I'd been looking for the perfect ring for a whole fucking week. At this point the jewelry stores knew my name by heart and I basically worked there from how much I knew about each ring from their shape to size to theme.

Shiidd they should cut me a paycheck from how many guys I helped out when I was looking for a ring. At this point every man in New York will have a ring for their shawty before me. And it's not like I'm not trying either. I damn near touched every ring in New York and not a single ones seems worthy enough to sit on my baby's finger.

Even now as I looked online I didn't see anything special or that was actually real, "Bro what the fuck." I drop my phone on the desk and palm my hands over my face, "These niggas can't be for real, bro." Another fake ring sat on my screen. It was so beautiful but the shit was twelve dollars. They would probably send me a linty ring pop in the mail instead.

I let my hands fall on the desk and take a deep breath, trying let the bullshit fade away so I can focus my kind once again.

I had a whole plan and timeline of how this is supposed to work out and I cannot let it be ruined because of my own hesitation and insecurities.

"What I need is some advice.." I look back down to my phone, "Who knows Jocelyn best besides me? I'm deadass her other half." I couldn't even think about Jocelyn being close to anyone besides me and maybe her old friends.

I quickly open my insta and find Jocelyns messages at the top of my list. She's the only person I actually respond to. My eyes fell on the puppy post she sent me and I hesitated, "Should I get her one?" The idea of tying the ring in the puppies collar sounded cute.

She would be excited for the puppy and then see the ring and almost pass out...

I shake my head and push it aside as I click her account and go through her followers until a familiar name popped up, "x.Tasha.Babe.x ...Corny as hell." I snicker with myself as I hit her up,

"Yo this is Jocelyn's bf.. I need help wit sumn.. Hit me up."

I send her my number under it and watch as it's instantly read. Not even a minute later she hit my phone up,

: "This is Tasha.. What you need help with? Is Jocelyn good?"

: "I want to propose.. and I need help."

: BOY HUH?! AS IN ON ONE KNEE?! WIT A FFAWKIN RING⁉️"

: Yeah.. and? 🤨

: You ain't even ask for permission but it's whateverrr 👀 How can I help?

I roll my eyes hard but push it aside,

: I need help deciding a ring and I don't know how imma ask tbh.. I wanna ask on Christmas or New Years.."

: Um not Christmas.. Dats ugly.. New Years would be cute tho.. With the fireworks and allat..

: And what rings you like??

: (9 Attachments)

: Um def three or seven.. ooh or eight..

: I said help me pick ONE nigga... 🙄

My eyes landed back on the pictures of the rings. Seven and three were rose gold with giant diamonds at the top. I was hesitant between both of them. I sigh and open my messages again,

: Can you get otp?

: Give me five minutes.

My eyes flick to the clock, "8:30.. Jocelyn will be home in two hours..." My eyes narrow before I stand up from my chair and make my way to the front door, "Two hours to shop.. no I have to drive so one hour to actually look." I groan loudly and quickly slide on my sneakers before grabbing my coat and my keys.

I don't think I've ever rushed down a hall that fast in my life. Each step felt like I ran eighty yards and I was already walking out the building by the time my mind counted to 36.

"Great now she got my counting." I shake my head and unlock the car with a soft beep, a small smile on my lips as I think abut my baby singing her numbers on our way up the elevator, "Goofy." I move to sit down before a flash of red catches my attention.

My body froze before my eyes snapped up to look around. Litter bustled in the wind as only a few hooded figures walked down the sidewalk. My eyes land on a red jacket and I sigh softy before shaking my head. I do one last scan before sitting my ass in the car and locking the doors.

My phone began to ring loudly and I quickly answer to shut it up, "Yeo." A scream almost shattered my eardrum, making my yank my phone away. "I can't believe y'all are gonna get married!! I haven't even met you but we can do that later to discuss plans and then we can maybe even shop for the ring toget-" I cut her off, "Nah. I just need a couple questions and a few ideas.." I could feel her disappointments through the screen,

"Alright.. Well first of all, We need to decide a ring..."

________

JOCELYN POV:

"Alrightie! Shaun should be back in here next Thursday to check his little lungs." I tickle the baby's belly and laugh as he giggles and kicks his chubby legs. I look the new parents as they quickly take note, "And Please make sure to give him his tummy times!" I watch the mother nod as the father looks at his son. They were basically twins and I could see how proud he was as he fixed his sons hair with a kiss to his head.

"Anything else?" The mother, Mrs.Creed, spoke up. I shake my head and open the door for them, "Everything is perfect! If you have questions don't hesitate to call me or send me a message via email or text!" They voice their thanks as they scramble out the room with a giant bag and the baby giggling loudly.

I close the door and let my body deflate, "Thirteen patients.. and I still have.." I walk over to my clipboard and almost faint as I see another seven. I lay it back on the counter and force myself to take a deep breath.

You want this. You love this. You can do this.

The words chanted repeatedly in my head until they started leaving my lips as I sanitized the room again. Soon my eyes started to water and my nose burned from the smell of bleach and alcohol, "Aight.. Too far." I cough into my inner arm and make my way out my office, making sure to leave the door open to let the chemicals air out.

The floor was busy was usual as people talked amongst themselves about stomach problems and patients who never listen. I almost laughed as I over heard a conversation, "Yes and I told her not to push yet Bc she wasn't ready and this bitch starts pushing and Damn near rips herself in half!" I shake my head and keep it pushing down the hall to the familiar break room.

What kind of birth would I have? I look around me at the people around me, "Not here." I crinkle my nose and let my mind wander, "A water birth would be nice.. Dion behind me holding my tummy as I pushed.. I'd put flower petals in the water and light candles to help relax me.. My midwife instructing me calmly.." I shake my head, "It's way too early to stress about that anyway.." I look at my empty tummy and place my hand, "I need to worry about names.." I bite my lip and slowly push the door open.

(Y'all best start suggesting names 👀)

"Yes and make her get her nails done! She also loves the color black so maybe a black dress and take her-" A familiar voice instantly stopped talking and I look over to Tasha, her eyes wide as she eyed me up and down. I raise a brow, "Um.. what?" I approach the table and she leans away, "Stay over there, girl." I suck my teeth and cross my arms, "You talking about me?" She proudly nods her head before shooing me back.

"The hell?.." I eye her hard as I take a step back. My mind reeling for answers as her conversation turned hushed and quick. My brows furrow as she looks me up and down for a second, "Um.. What size dress you wear?" My eyes widen slightly but I cross my arms, "Size 9.." I mumble and she looks me up and down again, "Do a lil spin.." I hesitate, giving her a angry look before slowly doing as told, spinning in a circle. She sucks her teeth, "Her ass phat so make it a 10.. or 12.." I gasp softly and she snickers into the phone.

"Nah who are you talking to and what's so damn funny, Tasha." I could feel my anger rising and obviously Tasha seen it as she quickly leaned away, "We got a code red. We'll continue this later." She hangs up the phone quickly and I frown, "A secret?.. I wanna know." I finally step up to the table and lean in as she innocently smiles, "It's not a big secret.. just playing around.." I shake my head, "You know I hate that.. be for real with me.." I could feel my anxiety grow as I tried to scramble my thoughts on who she was talking to.

"I was buying you a cute Christmas gift but if you wanna ruin it.." She starts and drags her sentence as she leans in. I shake my head, "No! Don't tell me." I lean away and she smiles, "That's what I thought... and you better get me something too.." She mumbles the end and I smile, "Of course! You already know I'm gonna buy you so-" She shuts me up with a look and I giggle, "That's what I thought." I copy her tone and make us burst into giggles.

______________

There were over 200 comments about the rings and I scrolled though and tried to select the top but 3, 7, and 8 were literally all tied soooo comment to Lemme know THE FINAL RING PLSSSSS