Diamonds are Forever
By Miranda Osterlund
Taylor paced back and forth and she waited for Zach to show up at her house. She knew he bought a ring weeks ago and has been on pins and needles waiting for him to pop the question. Tonight they were going out to dinner at their favorite Italian restaurant. He had to do it then right? She couldn’t take much more waiting, it was torture. She’d already waited 35 years, so a couple more hours didn’t seem like it should be THIS excruciating.
Being married was a big deal in her family. Most of her family doesn’t talk to her much at gatherings besides to say she was worthless basically because she didn’t have a husband. So this was a big deal. No more being a second class citizen.
Finally, they arrive at the restaurant and she’s shaking. Not noticeably to the untrained eye but she could tell. She places her menu on the table so as not to raise suspicion, smiles across the table at Zach and then looks at the waiter.
“Gnocchi with the Gorgonzola cream sauce please.” She looks back at Zach expectantly.
He orders something, she’s not paying attention to what. Her brain won’t shut up. They get through their meal, pleasant conversation, though she couldn’t tell you about what. The waiter comes to ask about dessert and Zach says he’s too full and looks over at her. What is he doing? No dessert? “Umm, ya I’m stuffed. I couldn’t even finish my pasta.”
“Haha ya, you’re bringing, what, 4 gnocchi home in that doggy-bag?”
“Hey, this is precious cargo.” Taylor defends.
They pull up to her house and she asks him if he wants to come inside. Surely he has to do it here? Maybe he wanted it to be just the two of them.
“Nah, I gotta be up early tomorrow for a meeting. Love you.” Zach kisses her on the forehead.
“Okay, where is it?! You’re driving me nuts. I can’t keep waiting like this, are you trying to kill me?!” Taylor blurts out.
Zach is taken aback. “Wha-at?”
“I know you bought a ring weeks ago and I can’t wait any longer. You’re freaking me out. Do you not want to marry me anymore?” Taylor practically is scream-crying.
“Babe, I’ve been carrying it around in my pocket for weeks now waiting for the right time but nothing seemed special enough… wait, how did you know I bought a ring?” Zach’s surprise confession turns the tables.
“What do you mean nothing seemed special enough? Am I not special enough?” Taylor is whimpering through her tears now.
“Baby no, I wanted it to be so perfect for you but nothing seemed as special as you are to me.” Zach trying to soothe her now. He pulls out this perfect tiny black velvet box. “You’re the only one I want to be with forever Taylor Marie, will you marry me?”
Taylor stares at the open ring box. It’s perfect. She’d never seen anything more beautiful in her life. All of her hopes and dreams were in that tiny little box. She looks up into Zach’s expectant eyes. The perfect man, the perfect ring.
“No.” Taylor can’t believe the voice that came out was her own.
Zach looked shocked. She’s sure that there was a similar look on her own face. His eyes went from expectant to sad.
Taylor lifts his head up. “Babe, you’re my whole world. I would never leave you, never. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone. But I don’t need a piece of jewelry or paper to determine my life for me. I don’t want us to change. I want to love you forever as is.”
Zach looks deeply into her eyes, smiles, “you know, I can’t return this freaking thing so you’d better just go ahead and wear it anyway.” He takes the box back out of Taylor’s hand and slips the ring out and onto her finger.
She smiles and looks down at her hand.
Perfect.
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