With This Ring

A waiter passed by with a tray of champagne and without thinking I reached for a flute, needing the refreshment, but then I remembered, and drew my hand away. As I turned away I saw him.

He was seated at the welding station. His hand was outstretched and Jeremy, one of our interns, was attempting to weld a chain bracelet around his wrist. It was a design I made and excitedly showed to him a week earlier.

Maxim had his hawk-like gaze on my newbie and I saw the terror on his face, and that was already more than enough to unsettle him. There were two guards in suits looming in the background, which did nothing to alleviate his fear. I saw his hand shake, and immediately hurried over to rescue him.

“I’ll do it, Jeremy,” I said, and he jumped to his feet gratefully and handed the machine over to me. I sat on the stool before my heart.

“I thought you couldn’t make it,” I said.

A gentle smile curved his lips. How I loved that my presence could do that to him, instantly brighten him up and put him in a better mood.

“I canceled my meetings for the rest of the evening,” he said. “It’s your big day. I want to be here through it all in case you need me.”

His words struck my heart, and I watched him, tears filling my eyes, especially in the light of what I knew.

“Hey,” he called and reached forward to catch the tear with his thumb before it ran down my face. “Hey, are you alright?”

I leaned my face into his palm, and reveled in the warmth of his touch. “I’m fine,” I said and sniffed my emotions away. “I’m just happy and overwhelmed. I’m finally opening my own store. It’s not been easy at all.”

“I know,” he said. “You’ve worked so hard. I adore you for that.”

I laughed at his generous compliment. “You’re one to talk Mr. Workaholic.”

“I’ve slowed down greatly since you’ve come into my life. You have to acknowledge that.”

“I do,’ I said, and leaned forward and captured his lips for a quick kiss.

But he wrapped his hand around my neck and lengthened the kiss. Holding me in place he claimed me, our tongues dancing as I savored his oh so familiar and especially intoxicating taste. The whole world faded away and I almost fell from the chair.

Laughing softly he caught me and set me upright. My eyes opened wide in a daze. Sometimes I still couldn’t believe that this man was mine. Suddenly I was aware of the people milling around me so I broke his gaze and focused my attention on welding the solid gold bracelet to his wrist. Just like mine, it was to remain on him until he intentionally broke it off. I gazed at it and wondered if it would last until the day he died.

“I want to go home,” I said and rose to my feet.

He did the same, and looked down worriedly at me. “Already? Your event is still on.”

“It’s winding down. The main itinerary for the evening has been handled. Britney can handle the rest. I don’t feel very well,” I said.

“Of course. I’ll get Roman to bring the car around.”

Maxim

Freya went upstairs as soon as we got back because she needed the bathroom. I pulled the tie off my neck and went ahead to pour myself a drink, but a better idea occurred to me. Perhaps if I opened a bottle of wine instead, she would join me. I hardly ever had wine but this was a worthy exception.

I walked into our bedroom, placed the bottle and glasses on the dresser, and I heard her coughing. I hurried to the bathroom to find her on her knees spilling her guts into the toilet bowl. She lifted her gaze to mine and she looked miserable.

All the color had drained from her face, and her eyes where reddened and strained. She had tied her hair back and out of the way, but a couple of stray strands were plastered to the perspiration on her forehead.

My heart lurched at the sight and I dropped down next to her.

“Freya,” I called and pulled her towards me.

She quickly wiped the vomit that stained the corners of her lips.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m alright,” she managed a weak smile. “I think I ate something bad earlier.”

She began to head towards the sink so I supported her and held her hair as she rinsed her mouth. When she was done, she turned to me with a smile and gave me a quick hug.

“I’ll go lie down for a little bit.”

“Should I call the doctor?”

“No, I’m alright, it’ll pass. I just want to lie down.”

I helped tuck her into bed. She turned her face away from me and suddenly I knew exactly what was wrong with her.