Chapter two: To choose and Love

Paris

"You're up in five, McCabe "

That was the final call from Lupe Marling, the coordinator of the runway. Mari let out a small sigh and glanced in the mirror once more. Everything was perfect, until her eyes caught something in the mirror. A slightly un-glossed part of the lips .Quickly, she smeared some cherry lip gloss on and smacked her lips together. Finding perfection, a smile appeared on her face.

Mari caught sight of the bouquet of flowers her fan sent. It seemed like almost every day she will receive something that will remind her that she was admired, by many. Especially the men. But something stood out amongst those flowers of hers. A simple, one stalk of rose was obviously placed on top of her dressing table. With a small, scented note attached to it, saying:

Dinner tonight at the "amour dans l'air" restaurant. Please be there.

John

They were going to her favorite restaurant, the one which serves the best cuisine. She so loves French food. The one thing she frowned at was John failed to write a sincere "Love," word before his signature. They had been dating for over 2 years now and can't seem to recall once when he had told her he loved her. The word "care" or "concerned" was overly used by John.

Although whatever the situation was, she was still very much and deeply infatuated and intrigued by John Stewart. He wasn't like those typical fans of her, always being a wannabe and determined to court her with whatever it takes. Not to mention those rich, cute men who had also asked her out before. Asking whether she wanted to jet off to somewhere romantic in their private jets or expensive cars. Mari turned them all down.

But for what?

An average cup of Joe who wasn't famous for being a billionaire playboy or an obsessive stalker who knew everything about her. She turned them down for a former Marine and now a member of the Green Lantern Corps. He is not rich, that's for sure. John didn't own a mansion but a humble small apartment in Detroit. John does not live the high-life like she did exquisite meals every day, high publicity of her social life and a hard party rocker.

But what thing's for sure – he was a cup of Joe she never tasted and loved so much. He was so different in comparison with those other men she had previously dated. Those men always focused more on her looks and view her like those typical walking pixie sticks cat-walking down the runway with the latest design. Sure, those romances were fun and exhilarating but when it all comes down to a serious relationship, it seemed so far away. Mari guess she's supposed to accept it , what with living the celebrity life and romances with the other half always seem to burn and crash in the end.

That was what she thought until she met John Stewart. Most men wanted to impress her all the time, but with him, her world seemed to turn upside down. Mari wanted to impress him so badly, dropping subtle clues of interest, the enticing flirtations, and the small smiles reserved specifically for him unlike those million-dollar smiles you can see in magazines. All this in an attempt to lure him into getting interested in her.

She wanted him so much it hurts.

A sudden flashback where she was almost tempted to asked him out but was stopped for it seemed that she would be too desperate. Mari was secretly a fan of the Green Lantern even before entering the league. She would crank up the volume higher when he was on the news and listen to gossips about him. He was a hottie after all and when he showed up at her front door asking her to be a part of the Justice league, she wanted to scream but remain professional for a great first impression.

Though she couldn't help but notice the heavy eye bags and new goatee he decided to go with. Sure he looked ten times more handsome but she knew, somehow it was a hidden attempt to forget about his relationship with Hawkgirl. Or what she preferred to call Shayera.

He was broken and devastated but was professional enough to bury the hurt feelings deep inside his bruised heart. This was one of the qualities she liked in him, bravery and professionalism.

Mari hoped one day, she will be the one to bring him back on his feet and completely heal his broken heart. She suddenly realized the days of just being a co-worker wasn't enough, it was the last straw. She was determined to make her his.

She asked the Flash, who happened to be the Lantern's closest buddy, out of a friendly date. She even brought him to an expensive Italian restaurant which serves the best pizzas to coax Flash to help her on this love mission. Due to the Flash's high metabolic rate, it caused her credit card dearly.

But all in all, it was worth it. Flash thought the idea of GL going out again was great rather than being a living dead and feeling sorry for himself every single day. In the end, John plucked up the courage to ask her out, to this Chinese restaurant near his apartment.

Mari put on her best dress, one with a dangerous neckline revealing a bit of her cleavage with a slit on the side. It was red – a symbol for I want you, badly. What was followed by was a pair of killer stiletto high heels , and a face slightly painted with matching eyes shadows and luscious red lips which would make him think of her as sexy.

The first date was a success, she laughed at everything he said (it's a girl thing) to make him more comfortable, asked about his former marine life and days at the Corps but didn't touch any sensitive issue. She could feel herself wanting to see him more and more and that wish was granted. He was a natural gentleman.

Everything was perfect except for the fact he ordered eel heads, but never ate any of it.

Soon, second base came and they became more intimate. Taking turns to go to each other's homes for a good night.

Now, the present, everything was okay. Though she knows John is still stuck on Shayera, she doesn't want to let go .She respects Shayera as a friend and competition but he was hers and she was his and that is final. She will never want to lose John. Mari would never want to hurt Shayera but she had to admit she was selfish. She wanted John, needed him and most importantly,

I Love You, John Stewart.

She placed her fingers to her lips, and planted those kisses to a photograph of her and John.

"Final Call, Mari!"

With that, she put on her famous smile and waltzes down the runway. She can't wait for the date.

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John Stewart looked nervously at himself for the 36th time in the mirror. He had decided to go with a white dress shirt, black slacks and a blazer. Nothing to neither casual nor formal, he wanted. John actually wanted a bow tie but that was so not him and it choked him nonetheless. He was a big nervous-wreck.

Today was a super big day for him and he wanted everything to be perfect. No mistakes and slip ups and most of all, no turning back. A trickle of cold sweat slide down his forehead as he thought of that.

No turning back. No turning back. No turning back.

The words frighten him a lot when he thought about it. Marriage was a huge commitment and was he seriously ready for it. To spend the rest of his life with his other half till death do them apart. Was he ready, to finally, let go of Shayera Hol. The apple of his eyes, the lyrics to his song, his one true soul mate.

Yes. Of course. Well maybe, just maybe…

He let out a huge sigh and splashes some more water on his face. Here he was in his current girlfriend's most favorite restaurant, waiting to propose and still thinking about his ex. Most men waiting to propose would just fumble and worry about rejection and saying the wrong words but he was a special case. Being in an awkward love triangle can drive you crazy sometimes and he wanted to put a stop to it. Forget about the past and just move forward. But he couldn't, he was stuck on Shayera but couldn't bear to leave Mari either.

He loved Shayera, loved her to bits. Would take a bullet to the brain for her if anything should ever happens and give her all she needs. But he can't do that now, not when things had changed so drastically between them. Years ago they were so care-free and loving, now everything feels so insecure between them. One touch or conversation would leave them hurting and guards brought up. More and more barriers added to keep the pain from flowing in.

In truth, he loves her. He loves her a lot. She was impulsive, head-strong and fiery. John resented her at first but she was so different, a contrast to the women he met. With Katma, he learned to balance love and duty, but with her, he experiences true and genuine love.

She was always so brave and strong-willed. That passion to save lives of hers fuels and ignites her, bringing out the spirit of a fierce warrior. He respected her a lot. Once he got underneath that hard exterior of her, she intrigued him even more. She was actually very sweet and curious, which reminded him of an innocent child. Shayera had a hidden streak of playfulness too, and during those cold quiet nights where everything seemed so wrong, she was comforting and supportive. He never thought that she cared, but when things get rough, she would always be there for him. To envelop him in her beautiful wings and assure him everything was alright.

And that night, when he finally confessed his love for her and removed her mask. He felt his heart skipped a beat and his breathing stopped. God, she was beautiful, her luminous green eyes shone like brighter than the stars he'd seen in space and her ember red hair falls perfectly. The loose bangs frame her face perfectly, and when she smiled … he thought he just died. He couldn't help but only smile goofily at his new found fascination.

They shared a passionate kiss that night in the old watchtower. Just then, he knew, he would want to spend the rest of his life with her. She was the piece to his missing puzzle piece and she made him complete. Everything was perfect. Everything was okay…

Until, the invasion. The whole truth revealed, she was engaged to another man, and she didn't tell him the whole time they were together. He trusted her with his heart, only for it to be shattered into a million pieces strewn across the floor. Trust was gone and he couldn't tell the difference between the truth and a lie. He was confused and deeply hurt, felt betrayed and alone at once.

Till this very day, he was very much afraid how Shayera made him feel. She could drive him crazy for a whole day if she wanted to. Take him to lengths he has never experience before. She will always be there for him, like an angel that descended from the sky. The woman was beautiful and a simple kiss would make him feel like the luckiest man on earth. She could bring anger too, but he still enjoys her arguments and teases.

And she too, can hurt him like no one else had ever had. He undergoes it firsthand right after the Thanagarian invasion. He felt so vulnerable and weak, like the air he breathes was suffocating him. Inner demons came and tortured him every single night, reliving the very day their how their romance had ended tragically and he would go back to sleep with a very soaked pillow.

She was like a sharp knife, driven deep into his heart and leaving wounds which would never ever heal and he was the one who let her in the first place. And that was the very reason why he was so afraid to go back with her. He wouldn't want the same thing to happen to Mari, he witnessed it before and he knew that the wounds would never heal.

He loves Mari, and knows that if he never met Shayera, he would give his heart away in a second. She was what all men craved for, gorgeous, witty, humorous and feminine. Mari helped a lot when he was still healing from the pain and John was very thankful for that. But, no matter how Mari will be, he could never connect to her like Shayera. Something so fragile yet so strong, dangerous and fiery but passionate and beautiful.

Now, he was to let that all go. "This is the end" he thought, as he pulled out a red velvet box and opened it revealing a diamond ring which he had so carefully chosen out from a vast variety. A cushion-cut ring, for Mari loves fancy objects. He sighed at the contrast of Mari and Shayera. He closed the lid and placed it back into his pocket.

He made his way out of the washroom of the restaurant and took his seat at the table where Mari was seating. There she was sipping delicate French wine from the champagne glass, posing absent-mindedly while staring at the beautiful sunset of Paris.

"Hey…" he said rather nervously.

"Hey yourself, what took you?" she asked, giving him a smile he had begun to be accustomed to.

"Erm..." John paused looking for an excuse. "There was a long queue back there"

The eating assumed and John had specifically placed orders for her favorite French dish and tried but fail to relax him for the wonderful night. While, Mari on the other hand, laughs giddily at his out of place clumsiness and failure to have fun. She kissed him gently on the lips when the waiter came and took away the plates.

"What was that for?" He questioned.

Mari looked at him amused with his question. "Do I need a reason? Besides, you seemed very nervous tonight." She paused and twirled the empty wine bottle in her hand. "And you're all out of liquid courage"

He blushed. Was he that obvious? He looked at her and then the sunset, everything was just right. John knew then, it was the time. The time to let things go and move on with Mari. He carefully took out the box, hidden from her view.

"Mari…" he began, causing her to look at him.

"Yes John?"

He swallowed hard and started sweating profusely. What about destiny? What about Rex? What about Shayera… John could feel his breath quicken.

What if all of this was wrong? The future he saw, the past lives of Bashari and Chay-era. Didn't they matter? No, he can't let himself feel this way again. He was tired of hurting and the pain that comes with it.

Shayera… I have to let you go… I hope you understand…

Regaining his composure, he leaned in and looks Mari deep in the eyes.

"Mari, will you marry me?"

Author's note: Personally, I have to admit I actually kind of like the character Vixen. Sure she's with GL which sort of makes her an obstacle but she is a really cool character. She's very high-class, feminine but fiery at the same time and gorgeous. (I hated her at the beginning ... but things changed). Mari McCabe is extremely patient too, (what with John still hoarding feelings for Shayera), not to mention bold and sexy. The producers of JLU show seriously gave John a hard choice to make. Whatever the outcome, he is surely bound to hurt one them simply by choosing. Oh , I quoted the parts of the proposal scene from Justice League Beyond digital comics . ( I don't really agree with that storyline in that book ) Please R&R…..