"I know. When I came to your house—before I had Mikhail pick you up—I-I've never seen her look at me like that. Like she already wrote me off."
I stay silent.
He adamantly asserts, "I will not lose my daughter."
"Then don't." I uncurl my fist. The garnet catches the light, deep red fire flaring against the polished metal. The blue sapphires glow softly around it, calm and steady, a quiet promise. I declare, "I'm marrying her."
His breath hitches.
"I'm not asking your permission. I'm telling you. I love her, and I choose her. And I will spend the rest of my life doing whatever I have to for her to not make herself bleed," I state.
His eyes drop to the ring.
"I designed it for her," I add, unable to stop myself. "The red is her fire. Her intensity. The parts of her that burn too bright for people who are too weak to stare at it straight in the face. The blue surrounds it, not to cage it but to protect and steady it. It's a reminder for her that she doesn't have to destroy herself to be powerful."
Adrian leans closer, peering at it.
I continue, "I haven't asked her to marry me yet, but I already know she'll say yes."
Adrian reaches for it and holds it in the light, studying it.
My honesty flows. "I would like your approval, not because I need it but because she does. Whether she wants to admit it or not."
He closes his eyes, releases a chaotic breath, then pins his gaze on me. Something has shifted in it. He carefully asserts, "If Blue wishes to marry you, then I will welcome you into the family."
The words hit harder than I expected.
Adrian places the ring back in my hand and shifts in his seat. "I was wrong about you and your position in her life. It's bad on paper, but when you see all the facts, I can't condemn it. If you're the person saving my daughter from herself, then I won't interfere or cause problems."
Relief hits me. "Thank you. And so you know, I'm working with Blue to not be dependent on me while not feeling abandoned. It's important she finds her inner strength, and I do believe she gets closer to it every day."
"Good. That's good to hear," he praises, then adds, "And I will spend the rest of my life trying to earn back what I almost destroyed."
I slide the ring back into my pocket and rise. "So we're good now?"
"Yes." He stands then hesitates. "Tell her…please tell her I miss her."
"I will," I say.
He pauses at the door, hand on the handle. His voice turns rough. "Thank you for helping her. And loving her. She deserves to truly be loved by a man."
"She is. I promise you," I vow.
He leaves, and I sink into my chair, then scrub a hand down my face. My breath leaves my lungs in a rush. Relief fills me.
I pull out my phone and stare at her name on the screen.
Blue
I smile and text.
Me: I'm leaving work now.
Blue: Great. I'll be home in another hour or so.
Me: I'll start dinner then.
Blue: Don't burn it.
