Kathleen closed the Babar book and carefully placed it back on the shelf. Then she turned, surprised to find Joe smiling at her.
"Oh, I'm sorry." She said, looking at her watch. "I was just..."
"Yeah, I saw." Joe said. "You have a wonderful way with children. I noticed it right away when I saw how you were with Matt and Annabelle. I never thanked you for that, by the way."
She smiled at the compliment.
"Well, I just love children. The world is so much better with them, don't you think?"
"You're absolutely right." Joe replied. "Are you ready for your surprise?"
She rose and took his hand. "Joe, you've already done so much for me!"
He kissed her cheek and put his arm around her.
"Like NY152 said... You'll love it." He winked.
They walked hand in hand through the streets of New York.
"Joe! Where are you taking me?" She laughed as they arrived at the pier.
"Well, I know you said you could never be with anyone who has a boat, but I'm hoping you'll change your mind." Joe said.
He led her to a large wooden boat, emblazoned in gold with the name FOX.
"This is yours?" she asked.
"Well, the small one is mine, but I have partial ownership in both of them." He said with a laugh.
Joe smiled, stepped onto the boat and took her hand. "Follow me."
When they arrived in the cabin, Kathleen gasped.
"Joe...what is all this?"
"This is for you." He said.
She stood, mesmerized at the sight before her.
The cabin was transformed into the most romantic thing she'd ever seen. The only lights came from the flickering candles that sat on the table and bookshelves. In the center of the table, an elaborate table setting with china and flowers was waiting for them. And a heavenly aroma of Italian food filled the room.
"Joe..." She said again. "This is... the most beautiful room I've ever seen."
He took her in his arms and kissed her. "You're beautiful."
As they shared dinner at the small table, Kathleen reached over and took his hand.
"I can't believe you did all of this for me."
Joe smiled. "I just wanted to show you how much I love you."
Tears filled Kathleen's eyes. "I can't thank you enough."
He poured her some more champagne and they shared a toast.
"To us..." He said as they clinked their glasses together.
Suddenly he rose from the table.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
He walked over to the bar and flipped a switch. Instantly the room was filled with the soft sounds of Joni Mitchell.
He had picked her favorite song;
River.
"Shall we dance?" He asked, taking her hand.
She melted into his arms as they danced to the lyrics she loved so much.
"I wish I had a river I could skate away on..."
Later that night, they stood in front of Kathleen's apartment, lost in each other's eyes.
"Just when I think I can't love you more, you do something to prove me wrong." Kathleen said. "How did I get so lucky?"
Joe kissed her then. "I'm the lucky one."