Chapter 17 "Baby, I Love Your Way "(late October 1983)

"Shadows grow so long before my eyes.

And they're moving across the page.

Suddenly the day turns into night.

Far away from the City, but don't hesitate.

'Cause your love won't wait, hey

Ooh, baby, I love your way every day.

Want to tell you I love your way every day

Want to be with you night and day."

Peter Frampton, "Baby, I love your way."

Egon Spengler

Janine's birthday was on Tuesday before the City's gala, and we hadn't seen each other outside of HQ since our date watching the stars on the roof. However, a couple of days before her big day, I asked her if she was free. I thought I would surprise her after her shift and take her to dinner at one of the nice restaurants that Peter took his dates and then walk around the New York Botanical Gardens.

Since my auburn-haired love commenced working for us, Janine brought her own potted plants from home to the office to give the office atmosphere, and it was clearly evident that she had a green thumb. When I had seen the garden on the patio of her apartment for the first time, I was impressed. Janine had planted blazing and fragrant yellow and purple pansies in the late summer, and they had magnificently. She also had a brown pot with light blue cornflower flowers with a lilac in the middle and a hanging potted plant from the ceiling.

That morning I placed a large book about Native New York plants that I had bought at a bookstore in the Village with a red bow on it in the middle of her desk before she arrived for her shift and wrote a quick note saying "happy birthday, my angel, Egon."

Before Janine arrived that day, I hid upstairs to watch her reaction with grand anticipation as I was extremely excited to view her reaction to my gift and want to make her happy. She made an entrance as she always did when she walked into the firehouse wearing a lovely long-sleeved knee-length purple dress with a huge white pansy on the right side of it and a pair of black knee-length boots. As usual, she had her classic 1000 watt smile on her face that lit up the room when she entered it. Her expression was a mixture of pure bliss and delirium when she saw the book. Gasping, she read the note attached happily and then undid the book's bow, eager to look at the glossy pages, fascinated.

"Oh Egon," she sighed, happily to herself, and with that, I went back to the lab to work.

When Janine had a free moment that morning, she found me by myself. When she saw me, she ran over to the lab table and hugged me tightly.

"Thank you so much; I love the book," my Angel gushed, eyes shining with joyfulness.

"You are welcome," I responded, very pleased, gazing into her beautiful face, "you look extraordinarily gorgeous today. Happy birthday, my angel."

Without warning, Janine pulled me down for a tender kiss. It was absolutely exhilarating, so I kissed her again.

"I want more of that later, Dr. Spengler," she reported afterward, flirting with me, "when we go out later."

Janine withdrew from the lab with a smile and returned to her desk. Needless to say, our date went splendidly that night, and I felt ecstatic.

Four days later

Today was the gala's day, and it forced me to socialize with people that I didn't know, which resulted in a high amount of anxiety for me.

It was five in the evening on Saturday, and Ray and I were waiting for his sister, Lucy, and Janine to appear from Peter's bedroom where they were changing clothes. Lucy Stantz was a doctoral candidate in archaeology at NYU and sometimes stood in as a date for Ray if he didn't have one.

Ray and I were dressed in our formal wear sitting at the kitchen table. Lucy came out of the bedroom first in a sleeveless floor-length red dress that matched her older brother's tie. She was tall, with long brown hair with some nice curves and the same smile as Ray, making it clear that they were related.

"Where are you going, Lucy, "he inquired anxiously, looking at his watch.

"I need a couple of safety pins for my dress; it's falling down in the front but don't look," Lucy warned him, heading down the stairs as I read a physics periodical.

"Wait, I'll get it," he offered helpfully, "where is it?"

"It's in Janine's middle drawer of her desk. Grab as many as you can," she said, feeling embarrassed while holding the front of her dress up.

"What would Janine wear" I wondered, and my thoughts reflected on that for a moment. She remained very secretive about her frock other than the fact that it was cream-colored and that I have to have a matching tie for some reason. Janine surprised me yesterday by giving it to me, and I liked it.

"J, I don't see any," Ray yelled from downstairs.

"Keep looking until I get down there. I'm trying to put my contacts in," she yelled in response. A minute later, Janine emerged in a full-length cream-colored dress tied around her neck and matching stilettos that probably added four inches to her height. The thin sheer material tapered at her waist then flowed down to the floor, and she appeared to me like a stunning Greek goddess. My breath caught in my throat, but Janine was oblivious to it all because she was helping Lucy. I dropped my magazine on the floor as a response to seeing her.

"Oh, baby, I love the way, every day," Peter Frampton sang from the radio,"

Ooh, baby, I love your way, every day, yeah.

I wanna tell you I love your way, every day, yeah.

I wanna be with you night and day,"

I sang along with Peter Frampton, agreeing silently that I loved Janine's way.l

"Iggy, Close your mouth a little," he advised, laughingly, adding, "flies are going to get in."

Chagrinned, I cleared my throat, and Ray made some small talk about one of our cases.

Without a glance at us, Janine rushed back upstairs, pulling her dress up with both hands to avoid tripping, and grabbed Lucy's hand determinedly. They went back into Peter's room and closed the door shut without hesitation.

"Janine looks like Aphrodite," I admitted, absentmindedly as my mind was on Janine's beauty and her steaminess.

Amused, Ray chuckled and stopped all conversation, realizing it was fruitless to talk to me.

"Why isn't Ms. Chambers going with you," I inquired, referring to Phoebe.

"It's her Grandmother's birthday today, and all of her family is meeting at her parent's house this weekend," he replied, a little disappointed.

Within ten minutes, the two ladies emerged from Peter's bedroom, fully dressed. Janine's face lit up when she saw my tuxedo and mouthed, "Wow! to me," and I felt my face flush with embarrassment and turn very hot.

Janine

Before we stepped out of Peter's bedroom, I asked Lucy how I looked tonight. She and I became fast friends as we helped each other with our formal makeup, hairdos, and dresses. We both shared the same type of humor and some of the same hobbies, like racquetball. I inquired of my new friend about my appearance.

"Extremely beautiful," she complimented me and asked with a strange side-wise glance, "why are you nervous?"

Giggling, I admitted that Egon and I had been on a few informal dates and that I liked him very much. Much to Lucy's extraordinary disbelief, I told her how he surprised me for my birthday this week.

"Wow! If Egon doesn't see how gorgeous you look, he isn't worth it," Lucy exclaimed sincerely, then she picked up her hairbrush.

"I think I have seen him smile like three times in the few years that I have him, and he's normally very monotone and kind of cold emotionally, isn't he," She questioned, brushing her long medium brown hair carefully.

"I guess so; our interactions have progressed over the last seven months. At first, Egon thought I was silly for flirting with him, but I guess I grew on him. Oh, the way he kisses, thinking about it gives me the chills," I added, sighing dramatically, with my hand on my heart, and I shut my eyes for a second," and he's shockingly affectionate, too."

"You and I have to have lunch soon so you can dish. Let's go," Lucy urged, grinning.

At first, I felt my face turn red in nervousness as we walked out. I felt Egon's eyes on me at once and observed happily that his face showed a mixture of wonder and admiration. His mouth had dropped open. Shyly, we locked eyes, and I felt a shiver of excitement go up to my spine afterward as I admired him. Egon looked absolutely fabulous in a tuxedo with his broad shoulders and tall torso and toned chest, almost like James Bond in one of those movies, and his sexiness was so hot.

His gaze followed me as I padded over there and opened it where four plastic containers of flowers- two for Lucy and Ray and two for Egon and me.

"Lucy, here are yours," I informed, handing them to her carefully. Then I ambled to where my debonair date rose anxiously from his chair. He gave me a delighted smile as I placed the corsage on the end table next to him, and I opened the plastic container for his boutineer. Still speechless, Egon seemed stupefied when I stepped closer to him, smelling his nice cologne, and placed the cream-colored rose in his pocket.

"You look so handsome tonight. I like the formal look on you," I complimented, giving him a wink, putting the boutineer in his breast pocket with care. Once it was straight, I stood back to analyze my gorgeous date. After I gave him the once over, approvingly, I stepped closer to him and growled, seductively,

"Mmmm, do you look scrumptious!"

Egon met my gaze with a raised eyebrow as I put my hand on his chest and let it slide down his shirt towards his waist.

"Thank you," he whispered after a delay, still viewing me like I was a curiosity.

"Better watch out, Dr. Spengler, "I purred, putting my arms around his neck and licking my lips very leisurely. Hopefully, I was enticing him.

First, Egon gave me a deliciously, sultry grin. Shocking me, he pulled me close to him with his strong arms, and I leaned into him for a second, putting my head on his chest. We embraced for a while.

"Or?" he whispered into my ear, huskily, then kissed it gently. I pulled back to see his intrigued, handsome face.

"I may pounce on you and hold you as my captive later," I flirted in a throaty murmur.

With a low throaty chuckle, he admitted, "I wouldn't mind that at all."

He gave me a very sly glance and gradually used his hand to lift my chin up to his face, and my breath caught in my throat for a second. As the familiar aroma of his cologne filled my nostrils, I inhaled it deeply and shut my eyes. Egon snogged me ardently without warning and forcibly stuck his tongue in my mouth to deepen it.

"That was to tease you until later," he murmured after he bowed down to speak in my ear," my exquisite Aphrodite."

Egon kissed my forehead, and I simpered, thanking him for the romantic compliment.

"It's true. You are my Goddess of love and beauty," he admitted with a grin.

Unexpectedly, Egon placed my hand in his and then twirled me around twice at a plodding pace so he could further adore my appearance. As he scanned my body with his eyes, extremely erotically, I felt like he was undressing me. It was very similar to when he "accidentally" walked into the bathroom when I was changing for a date, and my pulse and breathing rate quickened. With all of the attention he was giving me, I blushed and smiled brightly, feeling ecstatic.

"You make me feel sensational," I admitted afterward, smiling.

"I'm not doing anything; you are stunning," he revealed, truthfully, gazing into my eyes. Quickly, I put my lips on his left cheek for a chaste kiss.

"You two are having too much fun already, save it for the gala or after the gala," Ray replied, deadpan. He was smiling, though, and Lucy watched us with a shocked yet interested look as I attempted to put my corsage in my wrist.

My love didn't reply as was his style but looked amused at his colleague's comment. I let it pass by, and Ray looked surprised that I did so.

"No smart ass comment, J," he asked, jokingly, with a questioning look.

"Not at this time, big brother. Maybe later. My corsage won't stay on my wrist."

As I struggled to put on the corsage around my right wrist, Egon offered to help after viewing my growing frustration with it.

"Hold still, please," Egon instructed, placing the matching cream color corsage around my wrist and fitting it together with a pin that was on it. When he touched me, I grinned and noted that he was extremely gentle when he fastened it securely.

"Thanks," I replied, and his eyes twinkled as a response.

"Ready," Ray asked us, and I nodded.

Egon offered me his arm, and I accepted it with a big wide grin, and we carefully walked down the stairs.

"We have to move slowly. I have four-inch stilettos on, and I can be a bit wobbly," I instructed him before we went downstairs," and I am still four inches shorter than you with these on."

Downstairs, Egon opened the door for me before I sat into Ecto One, and after he sat down, we held hands on the way to the convention center. I felt like Egon, and I exuded happiness as Ray drove us to the gala, and all four of us easily conversed.

As the City went by, I leaned my head on Egon's shoulder, and he put his head on top of mine, and as we viewed the sunset out the window.

Peter Venkman

My gala date was a svelte blonde journalism student at Columbia who interned at The Times named Bianca. She wore a stunning black cocktail dress that emphasized her cleavage and her alluring curvaceous body. We arrived fifteen minutes before my business partners and their dates, so I admired my date's physique and whispering sweet nothings in her ear before they arrived. Hopefully, those compliments would plant a seed that I could water later on tonight.

First, Ray and his pretty younger sister Lucy came into the banquet hall looking dapper. I was impressed because I knew that he hated to dress up, especially formally.

Afterward, Egon and Janine strolled in arm and arm. She was wearing a cream-colored halter stop dress like Marilyn Monroe did in her famous photo with her skirt flying up, and it accentuated her slim figure and toned arms and shoulders. Spengler looked dazzled by his date, and Janine looked really thrilled to be there with him. Honestly, they already looked like a couple.

"Oh, look at those two," Bianca excitedly commented, pointing at Janine and Egon, "they look great together. Isn't that the uptight Ghostbuster? He's cute enough but doesn't have any personality."

I nodded, then defended Egon since he was one of my closest friends. Ray saw us and waved before maneuvering to where we were standing on the side of the room.

"Would you like a drink, Lucy," he asked.

She nodded, and I introduced Bianca to her. Ray went off to grab some drinks.

"Hello, Lucy, you look divine," I complimented her with a thin-lipped smile. Lucy blushed and thanked me. At one time, she had a crush on me, but Ray forbade me to initiate anything. He knew that Lucy would be hurt in the end, and that was true.

"Well, well, well, "I said, as Janine and Egon joined us, "Are Spengs and Brooklyn making their debut in New York City's social circles finally?"

"Haha," Janine replied, rolling her eyes. Egon didn't comment but didn't let go of her arm. He looked stiff and out of place but exuberant because Janine was with him. We made small talk for a minute as I observed Janine attempt to calm Egon's nerves.

"Relax," She whispered up to him, grabbing his right hand to shake it until he gave her a smirk.

Shortly, Ray returned with a flute of champagne for him and Lucy.

"This is Bianca, Janine. Janine is our secretary/accountant/computer specialist, and you already know Egon and Ray," I introduced everyone.

"I see that you added 'computer specialist' to my job description now," Janine remarked, sassily, raising a well-manicured eyebrow, "Does this mean that I am getting a raise?"

We all laughed and chatted for a while. Later, when I ordered everyone to go mingle, Egon rolled his eyes.

"It will be ok, big guy. You have the mouth of Brooklyn with you to assist you," I said, winking at Janine.

"Bravo," Brooklyn replied drily with a deadpan expression. With that, Egon led her around the room, and they introduced themselves to other business owners in the City.

Janine Melnitz

As Egon and I socialized with various business owners and government officials, I noticed that he hid it pretty decently though I knew he didn't like it. He did hold on to my right arm tightly, and his hands were slightly sweaty with perspiration, but I didn't mind that. I assisted Egon with keeping a conversation smooth and light with other people and handed out business cards from my cream-colored clutch wallet. We worked well as a team.

"Would you like something to drink," Egon asked me, thoughtfully, after we spoke to yet another city official an hour into the gala?

"Sure, thank you," I answered, and he left my side to join the line in the front of the room. Just then, Ray sidled up to me to chat.

"How's it going over here?"

"Very Well, big brother, oh, by the way, I adore Lucy. She's so fantastic, "I informed him.

"I'm glad! It's almost like I have two little sisters since you two have some similar attributes and feistiness," he answered, with a cute grin, then added, "I'm very shocked to hear Egon has been able to communicate with you or anyone. Earlier, he was thunderstruck by you when you came out of Peter's room to help Lucy find a pin. She can hardly believe that was the same Egon Spengler that she had known for three years when he gave you that kiss in front of us."

"Well, I didn't expect him to kiss me in front of you at work, big brother," I nervously replied with a giggle.

"Who cares about that? I am happy to see the two of you dating," he replied, then left me as Lucy rejoined him.

"Thanks, that's a nice compliment," I replied with a grin, and he turned his head to smile at me.

"Here you go," Egon announced, handing me a flute of champagne. He had one in his hands for himself, which surprised me because he didn't drink normally.

"Thank you for assisting me tonight with meeting people. You have been a great comfort," he remarked after taking a sip from his glass.

"You are welcome," I responded, sincerely, "it has been entertaining, and I think we make a good team."

Then I took one sip of the bubbly liquid and realized it was powerful quickly.

"Wow! That must be the expensive stuff. I can only drink one glass tonight," I exclaimed, warning him.

When a one hundred percent sinful sneer appeared on my love's face, suddenly my heart skipped a beat when he inquired, "And what happens if you drink another glass, Ms. Melnitz?"

Blushing, I moved closer to him, fluttered my eyelashes, and put my right hand on his chest over his heart. As I held it there for a minute, the pace of his breathing increased a bit. Slowly, I answered in a whisper,

"I can be a little too. Uhm ..affectionate, Dr. Spengler ."

"Do you need more than one glass, Ms. Melnitz?" He teased, placing his free hand on my back leisurely, then he rubbed his hand up and down there for a half of a minute. I felt a shiver move down my spine, and my back now felt warm where his hand was located.

"I don't need the drink to be demonstrative with you, Dr. Spengler. But I think you already know that," I muttered up to him, looking up at him through his eyelashes while removing my hand from his body.

Raising his right eyebrow at me, Egon glanced down at me with a lustful expression as his cheeks changed to a deep pink color.

"You may need to remind me later, Ms. Melnitz," he replied flirtatiously, leaning down to whisper in my left ear. Next, his tantalizing lips kissed it very softly, and he took a step back with a devilish smirk on his face.

"That can be arranged," I murmured, with a desirous expression in my eyes.

"If you came to work dressed like Aphrodite every day, I would have to act completely differently," he flirted, full of innuendo.

"Dr. Spengler," I pretended to be shocked and put my hand back over my own heart for dramatic effect, and as a result, he let a little sigh out, then I inquired, "What would this behavior look like?"

Egon gave me a pensive glance with a seductive smirk on his lips that made me feel aroused, and I thought that I adored it when he flirted with me.

"Damn it, "I said inwardly as I saw Peter and Bianca coming towards us behind Egon before he replied.

"There's the mayor," Dr. Venkman said excitedly, pointing to the left. "move it, Romeo and Juliet."

"Romeo" and "Juliet" were going to be Peter's new nicknames apparently, and I rolled my eyes. I recognized socializing and behaving as a leader were two of Venkman's strengths, and it now made sense of his role in the company.

We met the mayor and spoke to him for a few minutes. Although he politely entertained us, he seemed extremely cautious about the ideas of ghost chasers.

Afterward, we dispersed again, and we went around the room to meet new people for another two and a half hours.

Egon Spengler

Janine put me at ease when I met new people by standing by my side like a security blanket. Even though I tried not to stare at her too much, she stood out in the sea of people as the most aesthetically appealing in the room, hands down. I was indeed in awe of her.

When I told her Janine looked like Aphrodite, that wasn't a joke. My heart soared when I was with her, and I loved that she was flirting with me all night. Janine made me feel alive and out of control, and surprisingly, I cherished those feelings. Based on our earlier flirtations, I deduced that she and I would be under a blanket somewhere in a couple of hours, demonstrating our love for each other again. I couldn't wait for the opportunity to show her how much I cared for her. Although I didn't think she was easy, and I actually would be more than disappointed if she was, I longed to make love to her.

After we spoke to the mayor and more business owners, my auburn-haired date asked me with her blue eyes twinkling mischievously,

"You never finished your thought earlier. How would you act differently if I wore this dress every day."

"I would flirt with you all day, try to impress you, and attempt to convince you to go out on a date with me every night," I confessed, bravely, "and definitely not worry about capturing ghosts."

Shock registered on her face once again, and she was speechless.

"I guess it's a good thing for Peter and Ray that I don't wear this dress at work normally," She finally started, batting her eyelashes, "unfortunate for me, though."

"Let's get some fresh air," I suggested when I had enough of the forced socialization of the gala.

Intrigued, Janine took my arm and followed me. We left our half-drunk champagne flutes on a table outside of the room because we couldn't take them outside. When we went out of the gala out the door into the night, a brisk wind blew into us as the air had chilled with the setting of the sun, and Janine started to shiver, so I gave her my jacket. When she protested, I didn't allow her to argue, and she shut her mouth instantly. Next, I pulled her close to me and told her again how beautiful she looked.

"I'm so honored to be here with you tonight, Aphrodite," I admitted, smiling at her and allowing her to pull me in for a long kiss.

After our amorous display, I felt something tugging at my heart to attempt to explain the struggles I faced with my intense emotions for her, so I took a deep breath.

"You are much too pretty for a work-obsessed scientist. Science is my focus and always has been. You are a gray area in my life, and afraid you are wasting your time on me," I confessed self-consciously, then slowly turned my head away from her, feeling dissatisfied and morose.

"Egon, you wouldn't have thrown Peter against the wall or kissed me at the bar if you truly thought that, am I right" Janine questioned me, as her hand on my face to turn it towards mine, then withdrew it when I faced her.

"No, but I never said I wasn't mystified by my own feelings. About feeling so strongly for someone for the first time. I didn't think I was made for that," I revealed earnestly.

"We have only been on a handful of dates, and I have relished every one of them. I enjoy spending time with you, but if you don't want to do that anymore, I'll be disappointed, but I will recover. "Janine added, appearing disheartened, but trying to hide it by turning her back towards me.

Perplexed by this turn of events, I didn't understand what had happened. However, when I heard my Goddess sniffle and sob a few times, I had to find out the reason as my heart ached painfully.

"Janine, what's wrong," I asked her, gently pulling her hand in the hopes that she would turn around and explain. Hesitantly, she faced me, still standing a little away from me, and I could see that her eyes were pink from crying.

"Tell me the answers to these two questions truthfully, Egon," My angel requested, and I nodded.

"First, do you care for me?"

"Deeply, Janine, so very deeply,"

I responded, meeting her eyes, hoping they conveyed the sincerity of my heart as I watched as tears filled her eyes joyfully at my answer.

"Number two- Do you really want me to stop 'wasting my time on you' as you said, "Janine requested, earnestly her blue eyes wide open, a tear running down her face.

Wordlessly, I pulled her into my arms and lowered my head so I could nuzzle her neck with my nose as my heart boomed thunderously in my chest. She smelled so sweet, and her skin felt so soft. Janine felt so right in my arms then I answered her in one word in a throaty whisper,

"Never."

Afterward, Janine squeezed me tightly, and I did the same. Happily, we pulled back to gaze at each other. I thought how small she looked in my tuxedo jacket yet alluring.

"Then, my darling, why are you warning me about 'gray areas' and your work habits. I know you work almost around the clock because you dream of winning a Nobel prize; you are sometimes uncomfortable talking to me after we go on a date because you are concerned about balancing the two things and having problems communicating. I care so much about you, Egon Spengler, for the way you are, the man you are," she elucidated, putting her tiny hand on my jawline delicately, with a loving tone of voice.

As my response, I kissed her spiritedly after embracing her.

"If I could only put into words the intensity of my emotions for you, "I said to her afterward, "I might be able to put it in a formula, though, if you are interested in it in a scientific way."

Laughing, Janine hugged me.

"No, my darling, that will suffice for now," she playfully teased and pulled me down for a kiss.

Feeling emboldened, I sang the whole Peter Frampton song, "Baby, I love your way," to her outside of the convention center while we embraced.

"I can see the sunset in your eyes.

Brown and grey, and blue besides

Clouds are stalking islands in the sun.

I wish I could buy one out of season.

But don't, no, no, no, hesitate.

'Cause your love won't wait, just won't wait."

The rest of the world faded away slowly, and all I had in my vision was her.

"Let's get the hell out of here," Aphrodite urged, shivering after kissing me after I finished singing.

Ray

Lucy and I found Spengler and J outside of the convention center. Because Venkman had asked me to find them. Now that I found them, I didn't want to disturb them because I watched Spengler pull her into a hug with his arms and held onto her for a moment.

Sighing, I told Lucy about the Egon-Janine flirtation that had been ongoing since she started working at HQ in the shortest way possible. It did seem more and more like they were becoming a couple lately - he did buy Janine a gift for her birthday and took her out to dinner that night instead of analyzing data from the day's busts like he normally would.

"I have known him for a couple of years only but have never seen him smile, laugh, and talk as much as he has tonight with Janine," Lucy stated, in awe.

"Where's Spengs and Janine," Pete asked when he and Bianca came outside for a smoke.

"They are busy with each other," I answered, truthfully, "and we saw them hail a taxi."

Peter gave us a knowing smile.

"Iggy's going to put the moves on our Brooklyn," Peter exclaimed, with a huge smile, "I called it from day one."

"Did you," Lucy questioned him, lighting a cigarette?

"I had a feeling about Janine when I met her, and with the way that Spengler reacted to her when they met, I knew something was afoot."

"I have never seen Spengler in love with anyone before. It's entertaining. "I commented, smiling.

"I have never seen him be so animated with someone," Lucy remarked, taking a drag on her cigarette as Venkman lit his date's cigarette and then his own.

"Here are the problems though, Egon's never been truly in love and never really had a steady girlfriend either. He also has problems expressing himself emotionally and hasn't ever had to balance work and social life before. His most influential family members have taught him to ignore relationships socially. Those issues are going to present themselves eventually, and he knows it," Peter warned, taking a drag off of his newly lit cigarette.

"Do you think that it's going to overwhelm him, emotionally and he will freak out," Lucy inquired, and he nodded.

"Janine may not know it, but she has an upward hill she's about to face. It took Egon six or seven months for him to even admit to her that he admired her after months of denying it to your brother and me," He detailed further, flicking the ash on his cigarette.

"I don't think that Spengler was thrilled just working all of the time beforehand and dedicating his life to being in control and to science," I offered my opinion.

"Janine definitely is the best thing that has happened to Egon Spengler. I just hope he realizes that before he makes an unfixable mistake," Peter agreed.

"Well, the two of you can help guide him with advice and Janine, too," Lucy answered, putting her cigarette out on the ground with her shoe.

"You are very right, Ms. Stantz, but that doesn't mean that he will take it. Iggy is very bullheaded, just like Janine," Peter responded with a smile.

"Let's go back in," I suggested, feeling cold suddenly as the wind picked up. Peter put out his cigarette, and we all returned to the gala.