“No. I just feel like my wife deserves something pretty.” A small grin tugs at my mouth as I think about Fiona.
The clerk obviously approves. “Mmm, romantic.”
“Well, she deserves it.” I smile. “How about a marquise- or princess-cut diamond, ideally ten carats or bigger?”
“Certainly. This way.” She leads me to one of the private rooms. It’s cozy without appearing small, and the leather couch is quite comfy. I stretch my legs out as she places a dark velvet tray with several rings on the glass-top table in front of me. “These are some of our best items.”
My eyes skim over the rings—pretty, but nothing exceptional…
Wait…!
My heart pounds.This is it!I lean forward. “That one.” I point to a gorgeous marquise-cut red stone.
“An excellent choice. Red is the rarest of the colored diamonds.” She picks it up with a gloved hand and lifts it to the light, letting the exquisitely cut stone sparkle. The shade matches the roses in the garden. “It’s a little small, however. Slightly under eight, but I thought you might appreciate the quality and rarity.” She turns the piece slowly, showing me the whole ring. “The stones on the French pavé band are clear diamonds, round brilliant, 1.1 millimeter in diameter each.”
“Perfect. I’ll take it.”
She smiles, then prepares a purchase agreement. A little over eight million. Not too bad for a ring this perfect for my wife.
I have my banker deal with the payment with the clerk and leave with the ring, then pick up a case of the sparkling pear and peach juice Fiona has been addicted to since getting pregnant.
When I get home, she greets me lying prone on the couch, eyes hazy with sleep. “Did you nap?” I ask, then place a kiss on her soft mouth.
She nods. “I’mconstantlysleepy.”
“Good. You need the rest.”
She shakes her head. “I’m sleeping my life away. I’m pregnant, not a hibernating bear.”
“Who cares? Do what you like.”
She looks at the glossy bags hanging from my wrist. “Are those for me?”
“Desserts from Merry, along with your sparkling pear and peach juice.”
Her eyes wide, she sits up and hugs me. “You’re the best. How did you know I was craving them?”
I laugh. “Because you crave them every day.” I kiss her forehead tenderly.
“Thebabycraves them,” she says, even as she greedily eyes my gifts.
I chuckle. “Of course. How thoughtless of me.”
Grinning, she starts to pull out the miniature sweets. Before she opens the box, I gently grasp her left hand and drop to one knee. The smile on her lips fades slowly as she looks at me.
“Fiona. You’re the rose that makes my heart sing. The beautiful thing I’ve been searching all my life to brighten every day I live. I love you more than I can express. Will you marry me?” I open the lid.
Her gaze drops to the ring, then back to my face, her jaw slack. “Thank you…? But… We’re already married… Aren’t we?”
I smile. “Yes…but you deserved a better proposal. I want to replace that old, ugly memory with a beautiful new one. Will you let me?”
She cups the back of my neck and presses her forehead on mine. “Every time I don’t think I can love you more, you prove me wrong. Yes. And yes.” She kisses me. “Yes forever.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
Bryce
My phone vibrates on my desk. I take a quick break from reviewing a motion I need to file, in case it’s Fiona needing something. She says she doesn’t want to bother me during the day, but I love it when she texts me with food she’s craving. She’s gotten over chocolate, but now she can’t get enough of Korean glass noodles. Apparently, a friend of Lareina’s fed her some and now she’s obsessed.
