Abi felt the metal slip onto her finger and just stared. She was engaged but not engaged to a man she had idolised, admired, broken down into pieces. She knew he could never and would never marry her but this was more than that. It was hers and his and that was it.
"It's not crap, Hem," she protested softly, taking his hand and pushing him down into the chair. "Let's just... get something straight here." Abi settled into his lap, crossing her ankles. "I know what we have is unconventional but it works. When we don't work, it's because someone's keeping secrets and closing up. I don't ever want that to happen. I'm never going to leave you but you need to be honest with me as I am with you."
She knew this needed to be said in the open before they could get to celebrating; just clearing the air would feel so good.