* * *
All last night, I worked with Tom and Jennifer to set up exactly what I needed in order to propose to Delaney today. They work very well as a team, and by the time I laid my head down to sleep last night everything was already ready to go this morning. I know Delaney is a bit depressed about having to stay in the room most of the time; I figured I’d use that to my advantage, and I don’t feel guilty one bit.
Before I left this morning to go to work I left a dozen roses in the small kitchenette area of the suite. Attached to them is a note telling her one of the ways I love her so much. My hope is she’ll wake up, see the flowers and smile. I want her to be smiling all day.
Tom and Jennifer may have gotten most of the important details in order for me but there’s one detail that I need to get done myself.
The ring.
I walk a few blocks over and into a upscale jewelry store. I know what size ring she wears simply because I swiped one of her rings last night to measure. All without her knowing of course. I’d think the hard part was over but now that I now I want her to say yes to my proposal i wan t to make sure that she is completely in love with every aspect of the event including the wedding ring but there’s so many options that I’m finding myself walking back and forth completely overwhelmed. Times like this I wish I had my sister here to help me.
“Sir, are you looking for something in particular?” A young woman asks from behind the counter.
“Oh , yes. I’m looking for an engagement ring.” I say and her face lights up. The engagement rings are usually the more expensive but I’m not going to complain about it. Delaney deserves the absolute best no matter of the amount spent.
“Ah, well congratulations to you sir. Do you have any idea what kind of ring you are looking for? What cut?” She tilts her head to the side and I do the same. My brain feels like one hollow pit. I have no idea what Delaney would prefer.
“Ahh…” I hesitate and the lovely sales associate takes the lead and asks me more questions. I narrow down that She’d probably prefer a white gold or platinum ring but now I’m stuck between simple and classic and a more extravagant piece. The both of them are gorgeous and both of them say Delaney to me in their own way. How did anyone ever make such a choice in the past. For that matter why are there so many different choices?
I swipe a hand over my forehead to catch the sweat before it hits the display, I’ve been here for over an hour.
“Sir, if I can help. When you think of your soon to be what comes to mind?”
I shake my head not understanding her question, I can’t see a particular stone associated with her.
“Is she full of fire? Is she demure? Does she snort when she laughs? What do you see when you think of her?”
I stand up straight take a deep breath and close my eyes trying to answer the question honestly and to the best of my abilities.
Delaney has always been more than just a beautiful woman and a hard worker. She’s been a friend when I needed one. My support system. A cheerleader and a coach. She’s been my chaos and my calm. Delaney has been my lighthouse in a raging storm. “I see a woman who isn’t afraid of the shattered pieces around her, a woman so many have tried to breakdown but she always is strong and pulls herself together. She helps keep me whole.”
The woman smiles and her eyes water slightly before she clears her throat and tells me to follow her. I do and she pulls out a ring I haven’t see yet. It’s a single solitary set on top of a blooming, feminine, splash of smaller diamond chips. The shattered diamond becoming whole.
My eyes go wide at the sight of it. It’s perfect in every way. This is my Delaney. “Perfect. This is the one.”
“I thought you might like this one. Let’s go get you rung up.”
* * *
The rest of the day goes by like a breeze. I’m excited to get to dinner and based on the way Delaney has been responding tomy text she can’t wait to see me either. She says the room is full of roses.
Every hour I have another bouquet brought up to the room with another note telling her another reason I love her. It brightens my day everytime she calls to say she got another one. After the last one she cried and told me how much I meant to her. Tonight just can’t come fast enough.
Finally at seven on the dot, I have the bellhop go up and tell her that I’m waiting in the ballroom for her for a date. I didn’t want to chance me going to get her myself and break down and ak her right there. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.
I walk into the ballroom and am utterly transfixed by the transformation that just Jennifer and Tom were able to pull off. It’s a very small event but I managed to higher a seven pieces orchestra for the night. Tom and Jennifer, completed the setting with gorgeous white and pale pink decorations. Flowers, candles, gold trimmed plates and silverware. It’s perfect. No, the night will be perfect when I get on my knee and ask Delaney to marry me and she says yes. Then it’d be perfect.
I quickly go over and shake all the musician’s hands but I know I don’t have much time before Delaney will be down stairs. As I’m getting to the last musician he sits down abruptly and they all start playing a soothing classical number.
“What’s going on? What’s wrong? Are you moving away?” I hear the panic in Delaney’s voice before I even turn around.
“What? Hey, hey , hey.” I rush over to her and cup her face in my hands. I kiss her gently and wait for her to take a few deep breaths. “Why would I be moving away? What about this says I’m leaving?” I chuckle lightly as I help her walk to the table.
“This whole day has been part of a fairy tale Baron. Usually the wicked witch comes and ruins it by now. Did something happen with your mother?”
I shake my head and do my very best to ignore the annoyance the mere mention of my mother brings. “No, love, nothing happened. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here with you. I just wanted us to have a nice romantic evening. A date for my woman.” I say push my chest out a bit more, full of pride.
“Hmm, I cannae say I’ve ever had anyone do anything even half as nice as this Baron.” She leans up and places a kiss on my lips and I bask in the warmth that radiates off her. She’s just set all e rooms a glow anytime she walks in. I need her to be my wife. I need her more than I need to breathe right now.
