Page 113 of Otherwise Engaged

“I doubt that very much.” He folded her close, savoring the soaring happiness. “I’m an engineer, not a poet. But if those words make you happy, I will be glad to repeat them as often as you will let me.”

She looked at him, her eyes brilliant with love. “That sounds like an excellent plan, sir.”

He took the Rose Necklace out of his pocket. The rubies and diamonds blazed in his hand.

“I would take it as a great honor if you would accept this as a symbol of our love,” he said.

Once again he waited.

She looked at the necklace for a long moment. When she raised her eyes he could see the sheen of tears. But she was smiling.

“Yes,” she said. “I will keep it safe.”

It was all she said but it was enough.

She turned around. He fastened the necklace around her throat and then he put his hands on her shoulders to turn her back to face him.

“Once upon a time I gave you a letter to keep safe,” he said.

“And I made you promise that you would survive to deliver it.”

“We kept our word to each other,” he said.

“Yes.” She put her arms around his neck. “That is how it will always be between us.”

The future, lit by the promise of a lifelong love, glowed brighter than the gems in the Rose Necklace.

“Always,” he said.