The Heirloom Ring: Haunted Book 3

Chapter 2

Destiny’s POV

I can’t believe how happy I am! I know my friends will think I am crazy. I’ve only known Mark a little more than 3 months. I met him waiting tables and his friends had just come back from college. He is a history major with a minor in engineering.

He came to see me every night that week, before I gave in and slid my number across on his receipt. I couldn’t believe how his face lit up! He was so adorable! All his buddies made fun of him, calling him whipped for a chick he hadn’t even kissed yet. His crowd was rowdy, and boisterous, but he was the perfect gentleman.

He was perfect for me! And now I can call him mine! I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together! I would be with him through all the good times and all the hard times. We would have to learn to compromise, of course! We would have to learn how to settle our fights without hurting the other… We will discover each other's strengths and weaknesses and incorporate them into our marriage.

Then there are the children I hope we will have soon. Just the thought makes me blush! Little babies in our arms, with chubby little toes and cute button noses. I wondered who they would look like more. If we would have boys or girls… How many we would be blessed with… Their names… He would be the perfect daddy!

I look down at the beautiful ring on my finger. It glistened in the sun, showering me with tiny rainbows, light just like my heart. I can’t believe I am engaged! I hadn’t expected it at all! Well, at least not yet. I had hoped, of course… I had lost my heart to him the first month into our relationship.

Although, there is something about this ring… I can’t put my finger on it. It’s perfect and beautiful, but it seems to be connected to my emotions. That sounds weird, but it's true. I have to actively tell myself that I don’t feel upset and there is no reason for me to break down and cry! What kind of a lunatic would do that when I really am the happiest girl on the planet at the moment. I just don’t understand where all these negative emotions are coming from.

It is gorgeous, and I love it with all my heart. This is the exact ring I would have picked if he had asked me! But… I don’t understand. There is something… Dark about the ring? Is there any truth to a ring having a memory or perhaps an aura? Is there such a thing as magic or something? I’m not exactly superstitious, but something just isn’t adding up.

I know that doesn’t make any sense! How could an engagement ring be dark? They are the happiest pieces of jewelry out there… Unless the last guy got turned down and that is why he pawned it off.. But something is telling me that is not what happened. I just don’t know…

But until I figure out what is going on with my emotions that are tied to this beautiful ring, I will pretend like everything is perfect. Because it is! Why wouldn’t it be perfect? I have a new fiance, and he is the love of my life! I honestly have never been in love with anyone like this before. That is how I know he is the one! And the fact he picked the perfect ring… What more could I ask for?

“Let me see!” Mom squealed as she saw us approach my childhood home. They were both out waiting on the porch with happy smiles on their faces.

Yes, I still live at home while I am saving money. I have part of a scholarship, but it doesn’t include housing or books, or the expense of living, so I decided to stay with mom and dad while taking courses at the community college. I am not ashamed! I am doing what I can to better myself! Why should I be embarrassed?

I held out my hand for mom, and she grabbed it with both of hers and pulled it closer so she could get a better look. She giggled like a school girl and she moved my hand this way and that, getting the light of the sun to hit it just right.

“Oh! Mark! It’s perfect! Look, James! Our Destiny is already engaged!” mom choked as tears leaked down her cheeks. She looked almost as giddy as I was feeling.

But there was no way her heart was fluttering as fast as mine was. I really was so happy, and was so glad I could share my happiness with my parents!

Dad took Mark's hand and gave him a firm shake. “Congratulations, Mark! You take care of my baby girl!” Dad instructed.

Mark nodded and with all the weight of an army general, solemnly swore, “I promise to make her happy and keep her happy, or die trying!”

“Good man!” Dad broke out in a huge grin and slapped him on the shoulder. He chuckled and pulled Mark into a hug. “Welcome to the family, Mark! We sure are happy to have you!”

“Thanks James. That really means a lot to me!” Mark said, trying to hide his moist eyes, like it was a shame for a man to  have a soft heart. It made me giggle at how silly that was. He was completely allowed to get misty eyed when he was touched!

“Come in, you two!” Mom insisted on pulling us into the kitchen, where it seemed mom had made a cake for the occasion. I loved mom’s cakes! She has her own bakery in town. But how did she know?

“Did you tell them?” I asked with a chuckle.

“Well, I had to ask permission, didn’t I?” Mark said, kissing my temple, pulling me into him. This was perfect. I felt so loved in his arms, and the fact he isn’t afraid to hold me in front of my parents makes me feel pure joy!

The thought of him going to my parents melted my heart even more. He really cared about me and those I care about. Now he is going to be part of our family and he won’t ever feel alone anymore.

“Here you go.  Freshly baked white cake with strawberry filling!” Mom cheered as she cut out two generous servings of cake and set them before us. It was so pretty! It almost looked like a wedding cake! And it would be just like mom to do something like that.

But before I could even lift my fork, the strawberry filling leaked down the beautiful white cake, dripping like blood. The beautiful white was stained and started gushing not filling, but actually blood. It sprayed all over my plate and somehow made it onto my ring.

I looked down at my beautiful ring, now sticky and hot from the blood pumping out of my cake! I was about to throw up. I was going to stand up and scream!

But no one else seemed to be noticing what was going on with my cake. They were chatting about what our wedding plans were. I felt like I was in my own little bubble of horrors.

Something in my gut twisted. This was so wrong!

A moment later, the cake was back to normal. Nothing out of place. It was perfect.

Taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart and steady my shaky nerves, I looked around and still no one had noticed my distress.

Huh! What was all that about? I’m still not sure what happened, but I didn’t want to upset the pleasant atmosphere with my parents and Mark.

I pushed it out of my mind and grabbed my fork and took a forkful of pure heaven!