Hard Up(62)
He nodded, as the paramedics disappeared into the elevator.
“I know,” he said.
He led her out of the lobby and onto the street. People were suddenly everywhere, and they were suddenly moving along briskly. Blending in.
Viola was nervous, holding his hand tightly. He looked down, thinking how days ago he’d thought he would never see her again, never touch her again.
He squeezed her hand, thankful. God, was he ever thankful.
They walked a block and a half before she came to a halt, looking around.
“Now what?” she said, glancing at him.
“Well… tonight, we’ll be booked on a first-class flight. Boston, Savannah… hell, I’d go to Antarctica if you asked me.”
“Oh yeah?” she said, a crooked smile starting across her face.
He slowed his footsteps, a store catching his eye. “Definitely.”
“And until then?” she asked, cocking her head.
“Until then, I guess we’ll have to do some shopping…” he said, turning her to point her in the direction of Tiffany & Co.
“Wh— you can’t—” she started. “You don’t mean that.”
“I can, actually. I declared my intentions to your father. And as it happens, I was just thinking about how to make you mine. Forever.”
She was speechless. “I— You—”
He dropped her hand and grabbed the suitcase, walking straight to the somber stone entrance, Art Deco at its finest. She was left to follow, mouth agape.
When he stepped inside, everything was dazzling. Beautiful displays of gold and crystal… and of course gemstones.
“Can I help you find something?” a refined sales associate asked, dressed in a flattering black suit.
“Engagement rings.” He shot a look Viola’s way; she seemed to be in shock.
Well, it was a lot of changes in one day.
The salesclerk lit up. “We have a whole selection right this way…”
Throwing a glance over his shoulder to make sure Viola was following, Callum followed the associate into a quieter showroom. Several couples were browsing together, looking very lovey-dovey, each followed by their own salesclerk.
The salesman went to a case, pulling out a tray of jewelry for them to look at.
“Let’s see… here are some of the classic engagement rings…”
Callum looked behind him, then beckoned Viola. She was turning a lovely shade of pink.
“Care to weigh in?” he asked.
Viola swallowed visibly, then stepped forward.
“Are you the young lady who this is for?” the salesman asked.
She nodded, looking uncertainly at Callum. “Yes?”
“Lucky you. Come, look over here…”
But Viola didn’t follow him. Callum knew that look in her eye; she was riveted by something. “What?”
She bit her lip, then pointed to a ring that caught her eye.
“Ah!” said the salesman, returning. “A classic piece, with a canary diamond. Emerald cut, two and one half carats…”
“Give it to me,” Callum said, pulling out his wallet and Amex Black Card.
“Right away.”
The salesman removed it, handed the ring to Callum, and the card to another associate waiting in the wings.
Callum turned to Viola, who was already welling up with tears.
When he walked over and got down on one knee, she started crying.
“Viola… what do you say to the woman who not only stole your heart, but saved your life? Just… I thought that I would never love anyone, not like I love you. And the surprise you gave me…”
He felt a tear intruding on his moment, and wiped it away with his cuff.
“Please say you’ll do me the honor of being my wife.”
She was wiping away makeup along with her tears, not that he minded a bit.
“Y-yes…” she said, breathless.
He slipped the ring onto her finger. It was a little too big, but it was like their love: sometimes imperfect.
He stood up and drew her in for a kiss, long and hard. She pulled away with a laugh.
“Forever?” she asked.
“That’s what I mean. Forever.”
She pulled him down to kiss him, and he let her. Why not?
After so much darkness, their future had a very bright beginning.