The ride to Tuscany's was fairly silent. The only
conversation was talking about the first day of the reunion and who they had
talked to. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to Belle, they reached
the restaurant. Shawn ran over to Belle's side and helped her out of the car.
Thanks to Shawn's reservation, they got right in and to a table. Belle sat down
while Shawn ran off to the bathroom. While he was gone, she had another mental
conversation with herself.
'Okay, Belle, answer me this: why'd you ever let him go?
Huh? Even Jacob doesn't open doors and stuff for you, and he's one of the most
gentlemanly people you've met since moving to Florida. Shawn's always been this
way towards you, even when he'd make fun of your hair. Which, by the way, he
hasn't done at all. So why did you let him go? I mean jeez, you did everything
but physically push him away. Why?'
'Why? Why? I'll tell you why. Because I didn't want a life
of constantly moving around. I've never wanted that, and there's no way I'm
living with it.'
'But you know that Shawn would give up anything for you.
He only wants you to be happy, and you know that. He's told you that dozens of
times.'
'He didn't give up the Merchant Marines for me.'
'Yeah, but-'
'Shut up. You're not helping.'
'Helping what? Helping you get rid of the feelings you
still have for him? Face it, Black, Shawn's a hunk with a great personality and
great manners, and you're not over him. You never will be.'
'I told you to shut up. I don't wanna hear it, especially
from you. What a I talking about? I'm talking to myself here.'
Belle stopped her argument in her head when Shawn came
back from the bathroom. He sat down and opened his menu. "So, what are you
getting?"
Belle cleared her throat. "Actually, I haven't looked at
the menu yet. Hmm." She thought over the selections. "You know, if the food's
the same as it was ten years ago, the chicken fettuccini is really good. I
think I'll have that and a glass of wine. You?" she asked, looking at Shawn.
Shawn looked up to find himself looking straight into
Belle's bright blue eyes. 'Ah geez…Does she have any idea what she's doing to
me?' He looked back down at the menu. "You know, the steak looks really good. I
think I'll have that."
"Great." Belle closed her menu and set it to the side.
Taking a sip of water, she studied Shawn's features. 'Mmm, he's gotten a lot
handsomer since the last time you saw him. His shoulders look really toned, and
I'll bet he's got great abs…Okay, Belle, you're doing it again. Stop it.
But—stop.'
Shawn laid his menu to the side and set his napkin on his
lap. "So," he stated.
"So."
"Did I tell you that you look great?" Shawn asked. 'Ah,
geez. I must sound like a freaking idiot. Small talk never was my strong point.'
Belle nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, you did. And I said thanks and
that you look great too."
Shawn took a big gulp of water. 'Thank God it's cold
water. Maybe it'll help calm my stinking nerves. Come on, Brady, what's your
problem? You've dealt with women before. But this isn't just any woman-this is
Belle. Your Belle. Your Belle who's getting married in a month and a half.
Okay, that's it. You're done with this fooling around. Just tell her how you
feel—how you still feel. See how she reacts to that.'
After they ate their dinner, Shawn took a deep breath.
"Belle, I have something to tell you. I've been wanting to tell you ever since
I walked on that plane to LA for my training."
Belle shifted in her seat. 'Here it comes,' she thought to
herself. 'The forced smile, the fake "I'm so happy for you, Belle." Oh, wait. I
already got that at the reunion.' She smiled. "Go ahead."
"I'm still in love with you. I always have been, and to
tell you the truth, I always will be. Now, I don't want to do this, but I have
to force you to make a choice. You did it to me, and now it's my turn to do it
to you. I already lost you once, Belle, and I don't wanna lose you again. I
know that if you go ahead and marry your fiancé, Jacob, was it?" At Belle's
nod, he continued before she could say anything. "If you go ahead and marry
Jacob, I'll never forgive myself. I know that you still love me, Belle. I can
tell by the way you looked at me back at the penthouse, and I know that if you
marry Jacob you'll be kicking yourself into your grave. Knowing you, you'll
overwork yourself, stress out over the smallest thing, have a horrible life,
and raise kids who don't know how to follow their hearts. So here's your
choice, sweetheart. It's me or Jacob. Now, I know you'll say 'But if you're saying
that you don't really love me.' But let me tell you know, that's a bunch of
bull. I'm giving you this choice because I want you to be happy. So, decide who
you'd be happiest with and go with that. But I urge you to follow your heart
because it's the only way to go with this." Shawn took a deep breath to calm
his beating heart after finishing saying that.
Belle looked down at the table. Okay, she definitely
deserved that one. It was only right for Shawn to make her choose between two
things that she wanted. 'Who am I going to choose?'
She looked back up at Shawn. "Do I have to choose
tonight?" she asked, hoping that his answer was no.
Shawn shook his head. "No, of course not. But I urge you
to decide before July 23rd."
Belle stood up. "I want to go home," she announced,
turning towards the door.
Shawn grabbed the check and paid for it on the way out. "Anything for you, my love. Absolutely anything."