"Marry me."
"What?"
"Right here, right now."
"Tony."
"Why not?" He asked, hoping he wouldn't fall flat on his face. He got down on one knee, pulled out a tiny box from his jacket and looked up into her eyes.
"Michelle Dessler I'm nothing without you. I've lived in a world without you in it and I can't do it again, I won't. You mean everything to me. You would make me so happy if you would agree to let me be your husband?"
"Tony." She gasped putting a hand over her mouth as she felt the blood rushing to her cheeks.
"Michelle you are my whole world and I promise that I will never let you down ever again."
"Yes." Michelle beamed as he slid the ring over her finger and laid it to rest where it once had been. She held his head in her hands and kissed him. "You kept it." She cried, a tear running down the side of her cheek. The last time she'd seen it was when she left it next to the note telling him she was gone.
"I couldn't bring myself to give it away. I always hoped you might agree to wear it again some day."
"Oh Tony." Michelle wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. Then caught a glimpse of the ring and held it out, arms stretched, so she could admire it some more.
"I don't want you to feel like I've rushed you, we don't have to get married right now if you don't want to."
"No Tony. Now would be perfect." She said grabbing his head in her hands and kissing him again. Tony held her tight. The world around them just disappeared, the passengers, the flight attendants and the hustle and bustle of life seemed to stand still, frozen in time. "But our flights in half an hour." She realised.
"Come on." He said taking her hand and grabbing their carry on luggage in the other.
"This is insane." She told him.
"I know." He grinned. They raced through the terminals to the other side of the airport. There in the corner was a tiny white entrance with a single gold cross above it. Michelle squeezed his hand tight as they passed through.
"My mother will never forgive me for this." Tony remarked "She never forgave me for what happened".
"Don't worry, we'll tell her it was all my idea." Inside the ceiling appeared twice as high and the candles that littered the room gave it a magical aura. The pews were empty except a single figure in the front row, knelt down praying, his white robe engulfing his boyish stature. They stopped half way down the aisle and knelt down to pay their respects, glancing at each other and smiling like two kids, knowing they were going to get caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
"Can I help you?" He asked
"Sorry to disturb you." Tony stood up, "But we were hoping that you might be able to marry us."
"Of course, please have a seat."
"Well." Michelle began, "The thing is our plane leaves in twenty minutes."
"I see."
"I don't normally take this lightly, I like to get to know the people I marry first."
"We'd really appreciate it." Tony insisted. The priest looked them over, clearly they weren't his usual teenage runaways or drunken strangers who would regret it in the morning.
"Very well." He said, motioning for them to approach the alter, "I'll need to know your names."
"My apologies, I'm Tony Almeida and this is Michelle Dessler."
"Congratulations." The priest offered her, opening his bible. "Now if you would both place your hands on this bible and repeat after me." Michelle and Tony moved in unison as Tony put down their bags and complied, taking Michelle's hand with his free hand.
"I your name."
"I Tony."
"I Michelle."
"Do solemnly swear to take the vows of marriage sincerely."
"To look after each other in sickness and in health."
"For richer, for poorer."
"For as long as we both shall live."
"Do you have the rings?" Michelle took off her ring and handed it back to Tony, Tony pulled his ring off of his right hand were he had kept it ever since their divorce and gave it to Michelle.
"With this ring I thee wed."
"With my body I thee worship."
"And with all my worldly goods I thee endow."
"Do you Miss Dessler take Tony Almeida to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"And do you Mr Almeida take Miss Dessler as your lawfully wedded wife."
"Hmm." He scoffed, pleased, Michelle gave him a friendly punch.
"Sorry Father. I do."
"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Tony grabbed Michelle and held her tight, she in turn wrapped herself around his neck and the embraced, kissing for the better part of five minutes.
"…Flight 814 from Los Angeles to Johannesburg is now boarding at gate 53…."
"I believe that is your plane." The priest reminded them.
"Yes. Thank you." Tony said, shaking his hand.
"Thank you." Michelle kissed the priest on the cheek as Tony took her hand and led them, sprinting back through the airport to catch their plane.
As he'd been instructed the young man got a job at the local gas station working the night shift. He'd been there almost four months. While he waited for them to contact him again he spent his time stacking shelves, cleaning floors and studying for his exams. It wasn't a bad job, the owner was quite nice and his English was getting much better as he chatted with the customers as they came in and learned more about his new home. Soon he'd have enough courage to ask Maggie out on a date, he was sure she'd say yes.
"How goes your studying?" Mr Lee asked.
"Well. Thankyou. I scored 98 on my last exam."
"You must come to dinner next week to celebrate. My wife would love o see you again."
"Thank you." He smiled. "I'd like that."
"I'll let her know." Mr Lee said going home for the night. "You take care."
"I will. Thankyou." And then he was alone again, he didn't mind it. The night shift was always quiet and it gave him plenty of time to study.
"Please stay seated until we are fully landed and on behalf of international air we hope you had a pleasant flight." The sound of the air hostess announcing their arrival in Johannesburg woke Michelle up. Inside the temperature was a pleasant twenty two degrees centigrade, the air circulated through the plane was cool on her skin. A stark contrast to what awaited them outside, El Nino had created tropical temperatures within the area over the last few days. The sky was a radiant blue and there was barely a cloud in the sky. Tony grabbed his jacket and stood aside to let Michelle out from her window seat.
"Are you okay?" He asked her as she stood up.
"Fine, just a little jet lagged."
"We'll be able to get some rest when we get to the hotel."
"I'd like that."
"Ma'am" A passenger excused himself as he tried to get past. Tony pulled her in closer to make room. "Come on." Tony said pushing Michelle ahead of him as they exited the plane and down the ramp. The hot air baked them as the strong wind hammered into them. Still a little light headed from the flight Michelle was taken a back for a minute. "Are you all right?" Tony asked grabbing her to keep her steady.
"Fine. It's just a little warmer than I expected."
"Let's get you inside." Tony took their bags in one hand and placed the other around Michelle, guiding her towards the main building.
The inside of the airport was nothing compared to the international departure lounge in Los Angeles. It was very small and run down. Miniature fans circulated the hot air over the passengers. A rather large woman sat in the far corner watching everyone come and go as she cooled herself with her fan. To their right a man in his forties, leather jacket, and missing teeth grinned at Michelle hoping she might give him the time of day. Michelle smiled at him, she couldn't help but think of what kind of sad life he had that would lead him to this moment in time. Michelle wrapped her arm around Tony's and concentrated on the conversation.
"Yeah that's right Almeida a-l-m-e-i-d-a. I confirmed my reservation over the phone."
"Yes sir. Here it is. Will that be cash or credit?"
"Credit" Tony handed over the credit card and a copy of his driver's license.
"Thank you sir" The attendant handed him the keys, "You'll find it parked in lot 24-A and I hope you have a lovely stay here with us."
"Thankyou" Michelle and Tony said in unison. Tony picked up his briefcase and grabbed Michelle's hand.
"Are you ready to go sweetheart?"
"Which hotel did you book?"
"No hotel. Delton gave us the keys to one of his business apartments"
"You didn't tell me that."
"It was a surprise. I was thinking that while we were here we could mix a little business with pleasure."
"Just what did you have in mind?"
"You'll see."
"Give me a hint?"
"Hmm." She said as he leaned in and kissed her. Michelle reached up and grabbed his face in her hands and stroked his cheek. "Let's find that car." She hurried him.
Tony handed Michelle the map as he started the car and checked the road before driving off. "Where are we going?" Michelle asked looking at the map closely.
"It should be just off Graza road near the old cotton factory." Tony took a quick look at the map but the streets were busy and there were obstacles everywhere.
"I think I found it." Michelle announced as she double checked the map. "Head straight ahead for about one hundred and twenty meters and then there will be a left."
"One hundred and twenty meters it is." Tony said changing gears and checking his mirrors. They had been travelling about twenty minutes before they finally found the old cotton factory. The streets here were a stark difference to those in the heart of town where the buildings were bigger, surrounded by large fences and landscaped lawns similar to those in suburbia back home. Only a stones throw away were the world famous shanty towns with streets of run down huts with little evidence of modern conveniences like running water and electricity. Where kids roamed the streets covered in dust and grim searching for food and a quick dollar. In town, Michelle saw a young girl no more than twelve, standing next to a car chatting with the older male inside and she shuddered to think about what they were discussing.
"What number is it again?" He asked.
"Um." Michelle looked at his scribbled handwriting in the corner of the map, "Sixty eight."
"This is it." Tony announced as he pulled into the drive. He reached into his pocket and grabbed a small black box with two buttons. He pressed the first button and the gate started to open.
"This is a company apartment?" Michelle said in awe of the beautiful white house adorned with Victorian cornices and details. "I think we're in the wrong business."
"Honey. If you want a house like this just say the word." Tony smiled, he loved watching her squirm.
"It's a little big for just the two of us don't you think?"
"Maybe you're right. Our little house is nice and cosy who'd want to give that up?" He teased, "And think of the cleaning." The gate opened enough and Tony drove through, then with a click of a button it closed again locking them securely inside. Tony parked the car and went to grab their bags as Michelle took a closer look at the house. Tony placed the bags down and unlocked the front door.
"Tony." Michelle screamed startled as he picked her up and carried her over the threshold,
"Where to Mrs Almeida?"
"Hmm." Michelle took a quick look around and smiled.
"Mrs Almeida I'm shocked." He jest as she looked at the inviting rug in front of the fireplace. Tony gently lowered her down onto the bear skin rug. As Michelle ran her fingers through his hair Tony caressed her neck and ran his right hand down the length of her arm, over her chest and onto her abdomen. Her skin glistened irresistibly from the summer heat. As Tony undid the buttons on her pants Michelle kissed his neck and ran her hand underneath his shirt and along the lines of his breast. Undoing his buttons slowly as Tony pulled her pants off she made herself comfortable. Something about being locked behind gates made her fell like they were in a world of their own, untouchable. Tony unbuttoned her shirt and lifted up her camisole. Gentle enough, barely touching her skin, he kissed her lips then worked his way down to her bikini line. Michelle ached with ecstasy. Tony kissed her neck again, then her breast before moving back up to her lips. He held her so tight like he was afraid to let her go, he desired her with such passion that he felt he would explode if he didn't have her soon. As he lifted Michelle up closer to him she reached down and undid his belt and unzipped his jeans before helping him take them off. Tony lowered her back down. Michelle closed her eyes as he reached down and removed her underwear with a single movement, a move he had perfected over time. Before she knew it, he was inside of her, the two of them moving as one. It amazed her how gentle he was, given his general bulky and brutish guise. He held his weight carefully above her so as not to trap her in any way, gently kissing her on the neck and lips, checking she was okay. Michelle stared into his captivating brown eyes and watched him as he stared devotedly back at her. He was hers forever, there was no doubting it, this wasn't a fling and it definitely wasn't just a quick moment of pleasure this man truly adored her, his world revolved around her and nothing could ever change that. She rang her fingers through his hair, taking in his smell and his energy. They embraced each other for the longest moment afterwards, learning to live apart once again.
"Are you hungry?" Tony asked as he held her in his arms, his shirt now on her keeping her modest, but wearing only boxers himself.
"Starving." Michelle smiled. "Would you like me to cook something?"
"Are you forgetting our arrangement."
"Right. You cook, I clean."
"You know I love you…"
"I know, I know. I've never been any good at cooking not like my grandmother, she'd be so ashamed." She said trying to hide her face in the collar of his shirt.
"Don't be so tough on yourself. I think we're a match made in heaven, I can't keep house and you can't cook. We compliment each other."
"We do, do we?" Michelle said grabbing his chin and kissing him gently on the lips.
"Hmm." He said kissing her back.
"What would you like?"
"What have we got?"
"Good question. Perhaps I should take a look in the pantry."
"I'll get the bags." Michelle said pulling on her skirt before going to the front door. "What's the code?"
"5764" Michelle punched it in and grabbed their bags which were still sitting on the front step. She placed them on the sofa and unzipped hers to grab her toiletry bag.
"How does Spanish omelette sound?"
"Perfect." She said checking her make up and brushing her hair.
"Coming right up." Tony pulled out a frypan, some eggs, potatoes and onions. The housekeeper had obviously stocked the fridge for them before they had arrived. Michelle sat on the stool at the bench and watched him with awe as he effortlessly cooked the omelette from memory. She wondered if she would ever get that good, of course Tony had tried to teach her a few things but she still had trouble making a boiled egg.
"What time are we meeting Delton?"
"2.15 tomorrow afternoon." He said delicately placing the omelette onto the plate and adorning it with a sprig of parsley. "Wallah." He announced, proud of his effort "Grandma Almeida's family recipe."
"Hmm." Michelle took a bite, "It's delicious." She reached over and kissed him on the cheek, "How did I ever get lucky enough to marry you?"
"I ask myself that everyday."