It’s four days until I move in with Anna and start the next chapter of my life with her. Four days. It’s pretty nerve-racking, I won’t lie. But I think I’m getting more ready for it with every passing day. 

As that day gets closer though, so does another big event – something I’ve planned secretly, without Anna knowing. Once we’ve settled into our new home, in a week or so I’ve got a great walk planned at Whinlatter and I’m gonna ask her to marry me there, with a great view behind us. It’ll be perfect. We both love the walk that I’m planning and have done it hundreds of times. It’s her favourite in the Lake District actually. Now, my only problems are getting a ring and her father’s blessing. I know I don’t need it but I want it. I want to let him know that his daughter is in good hands and, honestly, it’ll make me feel quite happy knowing he approves of me. It’s not him giving me permission, because I’ll do it anyway, but it’s him kinda passing the torch, in a way. I don’t know if that made any sense but I’m sure you get the gist of it. 

First up on the itinerary was neither of them though. First up was collecting Patrick from work. “Hey, mate!” I wound down the window and he looked at me confused. Maybe because this was spontaneous but I prefer to think of it as him surprised at how much I care about him to give him a lift home. Well, not home exactly. “Sam? What’re you doing here? You’re not hurt are you?” He rushed to the car window, “Oh god, Anna’s not in labour is she?” 

“First of all, she’s not actually pregnant. I thought I told you?” 

“Nope. You didn’t tell me that.” 

“Ah, sorry.” I unlocked the car door. “Hop in and I’ll explain everything on the way.” 

“Sam, I have my car here. Why would I get in?” He had a good point. Time to think of a good reason for him to abandon his… wow, very nice Mercedes. When did he get that? 

Anyway, time to convince him to leave that and hop in my Ford. “Because you love me?” Well, that wasn’t exactly what I meant to say. He sighed and climbed in. “That worked?” I turned to him as he clicked the seatbelt in. 

“Shut up. Where are we going?” 

“Ring shopping for Anna.” Patrick looked at me, completely in shock. He was lost for words for a minute. I started the car and turned out of the car park. “Ring shopping? Wait, you’re actually proposing? Even though she’s not pregnant?” 

“Yeah,” I chuckled, “even though she isn’t pregnant.” 

“Wow, you must really love her then.” I smiled as I thought of her. I did. I was full-on head over heels for her. “Yeah, I do.” We continued down the road. “You know, when I was at Liv’s wedding, every time I saw Liv, all I could picture was Anna. When I stood in that dressing room with Liv, and it was just us… I couldn’t stop thinking about Anna and what she’d look like in that dress. It made me realise that even if she isn’t pregnant, I want to marry her as soon as I can. I like it and I’m gonna put a ring on it.” Patrick looked at me, a little puzzled. “Did you just quote a Beyoncé song? Really? To finish that really nice and sweet moment off you quoted Beyoncé?” 

“Damn right I did.” 

We arrived at the ring shop in 30 or so minutes. As we stood in the queue to get in – not that it was busy, they just did it to be extra fancy – it became quite clear that neither me nor Patrick had a clue what we were doing. 

“So, what’s the occasion?” The assistant asked as she guided us around. 

“I’m shopping for an engagement ring. Any suggestions?” She turned around and looked at me and Patrick. It was clear she didn’t realise I meant my girlfriend. “Not for him. He’s married. It’s for my girlfriend.” 

“His pregnant girlfriend.” I looked at Patrick and smacked him as the woman turned away. “Shut it.”  

The woman turned back around and smiled. “Do you know what size she is?”