70 70- Christmas Shopping

"I was thinking of one more stop before we go home, unless there's somewhere you want to go?" Scott was already driving to their next destination.

"How would I have anywhere I need to go?" Ryan asked, slightly confused.

"Not need, WANT."

"If you tell me where we're going now, I could answer better."

Ryan's spirits were higher than they'd been in a long time. It was an enormous relief to Scott, who'd been at his wits end trying to alleviate some of Ryan's completely justifiable depression. Their next stop was the most important one. Ryan was finally going to get his ring back. Strangely enough, he hadn't asked about it. Scott wondered why, but he didn't want to pry too much, and he didn't want to trigger anything on accident. HE knew where the ring was, and HE knew Ryan was about to get it back, so why not just let it be a pleasant surprise?

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"Wow… I was told the parking lot could look like this, But I've never believed it until now…" Ryan gasped once they got to their destination. "Are we even going to be able to find a place to park?"

"Oh, there's bound to be a handicap spot somewhere." Scott said confidently.

The mall's parking lot was packed with the cars of people looking to get their holiday shopping done before the stores ran out of stuff. They circled the parking lot close to the building, hunting for an empty spot. There were a few spots way out at the edges of the lot, but they needed room to get Ryan's wheelchair in and out and even if they parked way out there, they couldn't guarantee someone wouldn't park next to them while they were inside. They circled twice thanks to Scott's stubborn refusal to get up, and managed to get a handicap spot close to a side entrance by waiting on a car to load up and pull out. The driver car behind them wasn't happy, honking once or twice to get them to move.

The driver of the car behind them also had a few things to say once Scott had finally pulled into the spot and stepped out to reveal that he was perfectly healthy. Before Scott even had a chance to start unloading Ryan's wheelchair the other driver was laying into him about stealing handicap spaces from people who needed them and loudly accused him of being too lazy to walk from the back of the parking lot. They screeched about how Scott's car didn't even have a disability license plate, and how they were going to call the police to get the car towed.

Sure, tensions ran high this time of year, but this was ridiculous.

Ryan asked what was going on when Scott opened the door to get the wheelchair out, but Scott told him not to worry about it and just stared the person in the eyes as he pulled the clunky medical equipment out of the car and unfolded it. Even with that, the person wasn't willing to back down. It wasn't until he lifted Ryan out of the car, telling the other driver that he also had a temporary disability permit that the driver gave up and left. To be fair, the other car had a disability license plate, and they'd probably been searching for a spot just as long as Scott and Ryan had but still…

"Do you really think they're going to call the police on us…?" Ryan asked as Scott busied himself with getting the footrests properly adjusted.

"Don't worry. Even if they do, the police won't do anything. That tag hanging on the rearview mirror gives us permission to park here. There's two stores here I have to go to, and I was thinking if one of the salons had an opening, we could go ahead and get your hair cut?" Scott retrieved his backpack from the car and hung it on the back of the wheelchair to contain any of their potential purchases. It also contained everything he could possibly need to tend to Ryan no matter what situation popped up.

Ryan wasn't entirely sure he was ready for someone else to see his scar, and the hair around it hadn't quite grown long enough to hide it yet, but not being able to tie his hair back or tend to it himself was only making more work for Scott. He agreed quietly, but secretly wondered how he'd be able to sit in the stylist's chair long enough for it to be done. It was extremely uncomfortable to go without his legs being supported for too long.

"Alright, let's go!" Scott gave Ryan a quick kiss on the cheek.

As they made their way into the building, Ryan was worried about something else. The mall was busy. Very busy. The stores were packed, and some had register lines that extended past the storefronts. People were making way for them in general once they noticed the wheelchair, but Ryan's line of sight was mostly blocked by the crowds. He couldn't help but think most of them were secretly laughing at his current condition. He slumped a little lower in his seat and pulled his hat down a little further.

The first stop was the game store. Its line wasn't quite out the door, but it snaked through the somewhat small sales floor. It was almost too crowded to shop, and there was actually an employee at the entryway regulating traffic flow, only letting new customers inside once previous customers left. They actually didn't want to let Ryan in, since he took up so much space in his wheelchair. Only when Scott said he was just here for a pickup did the guy at the door back down and let them both in.

Scott wouldn't tell Ryan what he'd ordered as they waited in the long checkout line. Scott was just shocked the store still had some available, never mind that he was able to pay over the phone. It sure made things easier. He noted some of the game titles that caught his attention on the displays as they slowly made their way past them. Digital downloads would be the way to go for now, but he was already looking forward to some of the multiplayer options.

They finally got to the front of the line, and Scott gave the clerk his last name, confirming his purchase with his ID and bank card. They retrieved the boxes from their stock room, and when they put them on the counter Ryan finally got a good look at the first surprise of this trip.

"Aren't those that newest handheld game system?" Ryan asked. "The kind that has the controllers that come off?"

"Eh, consider it an early Christmas present. I kind of wanted one anyway, and I can't just get me one and not get you one!" Scott patted Ryan's shoulder affectionately, and put the boxes in the backpack before leaving the store.

"Aren't they really expensive though? You didn't have to get me one too…"

"Of course I did! And don't worry about the price, I said it was a Christmas present, didn't I? Besides, that puzzle game you like just came out for it. I thought it'd be nice to play together."

Ryan couldn't help but smile a little bit at that. It wasn't lost on him that it'd be easier for him to hold the controller. He was already looking forward to it.

One stop down, and potentially one more to go. The next stop was the most important one, and it was on the other side of the mall. They'd passed a couple of salons on the way, but Scott wanted to save Ryan's potential haircut for last. He himself always felt like he needed a shower after a haircut to wash away all the tiny, itchy hairs, and his top priority was keeping Ryan comfortable.

Once they finally got to the jewelers, it was a much less crowded store. One of the clerks seemed to recognize Scott immediately, and though she was currently occupied with another customer, she indicated that she'd take care of Scott and Ryan next. Scott signaled back with a smile, and moved Ryan so they were both out of the way next to a display cabinet full of wedding bands.

Ryan? Well, he didn't really want to be in this store. It was like a reminder for how he lost his engagement ring after the accident. He didn't know where it was, and he was pretty sure it wasn't under his cast wrapped up with his broken fingers, but he didn't want to say anything to Scott about it. What was he supposed to say? 'Hey, so like sorry but I lost that custom ring you gave me when you asked me to marry you?' He couldn't do that. He was just happy Scott hadn't brought it up at all.

"You know, we'll need a set of these at some point." Scott tapped the glass on the display in front of them. "See any you like? Can't hurt to have an idea in mind. I personally can't wait to wear one!"

The rings in the case flashed beautifully, but Ryan didn't offer up any opinions. Scott could almost feel Ryan's depression creeping back, but hopefully what was about to happen would fix that. The clerk he'd worked with before had already finished with her previous customer and had gone to the back to get a very special little black box.

Ryan wasn't even paying attention when she came over to Scott to verify the quality of the repair, which was all for the better. Ryan's ring was finally fixed, and it was time to present it to its rightful owner. Scott kneeled next to Ryan's wheelchair, clutching the box tightly. He looked up into Ryan's eyes which had taken on the familiar dull sheen he'd come to know all to well recently, and gently stroked Ryan's cheek.

"Ryan, I know things are hard right now, but I want you to know how much I love you. I don't think I'll ever stop loving you. I've said this before, and I'm saying it again now. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. More than mates, I want us to be partners in life. Will you allow me to present this to you, one more time?"

Scott held out the velvet ring box, opening it and studying Ryan's face carefully. It was a night-day transition for all of a second, before the first big tear rolled down Ryan's cheek.

"I thought I'd lost it…" he whispered.

Scott wiped the tears away with his sleeve. "The hospital had to cut it off you. I didn't want you to see it like it was, so I had it repaired first."

Ryan picked it up with his three working fingers and admired it in the light. He couldn't seem to decide if he was supposed to smile, or cry, or what. Way too many emotions were trying to happen all at once. He did realize something very important, however.

"I can't even wear it…" Ryan almost laughed, or cried, he couldn't tell which.

"Don't worry, I thought of that!" Scott said brightly.

This was going somewhat better than he'd hoped. He asked the clerk to bring over a selection of chains that matched the ring's metal and had Ryan pick one. As he strung the ever important piece of jewelry on the new necklace and fastened it around Ryan's neck, he warned Ryan that they'd probably have to get it resized once his casts came off, and that he'd put off having the inscription redone because of it. Ryan didn't mind. All he cared about was that he got his ring back. It was a tiny sense that things were finally moving in a positive direction.

They left the store after Scott paid, calling it another 'early Christmas present.' Scott had also grabbed a catalogue of wedding bands, thinking it'd be a fun activity to look over some of the different styles while their new game systems configurated. In the wheelchair, Ryan couldn't seem to stop fiddling with the ring around his neck, rolling it between the three free fingers on his left hand. Yep. Things were finally moving in a positive direction, indeed.