“I’m pretty sure the most important part was asking me to marry you.” She kissed him again, and he was so happy he felt like his chest might explode trying to contain it.
He stepped out of her arms and reached into his back pocket, pulling out the little black box he’d been carrying around with him all day. He dropped to one knee and held it up. “Amethyst is supposed to be good for peace and meditation…and health. So—” He opened the box, revealing the ring he’d had made for her. A diamond glittered in the center, flanked on either side with amethysts and set in white gold.
When he looked up, Jess was sobbing. “It’s so perfect. Oh, Mark…”
“Really?” Because it was an unusual ring, but he’d thought it suited her. An ordinary ring would never do for his extraordinary Jess.
“I love amethysts for all the reasons you just said, and purple is my favorite color too. Mark, it’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. I love it. I loveyou. So, so much.”
His hand shook as he slid it onto her finger. “I love you too, Jess, more than I ever knew it was possible to love someone.”
She touched her ring finger, smiling, then flung herself into his arms. “I could have never picked out a ring I’d love more or envision a more perfect way for you to ask me to marry you. I will never forget a single moment of tonight.”
He kissed her, holding her tight while his pulse slowed and peace descended over him. He felt calm, centered in a way he never had before, like for the first time in his whole life he was where he was supposed to be. His heart swelled with warmth when he saw his ring sparkling on her finger. So this was what it felt like to be happy, to be loved, to be part of a family.
It was the best goddamn feeling in the world.
