“This was all I could get you,” Granny said, holding Emma’s hands. “I hope you like it.”
“What is this?” Emma said disgustedly as she looked at the red jewelry box. “A tiny piece of cheap jewelry? How did you get it in the first place? Did you steal it from someone?”
“Oh dear, I—” Before Martha could finish, Emma cut her off.
“Just get lost, alright?! I don’t want to see you EVER AGAIN!” Emma’s tears choked her as she continued.
“I hope you don’t hate me forever, sweetheart,” Martha said sadly. “Please know that I have always adored you.” The older woman then walked away from Emma.
Emma was filled with disgust as she looked at the old jewelry box in her hands. “What an ugly thing!” she cried, throwing it away.
“Oh god!” Dylan, the groom, gasped. “Why would you do that?”
The box snapped open as it landed on the ground, and a ring rolled out. Emma noticed the giant emerald stone on the ring had fallen off, and something spilled from under it.
“What the…?” Emma muttered, bending down to pick up the ring. As she did, she saw a small folded piece of paper that had fallen out from under the emerald.
“Emma, look!” Dylan pointed at the paper. “What is that?”
Emma unfolded the paper with trembling hands. It was a note, written in Granny’s familiar, shaky handwriting.
“To my dearest Emma,
This ring has been in our family for generations. It belonged to my mother, and her mother before her. I wanted to give it to you as a token of my love and to remind you of your heritage. The emerald may seem ordinary, but it holds great sentimental value. Inside, you’ll find something precious that I’ve been saving for you.
With all my love,
Granny Martha”
Emma’s eyes welled up with tears as she read the note. She looked at the emerald and realized it wasn’t just a stone; it was a keepsake filled with love and history. She carefully picked up the ring and examined the space where the emerald had been. There, nestled inside, was a tiny photograph of Emma as a baby, being held by a younger Granny Martha, both of them smiling radiantly.
“Oh, Granny…” Emma whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. “I’m so sorry.”
Dylan put a comforting arm around her. “Maybe you should go talk to her,” he suggested gently.
Emma nodded, wiping away her tears. She hurried outside, scanning the crowd for her grandmother. She finally spotted her sitting alone on a bench, looking forlorn.
“Granny!” Emma called out, running towards her.
Martha looked up, her eyes filled with surprise and hope. “Emma?”
Emma threw her arms around her grandmother, hugging her tightly. “I’m so sorry, Granny. I was so wrong. This ring… it’s beautiful, and the note… it means so much to me.”
Martha hugged her back, tears streaming down her face. “Oh, Emma, my sweet girl. I only wanted you to have something special.”
“I know, Granny. And it is special. It’s the most special thing anyone has ever given me,” Emma said, pulling back to look into her grandmother’s eyes. “I love you, and I’m so grateful for you.”
They sat there, holding each other, the ring now a symbol of their bond and the rich history of their family. Emma knew that she would cherish it forever, not just as a piece of jewelry, but as a testament to the love and sacrifices of the women who had come before her.
