Hank fingered the little box in his pocket for the millionth time since he'd picked it up that afternoon. With an impatient sigh he checked his watch and struggled to refocus on the tedious meeting at hand.
"A little anxious, my friend?" Asked the wrinkled little ambassador from India with a sly little smile. "Could it have something to do with what you have in your pocket, hmmm?"
Hank glanced at him and smiled sheepishly. "You are too observant sometimes, Mohinder." He grumbled under his breath.
The old politician chuckled and patted Hank's arm consolingly. "So trot it out, boy! Let's see the chain you have chosen for yourself!"
He couldn't help but grin at his foreign counterpart and friend as he pulled the tiny, leather box out of his pocket and opened it carefully. Inside, nestled in a cushion of crushed velvet sat the engagement ring he had personally designed for Anna.
A perfect, clear diamond sparkled in the center of a ring of petal-shaped rubies set in a band of gold. A second, interlocking band of platinum held a pair of leaves studded with tiny emeralds that sat above and below the gemstone flower.
Mohinder adjusted his spectacles and tipped his head back to look through magnifying half of his bifocals. "What an unusual design," he mused, tipping the box this way and that. "It's very beautiful!"
Hank smiled broadly. "Anna loves unusual jewelry." He said, gazing absently at the ring. "Actually, she would have loved it even if it was costume jewelry, so long as it's unusual."
"Well congratulations, my friend," Mohinder said, handing the box back. "I'll be keeping my eyes open for the invitation!" He leaned closer to Hank and whispered conspiratorially "May I suggest serving Jhal-Muri and Rôshogolla at your wedding feast? My wife has a wonderful recipe for each. I will have her email it to you."
Hank grinned and clapped the older ambassador on the back as he turned his attention back to the meeting. My wedding feast he thought to himself. He fingered the little leather box again, his heart thumping excitedly in his chest.
"Hello?"
"Good evening my love." Hank answered, ducking into the waiting car. "How are you holding up?"
Anna laughed and let out an overwrought groan. "I'm tired, sore, and I STINK!"
"Oh, dear! Well I certainly hope there aren't any males of the mutant persuasion in the nearby vicinity."
"Nope! Not even the one I want to be nearby." She replied with a naughty snicker. "Actually, I'm just sweaty and smelly. Worked my tail feathers off, but I have achieved perfection!"
"Everything is ready then?"
"Yup!"
"And you are happy with the results?"
"Ecstatic!" She exclaimed, her voice muffled.
"Then I cannot wait so see the results of your intense labor, my lady."
There was more rustling and a soft grunt. "I can't wait for Sofia and Tony to see it!" She said amidst the ruckus. "I just know they're going to love what I've done!"
"Anna, what are you doing?"
She replied, but her voice was too muffled for him to understand.
"My love, I can't hear you."
She laughed and the commotion stopped. "Sorry, Hank. I just got home, and I'm getting undressed."
"Oh, really? Just a moment, my love." He lowered the phone and pressed the intercom button. "Jason, I have a hundred dollar bill for you if you can get me there in less than 30 minutes."
'You're on Mr. Ambassador!" The engine roared as he accelerated.
Hank brought the phone up to his ear and could hear Anna's laughter. "No way, José!" In the background, he could hear the shower starting. "You'll never make it in time, so don't get the poor guy arrested or killed just so you can sneak a peek. Jeez," she muttered. "It's always the quiet ones you have to look out for!"
"You're damn right," He rumbled flirtatiously. "Fear not, fair Lady, for me nor yon charioteer. Just relax and enjoy a nice, long shower."
She laughed again. "Love you."
"Love you too. And remember, nice, long shower."
By the time Hank had arrived home, Anna had already showered and was getting dressed. She greeted him with a kiss as she rushed about putting on the finishing touches.
"I'm sorry to have to hurry out, Hank, but I have to be there before Tony and Sofia. I want to see their first reaction to my setup!" She explained as she balanced on one foot while she struggled to work the buckle on her heels.
Hank knelt in front of her and gently put her foot on his knee. "Allow me, my Lady." He rumbled flirtatiously. With surprising dexterity, he fastened and smoothed the tiny straps and slid his hand up to cup her calf. She gasped and giggled shyly when he kissed the top of her foot and then her knee. He was pleased to see her lips parted, her eyes half lidded, and a rosy blush across her cheeks.
She licked her lips and straightened her dress as he rose to his feet. "Hank, you take my breath away when you do things like that."
He grinned and wrapped his arms around her. "I'd like to do more than just take your breath away, my love."
She rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath. "Heaven knows that I'd like to let you."
"Hmmm?" Hank queried, amused.
"Nothing, nothing," She answered as she kissed his cheek and slipped out of his arms. "I'm going to be late."
He grabbed at her playfully, and she skipped nimbly out the door, pausing only long enough to blow him a kiss. "See you at seven!"
As he stepped out of the car, the crooning of Tony Bennet could be heard as it drifted from the open doors of the Trattoria Italia. A large sign had been hung in the window declaring the restaurant closed for a private celebration. As he approached the door, he could hear the clinking of glassware and the relaxed, good-natured laughter that always accompanies family gatherings.
Inside, the lights were dimmed. Across the ceiling, yards and yards of black paper had been stapled to the tiles, and hundreds of tiny white lights shone through holes punched through the paper. Along the walls stood fairly authentic-looking street lamps that provided the bulk of the lighting.
A small area near the back had been cleared of tables, and a temporary dance floor had been laid down. Above it, in place of a mirrored ball, hung a large white globe that had been spray painted to resemble the moon. Against the front window sat a park-like bench, surrounded by potted plants and sitting beneath an arch that had been wrapped in silk vines and flowers.
Everywhere there were little touches that added a touch more of the detail Anna had been trying so hard to put into the decorations. Here there was a picture borrowed from the Mariano's home, there sat a rocking chair from Tony's mother, and in places of honor around the room stood knick-knacks and various pieces of decorative pottery that had come from the "Old Country."
He stood gazing about the room, terribly impressed with her ingenuity and her eye for detail. Apparently, he wasn't the only one. As Tony and his wife greeted friends and family around the room, they frequently stopped to gaze at a particularly precious memory, or paused to wipe a tear from Sophia's eye.
A small hand slipped into the crook of his arm, and he turned to see Anna smiling happily up at him. "Do you see that?" she said proudly, referring to Sophia's teary laughter. "That means success!"
"Indeed." He agreed, laying his arms around her shoulders and giving her a squeeze. She snuggled in close to him and laid her head against his chest with a contented sigh.
"Fifty years," She said in a tone of wonder. "I just can't imagine it."
Hank glanced down at her and slid his hand into his pocket and around the ring box.
"Anna, " He began
"Well now AnaBella, aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?"
They looked up to see Sofia and Tony standing on the other side of a table from them, eying Hank coolly.
"Mama and Papa Mariano," Anna replied with a smile. "This is my…Sweetheart, Henry McCoy."
Hank held out his hand. "Pleased to meet you at last, Mr. and Mrs. Mariano. May I offer my congratulations on your Anniversary?"
Tony shook the proffered hand and eyed the hulking blue figure before him. "That's very kind of you, Mr. Ambassador."
"Hank, Please, Sir."
Without taking his eyes from Hank, he spoke to his wife. "Sofia, why don't you and AnaBella go see if the food is ready?"
Anna blinked, surprised and followed a little reluctantly. Tony gestured to a seat and sat himself across from Hank. He maintained his smile, but could sense a little hostility in the air. Though he remained outwardly calm, he was a little worried when several other male family members moved closer to surround their Patriarch.
"So, Henry. It looks like our little AnaBella is fond of you."
Hank smiled in his most disarming manner. "And I am very fond of her."
Tony scowled paternally. "She is not like other young women. She is special. My little AnaBella has seen much pain in her life."
Hank nodded. He knew that Anna's story for her circumstances was that her husband and children had been killed in an accident and she had no other family to speak of. He also knew that the Marianos had taken her under their wing and "adopted" her into the family, so he chose not to become angry that they were so overprotective of his beloved. Even though he did see her first.
He nodded in agreement and waited for Tony to continue.
Tony's eyes narrowed and the hostility became painfully apparent. "She does not need someone in her life with certain…intentions. She is a good girl and deserves to be treated with respect."
Unsure of what Tony was getting at, but disliking the direction the conversation was taking, his brow furrowed and he nodded slowly. "Of course."
Tony leaned in closer and spoke in a low voice. "I will not stand idly by and let her be mistreated and disrespected by someone like you."
Hank went cold. Not this. Not with these people. Anna loved them so much, this would break her heart. He sat back, the anger swelling in his chest. "Someone like me." He repeated coldly. "You mean Mutants."
Tony blinked and frowned at him as if he'd gone crazy. "No." He said, perplexed. "Politicians." He spat.
It was Hank's turn to blink in surprise. He sat back, relief and mild disbelief washing over him. "Politicians?" he asked for clarification.
"Politicians." Tony said as if it was a dirty word.
"And you have no issue with my being a Mutant?"
The men around Tony laughed. The vase on the table suddenly rose to hang in the air in front of Hank. It plunked down heavily and one of them punched another in the arm.
"You're getting better at that Lou!"
Before Hank could comment, the water in the vase snaked its way up and out and formed itself into the shape of a naked woman.
"Alright, alright boys," Tony said waving a dismissing hand at them. He refocused on Hank and leaned in again. "You see, for a long time, she talks about nothing but you. She's happy, we see where things are going, and then BOOM! Our little songbird isn't singing anymore, she doesn't talk about you anymore, and for a month, we watch our little AnaBella wilt like a dying flower.
"You Politicians, women don't mean anything to you. You get tired of one, you move on to the next. I've seen her unhappy because of you, and I don't want to see that ever again. So I ask you, what are your intentions toward my girl?"
Feeling buoyant with relief, Hank reached into his pocket and produced the ring box.
Tony took it and examined the ring appreciatively. "Very nice." He murmured. He closed the box with a snap and handed it back to Hank. "I think she will like it very much."
He stared at the little box in his hand and smiled "I think she will like it too."
Tony clapped him on the shoulder. "I may not be her father, but I love her like my own flesh and blood. You may have my blessing on one condition."
Hank raised an eyebrow and nodded for him to continue.
"Do not propose tonight."
Hank frowned. "May I ask why?"
"My AnaBella…she has given my wife and I a wonderful gift this night." He replied with a grand gesture to the room in general. "Though we are not her family, she has put as much love and care into tonight as our own children have, with no thought of reward or thanks. She deserves something as equally well-planned as what she has done for us."
Tony tapped the ring box in Hank's hand. "A proposal isn't just about the ring. A proposal is about the woman you love, and what better way to show her that you love her than to make the asking of that one question as memorable as possible?"
Tony sat back and crossed his arms with a knowing nod. "Women the world over will tell the story of her proposal when she's showing off her ring. It's your job to see that her story is better than anyone else's."
Hank frowned thoughtfully. As eager as he was to propose, he had to agree with Tony. Anna deserved something better. He sighed regretfully and stashed the box away. Tony clapped him on the shoulder in approval.
"Gino! Bring out the wine! We're celebrating over here!"
The food was almost ready when they went back into the kitchen. Despite her vehement protests that Sofia was supposed to be enjoying the party, the stubborn woman dragged her around the kitchen, tasting this or that, and adjusting the dishes on the serving trays, so that everything was just so.
Periodically, Sofia would glance out the window, into the dining room, but she seemed unperturbed and would hurriedly find something else for Anna to do.
She rolled her eyes and kissed Sofia on the cheek, then went back to doing as she'd been told.
When tony called for the wine, Sofia put down her wooden spoon and selected two of the plates and piled them higher with meat and pasta. She handed one plate to Anna, and gestured for her to take a second, less full plate as well.
Once they were loaded down, she led the way out of the Kitchen, to the collective relief of the Kitchen staff. Anna glanced back and winked knowingly at them. One of them made shooing gestures at her.
Across the room, just in front of the big picture window, Hank stood among a group of the Mariano men, holding a glass of deep red wine and laughing with his tie hanging loose and his jacket hanging on the back of a chair.
Tony greeted Sofia with a kiss and sat down his wine to take the plate from her. The surrounding family inhaled deeply of the heavenly aromas and hurried off to get their own plates.
A little puzzled, but relieved that Hank had been made welcome, she set his plate down in front of him, and sat down next to Tony.
Anna is finally allowed to return to Hank. She and the women all bring plates of food for him and the other men, and wine is poured liberally.
Anna sips duitifully, but doesn't like wine, and so she doesn't finish hers. Hank is impressed and before the night is out, he has melded into the group like an old pro, and is standing with the men, tie gone, shirt unbuttoned, and wine glass in hand, laughing and telling stories with the rest.
Anna is siting with the matriarch and they are watching their men fondly. The older woman thanks her for all her effort and tells her that Hank reminds her of her own husband when they were courting.