Previously:
Luck grinned.
"Well, first we'll need to get you an engagement ring. Why don't you come with me to pick it out? That way we can make sure it's one you'll want."
"To be honest, I'd take a piece of string for ring if you were the one giving it to me."
"A string wouldn't hold up forever. You'll need something that'll last. We can buy the ring tomorrow morning, and then you can show it off as we tell everyone the good news in the afternoon."
Charlie smiled. "Sounds like a plan to me. Should we get out wedding rings at the same time?"
"Might as well."
Chapter 12: Sharing The News
The following morning, Charlie and Luck were looking at a selection of rings that each sparkled and dazzled the eye.
"Remember you're going to be wearing this forever, so pick the one you really want. Don't worry about the price."
Even though Luck said that, Charlie didn't want to cost him too much. There were plenty of beautiful rings in the more affordable price range. One in particular had caught her eye.
"Can I see that one?"
She pointed to a ring that was gold with a beautiful solitaire diamond.
"Ah, yes. A simple but elegant design. Miss has excellent taste, but are you sure you wouldn't prefer something with a bit more sparkle?"
By "more sparkle," he meant more diamonds.
The jewelry associate looked hopeful as he motioned to bring her attention back to the most expensive rings. He heard what Luck had said about not worrying about the price and took him at his word.
"I'm sure," Charlie said, smiling.
The sales clerk removed the ring she had selected from the case and let her try it on. The diamond sparkled in the light as the ring slid onto her finger. The reflection of the sparkling ring shined in her blue eyes like twinkling stars that had come out during the day. The ring fit as if it had been made for her.
Pleased, Charlie turned to Luck, holding up her hand with the ring on it to show him.
"What do you think?"
It may have been a simple design, but it was elegant, and the stone was a quality that was on par with the more expensive rings, though it cost less because there were fewer of them. The ring looked good on her finger, but most importantly, she looked so happy wearing it that even if it had been the tackiest or most expensive ring in the case, he still would've bought it for her.
"Beautiful."
Charlie's smile grew brighter, and Luck basked in her radiance for a moment before her turned to the sales clerk again.
"We'll take it."
Luck bought the engagement ring. Then they put in orders for their wedding rings, and they left the jewelry store. Charlie kept looking at the ring on her finger and smiling.
Luck smiled, too. He kept thinking how beautiful Charlie looked, especially with his ring on her finger. He felt proud walking beside her.
Charlie was suddenly pulled into an alley they were passing. Luck turned, alarmed to see that Charlie was being held by a rough-looking man with deranged eyes. He had a knife against her throat.
"Give me everything you got, or the dame gets it!" the mugger growled. "That includes the ring, sweetheart!"
Before Luck could do anything, Charlie had elbowed the mugger hard in the solar plexus and stepped on his right foot. The mugger loosed his grip on her. She spun around to face him, broke his nose, and then kneed him in the groin. The mugger groaned in pain as he fell to the ground, crying.
'She made him cry...' Luck thought, impressed.
"What?"
Charlie saw the way Luck was staring at her.
"I'm not letting anyone have this ring. It's staying on my finger, where it belongs."
She spoke seriously, but it made Luck crack a smile, and he laughed a little.
"You're amazing."
Charlie didn't get why he was laughing. Her cheeks turned a little pink.
"Don't make fun of me."
"I'm not. Really. I think you're something else."
Luck took her hand in his, smiling at her.
Charlie smiled back.
—∞—
They went to Coraggioso to share the good news with Keith and Berga.
"Hey, Charlie, what's—"
Berga had started to greet her, when she grinned and held her hand up to show off her ring.
Keith looked from Charlie to Luck, and the corners of his mouth softened slightly.
Berga took a moment longer to put it together.
"Why are you grinning like—What's that ring? Don't tell me you two..."
"Are in engaged? You've got it," Luck said, grinning, too.
"You kept that quiet. How come you didn't tell us you were going to propose?"
"I don't tell you everything."
"Yeah, but this is important. What brought it on?"
"I just thought it was time."
"That's true. You're crazy about each other, so why put it off any longer. When's the wedding?"
"We're going to find out how long it'll take to get everything ready and then pick a date."
"You should start with the church. When Kalia and I got married, we had to wait a month to get the church because of all the other weddings happening around that time."
"I remember. That'll be my first stop."
Luck looked at Charlie.
"I imagine you can't wait to tell Firo, Ennis, Lia, and the others."
"You imagine correctly. And I really should be practicing the new song I wrote before I play it tonight anyway."
"I'll take care of the church while you do that, then. But I'll leave choosing the bakery and so on up to you."
"I was thinking it would be nice if we ordered from stores within your territory. I think that would make them happy."
It would be a good deal for them. They would get back some of the protection money they paid to the Gandors, and it was a chance to do something that could gain them favor with the Family.
"Good idea," Luck said. Also, Charlie was pretty popular in that area, so the merchants who knew her might be hurt if she went elsewhere.
—∞—
Charlie stepped into Alveare and greeted Seina.
"How's it going?"
"Same old, same old. You?"
Charlie was bubbling with excitement and, even though she acted calm, it showed in her smile as she said:
"I got engaged."
Seina stopped stacking jars of honey on the shelves and looked at her.
"No fooling?"
Charlie showed Seina her ring.
Seina came over to look more closely at it.
"Not bad. He's got good taste."
"Actually, he let me pick it out."
"Good choice. It looks good on you. I guess you'll want to show the others now."
"I also have to practice a new song."
"Better get going, then."
Charlie smiled at her and disappeared through the sturdy door that led to the speakeasy.
"Welcome—Oh, it's Miss Charlie," Lia said, smiling at her. "Here to practice?"
Her eyes caught the sparkle on her hand, and she looked closer.
"A ring? Is that an engagement ring?!"
Lia was excited for Charlie, who grinned and nodded. Lia let out a loud exclamation of joy and hugged her.
"What's going on over there?" Firo asked.
He was eating lunch with Maiza, Ennis, Randy, and Pezzo at a table not too far from them.
"Miss Charlie is getting married!" Lia said excitedly with a huge smile.
"What?"
Firo was slightly surprised because Luck hadn't mentioned any such plans to him.
"Is that true?"
"It's true."
Charlie radiated happiness.
"Congratulations," Ennis said, happy because her friend was happy.
"Yes, congratulations," Maiza said.
"Congrats!" Pezzo said.
"It's about time, right, Firo?" Randy said.
"Yeah. Congrats," Firo said.
"Let us see the ring," Pezzo said.
Charlie walked over to their table and showed them.
"Oh, it's beautiful."
"It looks good on you."
"Not too plain, not too flashy. Nice."
"Luck picked out a good ring."
"Actually, he let me pick it out."
"He did? You mean he proposed without a ring?"
"But that was actually pretty smart, don't you think?"
"Yeah, he made sure it would be something she liked."
"That was smart."
"And generous. He told me not to worry about the price."
"Okay, that wasn't so smart."
"And you ended up with that ring?"
"He's lucky you're a practical person."
"Are we invited to the wedding?"
The last question was asked by Ronny, who had walked up with Molsa while they were talking.
"I don't see why not," Charlie said. "I need someone sitting on my side of the church."
"All right! I love weddings," Pezzo said.
"Lia, Ennis, I was wondering if you and Seina would like to be my bridesmaids?"
"Really?" Lia squealed excitedly. "Of course I would!"
"Bridesmaid?" Ennis asked. She knew weddings revolved around the bride and groom, but other than that the details were a bit fuzzy for her.
"Bridesmaids are close friends or relatives of the bride. They walk down the aisle ahead of the bride."
"Oh. Well, if you're okay with me..."
"Of course I am."
'Wow, Ennis as a bridesmaid...' Firo thought, looking forward to seeing what she'd look like in a dress. He was really curious about that.
"Do you think Seina would go for it?"
"It's hard to say..."
"I'll go ask her."
Charlie went back out into the shop and approached Seina.
"Would you be one of my bridesmaids?"
"Huh?" Seina was surprised. "You want me?"
"Will you?"
"Well, I guess I can."
"Thank you," Charlie said, giving her a big smile. She might've hugged her, but her arms were full of honey jars.
In the speakeasy, the others were still talking.
"Wow, Luck's finally tying the knot with her, huh?"
"Yeah, our little girl's all grown up and getting married."
"And we're invited!"
"That was nice of her."
"Well, we are friends, aren't we?"
"They'll make a fine couple."
"Hold on, if she's marrying into the Gandor Family, is it okay for her to keep coming around here as much as she likes? And is Luck going to pay off her debt, or is she going to keep performing for us to pay it off?"
"You worry too much."
"Yeah, we're on good terms with the Gandors, anyway."
"She'll always be welcome here."
"See? The boss said it himself."
They all looked over at the door as Charlie came back through it.
She walked over the them, looking a little nervous. "Um, Mr. Molsa?"
"Yes?"
"Luck and I haven't discussed my debt yet, but I was wondering… whether he helps me pay it off or not… is it okay for me to still play here sometimes?"
Charlie didn't want to lose her friends in the Martillo family. She didn't think she would, since Firo was allowed to have a friendship with Luck, but she wanted to check, just to make sure they weren't cutting ties wit her.
"Of course," Molsa said.
Charlie smiled.
"You see? You were worried over nothing."