Page 85 of Forever Fascinating

“Please don’t freak out,” she urged, feeling her heart hammer in her chest. “I wanted something special to remind us of here, of this moment, and our times together… yet something to ward other people off. I saw it in one of the stores, so I took a chance, and we might have to change them out – or we can return them…”

“Jana, what’s behind your back?” he questioned, looking curious.

Drawing in a deep breath in, she slowly extended her hand towards him, her eyes searching his face as he looked down at her palm, trying to gauge his reaction.

It was a stupid, impulsive thought… but the reasoning behind it was sound – or felt that way to her.

She loved him, despite what may come, and knew that wouldn’t change. Yes, she could be hurt – but she would still care for him deeply… and that would never change.

“What’s that?” he said quietly, his voice unrecognizable.

“Souvenirs?” she replied weakly as her heart skipped a beat.

In her hand lay two cheap, blue silicone bands that said GREECE on them.

She’d seen them the first day and thought it was a silly souvenir, buying her stickers instead, but those little plastic looking rings had lingered, and she realized that they could be like a promise ring to each other…

“Are you asking me… to marry…” he strangled out and she was about to make some arrogant comment, make a joke of the rings, or say anything to lighten the mood, until his eyes met hers.

He was nearly in tears.

His were eyes shining with emotion – causing her to instantly collapse in relief. She let out a choked laugh as she smiled at him, her own tears falling down her cheeks with unfettered joy.

“Maybe things just start off as a simple promise to each other?” she countered, instead.

Stunned, she saw his shaking hand pick up the smaller of the two rings and she almost told him that was for her – only to see him reach for her hand. All the words died on her tongue in that moment.

“I am yours…” he breathed, slipping the bright blue silicone band on her ring finger, looking at her, unmoving. “I want this to work and never want you to give up on me… even if you feel like bashing me upside the head. Just be patient with me and know that I am forever yours, Jana.”

Sniffling, she nodded and smiled at him, knowing it probably looked more like a grimace because she was bawling so hard at this incredibly tender moment that was more than she could have ever expected.

Taking the larger silicone ring in her fingers, nearly dropping it twice from how badly she was shaking, she took his own trembling hand and slid it into place on his ring finger, before meeting his eyes again.

“I am yours,” she breathed, using his words. “…And you are mine, Matthew. I want this to work out between us, and never going anywhere. If things get tough? I will remember these moments and be there to help us along when we struggle… because I am, I will, and always will be yours… forever.”

“I love you,” he breathed, pulling her into his arms and kissing her as if to seal their promises to each other.

They sat there, arms wrapped around each other, silent in the church just needing to be close. A few other tourists came in, looked around, took photos of the ornate paintings, and looked at them curiously a few times, before leaving.

“I’ve got another idea,” she whispered suddenly – and heard him laugh.

“I can’t imagine, darling.”

“I want a photo of us, here, to remember this,” she uttered, reaching for her bag… only to see his phone appear before her. Nodding gratefully, she sat beside him and opened the camera app – before hurriedly wiping her face.

“Stop,” he said tenderly. “You look beautiful, always.”

“You’re biased,” she countered, inordinately pleased with his words and surprised as he held up his hand, showing off the blue ring and smiling at her.

“I might be,” he admitted, smiling at her.

Jana held up her hand, right beside his, and took a photo of their hands alone wearing the matching little bands. She took a few more of them, and she noticed that in each photo… he was making sure that you could see both bands – including the one where he kissed her.

That had to be her favorite.

He leaned in to kiss her, both of them smiling, as he held her hand nearly in front of their faces towards the camera. The camera had focused on the rings, making them blurry in the background, but the word GREECE was sharp and clear.

While the bands had been impulsive and would definitely raise questions with anyone who saw them together, both brandishing them on their ring fingers in almost a mirror image… she couldn’t be happier.

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