Chapter 36

Adele stood there with her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water before regaining enough composure to say, "You could at least tell me if she said 'yes' or not!"

"I thought you knew what she would say. You told me you did."

"So…you're engaged?" she asked excitedly.

"We're going ring shopping this evening," he told her.

"Oh, AJ! I'm so happy for you!" she gave him a one-armed hug because she still had Robby in the other. "Let me dress this little guy then you can watch him while I make lunch."

AJ quickly checked his email and then met Adele in the nursery. He would play with Robby while she cooked. Following her to the kitchen he said, "Daria would like to spend the evening with you since you're planning on returning home tomorrow."

"If you're sure the two of you wouldn't rather have the time alone, I'd like that."

"We will have plenty of time alone, sis. I'd like to spend tonight here with you too."

"Wonderful! Let me get something out of the freezer to make for dinner."

They planned the dinner while they ate lunch then AJ went to call Daria to let her know what they had decided. He wanted to meet her in town to pick out her ring and then they would come back to the house for dinner. Because Daria felt odd about staying over while Adele was there, she would drive home after the meal.

Since they didn't know what time Adele's flight would be leaving, Daria suggested that if AJ did want her to 'move in', she could pack a bag, but wait until the next weekend to make it official. He asked if she had any furniture she wanted to bring with her and she assured him that there was no way she would clutter up his lovely home with any of that showy stuff! The only things she wanted to bring with her, other than personal items, were a small writing desk, and her dressing table.

AJ told her that she could bring anything she liked. He would gladly make room for it. She grinned then asked if that meant room in his closet too? Laughing, he told her that since he no longer needed his uniforms; his clothes didn't fill even half of the space. She promised to see what she could do to fill it up. He promised that if she had more than the space allowed, Robby would be glad to share his.

They met at Daria's office then took the Escalade to the jewelers. On the way AJ asked what her preferences were for a ring. She told him that she preferred gold over silver, or platinum, but that she was open to anything else. "Was there something you had in mind?" she asked.

"Although I know diamonds are traditional, I was wondering how you felt about sapphires?"

"Why sapphires, AJ?"

"Because they are the color of your eyes and I can't think of anything more beautiful than that," he told her.

"Have I mentioned that you say the nicest things?"

With a chuckle he answered, "Once or twice."

"In that case, I'd be happy to look at sapphire rings. I'm not a very traditional person in any case."

When they entered the shop, AJ asked the sales lady to see some sapphire rings. She brought out a tray of what looked like cocktail rings. AJ shook his head and said, "No, we'd like to see something for an engagement ring."

"Oh!" the clerk exclaimed and put the first tray away. This time she brought out a tray that had rings with different colored stones. "These are mixed, but more what I think you are looking for."

He smiled, putting an arm around Daria's waist. "Do you see anything you like, my love?"

Daria considered the choices knowing that this was a ring she would wear for the rest of her life. She wanted something she would never tire of looking at. Then she saw it. A simple round cut stone surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds. It looked like a tiny flower made of gems. Pointing it out to AJ, she asked, "What about this one?"

"Darling, there are larger stones…you don't need to worry about the cost."

To be continued…