I am down on my knees, there' no better time,
It's something to last for long as you live,
I am giving you all my heart can give... This gift-98 degree
In the Florida military resort, Duke and Hawk play golf while Hawk asks, "Is something on your mind, son? You seem preoccupied." Duke smiles and answers, "My apology, Hawk. Just watching Scarlet." Hawk looks out to the field and sees Scarlet playing American football with the guys. She runs through Aces, Dusty, Mainframe and Falcon like the wind. No one can even get close to her.
Hawk and Duke clap their hands as Scarlet scores the touch down. Scarlet smiles and greets, "Good afternoon, sir. Did you enjoy your game?" Falcon runs up and shouts, "This is totally uncool! You won the basketball game, the volleyball game, and now the American football game! Right in front of my brother, too! I'm shamed! I demand a rematch! Now!"
"We're running out of sport to play." Scarlet says sweetly. Her smile shines like the sun. Duke is mesmerized. Falcon picks up a soccer ball and asks, "Football?" Scarlet lifts her knee and steals the ball so fast by the time Falcon starts chasing after her, she is already ten feet away. Other Joes hollers and rushes after Falcon.
Aces shouts, "Duke, Hawk! Come help us out here. We're getting smoked." Hawk shakes his head to declines, "no, thank you. I am too old to engage in such intensity. I am exhausted just by watching all you youngster roaming and rushing." Duke and Hawk sit at the side to watch the game. "Sometimes I wonder what I did to make me deserve such perfection." Duke says with gratification as he watches Scarlet leading the screaming Joes across the field.
Hawk is happy to see the relationship of his two favorite Joes blooming. Hawk always sees Duke and Scarlet as his own children. When Hawk first realized Duke was attracted to Scarlet, he was worried that it might affect Duke's work. But the couple proofed that Hawk has none to worry. Not only they keep their personal life discreet and clear from work, they manage to enhance each other work performance. Even General Sharp admits that Duke and Scarlet become much better soldiers since dating.
The driver who comes to pick up the Joes walks up and complains, "Just what I need. A bus load of smelly soldier boys." The guys run toward the bus and Scarlet says to Duke, "I'll see you tomorrow at the base." Duke looks around and says, "Stay at my room tonight. You can go back in my car tomorrow." Scarlet replies, "I can't stay in your room for the night."
Duke assures her, "we're just going to talk. My work monopolized all my time last month. I want to compensate for the lack of attention. Relax at the spa. Be in my room at eighteen hundred." Scarlet hastens for a moment then heads to the spa. She sees Cover Girl and Lady Jane heading toward the sauna. They had asked some guys to give her a ride so she can stay.
Inside the sauna, Scarlet asks Lady Jane, "Can I borrow your dress? I want to look nice for Duke." Cover Girl jokes, "Anything on you will be off the moment you get into the room." Scarlet blushes and protests, "Duke said we're just gonna talk." Cover girl continues to jokes, "that's what all men say. A man's room is a tiger cave, you are dead the moment you walk into it." Scarlet pretends she is mad and storms out.
"Scarlet! I'm sorry." Cover Girl runs after her. Scarlet throws Cover Girl down the Jacuzzi. Cover girl screams, "The water is cold!" Lady Jane pushes Scarlet in as Scarlet pulls Lady Jane into the water. They laugh for a long time. Cover girl slows down and says, "Scarlet, seriously, Duke might really want tonight to be the night. You've been dating him for a long time and he looks like he had something planned."
Scarlet nods and replies, "I'm confused, and a little scared. I don't know what to think." Lady Jane smiles and comforts, "then don't think about it too much. Duke won't push you if you told him you aren't ready. Come on, let's make you pretty for now." The three girls go and get ready for Scarlet's date. After Cover Girl helps her to put on make up, Scarlet looks into the mirror.
"Thanks, Cover Girl. I can always count on you to make me pretty no matter what happen." Scarlet says. Lady Jane pats Scarlet's head and says, "go get him, girl." Scarlet takes a deep breath and goes up to Duke's room. Duke opens the door and greets, "you are every bits breath-taking."
Scarlet is stunned by how handsome Duke looks. He dressed up charmingly and his aftershave smells wonderful. Scarlet stands there and stares at him speechless. Duke knows Scarlet is entranced by him, and is delighted to have that effect on her. He impresses her with his greatest smile and asks, "Something wrong with me?" Scarlet lowers her head embarrassed.
Duke calms her, "Do not be nervous, have faith in me." Scarlet replies, "I'm sorry. You look handsome tonight." Duke hands Scarlet ten roses; nine white roses with one red rose in the middle. "The roses symbolize you are one in a million. I hope you like what I prepared for you." Duke says as he lifts the cover of the plate to show macaroni and cheese. Scarlet smiles.
"I know this will bring smile to your face. Your favorite food." Duke smiles and sits down opposite to her. Scarlet relaxes and spends some tenderness moment with Duke. Before they know, it's twelve O'clock already. Duke stands up and says, "Scarlet, do you know today is our anniversary? I walked into the Pitt five years ago and you capitulated me the moment you appeared in front of my eyes."
He walks up to Scarlet and knees in front of her and says, "you are the miracle of my life. My feelings for you transcend any friendship and love. I want us to be together for eternality." Scarlet knows what Duke is going to say next. Her heart pounds. Duke voices the question, "Scarlet, marry me?" He takes out a heart shape diamond ring.
Scarlet opens her mouth but no word comes out. She stands up, looks at Duke and faints. Duke catches her, helps her sits down, and asks, "are you alright?" Scarlet plays with her hair timidly and answers, "I am so sorry, that is embarrassing." Duke always loves to watch Scarlet when she blushes. He just sits there and admires Scarlet's beauty.
"Duke, you know how military internal affair hate you dating me. They will be furious if they know! And your mother, she hates me too! And you might get transferred out of the Joes! And what about Hawk's recommendation for you?" Scarlet says. Duke puts his fingers on her mouth lightly to quiet her.
"You always put too much consideration onto me. I stated more than once that I am getting older. My career cannot console me forever. You are the direction of my life. Do remember that." Duke says. Tears fall from Scarlet's eyes. Duke wipes it away. Scarlet says, "I have so many things on my mind right now."
Duke takes Scarlet's hand and puts the ring on her finger. He smiles to her and says, "I love you, Scarlet." Scarlet smiles back and says, "Thank you. I am shocked. I don't know what to say. I am overwhelmed. I was not expecting this."
Duke kisses her forehead lightly and says, "we better get some sleep. Starting tomorrow we have a wedding to plan in addition to our regular duty." Scarlet blushes again. Duke smiles and leads her to the bed. "Sleep at the bed tonight. I will take the couch." Duke says. Scarlet lowers her head.
"Thank you, Duke. I love you." Scarlet says.
Continue at Ch.2