When In Rome

Chapter 16

"No," Declan said, putting the ring he had been holding up to the light back on the jeweler's counter.

"What's wrong with it?" Adam asked, picking the ring up to look at it.

"It's cloudy."

Adam squinted as he looked at it. He shook his head, unable to find whatever imperfection Declan had seen, and put the ring on back on the counter. "Maybe I should wait to get her ring."

Declan shook his head. "A gentleman doesn't propose without a ring. But since you've already done that, you should get one as soon as possible."

"Except that I can't afford one. Especially not one of these."

"Good thing for you, I can."

Adam looked up at Declan, shaking his head. "No, man, I can't ask you to buy Fiona's ring."

"You didn't. I offered. If it makes you feel better, we'll work out some kind of payment plan. I'd rather have you in debt to me than some credit card company."

Adam let out a breath, then nodded. "Thanks, man."

"No problem. Now, shall we find a ring as beautiful and flawless as my sister?"

"Uh… since you're gonna pay for it, can I at least pick it out?"

Declan smiled and stepped back as Adam walked to the display case, his eyes falling immediately on a ring in the back row. "That's the one," he said.

Declan stepped forward to look at it. "Platinum band, vintage setting, princess cut diamond." He nodded approvingly. "Good eye, young Adam." He pulled a credit card out of his wallet and handed it to the jeweler before turning toward his future brother-in-law. "How did you propose, if I may ask?"

Adam shrugged and shook his head. "Honesty, it just kind of… happened. We were talking about how we were gonna be getting separated soon and before I knew what I was saying, I asked her to marry me."

"And she didn't immediately demand you get down on one knee?"

"Well, she asked where her ring was but…" he trailed off, shaking his head again.

"Interesting," Declan said. "My sister's definitely changed for the better since you've been in her life. But you know when we get back you're gonna have to do it the right way. She needs a story to tell the grandkids one day."

"Hello, ladies," Declan said as he and Adam walked into Adam and Fiona's hotel room. Holly J was sitting on the bed next to Fiona. "Picking out bridesmaid dresses?"

Fiona shook her head. "Just talking."

Declan nodded. "My good friend Adam has something he'd like to give you," he said, sitting on the couch.

"Good friend," Fiona repeated with a smiled. "That's what I like to hear."

Adam smiled and glanced at Declan quickly, who nodded. He let out a breath and took a step toward Fiona, nervously touching the ring box in his pocket. He'd thought about what he was going to say to her all the way back to the hotel. Now he couldn't remember any of it.

"I hate to tell you this," he began slowly as he stood in front of her, "but you're in love with an idiot and this would have been a lot more romantic if I had done it like this in the first place but I didn't, so I have to redeem myself."

He shrugged quickly as he knelt on one knee in front of her, taking her hand. "Fi, you've seen the worst in me and the best. Somehow, you loved me through it all. You never judged me and you always saw me for who I was inside. I'm so lucky to have you in my life and I want you in my life forever." He slowly pulled the ring out of his pocket and opened the box. "So um… do you wanna make it official?"

Fiona smiled. "Of course," she told him. She kissed him quickly, nearly knocking him off balance.

He moved to sit next to her as he slipped the ring on her finger before he kissed her again.

Holly J quickly stood and touched Declan's shoulder, tilting her head toward the door. He nodded and followed her out of the room.

"That was really nice," she told him once they were in the hallway.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Holly J rolled her eyes. "That's like a thirty-thousand dollar ring. I'm pretty sure Adam doesn't have that kind of cash stowed away."

Declan shrugged. "He picked the ring. I just supplied the plastic. He's gonna pay me back in installments."

"Ten dollars a week for the rest of his life?"

"Not quite, but something like that."

"So, how long do you think until Fiona finds out about this?"

"About two minutes ago," Fiona said. They both jumped and turned to look at her. "Adam told me. You didn't have to do that," she told her brother.

"I know, but I wanted to."

She smiled and hugged him quickly. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. You should get back to your fiancé."

She looked between her brother and best friend and smiled. "Ok, I can take a hint." She walked back into the room, closing the door behind her.

"That was nice," Holly J told him again. "What you did, you made them happy."

"I think they were plenty happy without my help."

"Still. It was nice."

He smiled and shrugged, leaning against the wall in front of her. "I can be nice sometimes."

"Sometimes," she agreed. She looked down quickly and cleared her throat. "I should uh… I should turn in."

"Right." He nodded and took a step back. "Have a good night."

"Night," she said quickly before she opened her door and slipped into her room.

to be continued...

just a few ANs: just in case anyone's wondering about the timeline here, it's nearly August in the story. June was chapter 1-7 and 8 on has been July. So basically, they've been in Italy for two months and Adam and Fiona have left their room maybe three times. So there's probably gonna be some sight-seeing next chapter.

For anyone interested, I have a picture of Fiona's ring. I doubt it actually exists, I made it on a custom ring builder online. PM me for the link to the pic.

Also, this story's also gonna be ending soon (probably around chapter 20) and then there's gonna be a sequel. I have no idea how many stories are gonna be in this series, but it's probably gonna be more than three.