Here's the next installment of Krista & Rizzo. They are getting ready to move to Boston, but are still in Minnesota, and are celebrating the anniversary of the day they first met.
"You're still coming over tonight, right snowflake?" Rizzo asked Krista, leaning over the bar.
She smiled. He had started calling her snowflake after they got caught in a storm shortly after their first kiss. It was corny and kind of dumb, but she loved it.
"Of course I'm still coming. How many nights do I get off?"
He took her hand and kissed it gently.
"Besides, I love it when you cook for me," she told him.
His smile grew. "Well, I love to cook for you. When do you get done here?"
"As soon as I finish up the inventory."
"So I'll see you at 6?"
"Yep. I even have a new dress…" she said playfully.
"I get to see you in a dress again? It only took five months!"
And so at 6:00 sharp, Krista stood in front of Rizzo's door in her little black strappy dress, complete with earrings cut in the same shape as the diamond in her engagement ring. She knocked lightly on the door before opening it.
Rizzo was in the kitchen wearing an apron over his shirt and tie as she entered. "Wow," he said softly. "You look amazing."
She walked over to him as he pulled off the apron. "You look pretty fantastic yourself," she smiled, playing with his tie and kissing him hello.
"Dinner's almost ready," he said, kissing her forehead.
"It smells wonderful," she said. "What are we having?"
"Fettuccini alfredo, made from scratch."
"You're going to spoil me. I know you're not going to cook like this when we're married."
He laughed and slid his arms around her waist. "I can't do enough for you," he told her. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me."
She blushed a little and smiled shyly. He told her that often, but it was sweet every time he said it. "Is there anything I can do?"
He kissed her again, "You can pour the wine."
Krista took the bottle of wine Rizzo had picked out for the evening and a pack of matches over to the table. As she lit the candles and poured the wine, she could here him humming in the kitchen and smiled to herself. He was so adorable, her big teddy bear, and was head over heels in love with her. I must have been a saint in a former life to deserve him, she thought.
He brought two plates of pasta out and set them on the table, still humming. She couldn't help but smile again, and when she smiled, he did too, caressing the small of her back. I can't believe she's really mine, he thought. He pulled out her chair for her then took his own seat, marveling for the millionth time just how lucky he was.
The pair made it though dinner without getting too mushy, but once the dishes had been cleared Krista got a little sentimental.
"I know we decided not exchange gifts or anything, but I got you something anyway." She pulled a small flat object wrapped in tissue paper from her purse and walked over to where he was standing in the living room. "I was going to give it to you as a wedding present, but I just couldn't wait."
Rizzo took the gift from her. "Sweetheart…"
"Just open it."
He smiled and did as he was told. When he tore the tissue paper away, he found he was holding an autographed Bobby Orr rookie card. He looked down at her incredulously. "Where did you get this?"
"It's the right one, isn't it?" she asked. "That's the one you gave up for my birthday party last summer?"
He nodded. "How did you know?"
"Mac told me that night, and I've been looking for one to replace it ever since."
"It's so expensive…"
"I have a job, and I can spend my money however I please," she told him smiling. "When I found this, I knew I wanted you to have it."
Rizzo put the card down and pulled Krista tightly against him. "Thank you," he told her, his fingers tracing little circles on her bare shoulder.
"You're welcome."
He kissed her softly. When their lips parted, he kissed her cheek, then her hair, and whispered in her ear, "I love you so much."
"I know," she whispered back. "I love you too."
His lips moved slowly down her neck, and she ran her fingers through his dark hair. He slid the strap of her dress down her arm, kissing her shoulder tenderly. She touched his cheek with her fingertips and guided his lips back to hers, kissing him deeply.
He drew back after a moment. Her hand rested on his chest, and she could feel his heart pounding. He leaned his forehead against hers, caressing her back and her hips.
"Be with me tonight," he whispered, breathing hard.
She looked up into his eyes. "Are you sure?" she asked, trying to catch her own breath.
He nodded. "I can always go to confession," he smiled.
"Honey, if you have any doubts…"
"I don't," he told her. "I love you so much, God has to understand."
She stroked his cheek, melting into his arms as he kissed her again. He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom while she occupied her hands with his shirt buttons.
Krista awoke the next morning wrapped in Rizzo's arms. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her little black dress on the floor next to his shirt and tie, and smiled. She could still feel the sensation of his hands on her as he helped her out of the dress and his warm skin under her fingers as she slid the shirt off his body.
She shifted a little and felt Rizzo stir beside her. His palm caressed her shoulder and he kissed her neck.
"Good morning," he said softly, smiling.
She laced her fingers through his and pulled his arm back around her, still smiling herself. "Good morning. Have you been awake long?"
"A little while," he replied.
"You've just been laying here with me?" she asked, turning over to face him.
"Yeah…" He brushed a finger over her cheek, and kissed her gently. "Where else would I be?"
"No second thoughts, then?"
"About you?" His arms tightened around her, and she rested her head on his chest. "Not in a million years."