FOREVER BAND
CHAPTER 34
FOREVER BAND
After leaving the boutique, they headed to the restaurant Jeffrey had reserved for lunch.
By the time they stepped back outside into the bright afternoon, almost every major detail of the wedding had been settled. With the menu finalized and the major visual plans in place, only one important task remained for the day: choosing their wedding rings.
Hand in hand, they made their way to a quiet jewelry boutique nearby. The cool, elegant interior glowed beneath soft lighting, velvet display cases showcasing rows of gold, platinum, and diamond bands.
A seasoned jeweler greeted them warmly and led them to a private seating area before placing a velvet tray of wedding bands on the table.
“Take your time,” she said with a welcoming smile. “Finding the band that feels right next to your engagement ring is important.”
Christine immediately picked up a slender platinum band. It was smooth, understated, and practical. “This one’s perfect,” she said, sliding it beside her engagement ring. “It’s clean, timeless, won’t catch on my clothes, and it’s reasonably priced. We don’t need to spend more than this.”
Jeffrey studied the ring for a moment before looking at the jeweler. “Could we see the diamond eternity band from your couture collection? The one with the French pavé setting.”
The jeweler smiled knowingly and disappeared for a moment before returning with a delicate eternity band set with brilliant-cut diamonds that shimmered beneath the boutique lights.
Jeffrey gently slipped the plain platinum band from Christine’s finger and replaced it with the eternity band. The tiny diamonds caught the light, complementing her engagement ring perfectly. She stared at it for a moment. Then her eyes drifted to the price tag. Her eyes widened.
“Jeffrey, absolutely not,” she whispered, pulling her hand back. “That’s nearly four times the price of the plain band. I just need a simple ring.”
“Chris.” He gently took her hand again. “Look at it.”
She reluctantly lowered her gaze.
“It looks like it was made for your engagement ring.”
“The simple one was fine,” she insisted. “A wedding band is a symbol. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, especially after the gown.”
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“A wedding gown is for one day,” Jeffrey said softly. He smiled as he looked at the ring on her finger. “You’ll wear your wedding band every day for the rest of your life.” His thumb brushed lightly across the back of her hand. “I don’t want you settling for something that’s only ‘fine’ when I know what your face looked like the moment you put this one on.”
Christine tried to hold onto her practical argument, but the quiet certainty in his voice made it difficult. “You are terrible with money when it comes to me,” she muttered, though the corners of her mouth were already lifting. “You’re completely spoiling me today.”
Jeffrey chuckled. “I’m investing in something you’ll wear forever.” He turned toward the jeweler. “We’ll take the diamond eternity band.”
Christine let out an exaggerated sigh before leaning her head against his shoulder. “I lost that debate, didn’t I?”
“You never stood a chance,” Jeffrey replied with a grin before kissing the top of her head.
While the jeweler prepared the paperwork, Jeffrey tried on a matte-brushed platinum band of his own. After a few small adjustments, he nodded. “This one’s perfect.”
The jeweler smiled. “Would you like any custom engraving inside the bands?”
Jeffrey glanced at Christine, a playful spark dancing in his eyes.
Christine laughed immediately. “Don’t you dare tell her to engrave ‘No Parsley’ inside our rings, Jeff.”
Jeffrey laughed softly and squeezed her hand. “Just our wedding date… and ‘Jeff & Chris’ inside both.”
The jeweler carefully noted the engraving details before taking their ring sizes and preparing the order forms. While she finalized the paperwork, Jeffrey handed over his credit card without hesitation. Christine watched him for a moment before smiling quietly to herself.
A few minutes later, the jeweler returned the card along with the receipt. “Congratulations to both of you,” she said warmly. “Your rings will be engraved, sized, and ready for pickup in a few weeks.”
“Thank you,” Christine replied with a smile.
Jeffrey slipped the paperwork safely into his jacket pocket before taking Christine’s hand once more. Together, they stepped back into the warm afternoon sunlight. The city bustled around them, but neither of them paid much attention.
“Dress finalized,” Jeffrey said, smiling down at her. “Suit bought. Rings locked in.”
Christine smiled. “That’s everything.”
Jeffrey looked at her for a second. “Not quite.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“We still have to get married.”
She laughed, the sound bright and effortless. “I guess that’s the important part.”
Jeffrey stopped walking and turned toward her. Gently, he lifted her hand and traced his thumb across the engagement ring resting on her finger—the ring that would soon sit beside her wedding band.
“It’s really happening, Chris,” he said quietly. He kissed her forehead. “And I can’t wait.”
Three weeks later.
They stood together by the living room window as the quiet hum of the city drifted up from below. Night had settled over the skyline, and the lights beyond the glass shimmered against the darkness. Jeffrey rested his chin gently on top of her head, holding her close as they swayed almost absentmindedly in the warmth of the condo.
“Only three more weeks,” he murmured. “Next time we’re standing together like this, you’ll be wearing that eternity band.”
Christine looked down at her engagement ring, tracing the smooth band with her thumb. In her mind, she could already see the white peonies lining the aisle, their families gathered together, and Jeffrey waiting for her at the altar in his midnight blue suit. All the doubts she once carried had quietly disappeared. Only certainty remained.
“Three more weeks,” she echoed softly. She lifted her gaze to meet his, a slow smile spreading across her face. “I’m ready, Jeff.”
Jeffrey smiled back. His thumb brushed gently across her cheek. “Me too, Chris,” he whispered.