Page 18 of Slipperless 5

“Gabe, this is it. This is the one. It’s the most spectacular thing I’ve ever seen, and it’s perfect.”

Relieved, I clapped my hands together in front of my body.

“Terrific! Well, I’m glad we’ve got that behind us.”

I gestured for Mr. Barstow to take the ring from her, but as I did, Holly spoke up once more.

“This is not it, you know.”

I wrinkled my brow at her.

“What you mean? There’s the ring… What else is there?”

“Gabe,” she began, as she removed the ring from her finger and passed it to the jeweler. “Do you mean to tell me that you’re suggesting a marriage without any friends or family whatsoever?”

I shrugged.

“Sure, why not? What’s the big deal?”

“Uh! Well, for starters, it’s a really big deal for a woman. Marriage is all about the bride, you know.”

I nodded at her not-so-subtle innuendo.

“Oh, I see. So what you’re telling me is that unless the wedding has the right people in attendance, why bother?”

“No,” she said, as she shook her head with several defiant snaps. “That’s not what I’m saying at all. What I’m saying is that a marriage is best enjoyed among loved ones… Family, friends, you know.”

“All right,” I replied, with a hint of a challenge in my tone. “So, unless all of those things are present you wouldn’t want to get married?”

Before she could answer, Mr. Barstow leaned in towards me.

“Sir, is this the one you wanted?”

As he finished speaking, he held up the last ring Holly tried on. I looked at him for a moment before turning my gaze towards her again.

Pointing at it, I asked, “This is the one? Isn’t it?”

She smiled and nodded in his direction. “Yes, absolutely. That’s the one.”

I turned back towards the jeweler and said, “You heard the lady. Let’s box that one up.”

Within seconds, I’d written him a check, and after thanking me profusely, Mr. Barstow made his way out of the office, leaving Holly and me alone. As soon as I’d seen him out, I glanced at her. She’d raised her hand to her nose, covering her mouth as she did.

I frowned at her.

“What’s with you? You’re not gonna cry are you?”

She nodded and sniffled for a moment before the deluge began. As I watched her scan my office for some tissue to dry her eyes, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I-It’s not funny, G-Gabe.”

“Well, it may not be, but the way you’re acting is hilarious.”

After finally locating a suitable substitute in a bar napkin, Holly dabbed at her eyes.

“Marriage is a really big deal. Why wouldn’t I be emotional about it? The bigger question is, why aren’t you? I mean, aren’t you at least happy?”

“Yeah, sure, of course I am. But, there’s still a long way to go, so no sense in getting bent out of shape right now.”

“Men,” she grumbled.

I walked towards Holly and as I drew close to her, I reached up and wrapped my fingers around her upper arms. “Are you gonna be okay?”

“Mmm, hmm,” she replied, as she forced a smile through eyes still filled with the remnants of her tears.

“Good.” I replied, as I released her from my grasp. “Now, what was this bit about needing family and friends there?”

“Oh come on, Gabe, don’t be dense,” she said, as her mood turned from joyful sadness to semi-seriousness. “For the last time, getting married without your family or friends present is not something that any bride wants to do. You’re just going to have to take my word for it and listen to me. If you don’t, you’ll be the only one in the ceremony.”

I nodded.

“All right then, fair enough. What do you suggest we do?”

“Well,” she began as she pursed her lips. “How confident are you that your proposal will be accepted?”

“Really?” I said as I gestured towards myself. “Are you serious? What else would the answer be except ‘yes’?”

Holly rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“Very well, since you seem so sure you’re going to get the answer you want, then you need to make sure everything else is taken care of as well.”

“Frankly, Holly, this seems like something that you should handle. Don’t you agree?”

“Me?” she said as she touched her fingers against her chest. “Why would I take care of it?”

“For starters, it was your idea.”

Holly remained silent for a moment as she narrowed her gaze at me.

“You’re really going to make me do this aren’t you? I can see it all over your face.”

---