"So do you like eggshell or off white?" DG asked, holding up two pieces of paper. Cain looked at both and blinked. "What?"
"They are the same thing." He said. They'd only been at this for an hour and he already regretted it. Shouldn't it be her mother in here helping her? DG frowned and threw the paper on the table. "What now?" he said.
"They aren't the same thing Cain. One is eggshell and the other is off-white." She pointed to one than the other.
"No, they are white and white. There isn't a difference." He watched as John took a step backwards, preparing for the worse.
"They aren't the same thing." DG said. "What's the use?" She threw her hands in the air. "Why don't we just send out announcements out on notebook paper?" She sat back in the high backed chair and firmly crossed her arms.
"How about this," John said handing over a piece of sample paper. The soft cream paper felt soft and luxurious in their hands. The gold leaf decorum and calligraphy writing all screamed out money. DG's eyes grew large and Cain shook his head.
"I think it's too much." Cain said. DG shook her head this time.
"I think it's perfect. Do you know who we'll be sending this to?"
"Are you having that special time of the month?" Cain asked softly. John closed his eyes tightly, tilting his head. Cain hadn't been around women in so long that he didn't know what to ask and what not to ask. DG's mouth dropped and she let out a small squeak. She pushed herself up from the chair and stomped to the door.
"You know what, you two plan the wedding. I hope you are happy together!" She slammed the door behind her, leaving the two men alone in the room. Cain turned to John and frowned.
John smiled and stood up from the table. He started picking up books and pamphlets, clearly noting that this may be when he calls it a day. He watched as Cain ran a hand through his hair, aggravation over his face.
"What am I doing wrong?" He muttered. He turned to John and shook his head. "I don't think I can do this. I know nothing about weddings and even if I do," he picked up the announcement, "this is just too much. It's too extravagant." John nodded and walked over, taking the paper from the man.
"Yes, for some, this would be too extravagant. However, you're not marring a normal person. You're marrying a princess. If you send out anything less, than people would talk." He sat the paper down. "Listen; don't let the details frustrate you. DG just wants your input. It's your wedding too. Just be happy she's even including you in the decision process. Most brides won't even let the men set foot inside the room." He leaned on the edge of the table. Cain sat there, taking in all the advice.
"Trust me. The invitation is the most serious thing, so it's the most extravagant. I promise that from now on, things will be a lot simpler." He nodded. Cain gave him a skeptical look. "Ok so it won't be wild flowers in a field, but I'll make sure things don't get too overboard." He patted Cain on the shoulder and straightened up. He walked over to the other side of the table, grabbing his jacket. Cain looked over at him.
"What do you suggest for a ring?" Cain asked. John looked over at him, confused.
"Wedding bands are simple gold or platinum if you want." He shrugged. Cain shook his head.
"No, engagement ring. I still haven't bought one for her and I don't know what to get."
"Yes, I noticed she didn't have one, but I didn't want to say anything." John nodded and sat in a chair. He ran a hand through his own hair and thought for a moment. "You want something nice enough for a princess, but cheap enough for your budget." He guessed.
"I'm just a security guard in all reality. I can't even afford a fraction of what I should get." Cain sat forward, placing an arm on the table. John squinted his dark eyes at the man and tilted his head.
"You have met this fiancée of yours right?" Cain nodded slowly. "Then you know she wouldn't care what you gave her. I've been with her everyday for a month and the mention of an engagement ring hasn't left her lips. IF she cared about the ring, she'd tell you." Cain let this sink in.
"So, what should I do? I really want to. I didn't get the chance to get Adora one, and I really want to for DG. She's been through so much." He looked at John hopeful. John sighed and pulled a card out his wallet.
"About half an hour away from the palace, in a small set of woods, is an old house. It's part Bed and Breakfast, part antique shop. The old man who owns the shop is a friend of the families. I'm almost positive you'll find something for DG that she will love and it will be affordable." He handed the card over to Cain. "Tell them John sent you and he'll show you his rare items as well." John nodded and turned back to his belongings. He slipped on his coat and glanced at his watch. "I have to go to a meeting with the queen and then I have to go convince your blushing bride to do more planning."
"Um," Cain tapped on the card with a finger. John nodded in understanding.
"I'll tell the queen and DG that you have to run an important errand out of the palace. I'll make sure they understand." Cain rose and reached for his hat and jacket.
"Also, will you tell the queen that I would like to meet with her later this afternoon? It's very important." John nodded. Cain said his thanks then turned to leave. John watched him leave, feeling very envious that the man was happy. He only wished he could find the same happiness.
Cain looked up from the card to the old house. Yes, same address. The old house looked like it had seen better days, but what it lacked in paint, it made up for in charm. It was hardly an eyesore; it just looked like it had been reluctantly ignored the past decade, like most of the O.Z. He stepped up on the creaky old porch and looked at the old open sign. He wondered just how much business the old place received over the years. He knocked on the door then pulled it open, letting his presence be known. He expected the inside to be in much of the same condition as the outside, but he was surprisingly mistaken.
The old hardwood floors gleamed and sparkled and the air smelled of fresh lavender. The walls were a soft yellow. The interior and floor plan reminded him of the house DG grew up in back in Kansas. He smiled to himself and knew he'd have to bring her back here one day. As his heavy boots made heavy sounds on the floor, he made his way to the front desk. He reached over and rang the little silver bell.
"Just a moment!" a tiny voice called out. Cain looked around the room as he waited. He looked on shelves that held tiny chochkees and then at the walls lined with old, yellowed framed pictures. The silver frames held pictures of a once happy family. A mother and a father held a small baby boy in their arms, a doggy yapping at their feet. The pictures progressed through the years up until the boy was a very small adolescent and then they stopped.
"That's are son." The tiny voice said behind him. Cain turned around to see a kind old woman looking up at him. "He went off one day and never came back. We fear that the years of the old witch did him in." She toddled over behind the desk and looked up at the man with hope. "We haven't had a visitor in years; it's good to finally have someone. What can I do for you?" Cain turned and walked back towards the woman.
"I was told your husband sold antique engagement rings." Cain said slowly. The old woman grinned, her wrinkles giving in.
"You're getting married!" She cooed. Cain nodded. He handed over John's card. The old woman looked at it over her tiny glasses and hmmmed. "I didn't know John was doing more than one wedding. Last thing I knew he was handling the royal wedding." She looked up at Cain. Cain looked down at his hands, suddenly feeling very awkward. "Well I'll be!" She hollered. "Look at that, a ring for a princess."
"JACOB!" She yelled out. Cain looked at the woman, not knowing she had it in her.
"WHAT NORA?" A heavy voice responded. "I'M BUSY!"
"YOU HAVE A CUSTOMER!" She yelled back.
"WELL SEND HIM BACK!" Nora turned to Cain and smiled.
"You can go back," She pointed to the hallway behind Cain. Cain looked over his shoulder then turned back.
"Thank you." He said. He turned and walked back towards the back room. As he walked down the small hallway, he was certain that he'd have to bring DG here.
"You have a wonderful place." Cain said as he approached Jacob. The back room was filled with old clocks and plates, rings and dolls. "I think I may have to come back here with my future wife for our honeymoon. It looks just like the home she grew up in." Jacob looked up from his book and smiled at Cain.
"I've heard about you." Jacob said. Cain stopped in his tracks, wondering if he should reach for his gun. "You're that Cain fellow that helped save the kingdom. I recognize the picture." He pointed to the wall where the wanted poster hung. "I never believed that you were a bad person. I knew what you all were up to. And now you're marrying a princess. Maybe there is hope for the lesser men of the world." Cain nodded his head and felt embarrassed suddenly.
"I came by word of John." Cain said, taking the small white card out of his pocket. Jacob accepted the card and opened his eyes wide.
Jacob pulled out a tiny box and placed it on the counter. "I've been saving this for the right person." He opened the lid and Cain immediately knew this one was it. The white gold ring sparkled in the light. A half carat stone gleamed up at the man. On either side of the stone, were two hearts engraved on the band. Each pair on each side linked together, never to part.
"I've had this one for a while. I always thought I'd give it to my own son for his wedding." The old man paused, taking a shaky breath. "That won't ever be." He looked up at Cain and gave him a shrug. "Oh well."
"How much?" Cain asked. Jacob gave it some thought.
"For you, $1000," he said, with a nod of certainty. Cain reached for his wallet and started counting out his money carefully. Jacob watched him as the man searched for the money. Jacob felt like Cain had a lot of himself inside of him. He even reminded him of his own son. He wouldn't tell his wife, but their son showed up during the reign of the evil witch. He'd grown but he still had the same determination and strength he had as a boy. Now looking at Cain, it was like looking at the son he wished he had. Cain sat down a stack of money, searching for more within the leather of his wallet. Making a quick decision, Jacob put his hand over Cain's. Cain looked up at the man and furrowed his brow.
"How about this? You and your bride stay here for your honeymoon and I'll let you have the ring."
"Really?" Cain asked, surprised by the generosity. "I don't think that's a fair trade." The man said. Jacob insisted.
"It would be nice to get someone in here as a guest again. Trust me. It would mean the world to us." He patted Cain's hand. Cain had lost his family at an early age. When he met Adora and they had Jeb, this replaced the family he lost. Then he lost them all over again. Jacob felt like the father he lost and he felt honored that the man trusted him with this.
"Thank you so much." Cain said. Jacob waved a hand in the air.
"Pshh, anything for the man who helped save our people." Cain looked down and suddenly felt what DG must always be going through. He pocked the ring safely in his coat pocket and wrote down the date of the honeymoon on the back of John's card.
"We'll be back then." He said, slipping the card over to the old man. Jacob nodded and put the card in his front shirt pocket.
"We'll be looking forward to it. Have a great day Mr. Cain." Jacob offered the man his hand.
"Call me Wyatt." Cain said, shaking the man's hand. Jacob nodded and then watched as Cain left the room, happy he'd stopped by.
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