These are not my characters. I am merely borrowing them. All credit goes to Jack Webb, R.A. Cinader, and Universal Studios. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1: Goodnight, My Love
September 18, 1979
"I wonder what he's up to," Dixie McCall mutters to herself as she changes out of her nurse's uniform into street clothes. Dr. Kel Brackett had been acting strangely all day, and that odd behavior had not gone unnoticed by his head nurse. He had gotten off shift at 3pm, and right before he left he had asked her to come over once her shift ended.
Now, it was 7 o'clock and her 12-hour shift was over. She finished changing and walked to her car, still puzzling over the doctor's odd behavior. The 10 minute drive gave her plenty of uninterrupted time to think about Kel. They had been an official couple for only 6 months now, but it had been a long time coming. 7 years coming, in fact.
She pulled up in front of his house, still thinking. What could he be up to? She climbed the the 3 brick steps to his front door, and knocked.
"Hey, Dix," says Kel with a smile. "Come on in."
Dixie crosses the threshold, surprised to see him still in the shirt and tie he wore to work.
"Sorry Kel," she says. "I didn't realize this was a dressy affair." She herself was wearing jeans and a patterned green blouse.
"Oh, it doesn't matter," he answers. "We're not going anywhere. I just forgot to change." He takes of his tie and unbuttons his collar, hoping to make her more comfortable. He honestly couldn't care less about what she wore. She could've shown up in a garbage sack and his feelings would not have changed.
"Sit down, Dix," Kel says as he leads her into the dining room. "I've made dinner."
Dixie takes it all in. Kel, smiling bigger than ever, pulls her chair out for her. The gorgeous redwood table is shining. Two peacock blue candles in crystal holders sit in the middle of it. Two placemats, the same color as the candles with white trim, sit across from each other on the glossy wood. Gleaming silverware sits on pristine white napkins, and there is a crystal goblet at each place.
Kel brings out plates loaded with prime rib, cheesy potatoes, and green beans. He sets one plate in front of Dixie and the other at his place across from her. Then, he brings out a bottle of red wine and fills both of their goblets. He sits down, and raises his glass.
"To us."
"To us," Dixie echos. Still, she is confused. Big romantic gestures like this aren't Kel's thing. Sure, he's a great guy, a wonderful doctor, and a marvelous boyfriend. But he'd never so much as bought her flowers for her birthday.
They eat quietly, with Dixie complementing the food and Kel accepting the compliments. He looks nervous, she thinks. I wonder why.
After they finish eating, Kel clears the plates. He returns from the kitchen carrying crystal dishes of crème brûlée. He smiles at the look of excitement on Dixie's face. He knows that it's her favorite dessert.
They start in on the sweet custards. Kel can't help but grin at the look of pure delight on his Dix's face. He just hopes that delight carries through the rest of the evening.
Nearing the bottom of her dish, Dixie notices what looks like a folded paper sticking out of the remaining custard. She pulls it out. As she begins to unfold it, Kel gets up and pulls something out of his pocket.
She finishes unfolding it. "Dixie McCall," she reads, "I love you. I've loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. Now, I'm ready for the world to know how much I love you. I know I can be an jerk sometimes. That's just who I am. I can't promise you a flawless relationship, but I can promise you my love."
Dixie looks up from the note with tears in her eyes. "Kel," she begins, but he interrupts her.
"Dixie Ann McCall, will you marry me?' Kel Brackett is down on one knee, holding open a jewel case with the most beautiful diamond engagement ring inside.
Dixie throws her arms around him. "Yes," she whispers in his ear. "Yes, yes, yes."
She pulls away. and he slips the ring onto her finger. He holds her tight for a few minutes, then they walk to the front door. Despite the excitement of the evening, it's quite late and they both have 12-hour shifts scheduled for the next day. Dixie is floating on air as she walks to her car.
"Goodnight, my love," Kel calls from his porch.