Chapter 222

[Cordelia]

Even though I've had weeks to plan and pack, I'm still not ready to go home to California.

"Wait a minute!" I call as I throw the last of our items into a carry-on bag.

"We can send for whatever you forget," Henri is pacing outside by the taxi. "Is your mom meeting us there?"

"No!" I shout down, "Do you think you can go pick her up while I finish packing."

He doesn't look happy at the suggestion. If anything he looks pissed that I am forcing him to compromise on his itinerary that had us arriving at the airport 2 hours early. He is a stickler for maintaining a schedule, a trait of his I do not appreciate as I tend to be more of a "seat of the pants" type of person.

Left in peace, I finally have enough room to think about everything I need. Once I feel satisfied that I haven't forgotten anything, I do one final sweep just to make sure.

The emerald ring, the last present I received from the admirer, sits on my dresser shining in the light. Grabbing the box, I shove it in