Chapter 298: Perfect Symbols
** Harper **
It was a gorgeous ring. The jewelry box had come with a built-in light, and the bright glow reflected brilliantly off of the beauty on Harper’s finger, dazzling her eyes.
The heart-shaped diamond was beautiful and enormous, though what caught her attention even more was the design around it, unique and unlike anything she had seen before. Surrounding the central stone were two bands of pavé emeralds, shaped into mirroring patterns that resembled two clasped hands holding the centerpiece in place. At the top of the large diamond was an impossibly fine filigree styled into a crown, encrusted with more tiny diamonds, and the whole ensemble sparkled in mesmerizing colors against the intricate threads of white gold, even more gloriously than the stars above them.
"This is ... a Claddagh ring?" Harper asked, immediately reminded of the classic Irish symbol. Then she reconsidered. It wasn’t exactly like it though ... The resemblance was obvious, but this design was much more abstract and stylistic, like a piece of impressionist art invoking the same feeling but far more subtly and artistically.
"It’s a tribute to its meanings, yes. And a small nod to your family heritage." Eli smiled, looking a little ... sheepish? "I wanted a design that symbolizes love, friendship, and loyalty, so I thought this was a fitting idea to start with. Apparently the jeweler thought that my original sketch was way too ugly though, and he changed a lot of the details ..."
"Wait, you sketched this?" Harper’s eyes widened once more. "You designed the ring for me?"
"Um ... s-sort of, in a way ... Do you like it?"
"Like it?? I love it! It’s absolutely perfect!!" Harper gasped, and the already gorgeous ring suddenly looked even more stunning on her finger now that she knew its precious origin. "Argh, you’re going to make me cry again. This is unbelievable ... How are you even real, Eli?"
She heard him sigh in relief again as she hugged him once more, and at that moment, her heart felt so full of pure and tender happiness that she wondered if it might burst. Burying her face into the crook of his neck, she smiled so wide that her cheeks were starting to hurt.
She didn’t let go for a long, long time ... until the ring box apparently hit a timer, and the light glowing around them turned off.
"..." For the Nth time tonight, Eli looked immensely embarrassed. "I should’ve asked for a user manual," he murmured when the darkened box snapped them out of their blissful trance, ending their embrace.
"Well, I think it’s my fault for not remembering to say yes sooner ... Pretty sure something tragic is supposed to happen if the box stays lit for longer than this." Harper chuckled, reaching for his hand with hers and lacing their fingers together, making sure that he could feel her ring right against his touch. Then she kissed him, and the lingering kiss went on and on for another long while ... until both of them were out of breath.