It took them an hour's time to get to their destination, but the drive itself was well rewarded. The restaurant was located by the Hudson River, near the skyline of the city. Flint drove the car on the circular driveway, handed the keys to the Valet, and escorted Jaye inside the elegant restaurant.
"Welcome to Caniglia's." the woman behind the reservation desk, smiled towards the couple.
Flint put his arm around Jaye, "Reservations for two, name is Faireborn." The woman's fingers scrolled down the list, once and then twice. "I'm sorry Mr. Faireborn, but you're not on this list."
"What? But I made sure I had made reservations for tonight!" his voice slightly escalated, getting the attention of the manager, who was in earshot.
"Again, I'm sorry, Mr. Fair-" but the hostess words were cut off by the manager's.
"Please, Mr. Faireborn," the man extended his hand, "Allow me to extend my apologies to you and your lady, and let me resolve this mistake on our part. Will you please follow me."
Flint gave Jaye an apologetic look, before taking her hand in his and followed the man, past the main dinning area, up the grand staircases, and through a grand room, which usually allowed private dinner parties, and then through two large glass doors, that brought them out to the balcony.
The balcony was fully decorated with white lights, and green vines entangled in the black metal bars, each filled with Jaye's favorite flower. A table stood in the middle of the balcony, which faced the most breathtaking view either of them had ever seen, the river and the skyline of the city. On the table, the place setting was for two, three elegant red candles were held in a silver candelabra, a wine bottle was stationed next to the candles, ready to be opened and one white paper was angled against a Lenox vase filled with two dozen roses, the only word on the small rectangular paper said it all, Faireborn.
She stood there awestruck. She looked from the table to her man, smiled and kissed him lovingly. "You are amazing you know that?"
"Tell me something I don't know." his voice was soft, melting her from head to toe.
From their right side, the sound of soft music filled the air and embraced them. Jaye's eye sparkled looking at the majestic harp which was gently played by the musician's hands. The woman's soft touch, plucked each string, sending the notes flying straight into their hearts. A violin player entered through the glass doors, his playing combining with the Harp's soft music. Together, the musicians smiled at the couple.
Lady Jaye found herself blushing, he had never before done such a romantic moment such as this one. Her heart beat steadily pounded, breathing in every single moment of this loving gesture.
A gentle hand touched hers, his eyes burned down into hers, finding her heart, her life and her soul. He guided her across the balcony, his words were soft, gentle, barely touching the breeze, "Care to dance, my lady?"
She was still in shock but extremely happy. "I would love too but I thought you said you don't dance."
His voice sent a tingle down her spine, "I do now. I've been taking lessons from Cover Girl."
Jaye looked at him in surprise, her mouth hung open but nothing came out.
"Shall we?" Flint said, his eyes full of mischief. He softly took her hand, guiding her towards the right side of the balcony, closer to the music and closer to the magic that surrounded them.
She felt him pull her close and the front of their bodies touched sending sparks of electricity through both of them. They moved to the music and it was as if the rest of the world disappeared and it was only the two of them when they looked into each other's eyes.
They swayed gently to the rhythm of the music, his heart beating close to hers. She closed her eyes, leaning against his chest, hoping the moment would never end. It seemed like an eternity until he cupped her face, and pulled her lips sealing his own with a passion so intense that she was sure the floor from underneath them would melt from their heat and they would fall right through. Their lips parted, her breathing shallow, until she realized though she could still hear the music in her heart, it had stopped.
He did not need to hear any words, her heart spoke for her. "Shall we skip the main course and go directly to dessert?" he teased, then rubbed his arm from her punch. Taking her hand again in his own, he guided her to the table. Sitting on the velveteen ivory chair, her eyes locked in his. Flint gently pushed the chair in for her and then walked across the balcony whispering something to the musicians. What was he up to? She wondered to herself. Returning, he gave her one more of his charming smiles, before sitting himself.
"It is simply breathtaking here, isn't it?" he glanced at the darkened waters below as the it flowed downstream, disappearing into the night.
"It's beautiful." Jaye said then reached over and touched his hand with her own. "What's going on? This is definitely not like you." She had a contented smile on her face.
He gave off a fake exhale, "Alright, you saw right through me. Duke is transferring me to the frozen Hades of Alaska. Happy?"
"Oh?" Jaye chuckled. "I'll buy you some warm jammies."
He squeezed her hand, "Well, if I ask him nicely, maybe he will transfer you with me, then I won't need any warm jammies." Did she just shiver? With his other hand he touched the outside of his pocket. The box seemed heavier, wanting to burn a hole through his pocket and become unleashed.
The waiter brought the already prepared menu, which Flint had arranged. He wanted everything perfect for the night and nothing in the world would spoil it, not even his now very empty wallet. Another waiter poured the wine for them, as two Insalata di Spinaci Pere e Pecorino spinach salads were set in front of them, followed by Jaye's favorite, Coniglio all'Agrodolce , a rabbit dish which Flint swallowed hard and lastly her favorite Italian dessert. Chocolate Cannoli!
Jaye had just finished her desert and wiped off her mouth and went to put the napkin on her lap and missed, dropping it on the floor.
Flint stood up from his seat, "Allow me, my lady. Tonight is all yours." making Jaye's features glow. The music began to play once more, a familiar tune to her, but she could not recall from where she heard it before, until she realized it was her favorite song. She looked towards the players, enjoying their music. She softly hummed the melody, forgetting for a short moment where they were. Suddenly, she felt Flint's gentle touch, thinking he had put her fallen napkin back on her lap, her eyes, turned towards the person she loved the most, finding him staring right into her face, his one knee bent, the other on the ground. He had reached for her hand, and she had not even noticed it! Her eyes traveled from his dark brown eyes, to his familiar lips, down towards his left hand, which held hers, to his other, which made her heart skip a beat. A box, a small velvet box, had been flipped open to reveal the most breathtaking diamond ring she had ever seen. Her eyes widened, her heart began to beat faster, her blood breathed, her mind whirled, and her lips parted, letting her mouth drop. She did not dare breathe.
"Allie." his voice was soft, filled with love, for her! "From the start, our two lives were thrown together from our very first mission. Two people, from two different worlds, with two different minds, but the same temper." that comment made her giggle, " Together, we faced danger, adventure, and so many arguments. In truth, we had found each other's guiding light and had not known it." his words brought tears to her eyes. "From the first mission, to almost drowning during the Pyramid of Darkness, to almost loosing you in the hands of our enemies, to the time I was under the siren spell, to the time you thought I perished from insane hands of the Game Master, to the time that I thought I lost you to another, and to the many times Cobra had captured me, my thoughts were only you. You are my light, my life, my happiness, my world, my hope, my dreams, my love, my soul, my heart." A tear escaped, trailing down her cheek, "My world will never be complete without your love, your heart. For as long as I can remember, I want our lives to be one, our hearts to beat as one, and live in eternity together. You are my past, my present and my future." he held his breath for second, "Allie, will you make my dreams come true, will you make my world whole, will you be my guiding star, will you take this symbol of my heart and take me as your beloved husband?"
For what seemed like an eternity she said nothing making him fear that she didn't want this. Just when he looked away and was about to get up and sit back down in his chair in disappointment she launched herself at him hugging him tightly and kissing him fully on the lips.
"Does that mean, yes?" he asked her.
"Oh yes." She said softly into his chest as she softly cried happy tears.
"Oh good, was worried there for a second and thought I had to give back the ring to Duke." his voice teased.
"WHAT?!"
He chuckled, "Just a small joke, on my behalf." His eyes gave off that mischief look to them, "So, are we going to stay on the balcony's floor for eternity? or go back to Headquarters for the 'real' dessert?"
Jaye grinned. "Well I did get that new full sized bed today…"
"Just my size. But where are you going to sleep?" he teased, pivoting from another of her famous attacks. "Shall we, Mrs. future Faireborn?" extending his arm to her.
"That anxious to sleep on my floor?" She teased back as she took his arm.
He winked as he guided her back into the restaurant, "Well someone has to keep poor Brutus company." They walked down the stairs, and were embraced with the clapping from the Canigilia's staff. Jaye felt herself blush, seemed like everyone was in on Flint's little surprise. After thanking the manager, the valet held open the door for Jaye, as the other, handed the keys back to Flint who took them, got in and made the engine roar back to life.
"How long have you been planning this?" Jaye asked as they drove back to the base. She undid her seat belt and scooted over to sit next to him, putting the lap belt on.
He wrapped his right arm over her shoulder, pulling her closer to him, "Sorry, that information is classified."
"Cute." Jaye said and poked him in the side. "Who was in on this?"
"That is going to be a mystery for you to solve, my dear."
"You brat." Jaye teased.
The rest of the drive was in companionable silence as they held each other.
Headquarters was very quite when they drove in, not a soul in sight, only the three guards that stood in their regular posts. Flint parked the car, opened the drivers door and got out. He walked around to the passenger side, slowly opened the door, not to disturb her. She had fallen asleep, he gently shook her, "Jaye?" he whispered, not to frighten her, "Honey, wake up." I think she may had too much of that wine he thought, hoping that he will not have to carry her back to her quarters. He could only imagine what Shipwreck or Ace would think if they caught sight of him with an unconscious Lady Jaye. The betting pool will be very busy. "Jaye?"
Her eyes fluttered open. "Hmmm…"
"Allie, wake up." he shook her once more, her body barely responded. He sighed, "Alright Cinderella, if Ship or Ace see us, you will owe me big time." He unfastened her seatbelt, and gently pulled her out of the car. Flint closed the car door with his foot, "Glad she isn't awake to see that, she will kill me for sure if she found out that I kicked her brand new baby."
She cuddled into Flint as he carried her.
He carried her up the stairs and straight to her quarters. He pulled his own passkey out from his pocket, without waking her. The suite was quiet and dark. Scarlett was probably sleeping in her room, he reasoned. He carried Jaye to her bedroom and closed the door behind him.