Toby and Spencer had learned to move past the proposal incident. It was rather difficult at first, since Toby had neglected to return the engagement ring, so Spencer was practically forced to look at it every day. It was a beautiful ring. She could easily imagine it on her finger, but she had to be reasonable. Spencer continued to repeat in her head the reason why she rejected him. It didn't help that much, and there were times where she completely forgot altogether why she rejected him.
She tried not to think about it. After all, she had more important things to worry about at the moment. Spencer needed to help Toby find a job.
After nearly six years in the Unites States Air Force, Toby Cavanaugh was honorably discharged. It was a beautiful service, and it also honored the men and women that were killed in the plane crash. Spencer couldn't help but feel out of place. She wasn't there. She didn't work for the military. Overall, she felt awkward and a bit uncomfortable. Thankfully, Toby helped her through it all, and even explained the certain terms that went over Spencer's head.
That evening, when the couple returned to their finally-furnished house, they made the decision to discuss a possible new career for Toby. It took hours.
"I don't know, Spence," Toby said in response to Spencer's question on if he had any idea of what else he wanted to do. "All I've known is the military. All I know is the Air Force. I don't know how I'm going to do this," he admitted. He couldn't lie to her anymore. Toby couldn't pretend anymore. He had to stop saying "alright" to every job she recommended, even when he didn't care for them. He had been politely sitting and listening to her recommend jobs for him, but he hated almost all of them.Toby didn't want any career that Spencer mentioned. He couldn't picture himself as an accountant like his father, or a carpenter, or an attorney. All he knew was the military. If all of that were to change, he wouldn't be able to think straight.
"Toby, calm down." Spencer said, gently grabbing his hands and kissing them. She couldn't help but notice how tense Toby was, and how his tone had immediately changed. He sounded frustrated. Angry.
Toby plopped down on the couch, sighing, and bringing Spencer in to lay with him. "Maybe I could join another branch," he said under his breath.
Spencer got up from Toby's chest and widened her eyes. She couldn't imagine Toby going back to the military. He'd be insane to go back, especially after he almost got killed. "Are you insane, Toby? You'd go back?" Spencer asked raising her voice and standing up from the couch.
"Well, it kind of seems like I don't have a choice, Spence." Toby said raising his voice too. They were both grateful that Isaac was spending the night at Mark's house, so he didn't have to witness their argument.
"Toby, you almost died. If you go back, you'll actually get killed." She warned.
"Spencer, you don't understand-"
"No, I do understand. You're afraid that this is all you can do. Toby, you have so much potential and I'd hate to see it go to waste. If you'd just go back to school and-"
"Spencer, this isn't about me going back to school. This is about me finding a job so I can provide for you and Isaac." Toby couldn't just sit and watch Spencer struggle to pay for their house and the three of them. That was something that couldn't be done alone.
"I don't care about the money, Toby. I just want you to be happy." That's all this truly was about to Spencer. All she wanted was for Toby to be happy. She loathed the idea of Toby being old and gray, looking back on his life and regretting almost everything.
"This does make me happy." Toby said. He secretly hoped that Spencer wouldn't hear his voice cracking.
"Does it?" Spencer questioned. Spencer watched as Toby's expression changed from angry to hurt.
"I-" Toby wanted to say everything on his mind. He wanted to tell her about how he was afraid. He wanted to admit that this doesn't make him happy, but she was the only thing in the world that did. All he'd ever known was fighting and war, and it would be almost impossible to go back to normal after the things he saw. She didn't understand. He felt like nobody could understand how lost he felt. He couldn't just find a new job. He'd need to go to school, and pay massive amounts of money. They both knew they couldn't afford that. He just felt like taking the easy way out. He didn't want to join another branch, but it paid a lot better than minimum-wage at a fast food restaurant. It was times like this where he just felt like giving up.
Toby was lost. He only had one perfect thing in his life, and even she was slipping away. He could help but wonder why he was still with her even after she rejected him. He knew she was the one, but she obviously didn't feel the same way.Before Toby knew it, he was walking out the door.
"Toby? What are you doing?" Spencer asked, feeling her heart race.
"I can't do this anymore, Spencer." Toby said. He hated doing this. She was his world. He'd to every single thing in his power to make her happy. But he couldn't right now, and it made his heart ache.
"What do you mean?" Spencer asked, letting the tears escape her eyes.
"I need to be alone for a while. I need to figure myself out. I can't be here." He spoke quietly. He didn't want to do this, but he knew it was the right thing to do.
"Wait, are you- are you breaking up with me?"
Toby didn't answer. He left the large house, and Spencer noticed how empty it felt without him there.
![Strangers [COMPLETE]](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/117213604-64-k903369.jpg)