Hi everyone. Sorry this chapter took so long to update. Life got in the way for us both. So we're trying to make it up to you all. We want to give Karen and Derek a date, without them being to OOC. Sorry if they are. Please review. It helps us come up with more ideas. Thank you.
Derek and Karen strolled around New York, both nervous of what was happening. As if fate had sensed their emotions they ended up finding a little informal restaurant in the style of Romanoff's. Marilyn's favourite restaurant. Everything was 30-40s style even down to the staff's uniforms. It was quirky, yet comfortable.
Even the food was just right for a Phantom and his Christine. Derek had lost his Voice. Every time he went to speak, in his head, it sounded like a stage direction. He just hoped it wasn't showing.
Karen was pins and needles. She had noticed every since she had met Derek in the lobby he was suddenly quiet. Which she found interesting. Everything was being conveyed by the looks and gestures on Derek's face. She was calming down knowing the Dark Lord was nervous too. His green eyes, she would never tire of. And here they were in a place which Marilyn must have chosen for them.
As the waiter came to take their order, neither wanted to break the silence. It was as if they didn't want anything to ruin the magic. So the both pointed to what they wanted to eat. Yet the waiter had seen that look many times, he knew neither would end up eating much.
He went back to the kitchen. "Two love birds in the corner. Looks like a first date if you ask me." He told the chef. "Ah to be young and in love, are they even speaking to each other? She's stunning and he looks as if he's won the lottery." "They're in their own bubble. We could send them anything and they wouldn't even notice." "We'll give them what they ordered...wait, look, that young woman has a strong resemblance to our Miss Monroe. Let's send them two Monroe specials, it never fails. And it may be a first date, but look at how they look at each other. They've known each other a while and this is new ground for them." "How do know all this?" "Buddy being in this business in the most cynical city on the planet, you don't see the real thing very often. So you remember it when you do."
Un aware of the conversation going on Karen looked at Derek and said "Cat got your tongue? I'm quite enjoying your strong silent brooding look. Can we have it more at the theatre please" she shot him a playful look. Derek returned the look and finally croaked out "Miss Cartwright, I wish I could, but my power over the rest of the company may loose its power. Can't have that now can we? This darling is something only you are privy too. I quite enjoy that only you see me and not the Dark Lord." Karen giggled, "It was the Dark Lord that caught my attention. Even after Happy Birthday, the way you commanded attention from everyone, and yet when I was wrong on a dance step, the mask was up but your guiding touch was gentle." Finished Karen blushing ever so slightly.
"Oh. Really? Well, I must make a note if that, for future reference."
Karen was going bright red. And worse still she knew that Derek knew what to say to get that reaction. Oh how she loved it when he said things like this. She felt she was on fire.
Derek saw the reaction, oh how he loved it. No-one but Karen could go so red and look so happy about it at the same time. She was the one. He wondered could he embarrass her again, just to see that look.
"So my darling, does that mean you were going wrong on purpose then? Or was it innocent?" "Derek, you know, knew, I, I hadn't much theatre training. Of course it was innocent." A flustered Karen replied.
Before Derek could reply, the waiter came back with the specials. "Sir, the chef said since your lovely lady looks like Marilyn Monroe, you deserve the Monroe specials. Enjoy."
The red in Karen's face returned. "Me? Oh, oh thank you. Isn't that lovely Derek? Derek I'm going to stay like a lobster if you keep looking at me that way." Derek smirked "Miss Cartwright, all I'm doing is looking. Nothing more my dear. Yet what my mind is thinking may give you permanent sun burn. But we'll leave that to the wedding night." Derek reached for her hand, circling the back; he suddenly felt the spark, that fiery feeling. "Oh. Um Derek, I think we need to keep our hands busy. Let's eat."
Derek released her hand and nodded.
So they ate in silence. Both their minds wondering in directions that they had never really thought before. "Till death do we part?" Became a phrase running in both their heads.
After the meal was finished and paid for neither really knew what the next step was. "So is it true your rewriting the JFK/Marilyn scene?" Karen said as they stepped into the night.
"Yes. I know you aren't comfortable at the minute. So much can be said without you having to drop the sheet, which I noticed you weren't doing anyway. You were letting the gravity of the conversation take the audience on the journey, so when you're left alone on the bed, the audience has more sympathy for Marilyn, yet retain the dignity. I was eavesdropping on the audience. Quite a few had seen it done the other way and felt uncomfortable watching. While they said your portrayal had more heart.
"Well from everything I've read and watched Marilyn herself, said it was like turning on a switch. She would always be Norma Jean. But in public, she was Marilyn. I tried to keep that in mind with every show and rehearsal."
"You play what you feel is right my darling. There is never a wrong answer when playing a complex person as Marilyn. Come on, take my hand, it's a lovely night for a stroll in Central Park."
Derek and Karen walked hand in hand around Central Park for what seemed like an age, they spoke about everything, Ben, Bombshell, the future, what kind of shows they were going up against this season and even Hit List made their conversation.
When they grew tired, they sat down at one of the many benches surrounding the park, a nearby street lamp illuminated Karen's face perfectly to the point that to Derek it seemed as though her eyes were twinkling.
Derek smiled warmly at Karen, not needing to say a word; Karen returned his smile with extra warmth and held his hand. Sensing the moment Derek leaned in and only stopped when he felt a cold tickle at the back of his neck. Karen looked away distracted, her face lit up with joy.
Looking slightly to the right Derek could see it was starting to snow. He wasn't sure whether he should continue or not, had the moment been spoiled? Just then a flake of snow landed directly on Derek's face just above his chin. Karen laughed and flicked it off before briefly locking lips with him.
Derek smiled craftily before leaning in for a proper kiss. He couldn't believe it; after all this time he was kissing his Marilyn, he was kissing his Karen. In that moment Derek felt more alive than he had felt in years. When they broke the kiss, they both looked deep into each other's eyes.
"Wow" Karen whispered
"I have been warned that a simple kiss from me can send a woman into shock for days" Derek joked
"You weren't that bad" Karen retorted sending Derek into a fit of laughter
When the laughter died down; silence filled the air, the snowfall on Central Park was like something on one of the postcards newsagents would try to flog to tourists. To Derek it was quite a sight and who better to experience it with than Karen. That being said of course it was also bloody freezing so naturally when Derek saw a young man sprinting through Central Park he couldn't help but stop him. The young man seemed like he had some place to be but Derek just couldn't help himself.
The young man responded to his call and Karen blushed a shade of bright red as she knew what was coming next. Derek promised the man forty dollars if he took his picture with Karen, Derek gave him his phone and then posed amid the beautiful scenery with his Christine.