When Worlds Collide

The ring was a little heavy and it may need to be fitted for her but I doubt it, since it was barely about a five. But she’s so tiny who knows. Yes, I want this on her finger. She’s the only woman I could imagine wearing it.

I returned the other pieces to the vault and removed the ring before closing everything up again. My mother would love to gain access but thank heavens I’d never been stupid enough to give her the combination once I had it changed after dad died. If I had there’s no doubt Helen would be wearing this ring or another like it by now.

10

I went to her not giving my mother a second thought. I was moving too fast for sure, but then again maybe I wasn’t moving fast enough. It had only taken me a damn year to come to my senses.

Her dad was still out in the gardens and I saw that her mother had joined him. No doubt giving him the news. They both turned and looked at me as I approached their home and I waved and carried on. I’ll talk to him when I was done dealing with his daughter. She’d better not give me any shit after the day I’ve had.

“Coming.” I heard her answer from inside after I rang the doorbell. When she opened the door she seemed surprised to see me there, but she regrouped fast enough to give me shit.

“Whatever you’re selling we’re not buying.”

“Pain in the ass, come out here.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her out the door. I had in mind to propose to her in her favorite place because I’d become a damn sap.

“Hey, I’m not wearing any shoes.” Like I hadn’t seen the little hoyden running around barefoot more times than I can count. I picked her up and kissed her lips once before settling her against my chest.

“Be quiet.” Her parents stared at us as we headed in the direction of the lake, but didn’t say anything. I’m sure her mother had filled her husband in already and since he wasn’t coming after me gun drawn, I figured we had his blessing.

I carried her to her favorite spot and as if by providence the swans and peacocks were about. I stopped near the water’s edge with her still held safely in my arms and waited for her to stop looking at them to return her gaze to me.

I stole a quick kiss and pulled away when she tried to deepen it. “I love you.” I didn’t feel like a complete ass saying the words to her. In fact they were quite freeing. I put her back on her feet while she stared at me with her mouth hanging open until she finally found her voice.

“You… are you drunk Ethan, have you been drinking?”

“Of course not. It’s not even three o’clock in the afternoon.” Her eyes widened and I saw fear cloud them before she started patting me down.

“Oh, are you sick, are you dying, who’s dying? Is it mom, dad, is that why she was standing in the garden with dad instead of working?” She had tears in her eyes now and I pulled her into my arms to calm her down.

“Shh, shh. I’ve never seen anyone jump to so many wrong conclusions in less than a minute. Let’s start over again from the beginning. I love you.” This time I took the ring from my pocket and placed it on hers. “There.”

She looked up at me speechless. “Is this a joke?” Geez this girl.

“No you little harridan. Is this how you react when a man tells you he loves you?” I was starting to get just a little bit peeved. She started bawling again and staring from the ring and back up at me.

“I don’t understand, are you mad? Your mother will kill us both.” She wiped her nose with her hand. Cute!

“Lucia.” I damn near yelled her name. The girl is fucking impossible. “I said I love you.”

“I love you too, but what’s going on?” I think she’s in shock.

I took her hand and helped her sit on the grass before sitting down beside her. I took the hand with my ring and led it to my lips. She was trembling so hard I had to pull her onto my lap. “Baby calm down.” She sniffled and wiped her nose in my shirt, making me laugh at the childish gesture.

“Look at me. It’s real, I love you. I want to marry you. No scratch that, I’m going to marry you as soon as possible.” She threw her arms around my neck and toppled me over backwards. Her lips were all over my face and she was babbling something or other at me but the words were too jumbled to make sense of them.