Rosablasifann08, you might recognize some of this chapter taken from "Stolen Innocence", my fourth (and best, haha) Strong Medicine story. Oh, and the restaurant name is made up (thanks to my beloved stepsister, Lori, for that!) so I own it (haha!)

Chapter 8

The phone rang the next day, but Stephanie had her hands full. However, she knew Roger was still in the shower, so she checked the Caller ID and answered, smiling. "Hey, Jen," she said. "How are you?"

"I'm great, and you?" Jennifer asked.

"I'm excellent," Stephanie said. "Say, guess where you and I are going this morning?"

"Where?" Jennifer asked.

"A luxury beauty spa," Stephanie said. "It's all-day and our session starts in half an hour, so I'll pick you up in ten minutes, OK?"

"OK," Jennifer said, and they hung up.

"So, was this Roger's idea?" Jennifer asked, from where she was lying on the spa bed next to Stephanie's.

"Yeah," Stephanie said, smiling. "He said he wanted me to have a day of 'luxurious relaxation and serenity.'" She looked at Jennifer and grinned. "Guess where he's taking me for dinner tonight?"

Stephanie grinned broadly for a moment, as Jennifer thought, and then it hit her. "Oh my God," she said, lifting her head, "Carter's Bistro?" She laid her head back down, her mouth falling open.

"And he told me to prepare for the most memorable night of our entire lives."

"Wow, I just got jealous. You know what that means, don't you?"

"No, what?" Stephanie asked curiously.

"Steph, he's gonna propose!"

"No," Stephanie said, shaking her head, but she was grinning. "No. No… Stop it, no… Really?"

"Mhm," Jennifer said, nodding. "I mean, come on, do the math: he sends you all day to a beauty spa and reserves a spot at the most extravagant and expensive restaurant in town. Hello… You know, I never thought I'd say this, but Roger is right, this is your big night. Relax and enjoy it!"

"OK," Stephanie said, and she closed her eyes to enjoy the rest of her massage.

Later that evening, Stephanie met Roger at her house. He was waiting for her on the porch, leaning casually against the post. He looked like a movie star, with the moonlight gleaming off his golden locks. Stephanie smiled, seeing his Kryptonite-green eyes shining.

"Are you ready, Baby?" he asked. He swallowed and looked down at her. "Wow," he said breathlessly, "you look… wow…" He let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

Stephanie smiled. She was wearing a brand-new, green, backless dress. She had a necklace of pearls on her neck and a wristlet of diamonds on her left hand. Her long blonde hair trailed down her back, today curled just right and bouncing with life. Her blue eyes were darker than normal, contrasting with her dress.

"You like it?" Stephanie asked, spinning around slowly for him.

"Absolutely," Roger said, smiling down at her.

"You look pretty snazzy yourself."

"Thanks." Roger took her by the hand and they drove to the bistro.

"You know," Roger said, looking at her as they waited for their meal, "I was going to wait until after the meal… but I think this is gonna burst out of me like an opera or something if I don't do it now."

He walked over to Stephanie and got down on one knee. "Oh God…" Stephanie said, starting to choke up. She put a hand on her forehead. "OK. This is it, isn't it?" She looked down at him. "I don't know… I don't know if I'm ready for this… I want to say I'm not ready for this… I mean, I don't think I would have the…" She looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry. Go on."

"Well, there comes a time in a man's life when he finally realizes that he should live his life without fearing risks and taking big steps. That realization happened to me when I discovered I had AIDS when April died. But it became even more real when I met you, Stephanie. Everything we've gone through, it's changed me as well. I don't know how long it will be before this disease takes me, but I do live for today. And I hope that you can live that today, from now on, by my side."

Roger looked at Stephanie and reached into his back pocket. Stephanie covered her mouth with her hands as Roger opened it, revealing a small, glimmering ring. It was small with diamond chips, but it was all he could afford. "Stephanie Christine Bradford, will you marry me?"

Stephanie's face split into a wide smile, and she cried freely. "Yes, Roger," she said, as she surrendered to his loving grasp, "I will marry you."

Roger beamed at her and kissed her tenderly.

"So what date are you hoping for, Baby?" Roger asked, coming into the kitchen, where Stephanie was looking over wedding preparations, and he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek.

"I'm hoping for May 9th," Stephanie said.

"Any particular reason why?"

"Nope; I just like it." Stephanie looked up at him and smiled.

"OK, whatever you like, I like, Baby," Roger said. "You know that, right?"

"Right, my rock star," Stephanie said, grinning and she kissed him. Then her face darkened as a thought occurred to her.

"What is it, Baby?" Roger asked.

Stephanie bit her lip nervously. "I'm just thinking… our wedding won't be… normal." She looked up at him.

"What do you mean, Baby?" Roger asked. "Of course our wedding will be normal. If you're talking about the Bohos..." he began, before she cut him off.

"No," Stephanie said, shaking her head, "it's not them. It's just that… my mom and dad won't be there." She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Oh, Baby…" Roger said, pulling her close to him. "I hate to ask, but do you really want them there, after all the pain and grief they've caused you, leaving like that when you were so young?"

"Well… no. But they still were my parents. Don't they at least deserve to know that I'm getting married to my idol? My Prince Charming?"

Roger smiled. "That's up to you, Baby," he said. "Whatever you choose, I'll go with it."

Stephanie looked up at him. "You love being my Robin Hood, don't you?" she asked, smiling at him.

"Why, yes, I do, Maid Marian," Roger said, and he leaned down to kiss her. "Now what do you say, I swing you away on my rope to our bedroom, huh?"

"Which one?" Stephanie asked, grinning, but she surrendered to his touch nevertheless and they went into the bedroom to make love.

Don't forget to review. There will be more as soon as I get ideas! Send them on in reviews, whatever you got!

Until next time, lots of love,

Renthead07