Oh. Jesus. Thathadn’tbeen what Saskia had had in mind, but now the idea was in there…
“Would you like me to?”
Time stood still, while Kivi gazed first at the ring, then at Saskia. Saskia’s body burned. This was worse than when she’d told Kivi about her eating disorder. Worse than the time she’d fainted. Because this could alter the course of her life – and even more radical, she actuallywantedit to-
“Yes,”Kivi breathed, her eyes bright with tears.
“Yes?” Saskia squeaked. It was supposed to sound natural, steady, but her voice betrayed her.
“Yes.” Now Kivi was nodding hard, the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” And she launched herself into Saskia’s arms.
“I haven’t asked yet,” Saskia laughed, catching Kivi and almost lifting her with the fierceness of her embrace.
“You don’t need to,” Kivi said into her neck. “Oh my God. Saskia!”
“Well, let me put the ring on you, then,” Saskia protested, still laughing. “I spent long enough picking it out.”
“Let me see! Let me see!” Kivi almost bounced up and down, then examined it. She put it in her palm, then stroked it with the tip of her finger, peering at each little stone in turn. “A rainbow,” she remarked.
“Indeed,” Saskia said, then bit her lip, before slipping the ring onto Kivi’s finger. It fit perfectly. “I know I said that this place – Miltree, with you – is a place akin to that fairy land that Judy Garland sings about, beyond rainbow’s end… but this rainbow doesn’t have to end any more. It’s a circle. Eternal.”
“I know.Ourrainbow.”
THE END
