Chapter 14
"Hey Will, what about this one?"
Will heard Ana's call from across the store and moved to stand next to her, peering into the glass case that she was leaning over.
"Which one?"
"That one there."
"Not the giant one with a brown diamond the size of a gold ball?"
"That's probably the ugliest thing I've ever seen. I meant the one next to it. That silver one there, see?"
"Yeah…"
Ana sighed loudly, rubbing her forehead as she felt the beginnings of a headache coming on. "Okay, what's wrong with this one, Will?"
He shrugged. "It's nice, it's just…"
"Just what?"
"Plain. It's too plain."
Ana stared at him incredulously. "This one is too plain. The last one was too fancy. And the one before that was too sophisticated, whatever the hell you meant by that." She shook her head wearily. "You're killin' me, Turner."
The jeweler who had been attempting to assist them for the last hour evidently felt much the same.
"You know, sir, there would be many more options available to you if you could, perhaps, expand your price range somewhat…"
"Can't do that," Will said shortly.
Ana sighed again. "Will, at this point, I'd be willing to pay for the difference if you find a more expensive ring that you like."
"But – "
"Just go, Will. Seriously. Please."
Without waiting for Will's response, the jeweler drifted over to another display case, gesturing hopefully at the rings inside. Will followed him reluctantly, the numbers he saw on most of the price tags making his palms sweat slightly.
"I really don't think – "
Ana spun him around and planted her hands firmly on his shoulders. "William Turner, this is the fifth jewelry store we have been to today. We have been ring shopping for nearly four and a half hours now. Therefore, you are going to look at this display case, and you are going to pick a damn ring, or so help me, I am pushing you in front of a bus."
Will tried to say something, but Ana clamped her hand over his mouth.
"Don't even, boy."
With a resigned shrug, Will pulled free of her and turned around to look at the rings in the case. "I really don't see how I can possibly afford…" He trailed off suddenly.
Ana stared at him excitedly. "Will? What is it? Do you actually see one you like?"
"Can I see that one?" Will asked the jeweler, pointing.
The man nodded emphatically, looking relieved. "Of course, sir." He opened the back of the case and pulled out the ring that had caught Will's eye.
It was a thin silver band with a breathtaking princess cut diamond that was flanked by two sapphires, one on each side, with three smaller diamonds set into the band on either side of those.
"It's perfect," Will said quietly.
"Um, Will…" Ana said, poking him in the arm. "It's also one of the most expensive ones here."
Will glanced at the price tag, and a shadow crossed his face. "I noticed. But it's perfect." He set the ring down on the case. "Hang on a minute. I have to make a call." He moved away, pulling out his phone as he went.
Ana casually drifted a few feet closer to him so she could hear.
He dialed and held the phone to his ear, waiting. And then finally: "Hi… it's Will Turner. I was just wondering if you – if you still wanted to buy another sword." There was a short pause, during which Ana saw him grimace slightly. "Yeah… that one." He closed his eyes, ran his hand through his hair. "Yeah, I'm sure. Same price I gave the other day. Right."
Ana couldn't resist moving a little closer, until at last she could hear the voice other end of the line. She didn't recognize it, but at least now she could tell what the man was saying.
"Why the sudden change of heart?"
And Will answered quietly, "Because she's worth it."
Ana quickly moved away as Will finalized his sale and hung up the phone, coming back over to stand next to her. He picked up the ring again, tilting it so it caught the light.
"Okay… I'll take it."
Bill Turner glanced at the name on his phone as it rang and was pleasantly surprised to find that Will was calling. He hoped nothing was wrong. Will wasn't exactly the casual, just-calling-to-chat type. He answered it quickly.
"Everything okay, kiddo?"
"Yeah," Will replied, somewhat hesitantly.
Shrewdly, Bill asked, "You sure about that?"
Will laughed nervously. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure. I just wanted to tell you… I bought a ring today, Dad."
Bill would have sworn he could actually hear his son's nervous grin.
"I'm going to ask her to marry me."
Bill laughed, unable to resist the urge to tease his son. "And to think I used to worry that you'd never even get a girlfriend."
"Thanks, Dad," Will said sarcastically. "So much. Do you mind telling me why Jack said almost the exact same thing when Ana told him?"
"Just a coincidence, I'm sure," Bill chuckled. "But seriously, though… congratulations, kid."
"Thanks." The obvious grin was back in his voice.
There was a short pause, and Bill rolled his eyes, smiling slightly. "All right, what's the problem?"
"I, uh… I don't know how to ask her," Will admitted sheepishly.
"Well, it's pretty easy, see. Really all you have to do is say 'will you marry me,' and – "
"Da-ad…"
Bill laughed again. "Sorry." He thought for a moment. "I don't know… just do whatever you did on your first date. Make it romantic."
"First date. Right. I can do that." He sounded happy. "Thanks, Dad. I'll call you again after I ask her, okay?"
"You'd better," Bill smiled.
"I will. Bye, Dad. And thanks."
"Bye, kid. Good luck."
When Bill's phone rang three hours later and Will's name again appeared on the caller ID, he assumed that his son was calling to tell him that he had proposed. He answered it cheerfully.
"How'd it go, kid?"
He listened for a moment, the smile slipping from his face. Then he sat heavily in a nearby chair.
"Where are you?" he asked urgently, gripping the arm of the chair so hard his knuckles turned white. "I'll get there as soon as I can."
(Dun-dun-dunnnn) Bad things are about to happen... because even my extended fluff invariably ends up including some kind of drama. Seriously. It has to happen.
But anyway, I've always just had this idea in my head that Will would be ridiculously picky about what ring he proposed to Elizabeth with. He wouldn't quit until he found one that was absolutely perfect. And guess which sword he had to sell in order to buy it? (Hint, hint.)
Review if you love "Because she's worth it" as much as I do!