[christmas eve]

[lost_boy]

It was Christmas Eve and I was fairly certain I was going out of my mind with anxiety and excitement.

I had told Eddie we were just going to Kagura for dinner. Earlier in the day, I had gone up without him, checked in, and I had taken our bags, the ones I packed the night before without him noticing. In my own bag was the ring I had settled on, the ring that had jumped out at me long before I expected it would have. In early November, I had promised myself I was just looking. Waiting for the right ring.

By the first of December, I had found it.

It was simple, beautifully polished wood. Simple, but personal. In the end, I hadn't even found it in a jewelry store, but at a small Christmas market, where people were selling their handmade items. This ring was the only one like it, the swirls of the wood making it completely unique. And it felt right.

But our bags and the ring were all waiting in our room. Right now, as we entered Kagura, Eddie only thought we were coming for dinner.

And we were. We could order room service if we wanted to. I expected we would. Maybe even champagne. As we approached the front doors, Eddie's hand in mine, I was glad all over again that I had carefully saved and budgeted for this. I wanted it to be special and I didn't want either of us to have to worry about anything.

Comments

[eddie_spaghetti]

Eddie was certain he'd swallowed his tongue. He nodded, dumbly, staring down at the ring and listening to the blood rush in his own ears.

"Yeah, sure. Okay," he finally squeaked out, smiling dazedly.

[lost_boy]

For some reason, I hadn't considered this part. I hadn't considered the yes. Suddenly I wished I had gone down on one knee, like I'd seen on TV, because my legs were shaking and I was a little worried they were going to give out. If I was on one knee, at least I would be close to the ground if I fainted.

"Okay," I echoed, breathless and in awe. My feet started to move on their own, taking me closer to Eddie, still holding the ring box in front of me, as if I needed to lead with it.

"Do you like the ring?" I asked.

[eddie_spaghetti]

"Oh, shit! Yeah, I love it. It's great. What is this, wood?"

What were you supposed to say when your boyfriend gave you an engagement ring, when you'd never considered the possibility of actually wearing them before? Was it bad that he just hoped that the band didn't give him eczema?

[lost_boy]

"Uh-huh," I answered, grinning, as I plucked the ring from the box. "I got a wood ring, the woman who made it said because it's a natural material it wouldn't cause any allergic reactions like some metals can."

My hands were shaking. I could see it now that I was holding the ring, it was trembling between my fingers.

"Can I put it on for you?" I asked.

[eddie_spaghetti]

"Fuck, I love you," he said breathlessly, throwing his arms impulsively around Jamie's neck, his chest aching and his throat tightening.

Holy fuck, he thought he might actually cry. What an asshole.

"Yeah, okay. Fine. Do it," he said, pulling back and shoving his hand in Jamie's face.

[lost_boy]

I held onto Eddie, my arms tight around his waist, my face pressed into his neck as I laughed and whispered, "I love you."

Then he was pulling back, his hand in my face and I said, still laughing, "Stop waving it around, I only have one hand to work with here." But I put the curve of my hook gently under his palm, holding his hand still as I slid the ring onto his ring finger.

I was definitely relieved when it actually fit.

[eddie_spaghetti]

"I'm not waving it around," Eddie protested, while waving his hand around. Finally composing himself, he drew in a breath and let Jamie slide the ring onto his finger.

"Holy shit," he breathed, looking down at it, a little bug-eyed.

[lost_boy]

"Holy shit," I agreed, staring down at the ring as well before I cupped Eddie's hand between my wrists, careful with my hook, and kissed him. I loved him so much. This didn't need to happen tomorrow or next month or even next year, but I still knew it would.

That sent thrills of pleasure and excitement and emotion down my spine. I was shaking a little, my adrenaline having shot up as high as it had ever been, I thought.