.

                                                                          ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

          All of Misty's family had left, hoping to get home in time to do night checks on their animals. Aunt Tia was the only person still at the house. Misty couldn't believe that it was already nine at night. Growing more and more tired, Misty was thankful to be able to sit down and relax. 

            "Hey, mind if I join you?" Clay asked, pointing to the couch Misty was sitting on. When Misty nodded, moving over so there was enough room, Clay sat down, pulling Misty onto his lap. 

            As tired as she was, Misty had way too much on her mind to fall asleep. Aunt Tia, and Misty's parents were still in the spacious living room, engaged in their own conversations. 

             After laying there for several minutes in silence, Clay dropped a kiss on Misty's head. "You've been really quiet all night. Is something wrong?" 

            Misty didn't stop rubbing a finger over Clay's fingers on the hand she was holding when she answered, "Yeah, I'm just tired and thinking about things." 

           "Want to talk about it?" Clay asked, even though he had a hankering he knew what was wrong. Tonight was really not the night he wanted to discuss why she wasn't thankful for her gift, but if Misty wanted to talk about it, he wasn't going to turn her down. 

             "Can we go outside to talk?" Misty asked, sitting up. 

              "Sure." Clay stood up, offering Misty a hand. She dropped hers from his once she was standing. Motioning to Clay, Misty walked outside, onto the front porch. 

             The chilly, nighttime October breeze tickled it's cold fingers on Misty's skin, making a shiver run up her body. Walking to the banister of the porch, Misty looked out to the yard, unsure how to talk about what she wanted to discuss with Clay. 

             "Mist, what's wrong? What did you want to talk about?" Clay asked, resting his hands on Misty's shoulders.

            Unsure how else to approach it, Misty scoffed, turning to Clay. "Why did you pay the down payment on the ranch?"  

            "Are you seriously mad at me right now?" Clay asked, completely dumbfounded.

           "Just answer my question, Clay." The only light on outside was the porch light by the door, and the light illuminating through the windows from inside the house. Needless to say, it was hard for Misty to clearly see Clay's face, but she could tell that he was confused why she was reacting the way she did. 

               "Because when I asked you a couple of weeks ago what you wanted most for your birthday, you said you wanted that ranch, so I did what I could to get you what you wanted most." Clay took a step closer to Misty. The last thing he wanted was for them to fight, especially since today was not only their anniversary, but also Misty's birthday. "Please, tell me why are upset at me. I thought you would be jumping up and down with excitement." 

                "I just wish that you would have talked to me, first, Clay. You know that I have been savin' up for this for years, and I wanted it to by my ranch. I've never really had something I could truly call my own. The majority of what I have was given to me. Even my truck. I have never been able to make my own, huge purchase for something that was entirely in my own name. This ranch would have changed that." With every word she said, Misty was finding herself growing upset. 

              "No, it hasn't changed that, Misty. It hasn't changed anything. The ranch is still very much yours. If you don't want to accept the help to pay for it that your parents are offering you, then you can pay for it all by yourself, and that's fine. I only paid for the down payment. That's it. It is still your name on the deed. All you have to do is sign it." Clay took a deep breath to calm himself down, knowing the living room backed up to the porch, and he didn't want anyone to hear what the couple was talking about. "Misty, part of the reason I did this was because I was hopin' one day, it could be our ranch, not just yours." 

           Misty opened her mouth to say something, but her train of thought shifted when she processed what Clay said. "You want it to be our  ranch one day?"  

             "Yes. Can you not picture us together in the future?" 

             "Of course I can, Clay, but I just...you really should have talked to me before you went out and spent thousands of dollars on this for me!" Misty's voice was raised. 

             "Why are you mad at me for helpin' you make your dreams come true? I was tryin' to show you how much I love you, Misty; why aren't you thankful for that?" Clay's arms were spread out; he was talking with his hands, something he always does when he gets upset. 

              "Oh, so you were just tryin' to buy my love? That's why you did it?" Misty's voice was louder than it needed to be.

              "No, Misty. I was tryin' to help you." 

              "I didn't ask for your help, Clay! I told you I had enough money in the bank for the majority of it already. If I wanted your help, I would have asked for it. We have always talked to each other about things, so why would you go behind my back? I can't believe you wo-" Misty was cut off by the sound of the wooden screen door shutting closed. 

              Spinning around, Misty saw her Aunt Tia standing awkwardly on the porch. "I'm real sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to say goodbye to you." She was talking to Misty. 

            Misty reached out her arms, giving her aunt a hug. "It was really good seein' you, Aunt Tee. Thank you so much for comin' out, and for all the wonderful gifts." 

            Pulling back, Tia waved to Clay. "And it was nice meeting you, Clay." 

            Clay, who stood with one hand on his hip, his mind elsewhere, looked up and waved back. "You too." 

            "Drive safe. Let me know when you get home. Love you." Misty called after her aunt.

            "Will do. Love you too, sweetheart." Tia smiled, walking off the porch. 

             Misty turned back to Clay once Tia was inside her truck, driving down the long driveway. Clay was leaning over the porch railing, staring out into the dark yard. He was the first one to speak. "I feel like I should apologize for upsetting you with such an extravagant gift. But, I can't find a way to do that, when I thought I was doing the right thing. I truly thought you would be exuberant with joy, but I guess I never realized how selfish you are." Clay sniffed in the cold air, only now realizing how tired he was.

              Misty snapped. "Selfish? How dare you call me selfish. I have done everything for you! I have made so many sacrifices for you, and you call me selfish? You're unbelievable!" 

             Slamming his hands hard against the railing, Clay turned to Misty. "You are selfish! You have so many people doin' so much for you. You just take and take and take, expecting everyone to do everything for you, then when someone gives you a huge gift, like what I gave you, you selfishly say you can't accept it. You-" 

            "I never asked for you to do that for me though!" Misty interrupted.

             "Do not interrupt me. I am not done talking." Clay practically growled, shutting Misty up real quick. "I spent almost all of my savings, my hard earned money on this gift for you, because I love you, and do you know what? I was really hoping that that ranch could possibly be somewhere we could put our roots down at, but obviously not since you can't seem to appreciate it!" 

              "Clay, I-"

               "You don't know how to accept anything anyone gives you. Every time me, or someone else gives you a compliment, you never take it. Any gift anyone gives you, you are never happy with."

              "That is so not true! I am so thankful and so blessed for everything you, and everyone else, has given me. Did I not express to you how much I loved your necklace you gave me this morning?"

             "That's just it, Misty. It's not my necklace. It's yours. See, why can't you see how selfish that is? Every single time we go on a date, it has to be around your schedule, and what you want to do. If I suggest we go do something, you always shoot me down because it isn't what you want to do. I go along with it, but only because sometimes when you love someone, you make sacrifices for them. I just give and give, but you, you just take and take and never appreciate any of it." 

             "I never even said that I don't appreciate you, or anything that you do for me. Do not put words into my mouth! How dare you even say that I am selfish." 

            "But, Misty, it's true." Clay was too mentally exhausted to continue this fight. "You know what? I am so done with you and your crappy attitude towards me. This isn't just a fight, it's a much bigger issue, and it won't get resolved tonight, nor do I want it to be resolved tonight. I...I'm done, I'm sorry, Mist." He turned to walk off the porch.

            "Wha-what do you mean, you're 'done?'" Misty, no longer mad, now more worried, asked.

              Clay spun back around to face a teary eyed Misty. "I'm sayin' I am sick and tired of bending over backwards for you, just for you to treat me like this. I thought I was doin' you a favor, but I reckon I was wrong about you all along." He said in a sad tone. Looking at Misty, he opened his mouth like he was fixing to say something else, but instead he just said, "Goodnight, Misty. Happy birthday and happy anniversary. I'm sorry that I ruined them both for you." Closing the gap between them, Clay dropped a kiss on Misty's forehead. 

              Misty stood on the porch for a few seconds, just trying to process what happened. By the time she turned to call for Clay to come back, he was already in his truck, driving back to his loft. Tears rose to her eyes, but Misty refused to let them fall as she turned on her heels, running back inside the house. Misty walked past her family, and went straight up to her room, slamming the door behind her. She knew that her dad, stepmom, and Junior had to have heard at least part of the fight, but Misty was not in the mood to talk to them about it. 

             The first thing that Misty saw when she walked into her bedroom was the bag of Clay's Wrangler's still sitting on her bed. Closing her eyes for a second, Misty thought back to this morning and how perfect everything was between them. Clay was right. She was selfish, and that had led to a huge fight between them. Tears were on the brink of falling to Misty's cheeks as she grabbed her phone, shooting Clay a text. "Please, let's talk about this more." Waiting for Clay's reply, Misty cleared off her bed, then slipped into her pajamas. She was about to grab a tshirt, but saw Clay's navy blue hoodie on the chair beside her closet. Grabbing it, Misty slipped it over her head, breathing in Clay's scent, thinking about how scared she was to lose him. 

            Misty heard her phone vibrate with a new text message, drawing her momentarily out of her thoughts to see who it was. The text was from Clay. "Frankly, I don't want to. There's nothin' else to talk about. I paid the down payment for your ranch, and you couldn't appreciate it. Goodnight, Misty." The text read. 

            Refusing to let this be how her birthday, and her six month anniversary end, Misty ignored Clay's "goodnight." Quickly, she texted a sentence she thought she would never have to ask Clay. "Did we break up tonight?" Almost immediately, Misty could see that Clay opened, and read the message, but didn't reply. At that point, Misty fell back onto her bed, not even attempting to hold back her tears, only finding that they couldn't fall. She was too tired. Pulling back the covers, Misty laid down in her bed, wrapped up in Clay's sweatshirt for what could be the last time.