Leaps and landings

46

Jess walked out of the jeweller's already a week and a half later with a brushed gold bezel engagement ring. The jeweller actually remembered them from the first time they'd visited, recalling also Celeste being pregnant and suggested a matching thin chain to go along with the ring so she could wear it around her neck for now. The boutique was not really much for velvet boxes, packing it into a simple but stylish white cardboard envelope instead, which he now, having tucked into his coat pocket, appreciated so it'd be easier to keep hidden until he figured out the right way to do this.

As he walked home that evening, he found it easier to think how he wasn't going to do it - it was a little like when they first started going out - him knowing more of what she didn't want than about what she would. Celeste wouldn't want a big spectacle, especially in front of other people, she also wouldn't want some corny gesture that threw money at candle-light dinners at fancy establishments or private musicians or stunts. But somehow all the things that seemed most like them - their lazy mornings in bed, their weekend walks or the little date nights - they just didn't seem to do the question justice. He even knew that it wasn't really a question - he was pretty confident of her reply, but still he felt like the gesture needed to be more than just a matter of formulating the question.

He'd thought of just leaving it out for her to find, maybe even leaving her a note or a trail of notes. He even considered writing her something. He even tried doing that a few times but it just felt forced - maybe he was just working too hard, his creativeness just not flowing. He even thought about just asking out right the moment he got home that evening, but reconsidered just as he walked up the stairs of their brownstone. While he was very certain he wanted this more than anything - he just felt tongue tied, feeling like he needed to do something more.

"Hey," he greeted her as he got home, sensing already the smell of something buttery coming from the kitchen.

"Hey!" she replied from the midst of the cooking noises.

He hung up his coat, the ring remaining safely in his coat pocket for now - waiting. He kissed her in greeting - two kisses on the cheeks, one on the lips, his palm stroking her belly. Surely, he would know when it was the right time?

"I'm here!" Celeste announced as she arrived at the penthouse, having promised to let Rory have a few hours to finish up a school assignment that was due in a few hours. She'd just spent an hour at the Marriott spa - swimming. It was the place they used to frequent with Rory due to its connection to Finn, getting VIP treatment and semi secluded swimming privileges. Celeste was finally getting what Rory had been talking about, saying how good water felt at later stages of pregnancy - nothing ached, everything feeling light and soothing from the moment she stepped into the water. She'd done a few slow laps, hastier movement having become something of the past, and a few stretches, mostly just enjoying the sensation of floating. Evie liked it too, letting herself be known by vigorous kicks against the side of her belly. She would've gladly crawled into bed for a nap herself right about now, the exercise having left her yawning, but surely she could help her out for a couple of hours.

"Thank you," Rory replied, letting Celeste wash her hands before handing her 6-week-old who'd gained nearly 4 lbs since birth to her arms.

"Hey my little Finny, you are getting so big!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide, at the blue-eyed charmer who was beginning to hold up his head a little.

"He is, and my back knows it," Rory grumbled. "Do you mind if I just dive in? I just need to finish a few paragraphs and proofread it a couple of times, it shouldn't be too long," she explained. She felt bad asking for help like this, especially this last minute, but Logan's meeting had been rescheduled and she didn't want to ask her professor for special treatment either - besides it seemed Celeste was almost always willing to help out.