Ch. 2: A Night Out
My life was pretty good and I had no complaints about it. I had a job doing what I always wanted to do and I had a beautiful girlfriend who I was meeting that evening for a long awaited date. Being a police officer at Metro South took up a lot of my time and when I did have time off, I was too tired to do much of anything with Shelby except watch a movie at my place until I fell asleep. Thank goodness for coffee or I'd be falling asleep on m beat. I had managed to get tonight off, though, and had enough energy to take Shelby out for the first time in a while. We were both greatly looking forward to this, especially me because the long hours I had to keep were starting to put a strain on our relationship. I also had two surprises for Shelby that night. I smiled and reached into my suit jacket's pocket to make sure that the small velvet box with the ring in it was there and strode into the restaurant.
Shelby arrived five minutes after I ordered some wine and she was a knock out. She had lightly curled her normally straight red-brown hair and was wearing a flattering mint green strapless dress that accentuated her curves. We'd been together for five years but she could still find ways to make my jaw hit the floor. There were times I think she did it for her own amusement. Not that I was complaining or anything. I learned not to do that in the first month of our relationship. I often said that she should be a lawyer because the judge would rule in her client's favor just still have ears at the end of the case.
"With the way you're dressed I almost wish we weren't in public. All the other guys can see you as well," I commented as she sat down across from me.
"Well they can look all they want but none of them can touch," smiled Shelby.
"You always just what to say to calm me down," I smiled back.
"Well it's not that hard, after all, you can't stay angry for long."
"I think it's all the Three Stooges and Calvin and Hobbes I watch and read. Having a good sense of humor keeps me a likeable fellow."
"Don't forget funny. You always find ways to make me laugh."
"That's why you love me, isn't it?"
"That's one of the reasons. You're thoughtful, brave, selfless, loyal to a fault, dedicated, and you give me wonderful surprises when you can, like this necklace," Shelby continued as she indicated the gold diamond studded locket I had given her last month not too long after our first major fight about my work hours.
"You'd better be careful, the last thing I want is an overinflated ego. But I'm glad you brought up the part about surprises because I might have another one for you. Shelby, I know you're not exactly happy about my long work days, I'm not either. But I took my test to become detective recently and if I pass then I won't have to pull street duty anymore and it'll give me more flexibility with my hours. That's means I'll have more time to spend with you."
"Oh my gosh! I'm so excited! When will you know if you passed?
"I get the results tomorrow."
"Well I'll definitely drink to that," said Shelby as she raised her glass with a grin so big it looked painful.
We ordered our dinner and spent the rest of our time talking about anything except my job and just having a generally good time. We finally finished our dessert and left the restaurant still laughing.
"I think that was one of the best bread puddings I've ever had," I commented as we walked to the parking lot. The restaurant was in walking distance of Shelby's apartment so we didn't have to worry about her car.
"The wine was a letdown though," she added. "I think it could have used another year or two."
"Hold on a minute, I need to tie my shoe," I said as we passed under a street light and crouched down on one knee.
"David, what are you up to? Those shoes don't have laces."
"You're right, guess I'd better find something else to do while I'm down here then," I smiled and pulled out the box.
"What is…" she started but stopped when she saw the box and the ring it held.
"Shelby Lutton, you've made me happier than I ever thought I could be. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Shelby stood there flabbergasted and completely speechless, something she rarely was, before answering.
"Yes," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I'll marry you."
Tears were filling her eyes as I stood up and she grabbed me and pulled me into a kiss that made me see stars.
"If I'd known you'd kiss me like this I'd have proposed long ago," I grinned after we parted for air.
Shelby giggled and slapped my arm playfully. "C'mon, your place, now!" she breathed and grabbed my tie to yank me towards my car.
She made sure I wasn't thinking too clearly for the rest of the night.
The alarm clock went off on my bedside stand and a my hand shot out from under the covers to hit the snooze. My head emerged a second later and I opened my eyes only to reflexively shut them because of the light coming in. Shelby sat up next, her hair slightly messy from the previous night.
"Morning gorgeous," I smiled lightly and leaned in for a kiss.
"Morning yourself, how are you feeling?"
"Like I could conquer the world."
"After last night you probably can. I wish we'd gone farther though."
"You know my stance on that and my reasons for it," I reminded.
"I know, I know. You have to be the most virtuous Christian I know. If we didn't have the same religion I'd probably have handcuffed you to the bedpost by now."
"Sorry, but I'm not exactly into the kinkier stuff and I try to take the Bible seriously. Besides, something has to be working for me. Three years as cop and I've only ever had minor bullet wounds. But I do like to think that part of the reason for that is because of your prayers," I said while I started getting dressed for the day.
"You have no idea how much I pray for you to come home safely. I'd ask you to quit the police force if I thought I had a chance in H-E double hockey sticks."
"You know, I don't think I've ever thanked you enough for understanding about my dedication to my job. I think most other women would have left long ago."
"Well you can start thanking me enough if you come back to bed," Shelby said with a sultry grin.
"Very tempting, but I have work and so do you."
"Can't you call in sick?"
"If I do then I won't get to see the results of my test which I want to know ASAP so I can start spending more time with you."
"Rats, you have a point."
"Excuse me? Did I hear you right? Are you actually admitting defeat in an argument?"
"Maybe."
"How did that taste coming out of your mouth?"
"Like vinegar. And don't get used to it," she glared.
"Don't worry, I know better. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to finish getting ready. I'm getting a new partner today so I want to be there on time."
"Alright, see you tonight at my place?"
"It's a date. Now get out of bed and get dressed and I'll can drop you off at your apartment before heading to Metro South."
A/N: I know I said I wouldn't post another chapter on this until I was done with Reboot 2 and 3 but ideas for this keep coming and I want to get them down before I forget them. This is kind of a filler chapter but I wanted to showcase David and Shelby's relationship more in this fic. I'm trying to put this squarely in the PG-13 zone and tug at the heartstrings a bit more. After all, we all know what's going to happen next. That's all I have for this Author's Note so I'll see you next time. And don't forget to review! ;D