Chapter 12- Only You Can Love Me This Way

"Where are we going again?" I asked Randy as I put my favorite pair of black cowgirl boots on. The bedside clock read 10:00 pm and since it was Saturday, when Randy and I usually got most of our sleep, I knew something was up. He wouldn't just shake me and tell me to get up for no reason.

"I told you it's a surprise," he smiled as he slipped on a black long sleeved shirt. "Make sure you're warm."

"Why, where are we going?" I asked again, hoping he'd slip and tell me this time.

Looking over his shoulder at me, Randy shot a smirk, "You know I'm not that dumb Nols. Now, c'mon, put a sweatshirt or jacket on."

I nod grabbing his black jacket, and smiled, "Can I wear this? It smells like you."

He smiles, grabbing my arm and pulling me out the door after I put it on, "C'mon!"

"Dang, you're being so rushy!" I laugh as we walk out of the back door. Now, let me give you a vague description about Jerry's house, which we're sneaking out of right now. It's secluded because he likes his privacy. So the backdoor leads to a little backyard but back there is mostly woods. Randy grabs something out of the bookbag that's on his back and when he hands one of them to, I notice they are flashlights. I turn mine on as he leads me back onto one of the secluded paths. Now I'm worried.

Well I know theres a reason

And I know there's a rhyme

We were meant to be together

That's why we can roll with the punches

"You okay back there?" Randy asks after we walk a little ways into the woods.

I nod, "Yeah except for the fact that I feel like that movie Stand By Me. I swear Randy, if you dragged me through the woods to show me a dead body, you're going to be the dead body."

He laughs, "I promise, it's not a dead body."

I smile, "Well then, I hope it's good. The last few days you and Uncle Jerry been getting real buddy buddy. I bet you're conspiracing against me."

"Oh yes because you know that I would conspire against you," Randy rolls his eyes as we get to a clearing in the woods. "Ah, here we are."

I smile, it's a quaint place. A small lake sits there, a stream going off to the side of it. The grass is growing wild and wildflowers are mixed in with it. I let go of Randy's hand and smile, "Okay, this is worth showing me."

I turn to see Randy kneeling on the ground, digging through his bookbag. He's already pulled out a red and white checkered table cloth and two ziplock baggies of sandwhiches. When he pulls out the bag of sour cream and onion chips, he stops to look up at me, "Wanna spread out the tablecloth?"

We can stroll hand in hand

And when I say it's forever

You understand that you're

Always in my heart, you're always

"You dragged me all the way out here in the middle of the night to have a picnic?" I ask amused as I spread the tablecloth out.

"I thought it would be fun," Randy shrugs.

"What if I'm not hungry?"

He stops as he pulls out two thermos'. "I didn't think of that part...you're hungry right?"

I laugh and nod, "Actually I was getting ready to go down to the kitchen to fix something to eat when you woke me up."

He lets out a sigh of relief and nods, "Good."

After he finishes unpacking, I sit next to him on the tablecloth and grab one of the sandwiches. "What did ya make us?"

"For you, a turkey and swiss on rye bread with just a dash of mustard and for myself, a bologna and cheddar with a dab of miracle whip," he smiles.

I wrinkle up my nose in disgust, "Randy, that sounds like the worst sandwich ever!"

"To each their own," he smiles. I open my sandwich to put my chips on it like I always do, and smile as I see he drew a happy face in mustard.

"How'd you..."

"One of the good things about getting to know Jerry is he tells me all of your childhood likes and dislikes," Randy laughs, wrapping an arm around me as I lean into his chest.

On my mind and when it

All becomes to much

You're never far behind

And there's no one that

I smile and take a bite, making sure to chew it thoroughly before I say, "I'm almost afraid what else he told you."

"Well, he told me about your rebellious phase," Randy laughs. "Who knew you would have been the type to go out and get your eyebrow pierced!"

I laugh, "I was hanging around Kat and Mari to much."

"I think it would have been cute to see," laughs Randy.

"Then again, you've always been one for girls with an edge haven't you?" I laugh, "I mean, everyone knew about you and Lita, even if they didn't admit it."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Randy turns bright red and stuffs some chips into his mouth.

"Oh yes you do! You and Lita had that thing behind Adam's back," I reply, poking him in the chest.

"I was a different person back then," he protests.

"Different or not, you still like girls who either have an edge or are with Edge," I teasingly say.

He smiles, "I don't like Kat."

"No, but you do like a Lacroix," I point out, kissing his nose.

Comes close to you

Could ever take your place

Cause only you can

Love me this way

"I don't just like you baby, I love you." he gets back into the bag and pulls out a small battery powered radio with a cd player. "When we get finished eating, dance with me to whatever song happens to come on?"

I give him and odd look but nod, "Yeah, I'll dance with you."

He smiles and takes a sip of his thermos, "You know, you don't always have to drink Diet Mt. Dew," he shrugs, looking at me out of the corner of his eyes.

"I like it better than normal Mt. Dew. I get my caffeine fix and it's lower in fat content," I reply, looking down at my mid section. I've always been self concious when it came to my weight. In high school, before came to the WWE, I was even a bit anorexic. But I got over that with the help of Mariana and Katana. Looking back, I don't see how I could ever turn on either one of them. But that's not whats important at the moment. What's important at the moment is that I'm being held by the love of my life as we sit in a truly memorable place.

"You don't need to lose anymore weight," Randy replies, kissing the back of my neck as I take the final bite of my sandwich. "You're perfect the way you are. You fit exceptionally well in my arms Nols."

I blush, "Thanks Randy."

"Don't mention it," he turns the radio on and the sounds of Garth Brooks The Dance comes on the radio. He looks at me, stands, and offers me his hand, "May I have this dance, Nolee?"

I let him take my hand and stand up, "You may."

I could have turned a different corner

I could have gone another place

Then I'd never had this feeling

That I feel today yeah

Randy puts a hand in mine which he raises to shoulder level and the other on my hip, as I do the same to him. He pulls me close, our noses touching, as he leads me in a dance. I've never been great at dancing but with a good teacher leading you, you'd be surprised what you can do. It seems like the song is shorter than normal but as it ends, he pulls me in for a soul scorching kiss. "I...wow..."

"Like that did you?" he laughs.

I nod, blushing, "This is a good night."

"Wanna know how it can get better?" Randy asks. I start reaching for the bottom of my shirt but he puts a hand on one of mine, "That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean Randy?"

And you're always in my heart

You're always on my mind

And when it all becomes to much

You're never far behind

There is a slight pause as he gets down on one knee, still holding my hand and looking at me. "Nolee Marie Lacroix, there aren't many things in this world that I have. I have a daughter who I love very much, a career that I love a bit less. But I've never had that girl, no, woman who I can hold on to and say that I love for all time. That was until you came along. When you left me the first time, I thought I was going to die but when you came back I realized an old saying was true. If you love something set it free, if it comes back it was meant to be. You came back to me, Nolee. We're meant to be Nolee. So..." with the other hand he reaches into his back pocket and pulls a small black box, flicking it open to reveal a simple but beautiful gold band with a single diamond on it, "I'm asking you as your man, your friend will you marry me?"

I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. That was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard in my life but for the sake of all that is holy, words are failing me. So, instead of saying anything, I just nod.

He smiles up at me, "Really? You'll...you'll marry me?"

"Oh Randy of course!" I finally manage to say as he slides the ring on my finger. When he stands up I throw my arms around his neck. "Now I know why you came to Uncle Jerry!"

He laughs, "We almost let that slip, I was so glad we could cover for ourselves."

"You know..." I start, looking back at the blanket, "I was never a Prince Charming kind of girl until I met you..."

"Me? Prince Charming? Babe, you're talking to the Viper remember. I'm not a Prince Charming. I'm more...um...Pheobus or John Smith," he smiles.

I smile. Who knew that my lover boy had it in him to be so...well...perfect? At least to me he is.

And theres' no one that

Comes close to you

Could ever take your place

Cause only you can love me this way

And you're always in my heart

You're always on my mind

And when it all becomes to much

You're never far behind

And there's no one that

Comes close to you

Could ever take your place

Cause only you can love me this way

Only you can love me this way