Page 42 of Forecasting the Forward

“Great,” I reply, standing to go see what rings are available. Becca follows behind me, and we pick out simple silver bands.

The ceremony is a trip. Why do all Elvis impersonators pick the period of his life where everything is bedazzled and he wears those awful looking oversized sunglasses? Why don’t they feature him when he first began his career. Or when he was in the military. How about the time right before he died when he was overweight and miserable? Nope. We all get Elvis with the bell bottoms from the late sixties.

“Repeat after me,” Elvis says to me. “I take you, Becca Stephens.”

Looking deep into Becca’s eyes, I feel my world tilt. This isn’t just to help her out. It’s not me just being a good guy. I believe wholeheartedly that this is my forever. “I take you, Becca Stephens.”

“To be my wife, for better or worse.”

Becca inhales sharply as I continue. “To be my wife, for better or worse.”

“For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.”

“For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.” A sheen of tears covers Becca’s eyes.

“To love and to cherish, until death do us part.”

I squeeze her hand as I slide the silver band onto her ring finger. “To love and to cherish, until death do us part.”

Becca repeats the vows to me, and the reverence I hear in her voice is like a balm to my soul. I think she knows this is more. I have no doubt she’ll fight me, assuming I want something different for my future. No, darlin’. All I want is you.

“By the power vested in me by the great state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Lay one on her, man.”

Grinning, I pull Becca into my arms and kiss the hell out of my wife.

Quickly heading backto the hotel to get our suitcases, I Google jewelry stores. I’ll be damned if my wife is going to wear a simple wedding band. Frankly, I want her to wear the biggest fucking rock I can find that lets everyone out there know that she’s spoken for. I know it sounds medieval of me, but there’s something about Becca that makes me feral.

“Why are we stopping?” Becca asks a little while later. Her eyes zero in on the jewelry store sign. “Jacob, no. This ring is fine. I don’t need anything else.”

“Youmay not need it, butIdo.”

“You need a different wedding band?”

“No, I need you to get another ring,” I tell her, before turning to the taxi driver. “Keep the meter running. I’ll pay for it.”

“I know you will. You’ve got the money,” the driver answers with a chuckle. “I watch hockey, and I know how much your last contract is worth.”

Shaking my head in amusement, I help Becca out of the cab and quickly walk into the store. “Where are your engagement rings?”

A speechless employee points in the direction of a case of diamonds. I pull Becca toward the case as I peruse the options. “No, those aren’t big enough. Nope. She doesn’t like gold. Marquis is a weird shape. Oh, this cushion cut is nice. Can she try it on?”

“How did you know I don’t like gold?” Becca whispers, her eyes wide.

“You never wear gold. I’ve seen you in different silver necklaces, some silver earrings, but never gold. And before you ask how I know all of this, I’ll admit I may have done a little Internet stalking of your social media posts. How many carats is this?”

“It’s a little over two carats, sir,” the woman says. I study Becca’s reaction to the ring, and watch as her eyes keep darting to another ring. The stunning ring has a sign next to it saying it’s a custom design by some famous jeweler I’ve never heard of before.

“Let’s try a different one, baby,” I say quietly, as I carefully take the ring off.

“Okay,” she replies, her eyes still on the other ring.

“I think this one is a good one,” the woman says, also aware of what Becca is looking at. “The center diamond is just at two and a half carats, but the band holds another carat in pavé diamonds. I think it’ll work perfectly with your wedding band.”

I take the ring out of her hands and slowly slide it onto Becca’s finger. Her hand trembles ever so slightly as she stares at the ring. “It’s so beautiful.”

“Yes, she is,” I murmur, my eyes on Becca’s face.

“It’s a lovely choice,” the salesperson says. “Will you be purchasing today? I can get the ring shined up for you.”

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