I received a magnificent family heirloom ring when my husband proposed. His mother said I couldn’t keep it. She wanted it back, and I returned it, startled. I thought it was over… Was incorrect.
It seemed forever when my husband Ada proposed to me with the most exquisite antique ring I’d ever seen—a gold band with a deep blue sapphire and small diamonds.
Six months later, my mother-in-law Diane was gazing at it at dinner at his parents’ place. I ignored it. She always judged me.
However, she moved toward me midway through supper while my husband and father-in-law checked the roast in the oven.
Do you like that ring?
I nodded, bewildered. “Sure… Adam handed it to me.”
Her grin was firm and empathetic. “Oh, honey. You got it from him. Our family has had that ring for centuries. A grandmother’s. This is not a trinket meant for someone like you.
Then he casually added,
Please be honest. Family treasures are few on your side. You are not the type of lady who inherits such things. Belongs to us. Give it back. NOW.”
I wanted no drama. How he said that made me feel tiny. I removed the ring and gave it to him. I hid in the bathroom to stop crying. Dinner resumed like nothing happened. I told my spouse nothing. Too humiliated. In some way, he convinced me.
Next night, a knock at the door.
My hubby had company. His father Peter was beside him. Peter held a little velvet box with a ring.
My heart sprang into my throat.
“Can we enter?” Adam inquired, expressionless.
They entered, and Peter placed the package on the coffee table like it weighed 68 pounds.
Nobody talked for a while. Peter swallowed.
He remarked, “Last night I saw the ring on Diane’s hand and knew exactly what she’d done,” his typically bright countenance sad. “I couldn’t stand it. I contacted Adam this morning.”
Adam’s jaw constricted. “Dad told me everything. Why didn’t Mia say anything?
Looking down at my hands. “I wanted to avoid trouble. He made me feel unworthy.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Adam shouted. I gave you the ring because I love you. You own it.”
Peter nodded. “After they left, I confronted Diane. She admits encircling you and making you return the ring.” His face clouded. “I didn’t think you should have something so ‘valuable’ considering ‘where you came from.’”
Remembering my embarrassment scorched my cheeks.
“But I didn’t tolerate it,” Peter said. The ring was for you. Adam wanted it for you. You own it. Diane won’t bother you again. I ensured that.”
Adam scooped up the velvet box from the table and knelt before me, beaming.
He remarked, “Let’s try this again,” opening the box to expose the sapphire ring. “Marry me again…?”
I chuckled through tears, extending my shaking left hand. “Yes. Always.”
He returned the ring to my finger, where it would stay.
“I’m sorry,” Adam muttered, pushing his forehead into mine. “I had no idea you’d do this.”
“It’s not your fault,” I murmured, holding his hands. “But thanks for defending me.”
Peter smiled at us contently. “Family means accepting people for who they are, not their origins. Diane will eventually realize her mistake, but till then…
Adam concluded, “Until then, we have each other,” making me giggle.
We had supper at Adam’s parents’ again two weeks later.
Adam persuaded me to go.
“We can’t avoid them forever,” she murmured as we entered the driveway. Dad says Mom has something to tell you.”
As we approached the entrance, my stomach constricted and my finger ring felt heavy. A hearty hug from Peter followed.
“She’s in the kitchen,” he added. “Don’t punish her. She practiced her apologies all day.”
Diane arranged flowers on the counter with her back to me. When she saw me, she instantly saw my ring.
“It looks good on you,” she added after a moment.
I remained silent.
She groaned and put down scissors. “I erred, Mia. I committed an unforgivable act.
Then why did you?
Her shoulders sagged. Because I was selfish. Since I felt the ring belonged to our family, I… She stopped, ashamed.
I concluded for her, “And you didn’t think I was family.”
She nodded, crying. I erred. Peter has not talked to me in two weeks, and Adam’s reaction when he discovered it was… Shaking her head. I don’t anticipate immediate forgiveness. Maybe never. I’m sorry.”
I looked for insincerity in her face. “I won’t return the ring.”
It was a tearful chuckle. No way would I ask for it again. Yours by right.” She hesitated, then said, “And so is your place in this family.”
The strain lessened over supper. Diane asked about my career and parents to engage me. Later, when clearing the table, she stopped next me.
“I was thinking,” she said, “that maybe someday you’d like to see other family jewels. Beautiful jewelry that matches your eyes.”
Quite astonished, I raised an eyebrow. Maybe someday. When both are ready.”
She understood my phrase and nodded. “When ready.”
Since that night, Diane hasn’t seen my ring. Peter is now my favorite father-in-law.
She sent me an old picture album with Adam’s childhood photos and family photos of the ring on women’s fingers last week.
“For your children someday,” she winked. “So they’ll know its origin.”
My sapphire-lit close-up of my hand gripping Adam’s was added to the collection.
This ring is mine. Love made me worthy of carrying it, not because someone else did. Like love, not blood, builds a family.
