Heading Out (A Birds of a Feather story Part I)

Freddie shook her head “No, For one thing, the bike is too big and heavy. Eventually I may get my own motorcycle and take some lessons.”
As Freddie unzipped her jacket, Carole noticed something on the ring finger of her left hand. “Freddie!” she gasped. “Is that what I think it is?”
“Shh,” Freddie whispered putting a finger to her lips.” Wait ‘til we go into the living room and then I’ll tell everyone my news.”
Upon entering the room, Freddie took a seat on the couch beside Janice and Carole.
“Hi Freddie, glad you could make it. I happened to see you this this morning on my way to Jean’s. I guess you’ve got some news for us.”
“You bet!” grinned Freddie, her eyes sparkling excitedly.
At this moment, Jean entered the room with a tray of coffee mugs. “How about we sip on some freshly brewed coffee while Freddie tells us her news.”
After we’d settled, Freddie began: “As a couple of you have already noticed,” she said, glancing at Carole and Loretta,”Barney and I are now officially engaged.” Freddie held up her hand for everyone to see her ring.
“Well, it’s about time,” Janice declared. “You two have been an item for so long, we wondered if you’d ever take the next step.”
At this everyone burst into laughter.
“Ok, everyone, quiet down and let me explain about the ring.. You see, when Barney and I discussed getting an engagement ring, I decided I wasn’t interested in any of the traditional precious stones such as emerald, sapphire, diamond, ruby. We agreed that the engagement ring was the promise. It was the wedding ring that represented the fulfilling of that promise. So, between ourselves and the jeweler, we came up with a simple but meaningful design.
“The circular gem in the centre of the ring is known as blue lazulite and I really liked the idea of the deep, azure-blue stone set in a plain, white gold band. I also discovered that blue lazulite is the official gemstone of the Yukon Territory.”
“Well, Freddie, Not only do I think it’s beautiful, but it’s also unique,” Jean replied.
And the rest of us murmured in agreement.
“But why a semi-precious stone from Yukon?” Carole asked curiously. “Does it have special significance?”
“It sure does, because Barney and I plan on heading to Yukon in early June.”
Yukon? June?
“Wow! You’ve sure got a lot on your plate,” Carole exclaimed.
Freddie grinned as she replied teasingly, “And I’ve hardly started telling you everything.”
“But what’s all this interest in Yukon?” Loretta asked curiously.
“It’s where Barney had his first posting after graduation from the RCMP training college in Regina. He spent five years at the detachment in Carcross and during that time he was able to visit places in different parts of the Territory. The photos Barney has shown me of this vast and magnificent part of Canada make me all the more excited about travelling there.”