Chapter 20

Since Christmas was coming up, I figured it was the perfect time to ask Lexie to marry me. She was an amazing woman and my best friend. I wanted to spend my life with her and give her everything that I was able to.

It was right before Thanksgiving when I stopped by her parent’s home one evening. She was working nights, so it gave me the perfect time to meet with them behind her back. I was sitting in the living room with Jim and Jennifer Thomas when we were finished with small talk.

“The reason I stopped by tonight is ... um well, I want to ask your permission to marry your daughter.” I said, looking at Jim Thomas.

Jennifer Thomas leaped out from her seat and ran over to me wrapping her arms around my neck. Jim Thomas sat forward and extended his hand which I shook firmly.

“Yes, you may marry my daughter. I think you’re a wonderful young man.” he said, tears in his eyes.

After that, we talked about the engagement which I informed them I would give her the ring on Christmas day as a gift. They both thought that was a wonderful idea and I convinced Jennifer to help me pick out an engagement ring. We decided to begin shopping the following week when Lexie was working days.

The following week, I picked Jennifer up and she suggested we start at a retail jewelry store in the mall. I was skeptical but I knew little about jewelry, so I agreed. After looking at the rings they had available, I did not see anything that really stood out. Jennifer suggested a couple of rings, but they were really small. The saleslady told me that if I wanted something high end, I should go to Martin’s Jewelry down the parkway.

We took her advice and thirty minutes later pulled up in front of Martin’s Jewelry. We walked in and a very attractive young woman came up and asked me if I needed help. I told her I was in the market for an engagement ring for my girlfriend. She looked at Jennifer then smiled asking us to follow her.

We went to a huge twelve-foot display case that had at least two hundred rings in it. She asked me what I wanted to spend on the ring. I told her I wanted something nice, so we moved to the middle of the case. I was looking at several rings and continued to move to my left. The more left I went the higher the price became. I was scanning the case as Jennifer was explaining to the woman the ring was for her daughter. I was maybe six feet from the end of the case when I saw it.

“Right here, this one.” I stated.

The woman moved over to me and opened the back of the case pulling out the ring I had chosen. He handed to me as Jennifer walked up.

“This is a Halo ring designed by Neil Lane. It’s a three-carat total weight in twenty carat white gold.” she stated.

“What do you think, Jen?” I asked, handing her the ring.

“What do I think ... I think you’re crazy. It’s beautiful but it has to be expensive.” she said softly.

“That ring is ten thousand five hundred dollars. We do have the matching wedding bands for this as well for twenty-seven hundred.” she stated.

“Holy crap...” Jennifer laughed.

“I’ll take it.’, I quickly replied.

“What does your fiancé do for a living?” the woman asked.

“She’s a police officer.” I answered.

“Oh wow ... that’s interesting. Are you a cop as well?” she asked.

“No ma’am. I work at Powerhouse Fitness as an instructor.” I responded.

“I guess I should have known looking at you.” the woman giggled.

Jennifer was still looking at the ring in amazement then finally set it back down on the counter. She turned to me and hugged me like she was drowning with tears in her eyes. She finally let go and stepped away.

“I could not have asked for a better man to marry my daughter.” she smiled, holding my hand.

I informed the woman I would take the ring and pulled my checkbook from my back pocket. She asked about the ring size and Jennifer mentioned that Lexie had the same ring size that she did. So, the woman measured Jennifer and recorded the ring size. She then turned to me and asked me a question I had not thought of.

“Is your fiancé active on the street during her shifts?” she asked.

“Yes, she patrols in the second district.” I answered.

“Well, I’m just thinking that this ring might be a little much to wear on a daily basis with her job. Also, I noticed that most officer wear gloves ... That might be a problem as well.” she stated.

“I never thought about that...” I replied, a monkey wrench thrown in my plan.

“You know, you could buy the wedding band now and she could choose to wear that on duty. It could serve as an engagement ring.” she commented.

“That’s a good idea ... go ahead and add the wedding bands”, I said.

The woman showed me the wedding bands and measured me for mine as well. With tax and sizing the total came to eleven thousand nine hundred dollars or so. It was the biggest check I had ever wrote in my young life. I agreed to pick up the rings in ten days or so.

On the way back to drop Jennifer off, I asked her if Lexie had made any remarks about things she may need. I still had to get her a Christmas present or two. Jennifer had no idea so I would have to try and pry it out of Lexie. I dropped Jennifer off and made my way to the gym to teach my afternoon class. I was in the middle of my work out that evening when Lexie came in to work out.

Lexie started cardio first so that I could finish up. When I was done, I spotted her on the weights. Lexie was strong for her size but seeing her in tights told you much more. She had strong legs and a great ass that was high and firm. We finished up together and took showers then left for home.

We were in bed that night and I noticed that she was looking at a police website. She was scrolling through body armor looking at several different ones.

“Is that lingerie you’re looking at?” I asked.

“Uh, don’t quit your day job ... We have enough comedians now.” she remarked.

“So, what are you looking at?” I asked, prying into her business.

“Body armor. My vest expires in six months, and I have to replace it. I know someone has this one. It’s lightweight, comfortable and breathable but it’s so fucking high.” she commented.

“How much is it?” I asked.

“This particular one is fourteen hundred. I only paid six hundred for my last one.” Lexie stated.

“Fourteen hundred is not a lot when your life depends on it.” I answered.

“True but I’m a cop ... money is an issue in the beginning.” Lexie laughed.

Lexie got up and went to the bathroom leaving the website open on her phone. I quickly took a picture with my phone before she came out of the bathroom. She returned quickly and climbed back in the bed.

“You know, I also really need a backup weapon. I was thinking about a thirty-eight hammerless with an ankle holster on my left ankle. But I really need to get the vest first. The gun can wait.” she commented.

Several weeks before Christmas, I went over to the police supply place that Lexie used. I showed the vest to the salesman that was behind the counter, and he told me he had it in stock. I told him it was for my girlfriend who was a police officer. I mentioned Lexie’s name and he told me she had been in there several times.

I mentioned to him that she needed a backup weapon as well and mentioned a thirty-eight-caliber revolver. He showed me a Smith and Wesson Model 442 Air Weight that was very popular with police officers. He showed me the ankle holster that went with it. I bought the vest, gun and ankle holster although I had to put the gun in my name for the background check. He told me that Lexie could pass by after Christmas and have it transferred to her.

I went home and hid everything at the top of the closet in one of the bedrooms that were not used. I would still need to get one or two more gifts but for the most part, I was set. That night, Lexie and I discussed what to get for her parents and grandparents. I told her I would help her pay for all the gifts which she appreciated. We decided to go shopping that weekend and get it over with.

Lexie informed me that on Christmas Eve she had to work the day shift but then she was off for four days after. On Christmas Eve night Lexie’s aunt was having a family get together at her house. Everyone would be there, and Lexie told me that after she got off, we would attend as well.