So sorry I've been gone so long. All I can say is life has been a bit crazy, first Harvey, then Irma, thank goodness no one we know was affected by Nate much. But the rest of life just has been weird the last month or so too and quite distracting. Anyway, this bit is short. Sorry, but I thought I'd go ahead and post as I try to get back into a groove. I do hope it answers a few things (worries?) that have been expressed in your comments.

On a slightly different note, I am feasting on RB's portrayal of David in this series of Cold Feet. I swear, that man only gets better with age! (Translates to YUMMY) And having him working with DA alum Siobhan Finnerman is marvelous. I really do think his storyline is the most interesting of this year's series. Simply marvelous. But I do miss Anthony :-( Darn you, Sir Julian


The days passed uneventfully until Anthony returned to his doctor for a full report on his health and the results of the tests. Listening carefully to the doctor and asking a few questions, Anthony shook the man's hand as he left the office and stepped onto the street to retrieve his car and meet Edith at her hotel.

He texted her on his arrival and she met him in the lobby. Studying his features for clues about the doctor's report, she began to worry. His eyes were unusually bright, and as he had the most brilliant blue eyes she'd ever seen she believed that perhaps the news was good. Yet he didn't look especially happy or excited. No, more like he was filled with trepidation mixed with something she couldn't quite grasp.

As they stepped out onto the pavement, she tried to nudge him into saying…. Something, anything. But he continued leading her to his car. Once they were inside, she turned to him. "Anthony?"

He sighed heavily and turned his head to look at her, the warmth returning to his eyes. "Seems I'm in top form for a man my age," he said softly. "Tests were all negative and aside from a tad elevated blood pressure, I'm in disgustingly good health the doctor said."

"Oh, that's wonderful," she said as she threw her arms around him. "So, no more restrictions on our activities?" Edith was elated.

"I was afraid you might say that," he replied sheepishly. "Look, love, we're only ten days away from the day. Don't you think we should wait? You know why this is important to me."

Edith looked into his somber eyes, the bright blue glistening in the sunlight shining through the windscreen, begging her for acceptance. She knew what her answer had to be. "Of course, darling. I remember what you told me. And I understand the importance of this to you and…. Well, it is nice, more than just nice, to be cherished so. I'm so eager to be with you that sometimes it overtakes me and I push. I'll try not to push again, but I'm warning you now that our wedding night cannot come a moment too soon."

His smile lit his whole face and his eyes sparkled even brighter, if that was possible. "I agree, dearest. As special as I know that night will be, however, it is all the nights and mornings after that I am most looking forward to, falling asleep with you there and waking up each morning knowing you are there with me. I can't imagine a greater gift." He leaned over and kissed her gently but then drew back. "I've had a call from the jeweler. Shall we go by and pick up your ring?"

Edith settled back in to her seat. "I think that is a lovely idea," she cooed, happiness swelling within her.

The ring was as beautiful as she had imagined it would be, she thought as she admired it on her left hand. Once they'd arrived at the shop and Anthony had settled up with the jeweler, he'd knelt, right there in the middle of the jewelry shop and asked her again to marry him. And when she'd stammered her answer, he'd slipped the ring onto her finger, stood and nearly melted her with the most amazing kiss. After thanking the man behind the counter once again, he'd pulled her onto the pavement and into his car, where he'd kissed her again.

Now they were safely ensconced in a dark corner of the Bates' pub, Edith admiring her ring as Anthony admired Edith, and their lunch going untouched. Edith couldn't contain her delight and she giggled for what must've been the thousandth time that day. The sound caught Anna's attention and she moved from a table full of customers in the center of the room to check on them. "Anthony is behaving himself, isn't he?" she asked in a teasing manner.

"Of course I am," he replied in a tone that belied his reply.

Anna glanced from him to Edith and saw what had her attention. "Oh my, has he finally given you a ring?"

"Yes, he has," Edith answered as she turned her hand for Anna to admire.

Edith was beaming, Anna thought as she bent slightly to get a closer look. "Oh that is beautiful," she cooed. "Didn't know Anthony had it in him."

"Jeweler helped us design it," Anthony shot back. "All made to Edith's specifications," he added proudly.

"Well, it is gorgeous," Anna said as she stood straighter. "Should we break out the champagne?"

Anthony glanced at Edith, who nodded negatively. "Honestly, I am so ecstatic right now, I feel as if I am floating. I don't believe champagne could possibly add anything to what I am feeling. Let's save it for another time, if that's agreeable."

Anna nodded. "Certainly." Then glancing at their untouched plates of food she smiled. "Might need to eat though or you might come crashing down off those high clouds." Edith looked at her plate guiltily but when she looked back up to tell Anna that it was her excitement that was preventing her from partaking and not the taste of the food, the woman was gone. She heard Anthony chuckle beside her. "What?"

"Nothing, dearest. Just enjoying your ebullience. I believe Anna understood, by the way, about the food."

Edith gave him a hard stare. How had he read her mind? But she couldn't let herself be distracted long, she was far too happy for that. Her hand lifted again as she focused once more on the way the light sparkled on the stones of her beautiful ring, especially the stones that matched the color of Anthony's eyes. And just then, as she glanced back at her soon to be lover, she wondered which twinkled brighter.