Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Final Chance ❯ Chapter Fifteen: A Promise to Last ( Chapter 16 )

Disclaimer: Once more, I'm back with another chapter! This one's mushy to, peoples, sorry! I know that the latest chapters have all been full of mush, but that's just the way the story line works! XD Not much action in this fic, sorry to those who were looking forward to some, but this is mainly a romance/fantasy story. That said, enjoy the chapter!

 

Chapter Fifteen: A Promise to Last

 

The little row of shops was quiet, not many people out in the cool air of the February afternoon. Zade strode quickly down the street, his hands shoved into his pockets and his eyes scanning over the signs above the little shops, searching for the correct one. Nathaniel tagged along beside his friend, smiling slightly at the stiff posture of the red heads back. Whereas before December both men would be smirking and winking at the girls that giggled and waved as they walked past, now they both only had one girl on their minds. Finally spotting the correct shop, Zade turned back to look at his accomplice and nodded towards the small jewelry boutique, walking inside with the blonde in tow.

 

Both paused just inside the store, glancing around at the variety of ring cases that lined the walls and floors of the shop, Zade's eyes pausing on the stall containing rings with green stones.

 

“You said Ryleigh's birthstone is emerald, right Nathaniel?” Zade questioned, turning to his friend for assurance. Nathaniel nodded.

 

“Yup, it's emerald alright. Kind of ironic, considering one of her eyes is emerald in colour.” The two men smiled wryly at each other before splitting up, Zade headed over to the emerald display while Nathaniel headed to the opposite side of the shop. Pausing in front of the display case, Zade blocked out the sounds around him and focused on the task at hand; finding a ring perfect for Ryleigh.

 

Though he knew it would've sounded stupid to most people should he tell them, the red head already knew that the blonde girl was the one he wanted to be with for the rest of his life. The fact that their past lives were in love only added to Zade's belief that soul mates did exist, and that he'd found his the day he'd set his eyes on Ryleigh. Just being away from her made him feel anxious; even hanging out with Nathaniel didn't take away his need to have the woman within seeing range, his need to touch her in some way if even just holding her hand.

 

However, Zade knew it was too early to pop the big question; he wasn't ready for that kind of commitment just yet. No, Zade wasn't shopping for an engagement ring today; he was shopping for a promise ring. A present for their two month anniversary to show her that, despite what others may think, she would always be the only girl for him. Finally, Zade's eyes settled on a single ring, placed right in the center of the display case.

 

It was simple, but elegant. The single, marquise cut emerald sat between two small diamonds, the band a simple white gold one with two small openings on either side of the stones. Zade nodded to himself, smirking. The ring definitely screamed Ryleigh.

 

“Can I help you, sir?” Zade glanced at the small woman who had stepped up beside him, her name tag showing she worked there.

 

“Yes, I'd like to purchase that ring,” he indicated the correct ring with a hand gesture, the small woman nodding and stepping forward when he moved to give her room, unlocking the display case and gently lifting the glass. Reaching in, she gently plucked the ring from it's stand and carefully removed closed the casing it, locking it once more before heading over to the cash with Zade in tow.

 

“What size would you like the ring to be?” she asked, typing the price into the cash and waiting for his answer.

 

“Eight,” he replied, thanking Nathaniel for the information as he watched the woman type it into the cash, looking at him when it began to whir.

 

“That's two hundred fifty, please.” Zade whipped out his credit card and gave it to the woman, signing his name when required and taking back the card.

 

“The ring will be ready in roughly five minutes, please feel free to look around some more while you wait.” the red head nodded, watching the woman bustle into the back before turning and looking around for Nathaniel, spotting him near another of the ring cases. Walking over, Zade blinked, then grinned when he noticed exactly what kind of rings his friend was looking at.

 

“Gonna pop the question soon, Nat?” Zade questioned quietly, waggling his eyebrows at his friend suggestively. Nathaniel rolled his eyes, swatting at the red head and grinning.

 

“Thinking about it,” he admitted, lifting the ring higher so Zade could see it properly. “Opinion?”

 

“Nice,” Zade whistled, taking in the pagoda shaped diamond that rested on top of the ring, little beads hanging from it around the solid gold band. “Different; prefect for Kaelyn.”

 

“Glad you agree,” Nathaniel grinned, turning to the cash and heading over with Zade. He gave the woman the ring and paid for it, both males waiting for the two rings to be resized. Finally, the woman re-emerged from behind the counter, handing them each a small ring box and smiling softly at both of them.

 

“The girls those rings are for are very lucky,” she said simply, bidding her two customers farewell as they headed out. Popping his box into his coat pocket, Zade lead Nathaniel back to his car, intent on heading home to quickly change and grab something before heading over to get Ryleigh.

 

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Meanwhile, back at Ryleigh's apartment, Kaelyn was having a hard time keeping herself from bursting out in laughter. Ryleigh was currently rushing around the living room in a mad frenzy, anxiousness written all over her face.

 

“Kaelyn would you stop laughing at me!” she cried, stopping and crossing her arms, pouting slightly.

 

“I-I'm sorry, Ryleigh, b-but you're so amusing…” Kaelyn managed between giggled, smiling innocently up at her friend, “You're worrying way to much, I'm sure Zade won't mind that you didn't get him anything,”

 

“B-b-but Kaelyyyyyyyn! It's our anniversary! I should've gotten him something!” the blunette sighed and stood, moving in front of her panicky friend and gripping her shoulders gently.

 

“Ryleigh, quit freaking out, ok? Zade's not the kind of guy to get upset over you not getting him anything; jeez, that guy's so in love with you just being with you is probably good enough for him,” Ryleigh blushed brightly at her friend's words, pausing to think for a second.

 

Shoulders slumping, she mumbled “I still feel bad for not getting him anything…”

 

Kaelyn simply flashed her friend a sympathetic smile, turning when a knock sounded at the door, “Sounds like they're here.”

 

Moving to the door, Kaelyn swung it open and grinned up at Zade and Nathaniel, both males raising an eyebrow at her.

 

“Evening, Kaelyn, mind I swipe my girlfriend for the evening?” Zade asked smoothly, grinning. Kaelyn nodded, smiling back and grabbing her coat, pushing him inside then heading out to stand beside Nathaniel.

 

“Have fun you two!” she chirped happily, disappearing down the hall with Nathaniel before Zade closed the door softly, removing his shoes and coat before turning to look at his girlfriend. Noticing she was fidgeting slightly, her gaze on the floor, Zade smiled softly, laying the long, flat box he had brought with him on the kitchen table before quickly walking over to her, hooking one hand around her waist while using the other to tip her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

 

“I have something for you, Ryleigh,” he murmured, running his thumb gently along her bottom lip. Tugging her slightly, Zade moved to the couch and sat down, pulling her onto his lap. Wrapping one arm around her stomach to keep her in place, he reached into his pocket with the other and produced the ring box, lifting it in front of her. Ryleigh's eyes widened in surprise, feeling Zade's arm tighten around her.

 

“What…” opening it with shaking fingers, Ryleigh stared at the emerald ring the box held, transfixed, “Zade…”

 

“It's a promise ring,” taking the ring from her and slipping it onto her right ring finger, Zade admired the sight from over Ryleigh's head, “Happy anniversary, Ryleigh.”

 

When she turned in his lap to face him, Zade was surprised to see that, despite the fact that she was smiling, tears had begun to gather in Ryleigh's eyes.

 

“I love,” she whispered, then frowned, “but I didn't get you anything…”

 

Letting out a breath of relief, Zade grinned and, first helping her off his lap, stood and led her to the kitchen, picking up the second box.

 

“That's fine,” he said, turning back to her, “as long as you wear this to dinner tonight,” he pushed the box gently into her hands, kissing her briefly as he did so.

 

Smile returning to her lips and the sparkle returning to her eyes, Ryleigh nodded and scurried off to her bedroom to change, gazing briefly at her ring after closing the door. Smiling wider, she opened the box, rolling her eyes when she saw that, as she had guessed, it was a dress. Stripping, then changing into the light blue, curve hugging dress, Ryleigh fluffed out her hair then headed back out into the kitchen, blushing when Zade's gaze swept over her form.

 

“Beautiful,” he murmured, standing to take her in his arms.

 

“Hmm,” she tapped her chin teasingly, never loosing her smile, “you do like making me wear dresses, don't you?”

 

“Of course, my dear,” he laughed, stepping back to allow her to pull her coat and shoes on, “Now come, we have reservations at that little restaurant you love so much.”

 

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Returning to the apartment late into the night, having spent a wonderfully romantic evening together, Ryleigh and Zade fell into her bed together, still in their dress clothes, drifting off in each others arms.

 

And while they slept, they dreamt for the first time in two weeks; about a romantic and intimate night that their past lives had shared just before the war.

 

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Not much to say for this one, except SQUEEEE!

 

Amariahellcat

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“SQUEEEE” indeed!

 

Snowy