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“Plus, living in an apartment like yours is going to make me absolutely insufferable.”
“You’ve never even seen my apartment.”
“I don’t need to. I can see it now: crystal chandeliers, floor to ceiling windows, a winding staircase, verandas overlooking Central Park, a kitchen for show, and a kitchen where your staff cooks for you. I can’t wait.”
“Only some of that is right,” I muttered under my breath.
Skye laughed and picked up a raspberry and popped it into her mouth. When she smiled again, her teeth were a bit red, and for some reason, that moment made me realize that I was making the right decision, as if I needed any further confirmation.
Skye returnedto her family’s chalet a while later, leaving me and the girls ready to embark on our secret plan. Of course, they were young children, so I couldn’t trust them to keep a real secret, but they knew we were going on a bit of an adventure.
We trekked to the main lodge of the resort, and hopped into a car I had hired to take us to the closest town. It was a bit of a drive, but I knew it would be worth it. I wanted Skye to come with us, but my secret plan required she be kept in the dark.
The girls bickered and pestered each other as we drove, but as soon as we made it to the village, their eyes lit up with wonder. In the center of the square was a giant Christmas tree, covered in twinkling lights and tinkling ornaments. Behind it was a carousel they rode at least five times, and a playground that they would have spent all day on if I had let them.
They got their wiggles out and had their fun before I made them follow me into store after store, looking for just the right thing. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was looking for, but I kept telling myself I would know it when I saw it.
After a couple hours of searching, I was getting frustrated, and the girls were getting impatient. We headed out into the cold and walked a short distance to a cafe that came highly recommended by the locals. We ordered soups and sandwiches, alongside the best hot cocoa I had ever had.
As we sat under the heater of the cafe’s patio, something across the street caught my eye. There was a small shop I had somehow overlooked, and the window in the front displayed countless glittering and sparkling bits of jewelry. I was certain the store hadn’t been there before, but I figured I must be a bit delusional, or tired, or something.
We finished our meal and I grabbed the girls by their hands and pulled them across the street before they had time to argue.
“Daddy, I’m bored.”
“I’m tired.”
“Can we go back yet?”
“I want to go on the carousel again.”
“Girls, this is our last stop, and then I promise we can go on the carousel or do whatever it is you want to do. I just need you to be patient for a few more minutes.”
They sighed, but didn’t argue, and I was once again grateful I had such lovely daughters. As we approached the store, I knew I had found what I was looking for. In the window was row after row of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
In the corner, I immediately saw the one I wanted. It was a small silver ring with an oval-shaped emerald in the center. It was surrounded by tiny diamonds, each one glittering and glinting in the sunlight. The girls followed me into the shop, bewildered by all of the fancy things.
“Please don’t touch anything,” I whispered as I made my way to the shopkeeper.
“Guten Tag," the jolly man said with a smile.
“Is that Santa?” Cora whispered, pointing up to him.
He had a rather round belly, a white beard, and a red cap on, so I could understand her question, but I was still a bit embarrassed by it. I wasn’t going to let it deter me, however. I smiled at the man, prepared to show off my lack-luster German skills, but he beat me to the punch.
“I do look like Santa, don’t I?” he said to Cora in a thick accent.
She grabbed my leg and hid behind it, suddenly feeling uncharacteristically shy.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“How can I help you today?”
“I would like to buy that emerald ring in the window.”
“Oh, a beautiful choice. Are you buying for someone special?”
“Uh, yeah, actually. I’m going to use it to propose.”
