AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If God wants us to be together, we’ll be together. Ring or no ring.”
“I know, but would you be willing to wear these couple’s rings?” When Maggie looked stunned, Levi continued speaking. “If you don’t like these, we can go back to Tiffany’s together and get something you like.”
“They’re beautiful. I would’ve picked this ring myself.”
Levi’s face changed from nervous to relieved. “Since a wedding ring goes on the left ring finger, how about we wear our couple’s promise rings on our right ring finger?”
Maggie lifted her right hand.
Levi slid the promise ring onto Maggie’s right ring finger. “Looks a bit loose. We’ll get it adjusted.”
He handed his ring to Maggie. She put it on his right ring finger. Of course, it fit perfectly. “How did you decide on these rings?”
“I bought them a couple of days after we discussed buying this house,” Levi explained. “At first, I thought we should go together to Phipps Plaza, but I didn’t want to put you on the spot. Then I thought I could give it to you as a Christmas present. You could say no.”
“I love it.” Maggie lifted her right hand in the sun that had risen further in the sky, shining through the windows and spotlighting the sparkle in the ring.
She rested her head on Levi’s shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her. They said nothing for a while.
Maggie felt bad that Levi had bought her all these things for Christmas. Her hand absentmindedly caressed his chin, where he’d trimmed his beard neatly, a contrast to his mop of curly hair. With her own hair straight as a fiddle, she wondered what kind of hair their kids would inherit…
She sniffled a little.
Levi looked into her eyes. “Did I do something wrong?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did I surprise you too much today?”
Maggie shook her head. “Just felt a little lopsided, is all. You brought me a tabletop Christmas tree for this empty house, you baked me cookies to take to the Christmas luncheon, you donated two thousand dollars to missions, and now you bought these expensive couple’s rings.”
“Actually I forgot the jar of peaches I wanted to get for you from the Village bazaar.”
“I love those. I can buy them myself next week. The Christmas Village goes on until January.”
“Maybe they should have a permanent store, you know, that sells souvenirs and craft products year round. Some sort of a general store,” Levi said.
“Good idea. I’ll mention that to Bina the next time I see her. Will credit you, of course, for the idea.”
Levi kissed Maggie’s forehead.
“Anyway, my point is that you gave me so much for Christmas, but all I got for you was a gift card.” She pointed to the card that was still on the breakfast counter.
She could say that her excuse was that she had to pack up forty years of Jacobs family possessions in this house and had no time to shop for presents. The only thing she had done was to buy a knitted crossbody bag for Mom. As for Dad and Malachi, they were both getting gift cards.
“You chose me.” Levi held Maggie’s hands. “That’s the best Christmas present you can give me. It’s priceless. I ask for nothing else.”
“You chose me too.” Maggie’s voice was quiet.
She hadn’t expected Levi to reciprocate her love at all, so she was only prepared to be alone this Christmas—which was supposed to be her last one in Atlanta.
Now everything was different.
God had dramatically changed the direction of her life, and she was back to where she had started: Atlanta. All her plans for moving out of state and starting over had gone out the window.
Yet it felt like she was starting anew. God’s better plan for her career and ministry would be more suitable for her skillset. And His choice of man for her was the one she had secretly loved for a year.
What more could she ask for?
