Chapter Nine
The next morning Michael knew not to bother Sam until after 11; she liked to sleep as much as possible, especially on the weekends. While he waited for Sam to wake up and text him he got online to look at rings. He had been thinking about proposing for quite a while but something about the night before had felt right. If he had planned it he would have gotten the ring beforehand.
Sam’s best friend Cassie was online and when Michael found a decent ring he sent her the link. When he finally found the perfect one he knew it right away. It was a simple silver ring, but that’s what she had said she wanted. He sent the link to the picture to Cassie and anxiously awaited her opinion. “It’s amazing, she’ll love it.”
Michael immediately ordered it and continued to talk to Cassie until Sam woke up. Sam talked to him on AIM while she got ready, “What have you been up to today?”
“Been talking to Cassie.”
“Cool, about?”
“Stuff. What would you say if I were to get you an engagement ring?”
“I would tell you that you don’t need to.”
“I hate not being able to keep secrets from you. I got you a ring.” To the message he attached the link to the picture of the ring.
When the picture opened on her screen Sam’s eyes lit up, it was perfect. “It’s beautiful. You know you didn’t have to.” There was no winning with him.
***
Wednesday during lunch on the way back from the chow hall Michael and Sam stopped at the Post Office to check their mail. The delivery time varied daily, but it was worth a try to see if it had already gotten there. This time in particular it had definitely been worth it. The ring had arrived. Michael took the small box from the bigger one, put it in his pocket, and they ‘marched’ back to the school house.
As usual they were the first ones from their class to get back and when they returned to their classroom they left the lights off, it was too bright with them on. Michael pulled the box from his pocket, “Do you want to look at it?”
“No, I’ll wait until this weekend.” She turned towards the wall and away from Michael.
He opened the box and inside was small, beautiful, silver ring. “It looks even better than it did online, are you sure you don’t want to see it?” Sam nodded.
They heard the clicking of someone putting in the code to get into the room and Michael quickly put the ring back in his pocket. Just like they had when they started dating they didn’t want anyone in their class to know.
***
Saturday morning just before six o’clock Sam and Michael grabbed their bags before meeting in CQ to sign out of the squadron and were soon on their way, once again to Abilene. Before arriving at their hotel they stopped at the store for snacks and something to have for lunch. After checking in and putting everything down in their room Michael got ready to propose for the third and final time. This time was nothing like the first; no nerves, no worries. This time was only because of the ring.
Michael took the ring from his bag and dropped down to his knee again. “Sam, for the last time will you marry me?”
“I will.” With that he slid the ring onto her finger. It was beautiful. The only problem was that it was a bit loose; the fingers on her left hand were smaller than the ones on her right, she and Cassie had only known her ring size for her right hand.
“We’ll get It re-sized,” Michael said. “But do you like it?”
“I love it and you.”
“I love you too.”
The next day after the GI party they took the ring to the store in the mall to get re-sized. After being given a hard time because the ring had been bought online Michael and Sam walked out of the store ring less. “I may not have had it that long but not it feels weird not having anything on my left hand.”
Michael took the ring from her right hand and placed it on her left hand once again, it wasn’t an engagement ring but it would have to do as a place holder until they could get the real one back. It would be a long week.
I love this! :)
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