5 Golden Rings
Morticia Addams had one piece of jewelery she prised above all; her wedding ring. She stared at it as it glittered in the dim light of her dressing room. A constant reminded of who she was tied to. She never removed it. The house was quiet but if she listened intently she could hear him faintly whistling as he shaved in the adjacent bathroom. The children were out, Lurch and Fester had taken them to see the exhibition on torture as an early Christmas present. Then the would take the children to one of those old-fashioned horror movies because they always spoiled them beyond belief at this time of year. It was only two days until Christmas and she was very grateful for the moments she could steal with him.
She enjoyed this quiet; the peaceful cold of the house. The offer of solitude and some time with her husband. This time of year always proved itself so hectic that they often came to January and realised they had barely had time to be alone. So he had arranged a dinner for just them on this night. He never ceased to be romantic and it pleased her greatly.
She pulled the small, elaborate and decadent drawer of her jewelery box out. In here she kept her most prised items. They very expensive things were kept in the vault but these items she could not bear to part with, even if they had cost him ludicrous amounts of money.
First was a silver ring, plain and beautiful, inscribed with the words 'L'amour toujours.' He presented it to her on their first Christmas all those years ago along with a riding crop and her first ever mink coat. A simple, sturdy and everlasting promise.
The next one was far more decadent. Rubies and diamonds. The ruby was the colour of blood and encircled with glittering diamonds. It was heavy to wear but tremendously beautiful. It had been mined in Myanmar at the turn of the century and the setting commissioned by him for their 10th anniversary. It made her feel giddy with anticipation of the blood that would be spilled tonight, a festive, red colour. She stowed it away. It's ostentatiousness did not match the occasion.
She lifted the next one from the box. A simple pearl, fetched from the depths of the ocean at his command, set in gold and gifted to her on the occasion of Wednesday's birth. It represented the purity of the life she had brought into the world he told her. She decided against that one too. It was too pure for this occasion, to gentle a reminder of her role as a mother. She did not want to be a mother tonight, she wanted to be a wife.
She sighed lightly and closed the drawer over, instead opening the top and running her fingers over the delicate chains and necklaces.
"Something wrong my dear?"
"No darling," she swiveled on the dresser stool to face him. She watched as his eyes studied her body; he was not dissatisfied she could see. His lips curled into a smile of promise.
"I'm merely trying to choose some jewelery for tonight."
"With the inordinate amount you have that should not pose a problem," he laughed lightly, "But of course, it always helps to have another choice."
He took his hand from behind his back and held out a small, beribboned, black box to her. She stood up and came towards him as he held it out to her. She smiled softly, masking her excitement.
"It's not time for father Christmas yet Gomez," she cocked an eye brow.
"But Morticia, I couldn't possibly have you so distressed over a lack of jewelery. Not when there are other more…pressing matters."
She had to concede that her husband could be subtle when he wished; she had barely noticed his hand creeping onto her rear but this was brought to her attention when he squeezed it playfully. She laughed with delight and taking the box from him, greedily untied the ribbon with all the patience she could muster. She let the lid fall to the floor. Inside there was a ring, a black stone mounted on what she imagined was platinum.
"It's taken me years to find the perfect black diamond," he whispered casually, "Of course, it was entirely worth it."
She smiled at him, allowing him to slip the ring onto her finger.
"Gomez, you spoil me," she sullied from the dressing room and made her way towards the bed, "These are so very rare."
"One must go to all lengths in order to please the one they love particularly during the Christmas season…," he followed her quietly, removing his shirt as he did so, "And I do so love you."
"What gift shall I give you?"
She spread herself out on the satin sheets, red in honour of the season, and smiled languidly. He had never seen so delightful a Christmas offering. The ring glittered on her finger, the same dark, deep glitter in her eyes. She would keep this in her jewelery box. She would cast aside the dinner reservation in favor of this evening with him.
"Mmm," he stared at her, words failing him as she began to untie her robe.
She could only wager that she was the best Christmas present he ever received.