Page 336 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“You’re not?” Alex’s brows shot up.

“Is that okay?”

“Of course. I’m thrilled.” He gave her a half-smile. “Though it does overwhelm me a bit that you trust me so much. But in a good way,” he added quickly. He held a strawberry by the stem and held it out to her. “Eat. I have more diamonds to buy you.”

Anna giggled and leaned forward to take a bite of the juicy fruit.

“Do you like this one, Alex?”

“Anna, I want you to pick it out. I want it to be from you.”

“But I don’t know what you like.”

“I will like anything you pick out.”

Anna stuck out her lower lip. “You are very stubborn.”

Vati laughed. “You are just learning this, Liebling?”

Anna narrowed her eyes, though they sparkled with happiness. “You could have warned me.”

“Would it have mattered?” Vati asked, still laughing.

“No.” Anna wrapped her arms around Alex’s waist and rested her head on his chest. She sighed. “I like that our German rings match. I want our American rings to match, too.”

“Schatzi, American rings are different. Men’s and women’s rings are very different.” He paused. “If you want, I will show you the one I picked out for you. Would that help?”

“Yes.” She grinned up at him.

Alex was finding Anna almost as stubborn as himself, though differently. She wanted to please him, which he loved. But he wanted the ring she picked out for him to be from her, not just something he liked.

He turned to the shopkeeper, Jakob, and spoke in German. “Will you please get my wife’s ring so she can see it?” Jakob nodded and disappeared into the back of the store, returning a few minutes later with a small box, which he presented to Alex. “Thank you.”

Alex opened the box and handed it to his precious wife. Her eyes widened at the sight of the band of round diamonds. He had specially ordered it so that each diamond was of the highest quality and sparkled like her engagement ring. The main diamond of the engagement ring was just over one and a half karats and considered as perfect a diamond as could be found. Colorless, flawless, and perfectly cut. Anything larger wouldn’t have been as high of quality.

“Oh, Alex,” she said breathlessly. “It’s beautiful.”

“Just like you.” He kissed the top of her head. She was so small next to him, it was the easiest place to kiss her. Plus, her hair was like silk and smelled delicious. Vanilla and raspberries. “Is that enough to help you pick something out?”

Her eyes were wide as she looked up at him. “I just want to make sure you like it.”

“Anna, I told you. Anything you pick out, I will love because it is from you.”

Anna did a circuit of the men’s wedding rings again. This wasn’t a large store, but it had very good quality jewelry. And the owner could be trusted.

“What about that one?” She pointed to a thick platinum band with round diamonds inlaid around the entire band.

Jakob took it out of the case and handed it to Alex. It was heavy and well made. It would also complement her ring very nicely.

Alex smiled at Anna. “I like it.” She had good taste.

“Really? You’re not just saying that?”

“Yes, Anna. I like it. I like it a lot.”

She grinned and her eyes sparkled. “I thought it was like a guy’s version of mine.”

He cupped her cheek. “I thought the same thing.” He kissed her and then looked at Jakob. “How long would it take to come in my size?” he asked in German.

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