Love Metamorphosis

Chapter 24

                  

"I don't see what the problem is," Jemma said looking over the three rings they had narrowed it down to, "You should just go with your first instinct."

"Don't you think it is a bit gaudy?" Oliver asked looking down at the diamond ring with two sapphire stones and diamond on each side.

"The main diamond is a little big and you said she doesn't really like silver." Jemma pointed out, realizing why he needed her help.

"What about his one?" She said picking up a diamond ring set in a gold band and an engraving on each side ending in a single diamond.

"I don't know if she will like the engravings." Oliver said a half pout on his face, one that only the youngest knew how to do with such perfection.

Giving him a shake of her head she set it down and picked up the last one, "What about the pearl?"

"She loves black, wears it all the time, which is why I thought the black pearl but they have a tendency of popping off and she is always on the go." Oliver explained his hesitation.

"This one then," Jemma said, holding up the black pearl on a white gold band and a diamond on each side, "You can just give her a diamond wedding ring."

"You don't think it is too inexpensive?" Oliver asked taking the ring from her and eyeing it uncertainty.

"If none of these are the right one, we will go somewhere else." Jemma said finally, knowing that if he didn't want, he may never be happy with it.

"This is where I got her Valentines gift and she said she loved the designs here." Oliver informed her, eyeing the ring like it was changing shape and he needed to keep a close eye on it.

"Doesn't mean it is the place for engagement rings." Jemma pointed out, closing the other two ring cases.

"I want it to be, I just need to pick one," he set the pearl down and picked back up the first engagement ring with the sapphires, "Think I will go with my gut."

"Finally! You are worse than most girls!" Jemma said pushing the other two aside and waving the sales person over.

"Well," he said hesitating, "I don't know."

"Yes you do," Jemma said taking the ring box over and pulling him over to the cash register, "Now pull out your card and let's go to lunch."

"I don't know where I would be without you." Oliver said reaching for his wallet.

"Starving that's where," Jemma said laughing as her phone started to ring.

"Yeah, yeah," Oliver retorted handing over the credit card, "You think with all the money I have picking out gifts would be easier."

"Hardly. You could never make up your mind." Jemma retorted, half laughing as she finally locating her phone and pulling out before pushing the answer button, "Hello."

"Jemma?" Mary's voice sounded panicked.

Instantly every inch of her body straightened in worry, and she took a step toward the door, "Mary, what is wrong?" Jemma could hear her start to cry on the other line, and her heart nearly stopped. "Is Eric alright? Did something happen? You're scaring me." She demanded as her hands started shaking.

"Eric's sister, Elizabeth crashed her car in Maryland. Her husband died instantly and she is in critical condition. I needed to call someone. Eric isn't here yet." Her crying intensified and she was hardly able to finish her sentence.

"I can be on a plane in two hours." Jemma said grabbing her brother by the arm and pulling him out of the store and toward his car, "What hospital are you at?"

"No no, you don't need to do that. I just don't know what to do with Adele," Mary's voice got quieter; "She only had a few scratches and keeps asking for her mom. What do I do Jemma?"

"You need to tell her that mommy got an owie and that they are putting bandages on her to make her better. Tell her to color a picture for her or write her a get better card. Anything to keep her mind occupied," Jemma's instinct's kicked in, "does she know about her dad?"

"No, I—" her voice chocked, "I couldn't tell her."

"You are going to have to, how old is she?" Jemma asked, realizing that age played a big factor.

Getting into the car, Oliver silently had them heading toward home as Mary answered, "She is seven."

"She will likely have lost an animal or something or the same caliber, you need to explain that he isn't here anymore. That he went away, not because he wanted to but because he had to." Jemma said calmly, "I can be there in 10 hours."

"I couldn't ask that of you." Mary said her voice shaking.

"You didn't," Jemma said glancing over at Oliver, "I am coming with or without your request. Now what hospital are you at?"

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