The ride was silent. I was trying to figure out what my father wanted and what is really his opinion on all this.
''Dad, where are we going?''
''To take something important...''
''Oh, and what is that?''
''Patience my child...''
We stopped in front of my old house and my father told me to wait for him at the car if I want to avoid my mother. It wasn't necessary to tell me to stay. I wouldn't enter the house while she was there. Ten minutes later, he was back in the car. He kept driving until we reached his favorite Mexican restaurant. My mother hated this place, so it was my and dads place to eat and be alone.
''I understand you are not sure in my intentions and support. I understand. I was not a good father to you and until today I was not aware how much your mother really hurt you. And I'm sorry for that. I believed that she would stop and you will profit from some of hers remarks. I was wrong...''
''Yes, you were. I was never good enough for her. I was always the black sheep.''
''No, not to me... ''
''Just you...''
''Not just me... You have Tracy and that girl who loves you very much...''
''Yes, but she doesn't count. She is weird...''
''And you love her...''
''I do...''
He put small box on the table and nodded for me to open it. Inside was my grandmother's engagement ring. I loved that ring. It was beautiful. It was yellow gold band with small diamonds on the side and big one as the center peace. Mu grandpa spent his four salaries to get her that ring and waited for weeks to get courage to ask her. Possibilities of that becoming Holly's ring made it more beautiful and special to me. She promised that ring to me when I get married so my children could remember her...
''I believe you would put it on someone else's finger rather than yours?''
''Yes, I think it would look nice on her ring finger...And it goes with the wedding ring grandpa melted for me...''
''Yes, it does... I wish you to have love like theirs. That marriage is very high goal...''
''Yes, it is...But, just having better marriage than you is accomplishment...''
He lost his smile...
''Gail, she was different before her job got to her...''
''I do not remember different...''
''I know love...''
There was long silence. I was looking at the ring imagining it on Holly's finger and now, when I held it in my hand, it seemed more real and I was maybe a bit scared. I was getting married. I was committing to someone and something. But even with such big words like commitment, wedding, marriage... I felt happy because I loved her and she was my family. Dad brought me home (to Holly's) and kissed me good bye. I had two hours before my shift. Holly was making some food before she went to work as well. She was humming in the kitchen and I just stood in the corner looking at her.
''You know it is creepy to stair.''
''I just can't get enough of my beautiful wife to be...''
She turned and smirked at me.
''Who are you and what have you done to my Gail?''
''Shut up! it's still me, but with less walls.''
She hugged and kissed me.
''I'm glad that you are with less walls with me. I love you and want us to be happy and honest with each other.''
''I know...''
I took her hand and led her to sit with me on the couch.
''I have something for you Holly. It was in my family for long time.''
''What?''
''My grandmother's ring.''
''What?''
''I want you to have it as your engagement ring.''
I took the ring out and put it on her finger. Her eyes filled with tears.
''Honey, it is amazing... I love it and I will proudly where it on my finger.''
She got up and went to her bag.
''Since we are exchanging rings... I have something for you... This was my grandmother's ring and she told me to give it to a special girl and you Gail Peck are very special girl...''
She opened the box and inside was my ring. It was white gold with big black diamond. It was breathtaking. She laughed at me.
''My, my... Diamonds make Gail Peck cry...''
''Shut up!''
She kissed me.
''Look at the time... We have to go...''
We decided to leave our rings at home. Our jobs were not adequate places for diamond rings. They were put in Holly's jewelry box. We took our things and went to work. She dropped me off and continued to her lab. Locker room was empty when I came. I changed to my uniformed and was about to leave when I run at Andy.
''Hi Gail.''
''Hi...''
''How are you?''
''I'm fine...''
''Gail, I just wanted to say I'm sorry...''
''What for?''
''Everything... Nick, hiding our feelings...not being good friend to you. I want to try to make things right.''
''Andy, I have work to do...''
''Think about it Gail... Think about if we can start again...''
I left the locker room and went to find Oliver. He was in a bad mood. At the beguiling he was silent, but knowing him it would not last long.
''I am getting a divorce.''
''What?''
''I left my wife. We don't love each other anymore and I can't pretend I'm happy.''
''O.K. Why are you telling me this?''
''Because we talk about things...''
''No, WE don't talk...you talk Oliver...''
''Do you believe at love at first sight?''
''No, I think it is bullshit...''
''I didn't believe ether... But then I met Celery and...Bum! I'm mad about her. We are dating for three weeks and I already want to marry her... Is that crazy?''
''I think everybody knows how much time they need to realize how much they love someone and if they want forever with them.''
''I expected something sarcastic... You are getting soft Peck. Remind me to thank good doctor for your humanity...''
''Stop with that. I was human before we started dating...''
''Yes you were, but you are much more comfortable with your caring side. You love that girl and you love less reserved. That is a big thing. You kissed her in a bar full of people you work with. You gave her the place in your life no one had before. I do not remember you kissing any of the boys you dated...''
''So, it's a girl thing? Do you think that? ''
''No, it's a love thing...''
He was right...
''It's easy with her... I am more opened and less afraid. I can goof around...ask stupid questions cuddle on the couch... You know, I even let her take me to the batting cages?''
''No way! You and baseball? Oh, I would give all the money in the world to see that...''
'' I bet you would.''
''Peck, are you happy?''
''Yes, I am...''
''Life is good to us. You are dating a hot doctor and I am dating beautiful witch.''
''Why everybody says Holly is hot?''
He gave me a look...like I asked about such a obvious thing.
''O.K. She is hot...''
''You bet she is. You can't imagine how many cops were drooling after her at the wedding and when she first came. My, that was crazy. Officers were fighting for the chance to get the paperwork from her or work her case.''
''And I ended up engaged to her...''
I believed I said it quietly, but no. Oliver heard.
''YOU WHAT?''
''We are engaged...''
He pulled up the car...
''Are you trying to tell me that you and Holly are getting married...Like for real...?''
''Yes, we are. We didn't choose the date and all, but the plan is to get hitched.''
''Wow, I will see the day when Gail Peck gets married...Talk about hell freezing...''
''Stop with the hell analogies. I'm sick of them...''
''Who knows?''
''Dad, Tracy, Steve and you.''
''And mom?''
''She knows we are together...''
''Oh...''
''Yes, can we change the subject?''
''Sure...''
When our shift ended, we went home. Holly was asleep when I came home. When I got to bed and tried to hug her, I felt she wore her ring. I got out of bed and put my on. I drifted to sleep happy with my beloved in my arms. That was happiness.