Diana smiles as Tom climbs into bed and slips his arm around her waist. "I love you," he whispers in her ear.
Tom lays awake for a long time that night thinking about what his next move will be. He wonders about proposing to Diana. He's uncertain. He doesn't want to push her away.
The next morning Tom gets up before Diana, gets dressed, has breakfast out with Jeffrey and then asks his son to drop him off in front of a jewellery store. Jeffrey smiles. "Choose carefully, dad."
"Thanks son." Tom says as he climbs out of the car. Tom goes into the jewellery store and starts browsing the rings.
"Can I help you, sir? Are you looking for something in particular?" the assistant asks.
"I'm looking for an engagement ring for my girlfriend. It needs to be something special, but it can't be anything too flashy. Preferably in white gold." Tom says smoothly.
"Very good sir." The assistant says pulling out a selection of rings. "Do you know your lady's ring size?"
"I'd need a size 7 ½ ring." Tom says as he looks over the selection of rings. "They're all so beautiful. I don't know which one to pick."
"Tom?" comes a voice from behind him. "What are you doing here?"
Please don't let it be Diana, Tom thinks as he slowly turns around. "Sarah, what are you doing here?" Sarah is Diana's niece. "I'm trying to pick out an engagement ring for Diana. Will you help me?"
"Diana may kill you and I later, but I can't deny you anything. Let's take a look." Sarah says coming over. She looks over the rings carefully. She picks one up and looks at it closely. It's perfect. It's a square cut diamond with three small diamonds on each side in a row, and a white gold band. The three small diamonds are embedded flush in the band. "This one. She'll love it."
"How do you know that's the one? She might not like it." Tom says suspiciously.
"Because it's flashy enough to impress her, but plain enough that she'll actually wear it." Sarah says logically.
"I'll take it." Tom says as he checks the price and pulls out his cheque book.
"Very good, sir. I'll send this back to be sized and polished. If you want to pick up your ring in a couple of hours it will be ready."
"Thank you. Do you want to go to lunch with me, Sarah?" Tom asks.
"Sure, I just need to pick out a birthday gift for a friend. She wants a new watch." Sarah says as she walks across the room. She finds a beautiful, sterling silver, jewel banded watch.
"That's a beautiful choice, Sarah. I'm sure that your friend will love it." Tom says as the assistant wraps the watch for Sarah.
"This is a huge step for you, Tom. Diana's going to be floored when you propose. Do you think she's ready for this step?" Sarah says as they sit down to lunch at a small bistro down the street.
"We discussed it sort of last night when Jeffrey brought up the subject. I think she'll say yes. She's feeling more confident now that we're together. She and I are so happy, Sarah." Tom says breathlessly.
"It's nice to see you like this, Tom. You better hope Diana's in a really good mood or she'll tear your apart when you do this. She's been getting so much less bitter. She might be receptive." Sarah winks at him.
"Sarah, you are a terrible tease. You're right through this needs to be planned carefully. Do you know her favourite restaurant?" Tom asks.
"Of course I do. She's always loved the French restaurant in town. When you propose you should take her there. When are you planning to propose?" Stephanie asks as she warms her hands on her tea cup.
"I was planning on proposing as soon as possible and now that I know I'll have the ring this afternoon I think I'll propose tonight." Tom says thinking carefully.
"Tonight! Do you know what you're going to say? Don't overwhelm her." Sarah says quietly.
"I want to tell her everything I've always wanted to tell her. I want to tell her that she's beautiful and I want to tell her just how much I love her." Tom says as tears spring to his eyes. The love shows in his eyes.
"Just go slow. Read her face carefully. Her emotions can overwhelm her quite quickly because she doesn't express her emotions. Take it as it comes at you. Do you have a suit to wear if she says yes?" Sarah asks trying to keep Tom grounded.
"I think so. I'll let Diana pick the colour palette of course. I have to let Diana be in charge if she agrees to this. She'll never forgive me if I don't." Tom checks his watch. "I'm going to pick up my ring. I'll see you later. I'll call you if all this goes well. It will be an interesting evening no matter which way this all goes."
"That's for sure! Good luck, Tom. You may need it. I would be proud to call you my uncle." Sarah says giving Tom a hug.
"I appreciate that so much, Sarah. I only hope that your aunt will be proud to call herself my wife. I can't always predict her." Tom says calmly.
