The Sign

By Donna and Toni

It had been awhile since Philip and Fiona had started "walking out together", and she'd gotten along wonderfully with Derek and Nick on their visit for her to meet his family. He loved her with all his heart, and he knew she loved him, even with his past problems revealed to her as they had been. She'd even helped ease his guilt over them, which he knew Derek and Nick had recognized in the close way the couple laughed and talked when they'd been on their visit. She was strong, and loving, and the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen; and now, it was time for him to let her know how very much he valued her. He bowed his head in prayer, to ask silently for guidance and courage to do so; what he saw when he raised his head again and opened his eyes, though startling, was the surest sign he could have received. He thanked God for His help, and decided to go and visit his lady that very afternoon. 

*****

He found her in her garden, humming softly to herself as she worked; she was so intent on it that she didn't even realize he was there until she heard a soft, "Hello, Fiona. Could ya use some help there?" 

"Is it diggin' in the dirt ye are after, or a chance to steal a wee kiss or two?" she teased. "Aye! If ye are willin'. I'm transplanting some flowers from to these window boxes for me cottage."  

He grinned at her gentle teasing, and was soon kneeling beside her, carefully placing the flowers she chose into the boxes before him, to be carried and secured on her windowsill. As he finished securing the last one, he said, in a puzzled voice, "Fiona, would ya come and look at this here, in this box? There's somethin' very strange goin' on with this dirt." 

He pointed to the flower he had just transplanted. Fiona raised an eyebrow and then looked. There was something there! The end of a golden cord was sticking out of the dirt. "What is this?" she said curiously, reaching in to pull on the cord. She gasped when she saw what was attached to the end of it.  

It was a ring; a white gold, beautifully old-fashioned engagement ring. The solitary stone was no bigger than a half carat, but it shone in its setting on the white gold band like it was trying to show up every bigger ring around. As she stared at the man beside her, speechless, he swallowed, keeping his voice steady, and asked her softly, "Fiona McFadden, I have never loved anyone more than I love you, and I have only one simple thing to ask ya.  Will ya consent to become my wife?" That's it, he congratulated himself; just tell her how you feel, plain and simple. This woman was the most honest one he'd ever known, so it couldn't be any other way. He tried not to show it too much, but he was trembling slightly as he waited for her answer. 

For once, Fiona was speechless, her mouth open in astonishment. She looked at the ring, and then at Philip, who was waiting patiently for her to say something.  Fiona just studied the ring for a moment before taking a corner of the apron she was wearing over her clothes and cleaning the dirt off the ring. "Would ye be after puttin' this on me finger then?" she asked.  

Managing to still the trembling, for the most part, before she saw it in his hands, he just nodded. Then he took the just-cleaned ring, and slid it onto Fiona's left ring finger; both of them looked slightly startled that it fit perfectly, and the only thing he could think of to say was, with a little smile, "It was my grandmother's. I was prayin' at th' church before, and when I looked up at th' cross, this and two other rings were hangin' from it on that golden cord you see there. These two. They belonged to m' grandparents as well." He reached into his pocket and brought out two gleaming, plain white gold wedding bands to show her; they would be their wedding rings, if she consented to it. 

"Jesus, Mary and Patrick!" Fiona gasped, her eyes wide. "Sure that was a sign straight from Himself if ever there was one!" She looked at the ring, smiling at the way it sparkled in the sunlight. "Oh, my love, 'tis beautiful!" Then with a happy laugh she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight, happy tears misting her eyes. 

He held her close for a long moment, tears in his own eyes, as he tried to contain them. Then, he moved his head back just enough to be able to look into her eyes, and felt a warm thrill pass through him at the love he saw in them, just for him. Then he closed his eyes, tilted his head just so, and next moment, his mouth had closed gently over hers in a long and very sweet kiss, and he didn't care who saw them. She was going to be his wife!