Leland Residence, Columbia Heights
Tuesday, November 9
7 p.m.
"Elizabeth?" Myles walked in from the garage. A late autumn rain shower was pounding the pavement outside, and the warmth of the lights in his house was welcoming. There was no answer, but the door to his study was open slightly and a light was on. He hung his coat in the hall closet, then gently swung the door open.
She was curled up on the sofa, surrounded by at least twenty books. The smile on her face was a stark contrast to the steady stream of tears down her face. Myles knelt beside her and reached for her hand. "Sweetheart? What is it?"
Elizabeth looked up at him, and her green eyes glowed with joy. "Look." She gestured toward the pile of books spread out on the sofa.
He smiled. "You're rearranging my library?" Then he got a good look at the titles. "Longfellow, Milton, Tennyson… all poetry." His head snapped back around as realization hit, and his eyes widened. "All poetry."
She nodded, wiping at the tears on her cheeks. "Yes. I've been in here since I got off work." She held up the book in her hands. "Even Byron."
Myles took the book from her and laid it down, then pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly. "I think you're finally home," he whispered into her hair, his heart pounding as she noddded against him. Then he pulled back to look at her. "Don't make any plans for dinner tomorrow night. This calls for a special evening out."
Elizabeth raised a brow at him, though her smile never dimmed. "What have you got cooking in that devious mind of yours?"
He kissed her nose. "You never mind. You just pull out something elegant and be ready tomorrow night."
Several hours later, after she'd gone home, Myles picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Hey, it's me. You remember that little setup we talked about? Think we can have it ready for tomorrow night?"
-!-
-&-
-!-
-&-
Sutherland Psychiatric Clinic
Wednesday, 5 p.m.
The work day had been uneventful; Elizabeth felt whole again, and ready to take on the world. As she locked up her office, a pleasant voice stopped her.
"Hey, Liz." Tara gave her a big hug.
"Tara! It's been forever. I'd say let's go grab some dinner, but I'm afraid I already have plans. Myles is being mysterious again."
The shorter woman grinned broadly. "I know. He sent me over to give you this." She held out a small envelope. "Enjoy your evening."
She turned to leave, but Elizabeth stopped her. "Hey, that's it? 'Hi, here you go, see ya'?"
"Yep." Tara's smile broadened further. "We'll talk later. G'night!" And she was gone before Elizabeth could ask anything further. The psychologist shrugged and headed home.
Two hours later she pulled her raincoat over the burgundy velvet dress, seeing the rain still threatening, and headed for her car.
She sat in the car for a moment, glancing again at the note in her hand. Meet me where the rainbows end. 7:30 She knew exactly the spot he was talking about, and she had a fair idea of what was coming. Her heart pounded in anticipation as she pulled out of the garage.
-!-
-&-
-!-
-&-
Roosevelt Park, Washington D.C
7:30 p.m.
The gazebo was just as she remembered it, from an afternoon they'd spent strolling among the cherry blossoms. There had been a brief shower earlier that day, and the sun hit just right to bring a rainbow, one end of it landing on the Japanese Pagoda across the Tidal Basin. Later they had driven around to the "rainbow's end," as he'd called it, and found the large gazebo that apparently doubled as a bandstand.
The gazebo was aglow with tiny lights, and as she approached it, she saw that it was also filled with roses. He had created a veritable garden, every color of the spectrum nestled in among the prevalent peace roses. In the center of the gazebo was a small stone bench, with a white card sitting on it. She climbed the steps and picked up the card. Have a seat, please.
Elizabeth did so, laying her coat beside her, noting the soft music playing in the background from apparently hidden speakers. She breathed in the fragrance around her, enjoying the sensation of being around roses again without fear. As she drank in the surroundings, however, her memory was teased… a rose garden, a stone bench… where have I seen this before?
She heard footsteps climbing the wooden steps, and turned. Myles was standing there, impeccable in his tuxedo. He was carrying a bouquet of white roses.
Realization struck just then, and her eyes widened. "Myles… your dream…"
He nodded and crossed to her, going to one knee in front of her and placing a finger over her lips before she could protest. "Elizabeth, this is my last step home. I wanted to create a different dream for this setting, and I can think of no better." He placed the bouquet on the bench, then took her hands in his. "I needed a different poem to fill this setting, as well."
Her eyes shone as he began, very softly, to recite another poem from Lord Byron, one that would complete the journey for them both.
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half-impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
As he finished, he reached into his pocket. "My sweetheart, we've been through so much in this past year. It seems like you have been a part of me for all our lives, and I love you with all that I am. I cannot imagine my life without you." He opened a small velvet box. "Elizabeth Dillingham, will you marry me?"
She gazed for only a moment at the simple solitaire. Then she spoke, tears falling on her cheeks. "I love you too, Myles, with my whole heart and soul. Yes, a thousand times, yes. I will gladly, joyfully become your wife."
He slipped the ring onto her finger and gathered her in his arms, letting all that he couldn't put into words speak in his kiss. When they parted, she smiled brightly and ruffled his hair. "You all can come out now," she said, raising her voice slightly.
A chorus of happy congratulations swarmed them, as the team appeared from the shadows. "How'd you know?" Bobby asked, peeking out from behind the video camera he was holding.
Elizabeth laughed. "I know you all too well. Either you were going to follow Myles, or he'd figure you would and just get you all in on it." She gasped as a tall figure stepped out from behind Dimitrius. "Sam! What are you doing down here?"
"You think I'd miss this?" He swept her up in a hug. "Myles called me last night. We've had this set up for a couple of months now. It was simply a matter of the right time. Welcome to the family, Liz. You're in for a trip."
"I have no doubt of that."
Myles' twin grinned as Tara stepped over to give Elizabeth a hug. "Besides, it's been too long. I had to come make sure there wasn't a flock of D.C. vultures circling Lady Mario-Kart here."
"They've had us working like crazy all afternoon," Sue added. "And, they have reservations for all of us at Antonio's shortly."
"We'll just go on ahead," Dimitrius said with a smile. "Don't you two keep us waiting all night."
Myles laughed. "We won't. I'm picking up the check, remember?"
"Proof positive that marriage makes a man insane," Bobby quipped.
"We'll see what happens when Darcy finally knocks you over the head," Myles countered. "See you at the restaurant. We won't be far behind you."
There was continued banter as the group walked away, leaving Myles and Elizabeth alone. When it had faded completely, Myles drew Elizabeth into his arms and kissed her tenderly again. "What are we getting ourselves into?" he said with a smile.
Her smile in return warmed them both. "An adventure to rival anything we've faced up until now, love, I would wager. And I can't wait."
"Neither can I."
FINIS