I'm hooked by that blue gaze. I'll never tire of it. All is right with the world when I'm with him. I'm so drawn in at first, I don't notice that he's holding something.
But his gaze darts to his hand, and then I see it. Winking under the tree lights, is a large emerald cut diamond ring.
I don't cry. I grin so wide it hurts my cheeks.
"Whether you wear this or not," Finn says in a thick voice, "I will hold your hand through life. I will love you forever. But it would be an honor to be your husband-"
"Put the ring on me, Finn," I say in a shaking rush. "I want to be your wife."
The ring slides on cool and solid. We're still laughing and kissing when our friends finally swoop in to congratulate us. Only then do I notice James and Jamie are here too.
Much later, when the excitement has died down, Finn and I sit on the porch swing just outside of our room. Finn holds my hand, his thumb fiddling with the diamond on my finger. "Just think," I tell him as we rock. "I'll soon be Chester Mannus."
He tries admirably not to snicker. But he can't hide his smile. "I think it's a lovely name." His voice grows husky. "Really, the best name I've ever heard."
With a sigh, I rest my head on his shoulder. "Me too."
Below us, people are still swaying on the dance floor. Sometimes, I think of that older couple we saw at the beach, dancing beneath the holiday lights, content to just be with each other. I see my future in them but I don't dwell there. Now is were I live. And that, too, is surprisingly easy to do.