Forever Too Far

looking pearl ring. The silver band it was on was elegant and engraved. I held it up to see the engraving. It said, “My love” in it. That too was old. Not something Rush had done.
         A small note lay tucked beside it. I picked it up and opened it.
       Blaire,
          This was my grandmother’s. My father’s mother. She came to visit me before she passed away. I have fond memories of her visits and when she passed on she left this ring to me. In her will I was told to give it to the woman who completes me. She said it was given to her by my grandfather who passed away when my dad was just a baby but that she’d never loved another the way she’d loved him. He was her heart. You are mine.
    This is your something old.
    I love you,
    Rush
         I sniffed and Bethy did too. I glanced over at her and she was beside me reading the note. “Damn, who knew Rush Finlay could be so romantic,” she said and sniffed again.
          I knew. He’d shown me that more than once. I slipped the ring on my right hand and it fit perfectly. I figured this was not a coincidence. Smiling , I looked over at Bethy. “Thank you for everything,” I told her.
         She hugged me and nodded. “I should be thanking you. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.” Before I could say more she ducked out of the room with a final wave.
         I turned to look into the mirror to study myself. The pearl colored satin gathered over my breasts stayed up without straps thanks to my pregnant cup size. The waistline was high and right under my breasts and was covered in a million tiny pearls. Over the satin was a layer of chiffon that hung loosely in an A line until it hit a few inches above my knees. I’d chosen to go barefoot since I had to walk on the sand. My toenails had been painted a pale pink to match the rose petals scattered on the aisle.
         A knock on the door startled me and I turned to see Harlow step into the room. She was holding a small box. “You look like a princess,” she said , smiling.
         “Thank you,” I replied. I felt like one.
         “I have something from Rush. He wanted to be the one to supply your something new,” she said and handed me the small gift. “I’d leave but I think you’ll need my help.”
         I took the box and opened it quickly , excited to see what it was he had sent up here to me this time. Nestled inside was a delicate gold chain with several diamonds cut in the exact shape of my ring but much smaller. I held the anklet up and the sun coming through the windows caught the diamonds and danced around the room.
         “I’ll put it on you,” Harlow said and I laid the anklet in her hand then she fastened it around my ankle.
         I’d told Rush that I felt like I needed something on my feet but that I couldn’t imagine walking across the sand in shoes. This was his answer to that. I smiled and thanked Harlow.
        “You’re welcome. It’s beautiful on you,” she said before leaving the room just as quietly as she had entered.
         I looked down at my ankle in the mirror to admire it when another knock on the door came. A familiar face that I hadn’t been expecting at all smiled at me and I rushed over to hug Granny Q. I hadn’t invited Granny Q because I was worried that Rush would be upset about Cain being here. I knew he’d be the one to drive his grandmother and I couldn’t not invite Cain too. Tears stung my eyes as she squeezed me.
          “I can’t believe you’re here . I can’t believe you drove this far,” I gushed.
         She patted my back and chuckled. “Well , I didn’t drive. That man of yours sent me and Cain plane tickets. First class. I’ve never been so pampered in my life. Was an experience, I tell ya.” If I didn’t already love Rush Finlay with every fiber of my being then I’d love him more for this. But he had all of me.
         “Now don’t you go to blubbering on me and mess up that makeup. You look like your momma. Just like her. Don’t think yo ur daddy could be happier than he is right now. I’m not supposed to come up here and make you cry. I’m here to give you something from Rush. He wanted to be the one to give you your something borrowed.”
         The silly smile on my face couldn’t be helped. He was sending me another gift. She handed me a small box wrapped just like the one that Harlow had brought. I took it and unwrapped it quickly.