The crisp autumn breeze floated through the tiny car, making your hair dance around your face. You glanced over at your boyfriend, Josh. He was softly singing along to the fleet foxes song that was playing.

You were glad to finally be home from tour. Well, not quite home but Frankenmuth was close enough. Everyone decided to fly back to Michigan to see family before heading to their respective hometowns for a short break. The whole band was excited to see their parents, but you on the other hand couldn't wait to get home to Nashville.

It's not that you didn't want to see Karen, Kelly, and Ronnie; you just wanted to spend this break working on your relationship with your boyfriend. Tour was stressful. The busy schedule and constant traveling lead to many sleep deprived fights between you and Josh. You wanted to believe it was just the stress talking, but a part of you was convinced that Josh wouldn't say something unless he truly felt it.

Lost in your thoughts you absentmindedly smoothed out your dress. You and Josh were on your way to his parent's house. Karen and Kelly were adamant on throwing a welcome home party for everyone. This would be the last time they would get to see the boys before they began to work on their next album.

Normally a Kiszka party was a laid back event. They usually ran late and people came and went as they pleased. But tonight Karen insisted that everyone dressed up. I guess it was a good thing Ronnie coerced you into getting your nails done with her yesterday.

The sound of the engine cutting out pulled you from your thoughts.

"We're here love." Josh smiled over at you.

All day Josh had been happier than normal. For a moment you thought it was odd but you realized it has been over six months since he has seen his family and If there's one thing about Josh it's that family is everything to him.

Together the two of you made your way up the front sidewalk and through the front door. The house was warm and smelled of food but no one was inside. Instead the patio door was open and bellowing laughter could be heard coming from the backyard.

You and Josh followed the voices outside. There you found Josh's family along with Danny, his family, and some other friends of you and the boys. Karen insisted that this would be a small gathering but boy was she wrong.

Not only were there almost three dozen people here but the backyard was ornately decorated. Strings of lights hung from the pillars on the patio and were strung across to various trees in the yard. The table was garnished with floral centerpieces and cloth napkins while music played in the background.

"Wow. Your mom really went all out." You commented to Josh as the two of you made your way out back.

"Hey, look who's here." Kelly yelled at the sight of his son.

"The last ones to arrive of course." Jake added

"Sorry we're late, traffic was a bitch." Josh waved while quoting their latest interview.

The rest of the night was filled with good food and good conversation. The boys were busy telling everyone about the tour. You, on the other hand, were off on a set of patio chairs next to the fire pit, sipping a glass of wine and talking to Josie and Ronnie. They wanted to know every detail of the places you visited while on tour.

Suddenly the music in the background died down and everyone grew silent. You looked around and saw Josh stand up in the middle of the yard. He looked over and smiled at you which only increased your confusion.

"Hello everyone. I have a question I would like to ask someone. Y/N, if you wouldn't mind joining me over here." Josh spoke.

Awkwardly you stood up and made your way over to your boyfriend so you were standing in front of him.

Josh gently grabbed your free hand before continuing. "Y/N, we've known each other for years now. You were there when the band was nothing more than noise in my parents basement and you've stayed through every high and low. You let me express myself in any way I see fit and love every idea I have no matter how bad they really are. I love you Y/N and I don't want to lose you."

You watch dumbfounded as Josh knelt down on one knee and pulled a ring out of his pocket. "Y/FN Y/MN Y/LN, will you do the honor of marrying me?"

This was definitely not what you were expecting when Josh said his parents were having a party. Marriage was the last thing on your mind at the moment. Yes, you and Josh have talked about it before but that was years ago when you were kids. Neither one of you were even being serious during those conversations.

You couldn't believe that all this time Josh was thinking about marrying you. The only thing that was running through your mind at the moment were the numerous fights you guys had while on tour. The two of you still had a lot to work through before jumping into something as big as marriage.

The silence was deafening and you knew at this moment all eyes were on you. You had to say something. You really wanted to say yes, to run into Josh's arms and kiss him over and over. But in your heart you knew this wasn't the right time.

All you could mutter was a painful "I'm sorry" As you slipped your hand out of Josh's grip and threw it over your mouth to hide the cries. Before anyone could do anything you turned and walked away setting your wine glass on the patio table as you made your way inside.

You didn't stop once you entered the house. You kept going, fully intending to leave, that was until you got to the front porch and realized that Josh was your ride here. Defeated, you sat down on the steps and cried your heart out.

All of a sudden the front door opened behind you. You didn't know who it was, all you knew was that you wanted to be left alone. It wasn't until the mystery person sat down besides you and gently took your fingers in their hand that you realized it was Josh.

"I'm so sorry" was all you could choke out over and over again.

"Can we talk Y/N? Can we try to see exactly where our signals got crossed? Josh whispered.

Just from the tone of his voice you were able to tell he was crying. God you hated yourself for shattering his heart like that. If it were a bottle there would be no way to put it back together again.

"I love you Josh. I really do." You sobbed. "I didn't mean to hurt you like that."

Josh didn't have a reply. Instead he just drew soft circles on the back of your hand, something that you always found comforting. You just went and destroyed this man's heart in front of his friends and family yet here he was comforting you. This just proved how much you didn't deserve him.

"It's just that we were fighting so much on tour. I didn't know where we stood when we got back." You figured after everything you two have been through together the least he deserved was an explanation.

"Y/N, we were both tired and stressed. Those fights meant nothing." Josh pleaded.

"They meant something to me." You croaked as more silent tears fell.

"You know I didn't mean anything I said." Your boyfriend stopped rubbing your hand and instead softly squeezed it.

"Josh I don't know that though. I do know you and I know you don't say anything unless you fully mean it. So there must have been at least a hint of truth in everything you said on tour." You kept your gaze fixed on the ground. You couldn't bring yourself to look Josh in the eye.

"I'm sorry Y/N. I didn't know those fights affected you so much. But as I said back there I really do love you and I don't want to lose you. Even if it means starting over." Josh gingerly brushed a stray strand of hair out of your face exposing your E/C eyes. "What do you say Y/N? Would you want to start over and work on us?"

"Yes." You nodded weakly before resting your head on Josh's shoulder.

"Good." Josh whispered as he delicately placed a kiss on the top of your head.

You weren't ready for marriage yet. For now, you were just content sitting in the silent autumn air with your boyfriend.