Who: Kirley and Mel Where: Their flat then downtown London When: Wednesday, December 21, 2006 - evening What: Someone has a very important question to ask Rating: Low
"Baby are you ready yet?" Kirley called out from the living room. He'd been waiting for Mel to get ready, and there was a certain ring in his pocket that was burning quite a hole. He had planned everything out, and the day had finally come. He was reasonably sure she would say yes, but that didn't stop the nervousness in his belly. He laughed at himself each time he thought about it. Him, proposing marriage. Then again, the idea of being monogamous had seemed insane, but he made it work. Mel was all he wanted and needed, and it was time to make it official.
---
"You're so impatient!" Melinda called from their bedroom. She finished buckling the strap on one of her shoes before standing from the small loveseat. The sheer fabric of her dress fell around her legs, and she smoothed out any wrinkles as she made her way to the door. It was a long dress, but with the slit all the way up to her thigh on the one side, it was far more of a salsa sort of dress than a ballroom. That was usually how their nights out dancing always ended up. As she wandered out of the room, she grabbed her clutch, tucking her wand inside and the earrings that she'd set next to them. They were put in as she made her way to the living room.
"Is there a fire?" She asked as she looked at him. She stole a kiss from him as she put in her last earring. "Or is there a taking the long way situation happening right now?"
---
Kirley couldn't hide the wide grin that spread across his face when he saw her. Merlin's beard, she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. It was going to be a night to remember, and he was sure he would never forget how she looked in that dress.
"Well I hadn't planned on it," he grinned, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her in as she put her earrings in. "But seeing you in that dress... I'm not so sure I can resist. I'm sure Darren won't mind."
---
Melinda couldn't help the smile that spread across her lips. She moved easily with his hands. As soon as her earring was in, she leaned forward, her arms wrapping around his shoulders. "You'll have me too tired to dance if that's the case." She pressed another soft kiss to his lips. "And then you'll be upset you missed your tango."
---
He pouted playfully, and lightly kissed the tip of her nose. "Fine," he said with a sarcastic huff. "I'll tell Darren to take us straight there."
Pulling back, he took her hands from his shoulders and began to lead her to the door. "But we are absolutely taking the long way home," he said with a grin. "Now come on. We can apparate from the lobby to the Broomsticks. It's too cold to walk the whole way." Releasing her hand, he disappeared into the coat closet by the door for a moment, returning with his coat slung over his arm, with her own held out for her. "In you g.o."
---
"You say that like I'd argue." She commented, an amused sort of smile playing on blood-stained lips. It was a smile that only grew as he held out her coat. Moreso, at his comment. She couldn't help the soft exhale of a laugh that escaped her. She followed suit, though, sliding her arms into the long black jacket. She pulled the ends of her hair from beneath the heavy fabric, swirls and braids of black pinned up around a shimmery poinsettia. Just like a perfectly gothic Christmas decoration.
"You have a good day at the studio?" Melinda asked softly, taking his arm as soon as his jacket was on. "I could use some of this cheeriness."
---
He slipped into his coat while Melinda fussed with her hair, and held an arm out for her to take. "Well no, I just want you to know what you're getting yourself into," he grinned, opening the door for them.
It wasn't long before they were waiting for the lift doors to open, and he'd slipped his arm down so he could hold her hand. "It was a good day, actually. We've almost got the song list for the new album settled. There's just one spot to fill."
Looking down at her, he furrowed his brow slightly. "Need cheeriness? Bad day at the apothecary?"
---
“Oh, I’m aware.” She said with a laugh. Her hands wrapped around his arm, keeping him close as she followed him down the hall. For a moment, she rested her cheek against his shoulder. Just being near him was a wonderful feeling. She’d thought for a moment about asking him to go dancing next week, and just relaxing in his arms for the night. It was something she felt like her soul needed, but she couldn’t say no to dancing with him.
“I can’t wait to hear it.” She murmured, standing up straight only so she could step onto the elevator with him. “It’s not bad, just… slow.” Melinda said after a moment. “It’s Christmas, everyone is buying gifts. Still haven’t heard from Anthony yet.” Her younger brother had gone on his first expedition with Gringotts a few weeks before. Of course Melinda hadn’t really expected him to write immediately, but she hoped. Saying goodbye to him had been hard enough.
“You know, same as yesterday."
---
He gave her hand a squeeze as they entered the lift, and pressed the button to take them down to the lobby. "You should come to the studio. Help me choose." Kirley was excited about his second solo album. It was the acoustic album he and his brother had mused on years before. It made him sad, doing it without Myron, but he couldn't change what had happened between them. He could only move forward, even though it hurt.
Kirley frowned and released her hand, pulling her in for a hug instead. "He'll write," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her hair. "He's probably just completely captivated down in some tomb or something. Having the time of his life, I'm sure." Maybe if he pulled some strings he could get his love's brother home, at least for Christmas. He added it to his mental list of things to do after this night was over.
He was less helpful with her other problem. He knew how hard it had been for her, watching the Ministry take her potion away. She cared so deeply for her work, and was so brilliant at it... working in a shop was beneath her. He just wished he knew what to do to help her.
As they neared the lobby, he kissed her hair once more and gave her another squeeze. It was tempting just to head back up to their suite, not wanting her out of his arms even for a second, but tonight was too important. Besides, he had a feeling that once he popped the question, there wouldn't be any separating them for quite a while.
---
The feeling of Kirley's arms around her was exactly what she needed. She let her eyes close for a moment as she leaned against him. "I know," she said softly. "I can't really say I'd be much different. I just miss him. And I worry. Never met anyone who can trip over his own two feet quite like Anthony."
As the doors dinged open, she gave him one final squeeze before exiting the elevator with him. Her hand found his, as they walked out into the lobby. "I'll go if you want me to. I can't imagine there would be much I could help you with, though. I'd want all of them on the album." She expalined, a soft laugh escaping her.
She gave his hand a squeeze before apparating them both to the Three Broomsticks. "We really should have floo set up. Make winters so much warmer."
---
"Of course I want you to come," he grinned. "And not just because I want to make out with you in the studio. I want you there when it's finalized. I want to share that with you." He'd become a complete sap over the years, and he knew it. But he couldn't help it. Melinda had completely taken over his heart, and it had no intention of changing that. He was happy with his relationship and wanted nothing more than to put a smile on her face.
Walking through the pub with her, he nodded in agreement. "We can look into it if you want," he said. "Might have to be an exit only, though, if they can do that. Don't want to wake up to stalker by the bed, now do we?"
He held the door to the pub out for her and smiled when he saw Darren waiting for them at the street, the car running. "Lovely to see you both," the driver said, reaching to shake Kirley's hand before taking Melinda's to his lips for a chaste kiss. "Taking the long way tonight?" he asked. He stepped back from them to open the car door.
"Not yet, mate," Kirley said. "Save that one for the return trip." He gave Darren a wink, to let him know the plan was still on.
---
Melinda’s lips contorted into an amused sort of smirk at his comment about the floo. “Since when did our flat become an exit only situation?” She asked, unable to keep herself from making the joke. It was a smile that didn’t right itself fully even as her attention turned to Darren. She found her hand being kissed before she really had any chance to say hello. Of course, she could feel the blush rise to her cheeks.
“Thank you, Darren.” She murmured. As the door opened, she slipped into the back of the car, eager to be out of the cold. It was so terribly cold any more. As soon as Kirley joined her, her arms wrapped around his arm, taking a place against him. She could steal a few moments of existing in his arms.
“Tell me when to be there, yeah? The studio, I mean.” Melinda murmured, letting her eyes close again. “I’d love to be there."
---
"Funny funny funny," Kirley said with a grin, shaking his head as he followed her into the car.
Sliding into the seat, he smiled when Melinda snuggled up against him, and took her hand once more. He happened to have her left hand in his, and he idly played with her fingers, imagining what it would look like when his ring was finally there. "We'll be in the studio tomorrow, and probably the next day," he said with a little shrug. "Then we'll be out until next year. Hopefully we can get the album finalized before the holiday. It'll be a nice way to end out the year I think."
He sighed happily then, noting with Darren took a right at the end of the street, rather than the left he would have taken if he were driving them to the dance hall. "You look stunning tonight," he said softly. "You're always beautiful, obviously, but you've taken my breath away tonight."
---
"I can do that," Melinda said softly. "I think da's getting kind of annoyed with me anyway. He's just too nice to say it." Her eyes fell to their hands, watching as Kirley toyed with her fingers. They looked so bare without the black on their tips. She'd taken off her nail polish days ago and had been too lazy to reapply it, though she'd frequently blame Kirley for not giving her enough time to let it set.
Kirley's comment brought a soft laugh from Melinda. Even still, she could feel the soft tingle of a blush in her cheeks at his compliments. "It's the pointsettia. I'm all festive." She remarked, looking up at him. "I should have just put on my Rudolph pajama pants and a hideous sweater."
---
He grinned and kissed her temple. "Oh, I doubt he's getting annoyed with you. How could anyone do that?"
Meeting her eyes, Kirley shook his head. "I think you're beautiful in anything," he said. "But I think you'll find that you picked exactly the right thing to wear tonight." He looked out the window then, watching the city pass by as they headed deeper downtown. It wouldn't be long before they were there.
---
"You're not related to me. It's different." She said with a laugh. "You start getting annoyed, and I stick my hands down your pants to distract you."
His last comment, however, made her eyebrows rise a little. "What do you mean?" She asked softly. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she watched him. "Are you up to something?"
---
Kirley laughed. "Hah! Shows what you know. Sometimes I just act annoyed so you'll stick your hands down my pants. Clever."
At her question, he gave her a smirk. "I might be. You're really not very observant, are you? Have you noticed we're nowhere near the dance hall?"
---
"See if I ever do that again." She murmured, shooting him a quick look. It was, of course, something that lasted only a moment as her attention was directed to the city just beyond the car. She hadn't been paying attention to the world outside the car. It had been less interesting than the world inside it.
"What the--" Melinda began, sitting up straight. "Where are you-- Darren! Where is he taking me?!"
---
"I've been sworn to secrecy," Darren replied from the front of the car. "But trust me, I have a feeling you're going to like it. We should be there in about five minutes."
Kirley nodded and smiled. "Thanks mate," he said before directing his attention back to Mel. "So we're not exactly going dancing."
---
Melinda's nose wrinkled with Darren's reply. Of course. Her attention turned back to Kirley. "You sneaky bastard." She said, elbowing him in the side. "I should move to the other side of the car."
---
"Oof!" Kirley said, making a face when she elbowed him. Letting go of her hand, he moved to wrap his arm around her and hold her close to him.
"Don't even think about it," he grinned, leaning in to kiss her swiftly. "Besides, if you're that insistent on dancing, there will be an opportunity."
---
Melinda paused for a long moment as she looked up at Kirley, eyes still narrowed. She searched his face, looking for an clue of what was going on. She could tell he was plotting something, but she couldn’t tell from the kind of excited what it was.
“Are you taking me to a strip club?” She asked after a long moment.
---
Kirley had to laugh. "A strip club? Really? All these years of taming me and that's your first guess? I'm appalled, madam. Appalled." He gave her a wink then, and turned his gaze back to the window. "I'm not telling you where I'm taking you. You'll find out when we get there."
Just a moment later, the car came to a stop, and Darren turned to look over the two of them in the back seat. "We're here," he said, giving Melinda a knowing grin before exiting the car. Coming around, he held the door open for them, and gave Kirley a nod. "I'll be around when you're ready to leave. You know how to reach me."
"I do," Kirley said, clapping Darren on the arm before turning all of his attention to Melinda. "Ready?"
---
“Hey,” she protested, despite the laugh in her voice. “You tamed yourself. And what a job you did.” Her hand patted his knee affectionately.
She barely had a chance to begin pouting before the car was pulling to a stop. Her brow only furrowed more deeply as she watched Kirley and Darren interact. Conspirators, the both. Still, as soon as Kirley had his hand our for her, she took it. The air was nippy as she climbed out of the car. Just as soon as she could, she hid against his side.
“Ready as ever, I suppose.” She remarked, looking up at the building Darren had driven them to.
---
"All for you," he said, complete sincerity in his voice. She was everything to him, and he'd glad tame himself a million times over to keep her.
With his arm wrapped around her, Kirley led her into the building and to the lift. He nodded to the Muggle security guard along the way, and pressed the button to wait. "They've got no idea who I am," he told her softly as they waited. "But they know I'm very wealthy, so I don't think they care very much."
---
Melinda couldn't help but smile at his comment. "That wasn't a terrible blow to your ego?" She asked softly, looking up at him. A hand rose to rest against his chest as she leaned into him. Muggle lifts were always so terribly slow.
"What is this building, anyway?"
---
"Well they're Muggles, so I'll forgive them," he grinned, rubbing his hand along her side. He'd been mulling over an attempt at breaking into the Muggle music scene, but hadn't made a decision yet. Maybe one day they'd know who he was after all.
He gave a little shrug at her question. "Just an office building," he explained. "But they rent out the upper floors for banquets and parties. Now I couldn't get you the roof, unfortunately. I tried, but apparently, they're in the middle of a renovation, so I had to settle for the next best thing."
The elevator stopped then, a gentle voice over the speakers informing them they were at the top floor. The doors opened to reveal a small but elegant lobby, with double doors at one end and a man in a very nice suit waiting for them. "Right on time, sir, madam," he said, opening his hands in welcome as they stepped off the lift. "May I take your coats?"
---
"Get me the roof?" Melinda question. Her gaze directed up at him, her expression full of confusion. "For what?"
As soon as the elevator dinged, her gaze cast out to where they'd arrived. The man waiting for them did nothing to ease her sense of confusion. If anything else, it only compounded it. She slowly stepped off of the lift. She surrendered her hold on Kirley so she could unbutton her jacket and shrug it off her shoulders. The suited man was right there to catch it before she could even arrange it enough to hand to him.
"Tha-- thank you." Melinda said softly, her eyes rising from the man to Kirley.
---
Kirley's grin only grew wider as Melinda became more and more confused. Everything was going exactly how he'd planned so far. They just needed to keep it up for a little while longer. It wouldn't be long before the ring would be on her finger, and then it truly would be a perfect night.
He unbuttoned his own coat as the attendant neatly folded Melinda's over his arm. He slipped it off easily and handed it over before holding his arm out for Melinda once again. "Everything is prepared," the attendant said, motioning to the double doors. "Enter whenever you wish."
"Thank you," Kirley responded, slipping a hand into his suit jacket to pull out some Muggle money to tip the man. He accepted the money with a smile, then turned and disappeared through a hidden door, designed to look just like the rest of the wall, by the elevator, leaving the couple alone in the lobby.
Looking down at Mel, Kirley smiled. "No time for wasting," he said, leading her to the door. At last, the nerves over what he was about to do began to take hold, and his hand shook ever so slightly as he reached forward to take the large door handle in hand. Pulling it open, he led her inside and took a look around.
The room was gorgeous. The view of the city on all sides was spectacular. Their dinner table was set up on one end of the room, the table surrounded by flower petals. A waiter stood in the corner by a mobile bar and a door Kirley was sure hid some sort of small kitchen where they were holding whatever delicious dinner Bea had made them. But it was the other side of the room that held the most important part of the night.
The music had begun to play the moment they opened the doors. There was a small sitting area arranged in the middle of the room, then an open dance floor in front of a small stage. That's where the band was positioned. Everyone but Myron stood on the stage with their instruments, playing the song Kirley had written for Melinda to express his love for her on their last tour. He wished his brother had joined them, but he wasn't going to dwell on the bad. There was too much good happening just then. He could be sad about his brother later.
Laying his hand over Mel's on his arm, he gave her a squeeze and a grin. "So what do you think? Better than dancing?"
---
Melinda followed him slowly as he lead her towards the door. Her mind reeled from the possibilities of what might have been behind it. Everything from the orgies they used to have, to her brother, to a potion lab and everything in between. The sheer force of how fast her mind was moving was enough to cause anxiety in and of itself and it felt like the world moved at half pace.
The romantic scene that greeted them when he finally did was somehow not entirely what she'd expected it to be. It was better. Seeing the table and the skyline brought a smile to her face (and in no small part was it a relieved smile as she felt the anxiety drain from her all at once). She let out a small laugh as they walked into the room. Her eyes scanned over everything as she took it all in, another laugh escaping her when she saw the boys playing. She was quite certain that the evening would dissolve into boyish antics at the sight of Donny in the room with them.
"It's beautiful," she said softly, her attention turning back to Kirley. "Is there a special occasion I'm missing?"
---
Looking down at her, Kirley smiled softly and moved to take her hand in his. "There's about to be," he said with a grin. "Come over here."
He gave her hand a squeeze and started over towards the band. "I love you," he said simply as they walked. "I can't fathom why, but for some reason, you love me too." They'd reached the dancefloor by then, so he stopped and stood before her, a slight quiver in his voice as he continued to speak.
"We've been through so much, but you found it in yourself to forgive me, and I have worked every day since then to convince you it was the right decision. All I want in life is to make you happy. When you smile, nothing else matters. You make me a better person. You bring light into my world and I don't ever want to be without you... so I have something to ask."
It was time. All the planning, the practicing, the buildup, it was time for the most important bit. Releasing her hand, Kirley dropped to one knee, pulling the ring box out of his pocket. "Would you consider being my wife?" As he reached the last word, he opened up the box, revealing a large black diamond engagement ring.
His heart was racing as he kneeled there, praying she would say yes.
---
Melinda followed Kirley as he led her out onto the dance floor. The confused furrow of her brow returned as he'd remarked that there was about to be a special occasion about tonight. As he kept speaking, a nervous sort of knot formed in her stomach. Some part of her, it seemed, understood what was going on - what might be happening - but it was quieted by some other part of her brain, an instinct developed by having told him so many times before that marriage was never anything important for her.
Yet, there he was. Kneeling.
Melinda took a step back as surprise rioted through her. Her eyes flickered from Kirley to the box he'd held in his hands, the black stone sparkling up at her. That knot in her stomach had leapt into her throat. Before she'd even realized it, tears had begun to gather in her eyes, her hands covering her lips as the world seemed to fade to a distant, spinny blur.
"Kirley, I--" She started, but stopped short. Before she could even gather the sense to reply, she was nodding. A smile claimed her lips that didn't seem to stop as she took a step forward. "Yes."
---
He never thought that one word could make him feel so happy. His heart leapt when she spoke, the brightest smile possible spreading across his face as he pulled the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. Then he immediately stood and gathered her in his arms. "I love you," he breathed before capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. She'd said yes. He, Kirley Duke McCormack, was an engaged man. It was an odd thing, but it felt right. They'd been together for years, and though he'd always said marriage wasn't for him, he'd said the same thing about monogamy at one time. It turned out, for the right person he could do anything.
Kirley faintly registered the band quit playing, the music being replaced by loud cheers as he held Melinda, though he didn't look over to them quite yet. He wanted it to just be them for a moment longer.
---
Melinda watched as Kirley slid the ring on her finger. It was with an excitement that made everything seem a little hazy and surreal. The foreign weight of the ring resonated through her body, but it, too, caused an excitement that she couldn't deny. It wasn't until she felt Kirley's arms wrap around her that it felt at all real. Her arms wrapped tightly around him as he kissed her, holding on for dear life.
"I love you," she murmured against his lips as she broke from his only to catch her breath. "More than I ever thought it was possible to love anyone."
---
Wrapped up in each other, Kirley lifted her slightly up off her feet. "You make me so happy," he said softly as he set her down. "This is brilliant."
As he got her feet down on the floor, the band left the stage to surround them. Hugs and congratulations ensued, along with the typical jeering comments about ball and chains and was Melinda really sure she wanted to do this. It was all in jest, however, and Kirley knew it. They all supported what he was doing. They knew how happy Mel made him, and he didn't think any of them would try to talk either of them out of it.
---
Melinda barely had enough time to steal another kiss from his lips before they were surrounded by the band. She could feel the brilliant red of a blush rise to her cheeks as they pulled her away from Kirley long enough to give her a hug in congratulations — at least, most of them. She’d forgotten they were all there, naturally. She tried to fend off the ball and chain jokes and the questions about being sure with any sort of witty comeback she could manage, but there wasn’t much. She was too happy. Just as soon as she could, her hand found Kirley’s again, her fingers lacing in his.
---
He was turned away from her, accepting congratulations from some of his brothers, but he felt her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. Pulling her close, he wrapped his arm around her waist though he hadn't turned back to her yet. Having her close was all he needed.
"Alright, you lot," he said after a few more minutes with the band. "You've done your part, now if you don't mind, get the fuck out, will you?"
They had a good laugh over that, but the band knew there was a plan in place, so they headed back to the stage. Kirley watched as each of them drew their wands and cast spells over their instruments. One by one, the instruments came to life with magic, rising up and beginning to play on their own. The room was once again filled with soft music, a set list Donny had helped him plan out.
Then, after yet another round of hugging and handshakes, the band was gone, and it was just Mel and Kirley. Looking over, he noticed even the waiter from before had vanished. They were truly alone for the first time as an engaged couple.
"So," he began, taking her left hand and raising it up to inspect the ring now placed upon it. "How did I do?"
---
"I said yes, didn't I?" Melinda teased, a smile broad on her lips. Her own eyes fell to their hands, watching how the black diamond sparkled beneath the lights. It was absolutely gorgeous, like smoke. She'd seen the sort of diamonds before, and had always wanted one, but could never justify such fancy jewelry. It had never really been her thing. Her ring, though? It was perfect.
"Truth be told," she stared, blue eyes rising back up to him. "I thought that if you ever would, you'd have proposed on stage. You and your dramatic flair." She couldn't help but laugh at the idea. She, of course, prefered this so much more. Leaning in, she stole his lips in another kiss, a soft, lingering sort of thing as her arms wrapped around his shoulders.
---
He smirked and gave her hand a kiss. "Just because you said yes to me doesn't mean I picked the right ring. I just wanted to be sure." He'd known it was the right ring for her the moment he'd seen it in the shop, however. Not for a moment had he considered going traditional with the jewelry choice, and when he saw this one shining up from the corner of the display, he instantly knew where it belonged.
His arms going around her waist, he swayed with her to the music coming from the small stage. "I'll admit, it was tempting," he said with a grin. "But I told you I loved you on a stage, and what kind of creative would I be if I just repeated the old moves? Besides, I wanted it to be special. For you to have the proposal you deserve."
---
"You know you did." Melinda murmured. A smile lingered on her lips that she figured would be sticking around for a while. Maybe forever. At least, that's certainly what it felt like at that moment. As he began to sway, she followed, easily falling into step with him. Her head rested on his shoulder, forehead pressing against his neck.
"That would have been a travesty upon all travesties." She commented with a laugh. Her arms gave him a gentle squeeze before she looked up at him. "What made you change your mind?"
---
"About the way I was going to propose or the idea of marriage in general?" he asked with a cocky grin, sliding his hands up and down her back.
"I settled on this because I wanted something special," he said. "I wanted something just for us, something to show you how much I love you. Play up my romantic side a bit. But I couldn't do it without the lads, so this seemed like the logical thing to do. And as for the other thing..."
He stopped them dancing then, and leaned in to capture her lips in a kiss. He held her for what felt like ages, kissing her passionately until he could barely breathe and was forced to pull back. "You're all I ever want," he told her breathlessly. "You make every day worthwhile, and I never want to let you go. I know you always say it's not important to you, but over the past few months I've realized more and more it's something that I want. But only something I want with you."
---
As Kirley kissed her, Melinda’s arms tightened around his shoulders. It felt a little like she might have needed an anchor in the wake of the passion his lips conveyed. She felt so small in the wake of it, humbled even, as she fit against him as closely as she could. She didn’t move away, even as their kiss eventually found it’s end as their lungs begged for oxygen. Weak lungs, she couldn’t help but curse, even though the sentiment came out as nothing more but a whimper in the absence of his lips.
If his kiss hadn’t done it’s job in making her pale skin flushed, certainly his words would have finished the scarlet blush on her cheeks. She ducked her head a moment, though the style she’d pinned her hair into prevented her from being able to hide behind a curtain of black.
“You are so wonderful, Kirley.” She said softly, blue eyes rising back up to him. Her arms slid from their place around his shoulders to allow her hands to find a place against his jaw. “I never want to be anywhere that isn’t at your side, holding your hand."
---
"I'm only wonderful because of you," he said, his thumb rubbing over the dress on her back. "You made me better, made me want to be better, just because I knew it would make you happy. That's all I ever want."
Moving a hand from her body to cover hers, he grinned and kissed her once more. "We should probably eat now," he murmured. "Bea made dinner. She'll be crushed it we let it go to waste."
---
“You would have gotten here on your own.” Melinda murmured. The hand beneath his turned so she could take his hand. She brought it to her lips, pressing the back of it to her lips. “I just gave you a reason to do it now.”
Her attention turned to the table — she hadn’t particularly remembered it’s existence. Not really. She’d seen it, of course, when they came in, but that was a lifetime ago. As her eyes fell on the table, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Bea made it?” She asked turning back to him. “Were there unbreakable vows of secrecy?"
---
His heart warmed at her words, and he wasn't sure there would ever be a moment to match the happiness he felt at that moment. Things had fallen into place in his life, and for a moment he was glad for all the bad things that had happened, knowing they'd led him to this.
"There absolutely were," he grinned, starting to lead her over to the table. He released her long enough to give a knock on the side door so the server would return, then came back to her. "Everyone was sworn to secrecy. The lads, Bea, Darren. There was a lot of planning involved."
---
Melinda couldn’t help but shake her head as he walked back to her. Still, there was a smile on her lips. “How it is you always manage to keep this stuff secret…” She started, her hands rising to cup his jaw again. She ignored the waiter for a moment as she stole a kiss from his lips. She could never stop kissing him.
---
"I'm just that good," he smiled into her kiss, holding her close. He could have stood there forever, holding her in that room, the soft music filling the air around them. It was perfect.