Under the Stars

Gerard looks at me expectantly, and I hesitate, waiting. Does he really not recognize me?

“I… don’t have a preference,” I say, waiting for him to realize.

“I’d like something I’ve never seen before.” Mark is playing it up. “Something that symbolizes our love—strong. One of a kind.”

“Do you share a particular symbol? Are you open to suggestions?”

“What do you suggest?”

Reaching under the case, Gerard produces a narrow tray with several different rings arranged on it. My eye goes immediately to an unusual band. It’s shaped like a tree limb, curved with the stone caught in two of the tendrils like the moon moving through the branches at night. The stone is cloudy.

“What is this?” I can’t resist touching it.

“Ah, no.” Gerard frowns, shaking his head. “That is a moonstone. It is a nice piece, artistic, but not for an engagement ring.”

“Moonstone?” Mark leans closer, studying the rose gold setting. “It’s dull.”

“The luminescence comes from within.” He moves it side to side under the light, and I see the translucent blue sheen glowing from deep inside. “It’s an unusual stone, but not valuable like a diamond.”

Mark straightens, frowning. “I’m getting you a diamond.”

Returning to the cases, I study the engagement rings. Yellow, white, pink… Some are square surrounded by clusters of smaller gems, or princess cut, or ovals, or heart shapes. They’re all so brilliant, glittering and perfect—nothing like us.

“Freddie gave me diamonds,” I say quietly. “They didn’t mean anything to me.”

“It means something to me.” Mark’s voice is equally quiet. “I want to give you the best.”

“But those

rings aren’t us.” Going back to the curved branches with the moon. “We fell in love outside the theater, away from the lights and the façade. We fell in love in the night, under the stars.”

I slide the ring onto my third finger. It fits perfectly, and I can’t take my eyes off it. It’s like it was made for my hand, and when I tilt it side to side, the light emanates from deep inside, from the heart of the stone.

Mark exhales beside me. “We’ll start with the moonstone.”

Gerard’s shoulder’s droop, and a smile curls my lips. “If you insist. Right this way.” He holds out a hand toward the register. “We can finish over here.”

“Hang on,” Mark says, coming back to where I stand. “Give me the ring.”

My smile dims, and I slip it off, handing it to him.

“Now, give me your hand.”

My smile is back—I hold out my left hand, and he lifts the unusual ring. “It’s not a diamond—yet. But I love the way it makes you smile.”

“I never wanted you to give me diamonds.”

Those precious stones were part of my escape plan. They were a fantasy I made up to help Molly and me survive. I’ve already had them, and they left me empty and unhappy.

“Will you be my wife?” he asks, holding the delicate piece at my third finger.

“Yes. Yes, please.” Rising on my toes, I slide my fingers into the band.

My hand continues around his neck. Our mouths meet, lips part, and our tongues curl together. Another sizzle of blissed-out sensuality moves through my stomach, and I know this is exactly right. I feel entirely different.

I’m liberated, free.

Holding out my hand, I admire the strength of our symbol, the promise of everlasting love. No matter what comes our way, we’re strong enough to face it together and keep growing like the tree, like these branches, our light shining from within.