Special Thanks to Ruby Mae for her encouragement.
The next morning, I went down to make breakfast. I had pancakes on a griddle. As they were getting cooked, I began to daydream about some of the recent events.
I first met Starwind two years ago. That was when Starwind and Hawking first opened up. We became great friends after he and Jim fixed my car up. In return, I took advantage of my position in the Space Forces to keep them quiet about anything illegal Gene did. I know if he shoots a bar up, it's because he's attempting to capture a dangerous public enemy.
Later, after his trip to the Leyline, he was promptly arrested for damaging the spaceport's equipment and evading arrest. I looked into how the appearance of the Kei Pirates didn't irk the Traffic Controller at all. I found out how he was bribed and had him arrested.
Melfina came down. I saw another one of her lovely smiles.
"Neil?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you..uh..want to go out for dinner?"
"Gladly," I said as I hugged her.
That night, I waited in the living room for Melfina. I wore a tuxedo with especially shiny shoes.
Then, I saw Melfina. Most of the time, she looks beautiful. Now, she looks absolutely gorgeous. She put on lipstick and eye shadow. Melfina wore a lovely white dress that went down an inch below her knees and white sandals.
"Let's go," I said.
We ate at an Italian Restaurant. I had veal parmigiana, and she ate chicken portobello.
"So, how does it fell to be free of the 'Maiden' in you?" I asked.
"I generally feel more free. The personality suspension doesn't work anymore. I just feel more human."
"You're human all right."
"Thanks," she said as she leaned her head on my shoulder.
The bill came out to seventy-five wong. I paid for it and took Melfina back to my car. Just before we got in, we shared a kiss. I then pulled out a ring I held in my left pocket.
"Will you marry me?"
Then she cried some nice, happy tears, "I was just to ask you that."
We kissed again.
When we went to bed that night, I shared my bed with her. She looked so beautiful when she slept. I kissed her and went to sleep thinking what a fruitful day today was.