"I'm sorry, guys." Michelle said, sitting back on the couch. She put her head in her hands. Her soulders hitched for a moment. She was wanting to cry, but forcing herself to keep the tears back. Ryan, deeply moved by Michelle's sudden change of emotion, knelt to her right and put his hand on her right shoulder. "It's okay, Michelle." was all he could say to her. Now Wiley was moved by this sudden change and understood why Michelle was upset. Kneeling to her left, he put his hand on her left shoulder and added, "We are here for you, Michelle." Katie, Samantha, Stacey, Nichole, and Renee knelt in front of her and whispered words of comfort to her as she quietly let her tears fall. Matt stood next to Ryan, unsure of what to do for his young cousin. Ryan and Wiley looked up at Matt and said in unison, "Matt, get my present for Michelle, would you?" Ryan and Wiley looked at each other, baffled by the other. Matt nodded and walked away. Few moments later, he came back with two roses and two rings. One rose was purple with a gold ring around it. The gold ring had a sapphire set in it. The other was a golden rose with a silver ring. The silver ring also had a sapphire. Matt handed the purple rose to Wiley, the golden to Ryan. Michelle picked her head up to see the two roses. "What is this- are you to going to do something crazy now too?" she asked half-jokingly. The whole group gave a small laugh, lightening the tension a little. Wiley was the first to speak. "I brought this so that you will always remember this day as one of your happiest." he said, taking the ring off and placing it in her hand. Michelle gazed at it, then put it on her middle finger on her left hand. She smiled, then hugged Wiley. Ryan waited until Michelle was turned toward him. "I bought this to remind you of the love that your family and friends have for you. Never forget it." Ryan took the ring off his rose. Michelle took it and placed on the middle finger of her right hand. Hugging Ryan, she said, "Thank you, guys." Another chorus of 'you're welcome' could be heard. "You nine are the most important people in my life. I will never forget any of you. In my soul, heart, and mind, you are known as the Nine. Without you, my life would be miserable."
All of these honored guests took pride that they were part of this higly praised group. It sounded like something extraordinary: the Nine. At the same time, it sounded as if there was something more to that title.