Oliver O'Toole paced in his father's living room.
"Dad, I've been thinking…"
Joe waited a few seconds for Oliver to continue then prompted, "About?"
"About proposing to Shane."
Joe grinned. "That's great, Oliver!"
"She and I were in a jewelry store the other day tracking down the owner of a bracelet that was lost in the mail and the next thing I knew I was covertly looking at engagement rings. I've been to 5 different stores since then and nothing has seemed right." He sat on his father's couch and sighed. "Maybe it's a sign that it's not the right time."
Joe sat down next to his son. "Oliver," he said gently. "Do you love Shane?"
"With all of my heart," Oliver replied.
"Do you want to be with her?"
"More than anything."
"And do you want to spend the rest of your life with her?"
Oliver took a deep breath, then nodded. "I do."
"Then I'll be right back." Joe got up from the couch and disappeared into the back of the house.
Oliver waited for his father to return and was puzzled when Joe handed him a small, black, square velvet box. "Open it," Joe prompted.
Oliver opened the box to reveal a beautiful antique sapphire engagement ring. "Dad, this is perfect," he breathed.
"It was your grandmother's," Joe replied. "And now I want you to have it to give to Shane."
"I couldn't possibly -" Oliver started to protest.
"No, Oliver, your grandmother wanted you to have it. Your grandparents were happily married for over 50 years and before your grandmother died she told me to give it to you to give to your future wife. I've just been hanging on to this until the right woman came along for you, and the moment I saw you and Shane together at the Mailbox Grille for her birthday celebration I knew she was it. I've just been waiting for you to decide for yourself that she was it for you and that it was the right time to declare your intentions."
Oliver closed his hand around the ring box as he nodded. "Thank you, Dad."
Joe gave Oliver a hug. "You're welcome, son. And just for the record, I'll be honored to have Shane as my daughter-in-law. She's been good for you."
Oliver smiled. "I agree."