Ruby Red, The Sequel - The Romance Story Continues (Complete)

Chapter 47

Ali finished adding the cream to her coffee and placed it on the glass tray with Sam's already full mug and the other items she had discovered rummaging in the kitchen. Carefully carrying the tray into the bedroom, she hoped she had been quiet enough to not wake up Sam. She wanted to surprise him with breakfast in bed.

Not as big a surprise as the one Sam had laid on her earlier. When he had asked her to marry him, Ali had not even had to think about her answer. The "yes" popped out and it felt right.

When Ali had divorced Jack, she swore she would never marry again, vowing to protect her independence and not compromise for a man again. Yet here she was a little over a year later, literally jumping at the chance to be a man's wife again.

The difference was this was the chance to be Sam's wife. Before Sam, Ali had not known what it was like to have a true partner in life. Ali had not known love until she met Sam.

Green eyes greeted her as she placed the tray on the bed. "What's this?"

Ali pointed to the collection. "I made...coffee and found some bagels and cream cheese. Breakfast?"

Sam tipped forward and kissed her on the forehead, stroking her cheek. "Perfect." Ali felt little butterflies in her stomach.

"The least I could do for my fiancé."

Sam's thumb stopped its soft caress. Ali felt her heart skip a beat. A tinge of doubt crept into her mind. Had she imagined the proposal?

Swallowing, Ali decided it was irrelevant. If it was only a dream, she would soon rectify the situation.

Pushing a small red box on the tray towards Sam, Ali boldly continued. "At least I hope you'll be my fiancé."

Sam's eyes swivelled between her and the box she was now holding in her hand. Cracking it open, Ali revealed a simple band of thick, smooth silver.

Reaching out, Sam removed the ring and held it between his thumb and finger. "When did you get this?"

It was not quite the reaction Ali had been looking for. She answered him anyway. "A few weeks ago." Not wanting to sour the moment, she hesitated. Their conversation from earlier this morning came to mind and Ali decided to not shy away from the truth. They had to face the pain to move past it. "I was planning on proposing the night I made you dinner."

A shadow filtered across Sam's face. It hurt to see it there. Ali tried to soften the blow. "I had it inscribed."

Sam tilted the band and read the four words etched on the inside of the ring. A slow smile replaced the frown on his face.

When Ali first got the idea to propose to Sam, she scoured through pages and pages of men's rings. She had been looking for something reflecting Sam and her love for him. Intricate designs looked lovely but felt off. She kept coming back to this simple platinum ring. It was honest, unpretentious, uncomplicated. It was Sam.

Still, she wanted it to be unique to him. Something he could treasure and wear to be reminded of her. With this in mind, Ali decided to have a personal message inscribed on the inside, where Sam would feel the loops and stokes of the letters against his skin. Always.

It was not hard to figure out what to write. Four simple words said it all:

I love you more.

Silence hung in the air. Ali broke it. "Sam, will you marry me?"

Sam let out a breath, put the ring on the bed and twisted away from Ali.

Ali blinked. This was not at all how she pictured this going.

Turning back to her, Sam presented his own little box. Opening it revealed an exquisite antique engagement ring. Light glinted off the large center stone and bounced around the smaller ones on each side. It was beautiful.

"I've been wanting to give you this for months. Trying to plan the perfect moment."

Ali's heart began beating rapidly and tears threatened to escape, she was so happy. Sam had indeed asked her to marry him last night. This was proof.

"I don't need perfection, Sam." She gazed into his now glossy green irises.

"Ali. You are the most beautiful, bravest, kindest woman I know. Since the day I met you I have considered myself and my life better for it. You're everything to me. I can't imagine my world without you. I won't. If you will let me, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, loving you. This ring belonged to my grandmother who was married to my grandfather for over 50 years. I want you to wear it longer. Ali, will you marry me?"

"Yes."

Sam slipped the ring onto her finger. Then he picked up his band and handed it to Ali. She took it and reversed the action, placing it on his finger. "And you'll marry me?" Ali repeated.

"You bet I will."