"No, that's- oh, that came out all wrong." Thomas frowned, looking down at his feet again. "I want to see you happy, Abby. I want to know that, wherever you are or whatever you're doing, you're laughing and smiling, enjoying your life. I know that I'm no longer the nineteen year old boy who promised you the world, and perhaps because of that my word means nothing now." He took a deep breath, and looked back to her. "I want you, Abby. I love you more than anything else in this world. I almost can't dare to ask this for fear you'll say no, but- there is a place beside me for the rest of my life that is yours for the taking, if you want it."