His Muse • M. Boldy

•S I X T Y - T H R E E•

MATT's POV
"It's too bad Phi couldn't make it for this game." My dad frowned as we walked in the front door of our house.

"Yeah she's back to staying home from travel." I sighed.

"Well that's too bad." My dad spoke, heading into the kitchen as I took a seat. "Coffee?"

"Sure." I nodded, leaning backwards.

"How's she doing anyways?" My dad smiled as we heard the garage door open, Mara, James and Michael all walking inside.

"She's good." I confirmed, sitting up slightly. "She's having a hard time with working from home, but now that she has Smudge I feel better about her staying behind. I think it's better for her, but she'll never admit it." I chuckled, watching as my step mom set coffee mugs on the table.

"Why did I have to fly here from New York to watch you guys lose to the Bruins." Mara complained, slumping down in a chair across from me.

"Maybe if you went to BU we wouldn't be having this issue." James shrugged, grabbing a mug as Emily, my step mom, poured coffee in them.

"I hate BU and you know that." Mara scoffed, crossing her arms.

"Be thankful, your brother bought you the plane tickets." Emily spoke softly, sliding a mug of hot coffee in my direction.

"And I got you out of practice." I smiled, sipping my drink.

"Yeah yeah." Mara laughed. "But why couldn't I just come to a game in Minnesota?"

"I told you, you can." I smiled. "I just needed you to be here for this one."

"But you lost?" Mara asked, looking at me skeptically.

"Thats not the reason." I laughed, sitting up as my dad joined us. "I actually have something to talk to you guys about."

"Oh my god Phi is pregnant?" James said, raising his eyebrows.

"James." My dad snapped. I know he doesn't like Josie and I living together before were engaged, but hopefully this conversation will change that.

"No actually." I sighed, thinking back to the best and possibly worst night of my life. "So uh, I talked to Josie's mom after the game a few weeks ago, and she's going to die." I spoke, my voice cracking.

"What?" Emily gasped, leaning forward and placing a hand on my shoulder.

"The doctors say the treatment isn't working, they're not sure how much longer she has to live, but they do know it's not long." I nodded slowly, doing my best to keep the tears at bay.

"I- wow." James spoke, picking at his hands.

"I'm so sorry Matt." Mara said.

"We should get a card sent out." Michael spoke, standing to grab some family stationary.

"Well theres something else I have to share." I smiled, wiping my cheek.

"What?" James asked, looking up nervously.

"I asked Aksel for Josie's hand in marriage." I smiled, sadness and excitement filling my heart.

"Oh Matt." Emily smiled, clasping her hands together in front of her chest. "What did he say?"

"He said theres nothing he would love more." I grinned, happy tears now falling from my eyes.

"Congratulations Matt!" My dad smiled, leaning forwards to wrap his arms around me.

"I don't know if I should scream or cry." Mara laughed, hugging me from behind. "Maybe both."

"Same." James laughed, joining our group hug as Michael and my step dad stood.

"Well we're very happy for you Matt." Michael smiled. "And proud."

"Thanks guys." I smiled, watching as they all took their seats once more. "There's just one problem."

"Oh god." Mara groaned.

"I still need to get a ring." I grinned.

"Well let's get going then." Mara said, standing.

"Did you tell mom yet?" Michael asked.

"Yeah I told her right after the game, but she's got a night shift so she can't come." I frowned. "But she wants pictures."

"Well we better get going then." Emily smiled, standing and grabbing her purse.

"Anyone else coming?" I asked, looking at my brothers and dad.

"I'll leave this to the experts." My dad chuckled, shaking his head back and forth.

"Yeah I'm staying out of this." James laughed. I grinned at them as we made our way out to Emily's car.

"Are you glad I got you tickets to come home?" I asked, turning towards Mara as Emily drove towards the Jeweler my dad has known for years.

"Yes." She smiled, nearly jumping out of her seat.

"You should apologize." I chuckled, looking forward.

"Nope, I'll never apologize to you." Mara laughed.

"Do you know her ring size?" Emily asked, turning onto the main road.

"Yeah her old roommates sent it to me." I spoke, pulling out my phone. "She's a size five."

"Perfect." Emily smiled, turning into the parking lot.

"What style does she want?" Mara asked, beginning to get out of the car.

"Uh- diamond?" I asked, walking with Emily and Mara on either side of me.

"Does she even want to marry you?" Mara scoffed. "How do you not know what style she wants."

"You'll know Matt." Emily assured me, pulling open the door of the building.

"Mrs. Boldy!" Craig said, walking out from behind the counter, going to shake Emily's hand. "How are you?"

"We're doing well." Emily smiled.

"So what can I help you with today?" He asked, walking us over to a glass case.

"Matt needs an engagement ring." She smiled, ushering me ahead.

"Well do you have anything in mind?" He asked, directing me over to a case.

"Definitely a diamond." I smiled, thinking about Josie.

"Any certain cut?" He asked.

"Well I'm not exactly sure." I answered him. "But she's definitely more of a simple girl."

"Alright, then let's look at the round and square cuts." Craig spoke, pointing out different diamonds to me. Mara and Emily made comments every so often. We looked through different cuts, both Mara and Emily giving me examples of what they might look like on Josie's hand.

After almost an hour of looking we decided on a circle cut diamond. It's simple enough but when you look at it closely there are so many different angles and sparkles inside. Once that was chosen we had to decide on a size. Mara said that I should get a 'big one', but Emily said the size had to look good on her finger. I just smiled and nodded along, pretending I understood what they were talking about.

About another hour later I decided we finally had the one, Josie's perfect ring. Perfect just like her, perfect just for her, for me.