"Um, yes, Darling?"
"Niles, you're in charge of the rings. Now you'll need to go to Bergdorf's Jewelers on Fifth and Union right away. You're to speak to Bryon and only Bryon. Do not speak to anyone else. Bother the hell out of them until they let you speak to him, even if they say that he's not in. And make sure they get him there no matter what, do you understand?"
Again he nodded. "Yes, but Mel-."
"Do not under any circumstances simply give up and go to another jewelry store. This is something that you must not ruin! Bergdorf's is the only acceptable jewelry store."
He did his best to hide his irritated sigh. "Mel you know that I would never ruin anything. I can't believe you even-."
"I've seen you fail at things over and over again Niles, and this is something that you must not ruin!" She repeated. "Bergdorf's is the only acceptable store, do you hear me? They are the only acceptable one! They don't make a fuss and they're good. Now go directly to the store after you leave this airport and tell Bryon that you want a set of wedding rings. Mine should be fourteen karat gold of course, with diamonds in a crisscross setting. I want lots of diamonds for my wedding ring, Niles. Lots of diamonds! The same goes for my engagement ring, which I do wish that you had bothered to purchase before you proposed but I suppose that it was rather impromptu wasn't it?"
He opened his mouth to speak but as usual Mel continued to lecture him; albeit the smile she was wearing.
"Well, that's all right." She went on, straightening the collar of his shirt. "But as for your wedding band, it needs to be a simple gold band; very elegant but discreet. Nothing more nothing less, Niles, do you understand?"
His head was spinning from the influx of information that she had thrown at him, but he nodded blindly.
"Niles, do you understand?" She asked, more forcefully.
"Yes, of course Mel, but-."
"No buts Niles, just do it! And make sure that the rings are ready by the time I get back. I want to announce our engagement the right way; with a party…"
"A-all right." He said flatly, hoping she wouldn't notice the way his enthusiasm had waned.
"Not just any party, a formal party! One where only the most exclusive guests are invited. I'll make up a list from Atlanta and you do the same here while I'm gone. And when I return we'll compare notes and eliminate the names that aren't needed."
Niles sighed again, albeit discreetly. He didn't need to ask if exclusive and not needed meant that his father, brother and Daphne were included in that category. He already knew the answer. "No, Niles, they're not invited." Mel would say if he dared to ask. He knew all too well what his new finance thought about his family; Daphne included. But as with the many other things that he disliked about Mel, he tried not to let her disdain bother him. He hoped that in time her attitude toward his family would change and that she might grow to love them just as Daphne had.
He forced a smile and kissed her. "Don't worry, Mel. I'll take care of everything. Now you'd better go or you'll miss your flight."
She glanced at her watch and gasped, cursing under her breath. "Oh my God, I only have forty five minutes until my flight leaves! Damn it, Niles why did you let me stand here for so long? I told you repeatedly what time the flight was scheduled to leave and now I'll never make it! I'll have to book another flight, which means staying in this horrible airport for hours and I'll have to fly coach! Damn you!"
Despite the stares of passersby, and the fact that she was screaming loudly, he managed to smile and kiss her more passionately than he intended. But by some miracle, it worked like magic to diffuse her anger, at least for the time being.
"You'll make it if you hurry." He said as softly as possible. "Now go and I'll see you when you get back."
"Call me!" She said in a tone that was more of a demand rather than a request.
"Of course, Mel, every night."
"Tonight, Niles!" She shouted. "Swear it! Swear you'll call me! And make sure that you don't forget the time difference! It's-."
"For God's sake, I know what time it is in Atlanta, Mel!" he shouted. He hadn't meant to get so angry, and from the look that she gave him, he knew that he would pay for it in some form or another. He took a deep breath and forced himself to speak calmly. "Mel, I swear that I will call you every night."
"Good. Now kiss me."
He moved to kiss her but she turned her face, allowing him only the lightest of kisses. "This is an airport, Niles!" She said softly into his ear. "People are watching!"
With that, she turned on her heels and move toward the automatic doors.
"I love you!" he called to her as she disappeared into the airport.
If she had said the words in return, he would never know. She hardly ever said them, except when they were alone and in situations where she knew that saying the words sure to garner a positive reaction from those around them.
He returned to his car and started the engine. And as he pulled away from the curb, he was suddenly glad that she was gone.