As Michelle sat in her temporary office, looking out over the building the memory was so bittersweet. It seemed that in the past, no matter how horrible her day was that, as Tony had promised, he was there. They both lived for the moments of alone time. Just the two of them. While she and Tony had seen a lot of each other outside of the office before he proposed, that night began a whole new chapter in their romance; they were officially each others.
Michelle wished she could say that now. She wished Tony was there to hold her; so she could tell him that she loved him, that she never stopped. Images of the explosion that engulfed her husband, well ex, in flames continued to play through her head. Yet the tears couldn't come. She just couldn't even make sense of it all. Desperate for something to keep her mind from Tony's death, she continued her memory of that chilled wintry night when all was well in the world.
--------------------------
Tony searched
the car for something to use as a blind fold. He had forgotten that
minor detail. Finally Michelle donated her long white gloves to
Tony's cause. Michelle patiently sat, awaiting her surprise that
was obviously very well planned by her fiancé.
"ok,
we're here!" Tony said turning off the ignition and walking to
Michelle's door.
"can I take this off yet?" Michelle said
anxiously
"nope, just trust me"
"alright"
Tony
gently helped her out of the car and safely to the ground.
"ok,
making progress Tony said"
Michelle cackled
"Hey Tony"
Michelle searched for his response
"Yeah"
"Would you kiss
me?"
Tony laughed
"Well I would, but I can't see you"
Michelle explained
"Well that may be more fun" Tony
joked
"Tony, seriously"
Tony gently kissed her, then nudged
her up the sidewalk and through the door.
"Ok…now you can open
your eyes" Tony said, taking Michelle's blindfold off.
They
were at Leo's, where their first date was. Candles were lit
throughout the restaurant with Christmas music playing in the
background. The lights were dimmed and only one table in the middle
of the restaurant was set; for two.
"Tony…oh…" Michelle
couldn't find words. "I mean, don't outdo yourself, we still
have a wedding, a honeymoon, and like 50 years to go"
"I
figured we'd start with a bang" Tony said, taking her hand and
leading her to their seats.
Because the CTU ball was a dinner,
also, the couple was mainly full. But there was room for desert. Lots
of desert. Leo himself was the only one there, serving the food for
the two of them. Tony didn't know when he would propose, but Leo
was "on call" for the whole week. Any time Tony called, Leo would
set up the restaurant like Tony requested and begin making all the
desserts. Leo owed Tony a couple of things and this was one
payback.
"Tony, I can't eat any more. We've had like the
whole dessert menu"
"Yeah well I figured you needed ideas for
the cake"
"Ah. Good thinking"
"Well, I try. What do ya
say we burn a few of these calories off?"
Tony got up and walked
to michelle's chair. Reaching his hand out he said
"Dance with
me"
Michelle let out a laugh of shock
"Tony, you don't
dance"
"No. I don't dance in public. This is
acceptable"
"Well I wont argue with that" Michelle promptly
stood up and walked to a clear space in the room. They danced for
what felt like days, lost in each others cuddle.
"It's one
a.m. I should get you home"
"Does it have to end?"
"For
tonight, yes. We have work in the morning"
Michelle sighed
"don't remind me"
Tony went and thanked Leo and he
congratulated them. Tony drove to Michelle's house and walked her
to the door.
"come in"
"I can't. I don't have work
clothes here and…"
Michelle cut him off "yes you do.
Remember the coffee stained one that I washed for you last week."
"Oh
yeah. Well in that case, lemme in" They walked in and settled on
the couch.
"Oh wait, I have something in the car for you"
"Tony
the rings on my finger, what else is there?"
"You'll see,
I'll be right back"
Tony got his keys and ran to the car. He
came back in carrying an unopened copy of the American President.
"We
never did get to watching this"
"But it's a chick flick"
Michelle said mimicking Tony's comment on their first
mini-date.
"Nah. It's got Michael Douglas as President. How
bad could it be"
Sadly, Tony didn't get a chance to find out.
They were both passed out on the couch 5 minutes in. But it was the
principle of the thing. They spent the night in each others' arms;
dress, tux, and all.
------------------------------------------
Michelle stared into space as she recounted the memory. A smile almost dared appear on her face. She would never get to hold him like that again. Or so she thought…
