“One day I’m going to write you a wonderful letter and tell you how much.”
And a smile, tiny, broke on Olivia's lips.
“I’ve been trying to ask you for days,” Kate continued, sensing her speaking released the tension in Olivia. “I never had the right moment with a ring ready, or the kids not waking up.”
That got a quiet laugh.
Olivia wiped her eyes.
“Here.” Kate brought out a tissue. She always had one in her pocket. Someone, large or small, always needed it. And she gave it to Olivia to dab her face.
Now that she was drier, Olivia looked up with those large brown eyes, inky eyelashes still wet with tears.
“When did you find it?” Olivia whispered, touching the silver ring on her finger.
“I picked it up as we were leaving.”
When Bea pointed out her presents, her eye had caught on the small gift that hadn’t been there the night before. She’d put it in her pocket, the same size and shape of the box she’d carried around for days. And like a bolt of lightning, she’d realised what it must be.
“I went into the bathroom as soon as we arrived, hoping...”
She was going to cry now.
“...Hoping it was the same thing I've been carrying around for you.”
She’d opened the gift. Yes, she’d guessed at the content. She hadn’t guessed at the letter though, and she’d stared and stared at the words that were so Olivia. Careful. Considered. It broke her heart while making it grow twice the size.
Then she couldn’t help grinning.
“Please marry me,” she said, more sure of the words now.
The smile that Olivia gave, which glistened with tears, she swore she’d never forget. Those seconds were the long kind that linger in memory. Even though Olivia’s nod was quick, that moment filled a day. And their kiss that followed could fuel her a lifetime.
They gazed at each in the quiet morning, most of Oxford tucked away indoors with families, and just the two of them along the river.
“Would you like to try it on?” Kate asked, holding the ring.
Olivia took it from her, pinching the ring with her fingertips of both hands and gazing at the gem.
“It’s beautiful,” Olivia said.
“If it’s not comfortable...”
But Olivia slipped it on, perhaps a little large, and they both stared at it, the gold glowing against Olivia's complexion.
“I want to try it,” she said, a smile lifting her face.
“We can get a necklace or something...”
Olivia nodded, and her expression relaxed at last.
Kate looked around, the frosted fields and gentle flowing river absent of people.
“I want to remember exactly where we were for this.”
On the stone bridge. Not as far as the Isis pub. And...oh. Perhaps still in view of Geeta’s house. If anyone had been looking across the river, they might have seen them. In fact, was that people scuttling up the garden, back towards the bungalow? Someone in red clothes shuffling up the lawn, and another in a bright Christmas jumper? She really needed to get her distance vision checked.
“Does yours fit?” Olivia asked.
