Page 26 of #Beautiful

I look up at their soft smiles and nod. At least they’re reassuring me that I’m doing the right things when Lena has these episodes. It’s quiet for a bit as we drink our coffees, my mom reading her book and my dad the newspaper. This has been their routine when they’re home together for as long as I can remember. It’s six in the morning, though, and the sun isn’t even awake, so I’m kinda pissed that I am. Lena was so emotionally exhausted after her episode yesterday that I ended up tucking her into bed right after. She was asleep before six in the evening and is still sleeping. I crashed not long after she did, but I’ve been awake since four.

My parents found me down here about thirty minutes ago as I was brewing the second pot of coffee. Thankfully, I only have one thing on my agenda today— buy Lena a ring. I’ve got less than a week before Christmas, and I still haven’t decided if I’m going to propose at the Christmas Eve party or Christmas Day. . .and that really comes down to whether I do it in front of a crowd or privately. I think it’s something I might just have to wait and see how the party goes.

Draining my cup, I stand and head over to rinse it and set it in the dishwasher.

“Where are you heading this early?” The tone in Dad’s voice makes me turn instead of leaving the kitchen, my eyes narrowing.

“What makes you think I’m heading anywhere?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” he says with a shrug, not looking up from his newspaper, so I turn toward the hall again. “Lena’s father did call last night and mention something about marriage or maybe murder, I don’t know. Honey, do you remember?” He glances at my mother as he closes and sets his paper down.

My mom pretends to be thinking before her mouth popping open. “Pretty sure he said murder.”

I can’t help but chuckle as I walk back over and flop down in my seat across from them. “Yes, I called him to get his blessing to ask Lena to marry me. Why are we making a big show of it?”

“You could have told us, kiddo,” Dad says with a tilt of his head.

“I didn’t think that was part of the tradition,” I say with another laugh, “and Lena doesn’t even know. Like we haven’t really had the full marriage discussion.”

Mom and Dad glance at each other, then back to me, Mom resting her fingers on my hand. “You sure that isn’t something you should do before buying a ring?”

I shake my head before her sentence is finished. “Doesn’t matter. Lena could tell me that she never wants kids, wants to move to Guam, and raise goats— and I’d follow her without hesitating.”

They’re quiet for a second, until my dad chuckles. “Port’s Fineries opens at seven. Tell them you’re my son, and ask to speak with Justina.”

A smile takes over my face, and I stand again, leaning over the table to kiss Mom’s cheek. I don’t know who Justina is, but I know the store. It’s the top jewelry seller in Lakeview, and also where I know Dad bought Mom’s engagement ring over twenty years ago. Unlike most politician’s wives, though, my mother has never “upgraded” her ring. Dad bought that before becoming a big name in politics, before the wealth and big house. I think that’s why it means so much to her.

Quietly, I head to my bedroom, trying not to make any noise as I open the door. Lena is still asleep, sprawled in the middle of the bed. Going to my private bathroom, I use the secondary door to get into my walk-in closet and grab jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. After getting dressed, I grab my wallet and keys off my dresser, and kiss Lena softly on the head. She hums in her sleep, burrowing further into my pillow.

As I head out of the house, I psych myself out a bit on the drive, trying to decide on what kind of ring to get her. I’ve had a credit card forever, thanks to Dad but never used it for more than gas. This is the first real purchase I’m making and might be the most important one to date. It’s literally the only thought that fills my head on the twenty minute ride, and when I pull up, the store is just opening.

Heading inside, the ambiance of this place is even fancier than I’m used to. Plush carpets in a deep chocolate, the walls a soft beige. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting beautiful light patterns on the walls and floors. For a moment, I just kinda stare around the room, the light flickering off the dozens of glass display cases throughout the vast space.

“Good morning, sir. Welcome to Port’s. How can we assist you today?”

I look up and meet the eyes of a guy in a full suit that’s probably a little older than me, smiling as he stands with his hands clasped in front of him. “I’m looking for Justina.”

He smiles and turns, gesturing into the store. “Of course, come this way and I’ll let her know you’re here. Can I give her your name?”

“Declan Harp,” I say, still glancing around the room. “She was recommended by my father.”

“Well, my, my,” a soft but stern female says, grabbing my attention.

Looking to my right, there is an elderly woman coming out of a backroom, wearing a suit as well, her make-up and hair done to perfection. She looks like the most sophisticated grandmother I’ve ever seen.

“You are a spitting image of your father if there ever was one.”

I smile and walk toward her, tilting my head in greeting. “You must be Justina.”

“The one and only,” she says with a wink, “and whatever you’re looking for must be important if your father sent you to me.”

I swallow hard, my nerves finally showing. “I’m looking for an engagement ring.”

She points her finger in the air with a wink. “Ah, my specialty. Come. Tell me about the lucky young woman.”

“With all due respect,” I say as we walk toward the far end of the showroom. “I’m the lucky one in this situation.”

Justina moves behind a large glass display, resting her hands on the metal frame but not touching the glass top itself. “She’s unique then?”

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