The Art Seminar and Thereafter
By: Kaffy


The next day, Caroline showed Richard exactly what his job would be. They worked in a tense silence all day. Caroline kept giving Richard curious looks that soon turned into annoyed looks. Richard just laughed at her persistent need to know all the secrets he was going to reveal later on that night. So they worked quietly for the remainder of the day.

It was around 4:45 when Richard finally broke the silence. "So, what time do we finish today?"

"When you tell me what you have planned for tonight…"

He laughed, "So I have to color in you strip forever?"

She sighed and stared up at him. "You're killing me you know?"

"I know, I just like surprising you."

"I hate surprises." She pouted under her breath, but Richard still caught it."

"Ok, I'll tell you what we're doing, but not what the two surprises are."

"Can't we do it the other way around?"

"No, it's that or nothing."

"Ok, tell me."

"We're going to dinner, then to a show."

"A show? What kind of show?"

"A new musical…Cats."

"Cats? I've heard of that, but I heard it was sold out for the next six months."

"He smiled. "You'll understand how I got the tickets when we get there…it's one of the surprises."

"What do you mean?"

He grabbed her hands, "You'll see…but can we stop working so we can get ready. I made reservations for dinner and I don't want to miss them."

"Ok, ok. What time are the reservations?"

"In an hour."

"Oh… I really need to get moving then."

*~*~*~*~*

Forty-five minutes later, the young couple emerged from their apartment building, gently clinging onto each other's hands. Richard hailed a cab and politely opened the door for her. "Patrie's please, 38th and Lex."

"Sure thing, Captain," was the driver's response. They spent most of the ride in silence as the cab wove through the busy New York streets. When they got there, Caroline paid the driver as Richard helped her out of the car.

The enjoyed a nice, romantic dinner cloaked in candlelight. When they were just about done, Richard looked down at his watch. "Ok…we have to get going, the show starts in 45 minutes." He pulled out his credit card and paid the bill. He hailed another cab and they headed to the Winter Garden Theatre.

When they got to the theatre, he pulled out their tickets and gave them to the usher, who glanced at the tickets to see where they would be sitting…the front row…dead center. He escorted them to their seats and handed each of them a program. "Enjoy the show."

They each thanked him and flipped through the program while they waited for the show to start. That was when Caroline got her first surprise. She was flipping through the pages when she saw a familiar face looking up at her.

"Oh my god! Annie?"

Richard smiled. "Yep."

"That's how you got the tickets?"

"Yep, I saw her the other day on the subway."

"I'm so excited for her, does she know we're here?"

"She's expecting us after the show."

"Good." She smiled and sat back to enjoy the show.

*~*~*~*~*

Caroline sat in wonder as she watched Annie perform. That seminar last summer had apparently helped her, if not with her talent then definitely with her reputation. She glided lithely across the stage, captivating the entire audience. When the show was over, Richard and Caroline snuck backstage to see Annie.

When the two women saw each other, they both shrieked and ran to each other with open arms. "Oh my god, Annie!"

"Caroline!" The hugged each other tight. "How did you like the show?"

"It was great, you were phenomenal!"

"Thanks…it is so good to see you."

"I know, how long have you been in the show?"

"Just a couple of weeks."

"Wow, I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, so how are you?"

"Good, but really busy."

"Yeah, I've seen the strip, it's really good."

"Thanks. How's Seth?"

"Oh, Seth and I broke up when we left, he's back with his ex-girlfriend."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I would never have lasted anyway."

"Well, in that case, I think I know someone who you like, you want me to set you up?"

"Maybe, who is he?"

"My boss, Del."

"Maybe….look, if you guys want to wait for a little while, I'll be out of my makeup in an hour or so, do you want to get some coffee or something?"

Richard piped up, "Actually, I had something really special planed for later on, maybe tomorrow?"

Caroline looked at him questioningly. "What do you have planned?"

He grinned, "I told you, I have two surprises for you tonight, Annie was just the first one, there's still one more."

Annie smiled, guessing what the surprise might be. "Well, I have to get going and get out of my costume and stuff, I'll see you two later." She hugged Caroline again and gave her a slip of paper with her number on it before going off to the dressing room.

Richard offered Caroline his arm and flashed her a smile, "Shall we?"

She smiled graciously and took his arm.

*~*~*~*~*

They walked out of the theatre, Richard catching a cab. He quietly whispered something in the driver's ear and off he drove.

"Richard, where are we going?"

"I'm not telling."

"No fair, you said it was just dinner and a show."

"Oops…" he grinned at her, stretching his arm around her. "Did I forget to tell you about this?"

She shoved him playfully before collapsing on his chest. "You're mean."

He kissed her affectionately on top of her head. "No I'm not, I'm just playful."

"Can you at least give me a hint?"

"Hmmm…let me think…we'll be walking there."

"But that could be anywhere."

He laughed, "I know."

"Fine, don't tell me." She turned away from him and started pouting.

"No pouting, it's not fair. You know I hate seeing you like that."

"Well, you know I hate surprises and you still surprise me."

"I'm just trying to be romantic…"

"I know," she replied, "I'm sorry, I'll just appreciate the gesture." She grabbed his hand and leaned against his shoulder. They rode the rest of the way in silence, quietly holding hands. Eventually, they pulled up to a beach. Richard pulled out his wallet and paid the driver then grasped her hand so they could walk.

Neither spoke as they walked. They just wandered quietly until Richard took a leap.

"You know when we first met, how I was kind of rude?" She nodded. "You know how I told you it was because I was trying to focus on my art?" She nodded again. "Well, that was only part of it." She looked into her curious eyes. "I was trying to push you away," he sighed to breathe in some courage, "because I was afraid of you."

"Me? Why?"

"You have to understand, I've been by myself pretty much my whole life. And when I first saw you, in the auditorium, I was so drawn to you. That's why I bumped into you. But, I saw myself as this loner, I didn't need anyone, and when I felt so drawn to you, I fought it. But, against my better judgment, I began to let you in, and I've never been happier."

"Richard…"

"Please, just let me finish or I'll never get this out. Now that I've let you in, I don't think I could ever live without you. I want to be with you forever." He got down on one knee. "Caroline, will you marry me?"

A small gold ring with a small yet flawless diamond in the middle appeared in his hand. She fought to hold back the tears. "Of course I'll marry you Richard."

She sank down into the sand with him, hugging him tightly. "Caroline, can I at least put the ring on your finger?"

She laughed, "I'm sorry." She held her left hand out, letting him gently slide the ring up her finger before planting a small kiss on her palm.

They stayed there, holding each other for a few minutes before getting up and going home.

*~*~*~*~* Five years later *~*~*~*~*

"Richard? Can you get Maddie ready? Del, Annie, and Matthew will be here soon!" Caroline called from the kitchen.

"Just give me a couple of minutes to paint…"

She opened the door to his studio, "Honey, you have enough painting for the show already, but Maddison will only turn two once, please go get her ready, I have to finish cooking."

Richard sighed. "Ok, ok…" he answered placidly and put his palette and brush down, quietly kissing her lips. "I'm going."

*~*~*~*~*

Richard lay in bed later that night, watching his wife get ready to do the same. He smiled to himself, chuckling slightly. **Who would have thought that I would ever end up like this? Married? One kid with another on the way? Successful?**

"What are you laughing at?"

"I just never thought that I could be happy in this setting…"

"What setting?" She crawled into bed next to him, immediately cuddling into his chest for comfort.

"You know, wife, kids, etc."

"But you are, right?"

"Of course I'm happy. I have you, and Maddie, and Antony on the way…I can't imagine my life being any better."

"Good." She turned over and switched off the lamp. "Goodnight, Richard."

"Goodnight, Caroline." She was fast asleep before he even finished her name, the long day catching up to her. He smiled and kissed her forehead. "I love you."

The End