Chapter 24-Rachel
I sped along the highway in my Jaguar, tailed by the Secret Service. It was annoying that I was being followed everywhere. There was no privacy. They probably had bugged my car and my house. It was like 'Big Brother'. Other people listened in on your life.
What did Tobias need? It was a big day at work, and I told everyone I'd be back in an hour. I was praying dinner wouldn't be too long. There were more important things to do. And anyways, I wasn't too hungry.
I took an exit and made a right. The pier was straight ahead. It looked dark and deserted, except for the street lights. I couldn't see Tobias from here. Why would anyone eat dinner at the pier? There were better restaurants in the city.
I came to the end of the road. A red Mustang was a little ways to the left, and I figured it was Tobias'. I floored my car and raced up to the dock. There was a ferry, or some kind of boat there. Tobias must be inside.
Secret Service agents started pouring out of their black SUVs. "You guys don't need to come in," I told Laura, the head of my detail.
"Yes, ma'am," Laura replied blandly. I knew she would send a helicopter up to watch the ship. It wasn't even worth trying to ditch them. They would always find a way to track me. Even now, one of the agents was on the phone. These people were eternally prepared for any situation.
I climbed up the walkway, onto the ferry. Tobias was waiting, dressed up in very formal attire. A smile was on his face. He seemed nervous, for some reason. I looked around. There wasn't anything to be worried about.
"Something wrong?" I asked, perhaps a little too harshly.
"No, it's just…" Tobias' head cocked back for a second, like he was listening to someone. "You're beautiful."
I relaxed. "That's like the thousandth time you've said that today."
"Well, it's true."
"Thanks for the compliment." This conversation was way too stilted. Tobias shifted his hands in his pockets.
"How about we go up to the top deck? That's where dinner is being served."
"It's a little chilly outside, though."
"If you could withstand Taxxons and Hork-Bajir, I'm sure you can survive a little cold air," Tobias said with a laugh. I was surprised. That didn't sound like Tobias at all. More like someone else I knew…
"Fine, whatever. Let's go." I went to the stairs and climbed up to the top. The boat was already moving out to open water. Tobias joined me at the top. A table was set up, with candles lit and two places set.
"Won't the candles be blown out by the wind?" I wondered.
"We've already stopped," Tobias answered, waving his arm. We had only gone out about half a mile. I could still make out the dock. "Besides, it's not that windy of a night."
I looked up at the sky. It was a clear night, and all the stars were glittering. Somewhere up there, the Secret Service was watching me, looking at my every action.
"Why don't we sit down and eat?" Tobias said, a trace of anxiety present in his voice.
"Good question. Why don't we?" I sat down in a plush chair, across from Tobias. I could barely see him, except for when the candle's light passed over him.
A waiter dressed in a cheap-looking suit came out and served food. Steak, potatoes, and corn. Not my favorite, but at least it wasn't shrimp or something like that. I was too used to eating expensive food.
We ate slowly and silently. Tobias looked preoccupied, and I wasn't in much of a mood to talk. I glanced at my watch. Nearly seven thirty. I would have to be back to the dock in fifteen minutes if I were to get back to work on time.
"Food good?" Tobias asked in between mouthfuls.
"Yeah, it's okay." I sighed. "Is there any reason why we're out here, getting frozen?"
"What's the rush? Relax, there's no hurry."
"Tobias, I have to be back to work by eight. I didn't think dinner would take to long."
"Shut up," Tobias muttered.
"You talking to me?" I challenged. What had I done wrong? I tried to read Tobias' face for an expression. He looked…well, he looked scared. Of what, though? That I would be mad at him? There was no way I could ever be mad at Tobias.
"No, I was talking to myself," Tobias said, no hint of humor in his voice.
"What's wrong with you?" I inquired. Tobias was acting very strangely, in a way I had never seen before.
"Well, I mean, you know," Tobias began, babbling. He was very nervous. "You know, like, I love you, you know?"
"Yes…" I wondered where this was leading. "And I love you too, Tobias. We both know that."
"Yeah…" Tobias looked at the skyline of the city, and took a deep breath. "I guess I have been beating around the bush a little. The real reason we're taking this boat ride is not to have a nice dinner."
"Obviously. Even I could tell that much. The food wasn't that good," I said with a small laugh. It sounded more like a squeak. The air around us was vibrating with tension. What was there to be tense about. I took a deep breath and tried to relax. That didn't help.
For what seemed like a whole year, me and Tobias just sat there, staring into each other's eyes. I knew him so well, and yet, I had no idea what he was doing. Some aspects of Tobias were mysterious, just like his past had been.
"I love you, Rachel," Tobias said, his voice so low I could barely make out the words.
"Yeah, we've established that point." I ran my hands through my hair. I waited for Tobias to continue.
"I'll never stop loving you, for as long as I live, you know that," Tobias said, speaking each word with deliberateness. "You were there for me when no one else was. I could lean on you for support."
He stood up and walked to my side. My whole body was tingling. This situation seemed so familiar, like I had seen it on TV before.
"I guess I could have waited longer, but I didn't want to. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So…" He got down on one knee and reached into his suit pocket.
"Oh, my god…" He was proposing! Never in my life had I been caught off guard so badly. What was I going to do? I wished Cassie was around, so I could ask her advice. But I was alone.
"Will you marry me?" Tobias asked softly, opening a little box. It held a ring, with one of the biggest diamonds I had seen. I'm sure my mouth was hanging open.
"Of course," I whispered without a single thought. "Yes, I will."
Tobias took the ring out and fitted in onto my left ring finger. He looked up at me and smiled. He got up and hugged me. It was the happiest moment of my life.
"May I be the first to congratulate you?" Marco! I turned and saw him, holding a bottle of champagne.
"How'd you get here?" I demanded. This was a private moment, and I didn't want Marco ruining it.
"Magic, of course. Do you think I don't morph anymore?"
"How'd you know?"
"Your fiancé, Tobias, confided with me," Marco said with a smirk.
"How could you tell Marco, of all people?" I said, feigning horror.
"I thought maybe he could help me out, with, you know," Tobias said, laughter setting in. "He was no help."
"Hey! I'll get you for that!" With that, Marco uncorked the bottle. He poured three glasses, and lifted his up. "To Tobias and Rachel, my sincere congratulations."
"Yeah right, sincere," I giggled, lifting my glass up. I was swooning with happiness. "Cheers."
The three of us toasted, and we relaxed, joking and telling stories from a past that seemed so distant. It was a wonderful time. And we didn't make it back to the pier until ten.