Chapter 14 The Ring
The Ring
Odette
Iwoke to Wyatt rummaging through his nightstand. I looked over and spied a look of determination.
“What are you doing?” I murmured, stretching out. Though naked, I felt perfect under the thick bedspread. I didn’t want to leave.
“Looking for this,” Wyatt pulled out a tiny red box.
My heart leapt as he sat down. I sat up excitedly.
“So, I wasn’t carrying it last night. I regret that. And you surprisingly didn’t ask me. I promised you a ring—”
“I didn’t care about the ring,” I promised. “But I will accept it.”
“Before you agree, just try it on,” Wyatt said. “For the record, your sisters were very helpful.”
I peeled back the lid and stared at a beautiful solitary ruby as big as I could imagine. Tears welled in my eyes again.
“Oh, those are happy tears… I hope?” Wyatt winced.
I nodded, unable to speak. “Thank God, you listened. I really didn’t want a diamond.”
“It’s emerald cut, too. Ingrid was very insistent it was that or square cut—no round or anything else.”
“She was right. Oh, Wyatt, it’s beautiful!”
I slid the ring on my finger as Wyatt dabbed my tears.
“It’s so sparkly! I am floored.”
“It’s a special stone,” Wyatt explained. “Alexandra had an idea. When she found out what I was looking into, she knew exactly the thing I needed.”
I cocked my head.
“This is from an old necklace—one your mother wore to her engagement banquet.”
I gasped, “Really?”
“Alexandra and Rick knew we had our concerns about the ethical impact of a new stone, so she went the extra mile. I thought it was perfect. If you don’t like it—”
“I love it more!” I kissed him, truly amazed by how thoughtful it all was.
I pulled back.
“Oh, my God! I need to call my sisters before it’s too late there.”
He kissed my forehead. “Call them. They are probably dying to hear that I finally did the thing. Astrid has been texting me daily demanding answers.”
I snickered. “That sounds right. I will get her off your case. It’s so perfect, Wyatt. I love you—and this all—so much. Can we tell Theo?”
“I cannot wait to tell him,” Wyatt said. “He will be the happiest of all, I suspect. And afterwards, I think we should go to the City Museum to celebrate.”
“I’ll get dressed,” I said.
“Dress down. Leggings or whatever.”
“Well, we’re going in public to a museum—”
“Sort of,” Wyatt chuckled. “Think slides and fun stuff. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before.”
“Gotcha,” I said, confused but interested. “I will change, call them, and be down for breakfast. Don’t fuss—”
“Too late. Mom is working on waffles.”
I smiled. “I love you all so much. This really is the best Christmas ever. I cannot wait for Theo to open presents.”
“I think this will be the best present he can ask for,” Wyatt said. “I know I’ve never gotten—and never will get—anything better than this.”
I beamed and dabbed more tears as he shut the door.
I finally had my own happily ever after.
As I gazed down at the surprisingly heavy stone on my hand, I needed to pinch myself.
Christmas was redeemed. I was about to marry my best friend.
Everything had changed and yet, I’d lived my fairytale for a long time now. With Wyatt, anything was possible.