Perfect Storm

32- Ian

The more time I spend with Tawny, the more I fall in love with her. Kissing her, making love to her, holding her, and making her smile have me wanting more of her. It also makes me feel I could do this with Tawny until the day I take my last breath.

And that scares me.

After Alexandra destroyed my heart into a thousand pieces, I never thought I'd see the day of thinking about spending my life with another woman. And here I am, thinking how wonderful it would be to have Tawny by my side forever.

However, the more I feel that way about Tawny, the more it frightens me. And that's my biggest fear right now—losing her.

I know I told myself and others; I wasn't ready to make one of the biggest commitments a man could make, but the more I think about losing Tawny, the more willing I am to ask for her hand—making her mine for the rest of my life.

So, I decided to surprise Tawny with a proposal. When? I don't know, but I can guarantee it will be coming soon, right after I find that perfect ring to accentuate that beautiful finger of hers.

Since coming back from the Dells almost three weeks ago, I've spent numerous days searching for the "one" to pop the question with.

Now I know why I haven't found it.

And it's because the rings I've looked at didn't come from my heart, and they didn't show how I genuinely feel about Tawny. Instead, the diamond rings displayed inside those clear glass counters came from a designer's imagination, looking to sell their thought on what other couples' sacred union should mean to the buyers. Don't get me wrong, they were all beautiful, and I know Tawny would have loved what I picked out, but after everything she has been through, I wanted to give her a ring with meaning, my loyalty to her, and to show how she means the world to me.

After nearly three weeks of looking and ensuring that spending the rest of my life with Tawny was what I truly wanted, I decided to design Tawny's ring. A ring she'll be proud to wear, knowing that it's my promise to love her and only her forever. And one she'll know that came directly from my heart.

So, here I am, at a jeweler, explaining every bit of detail on how I want Tawny's ring to look. And now that I have described exactly what I'm looking for, I'm more than excited to see the final results. And more than anxious to surprise Tawny with my promise to her.

"How long do you think it will take to make the ring?"

"It'll take anywhere from four to eight weeks for the ring to get back to us."

Four to eight weeks. I'm not sure I can wait that long to see the final results. I also don't know if I can wait that long to ask Tawny to be mine for life. But if that's how long it'll take, then so be it. I'll just continue showing her that her life with me will be a life of happiness and one with no regrets.

My fingers drummed the top of the jeweler's desk as I thought about how much longer it would be to propose to Tawny. And since we've only been together for a little over four months, I felt waiting another couple of months to offer her the world wouldn't hurt either. Finally, my fingers stopped moving, and I looked up at the jeweler. "Okay, I guess it is what it is."

"Don't worry; it'll be worth the wait. And I'm sure the love of your life will be more than honored to sport a ring you've designed."

"Knowing Tawny and how her heart works, she will."

I can only hope.

The jeweler stood, extending his hand towards me with a smile. "We'll be in touch."

I took his offer and shook his hand. "Thank you. I will definitely be staying in touch."