Chapter 8 "Open Arms"
(Song suggestion- "Open arms" by Journey)
Egon
The rest of 1984 felt like a whirlwind with the repairs needed to fix the Firehouse, upgrading the containment unit, the massive amount of publicity from solving the Gozer problem, and reuniting with Janine. Hence, I had never been so happy in my life.
We traveled by train to Cleveland for the Thanksgiving holiday to introduce her to the rest of the family. Without any shock, both the Spengler's and the Lehmans were easily enchanted with my true love. My parents knew Janine from their visit this year while we were apart but practically lept with joy when I told them we reunited over the phone the weekend after Gozer.
"No ring yet," my brother Michael playfully teased me as my Dad, Uncle Floyd, and I washed and dried the dishes after Thanksgiving dinner. Per family tradition, the women, my Mom, my sister-in-law, Susie, Uncle Floyd's new Italian girlfriend, Giorgia, and my Janine, did all the cooking for the meal and now relaxed as the men cleaned all of the dishes. Mother and Susie usually chatted and drank a glass of wine as my nephews threw a baseball in the beautiful Fall weather. This year they warmly welcomed Janine and Giorgia into the family circle.
"No."
"Why not," Dad inquired, after putting a set of clean dishes away in the China cabinet.
"Haven't found the right one yet. Mother and Susie will escort Janine to the Art Museum tomorrow so I could go look for rings with Michael and Uncle Floyd," I elucidated, matter of factly, " She and I visited a variety of jewelry shops in the City. I now have an idea of the type of ring Janine desired. Nonetheless, I hadn't found the right one yet."
"You will find it, son," Father encouraged, giving me a quick wink," keep searching. If you want any help, I can join you. It took me a long time to find the perfect ring for your Mom."
"Yes, I believe it took a spontaneous expedition to Toledo to a Mom and Pop jewelry store," Uncle Floyd craftily lamented.
"When I told you it was to buy your sister's engagement ring, you happily went along," Father reminded him, slapping his back twice.
"Correct, David. I believe I said that you were the best thing to happen to Dianne, and I still stand by my statement," Uncle Floyd fondly concurred, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"I am glad," Father happily remarked and grabbed a towel to dry dishes with him, "and she is the best thing that happened to me."
"Janine is the best thing that has happened to Egon," Michael quipped, using a towel as a weapon to snap me on my back. Giving him a contemptuous glare, I reminded him that he was the older brother, and he stuck out his tongue at me childishly.
"Have the two of you spoken about marriage, Iggy," Uncle Floyd questioned me as he dried a dinner plate. He first employed that nickname when I was a teenager; although I didn't like it initially, it stuck.
"Oh yes! We both want to marry as soon as possible. Nonetheless, Janine wants a wedding with our families and close friends there. So we will wait because I want what she wants," I good-naturedly stated.
The three men scrutinized me closely as I blithely washed a gravy boat.
"Are you my son, Egon Spengler, or are we in the middle of the 'The Invasion of the Body Snatchers," my Dad joked. I finally noticed their mystified gazes as I was oblivious while I thought about Janine and our future. Accordingly, they all snickered as I felt my face flush with heat and redden.
"When are you going to propose," my slightly shorter Uncle queried with his raised gray eyebrow.
"At the beginning of the year, but please do not divulge this information. Peter suggested that I wait until we dated for a little while before we reunited," I remarked, turning on the faucet to rinse the next dish carefully.
"Sound advice," Michael agreed with a nod.
"Honestly, I don't know how you were able to wait so long without proposing to Janine? She's a catch, and I would have snapped her right up," Uncle Floyd declared with a twinkle in his brown eyes and handed my Dad a plate to dry.
"Sure, you would have, Floyd, sure," my Father satirically cracked, eyeing my uncle. He, Michael, and I exchanged a knowing glance- it wasn't until recently that Floyd expressed regret on his choice to remain a bachelor. As he aged, his loneliness and despair increased, which prompted him to return to the dating scene this year. Then my Uncle met Giorgia a few months ago, and they seemed to be well-matched.
"You may never be sure, David. Good thing Janine is your age, Egon."
"Agreed, Uncle Floyd. I finally know what I want, and it is a life with Janine," I said with an authentically blissful smile.
Janine
After Thanksgiving dinner, the women sat in the den and watched "Sound of Music" while drinking red wine. I sat on a comfy but worn brown sofa between Uncle Floyd's girlfriend, Giorgia, and Michael's wife, Susie.
"What's taking Egon so long to propose," Giorgia innocently queried, turning her pretty olive-toned face to me. I blushed heavily.
"We visited jewelry stores all over the City and beyond, but he hasn't discovered anything he is enamored by."
"Except you," Susie exclaimed, like an excitable sorority girl.
"Yes, I can hardly believe that is my son in there," Dianne slyly announced with a Cheshire Cat-type grin, "but I am extraordinarily overjoyed."
As a burst of giggles broke out in the silence of the room, I felt overwhelmed with their approval and love.
Our trip to Cleveland for Thanksgiving was pleasant, and I was delighted to meet both sides of Egon's family there. We also visited a couple of museums too. Regrettably, our visit was brief, only from Wednesday to Sunday of that week, but it was nevertheless gratifying. For Hanukkah, my family invited Egon to spend it in Brooklyn.
With the roof at HQ partially demolished, everyone's living arrangements were modified. Temporarily, Ray moved in with Lucy and her roommate, Peter with a former male colleague, and Egon with me. My boyfriend and I quickly returned to the routines we followed earlier in the year. However, we only focused on our future now.
Due to Ray's almost constant calls to the insurance company, the roof had a temporary covering until mid-January, but they were trying to shirk their responsibilities to his claim. Ray already knew that the premium would rise because his workplace and his home were the same. Regrettably, he may have underinsured it but argued that he could not have fathomed a situation like the cross rip. None of that mattered to the money men. The Ghostbusters charged an exorbitant amount for their services, so he supposed that some of that would have to be used to pay for the repairs that the insurance wouldn't pay. Luckily, the plethora of customers we serviced before Gozer heavily padded the business's bank account.
One merchant came to us wanting to use the Ghostbusters' trademark as the news of our epic case crossed the country, and Ray Parker Junior offered to write us a theme song, too. With my bosses' success, everyone desired a piece of the company or one of the individual members, and it was a compelling time. I proudly collected the magazines and newspapers articles, and pictures to put in the business's scrapbook.
Plus, colleges and universities, and other institutions called the company for guest speaking gigs for the Ghostbusters, individually or as a group. Cornell invited Egon to speak after the second weekend of the New Year about the containment unit and the proton packs at a two-day engagement. He was jubilant at the opportunity. Although Egon loved being a Ghostbuster, he equally loved research and teaching. My boyfriend technically was uncomfortable with the attention and preferred to be behind the scenes, whereas my boss, Peter Venkman, thrived in the spotlight. Regardless, Egon felt incredibly proud of his role in the Ghostbusters.
Egon automatically requested that I accompany him to Ithaca and take Monday off, too, for an extended weekend. I felt only too exuberant to comply with his request to spend some time away from the craziness of the Gozer aftermath in the City alone with him.
Clandestinely, Egon spoke to a former colleague whom he went to MIT with for graduate school. He recommended a quaint B&B for us to stay for the weekend, close to the university, and a brochure came in a couple of days later addressed to me. As I marveled at the beauty of not only the town but the B&B, I didn't know that he had booked it already. Straight away, I went to the lab with it in my hands, hoping to persuade Egon that we needed to stay there during my lunch break.
"Ooh, lookie! They offer a couple's spa packages too. Wouldn't that be fun!" I eagerly declared, pointing at the brochure as I sat on my handsomely sexy boyfriend's lap. The warmness of Egon's body felt comforting as he wrapped his long arms around me and rested his chin on my shoulders thoughtfully while I attempted to persuade him we needed one. I loved the way our bodies fit together like two puzzle pieces as I held on to his thin body in the alluring white lab coat.
"Yes, I already booked this one," he slowly admitted after a pause, pointing at the second package where we would get massages in candlelight in a tranquil room, a fifteen-minute stunt in a sauna together, and a soak in a mineral bath for a half-hour. His coffee-brown eyes twinkled in the light of the lab as I replied with my eyebrows furrowed, "Huh?"
"I hoped to surprise you, but well, surprise," Egon joked with a charming smile on his lips.
"Wow! That will be so much fun! Thank you! You are so sneaky! I don't deserve you," I responded, barely able to conceal my enthusiasm. My lips met his as I gave him a short yet powerful kiss.
"Yes, you do. It's I who don't deserve you, my Janine, remember? I promised I would make it up to you, and this is just the start," he reminded, lovingly peering into my eyes then touching my nose playfully with his index finger.
Chuckling, we beamed at each other then embraced tightly until Dr. Venkman came in, clearing his throat noisily while making a sarcastic comment about interrupting us,
" Uhm, didn't we talk about professionalism already, Egon and Janine."
"We are hugging, and I am on my lunch break," I protested, pulling back from my boyfriend and observing his displeased facial expression at our friend's teasing.
"I know, just joshing you, Janine 'freaking' Melnitz," Dr. V. retorted, and Egon mischievously crossed his eyes in pretend annoyance as the former joked about my nickname for him. Consequently, we let our arms drop, and I removed myself from his lap.
"Oh, Janine, you need to go shopping to buy a swanky dress for your trip. There is a primo steak restaurant in Ithaca, and they have surprisingly good theatre. I'll make some arrangements for you and Iggy. I dated one of the owners of the restaurant for a few months back in the day," Peter coyly remarked, but I disregarded his attempt to entice us to listen to his story.
"Ooh, shopping! I need to call Lucy and Maura later," I animatedly chattered," thanks, Pete.
"Better alert the credit card companies," Winston announced in a booming voice as he strolled into the lab with Ray, "Just promise me, J, you will keep Maura in check with the spending?"
"Ha, Winston! The jokes on you- the last time we all went shopping, your fiancee was the one who kept the check on Lucy and me," I declared with a chuckle.
"Oh, brother. I saw that bill- yikes," Winston grumbled, with a grimace on a face.
"We were Christmas shopping, Z, and she discovered the best gift for you. You will just be over the moon for it," I declared, with a large grin, putting my hand over my heart, " I promise."
"Aren't you Jewish?"
"Yes, but as a woman, it is part of my DNA to be a shopaholic but also to find the best deals," I retorted, both proudly and lifting my chin in the air.
"That's a zing," Peter confessed, running his hand through his thinning brown hair, "and for once, it is not on me, Z."
Afterward, we all shared a hearty belly laugh.
The day before the company's Christmas party, a journalist interviewed the guys and a photographer amidst the turbulence of defeating Gozer. I was showing the male journalist around the building as his companion snapped shots with his camera. Meanwhile, the guys were at a luncheon in their honor at the local Kiwanis club, and made honorary members. Proudly, I attended for a short time on my lunch break with Maura, but I still had paperwork to complete immediately at the Firehouse. Dr. Venkman suggested that I blow it off and remain with them for the celebration. Reluctantly, I turned him down.
Although I attempted to decorate for the holidays by adding poinsettias and other of Ray's decorations from last year, it didn't appear right due to the destruction. However, the four of us placed a small tabletop pre-decorated Christmas tree on the filing cabinets behind my desk.
"Dr. Venkman said that you are the glue that holds the company together," the man suggested, peering thoughtfully at me with a notebook and a pencil in his hands.
"My job is to schedule clients, type notes from cases and some basic accounting, but I do assist them with other tasks," I briefly answered, with a slight smile, and sat down on my chair while the journalist peppered me with a few easy questions.
Next, I removed the company's scrapbook that Lucy and I began a year and a half ago to show the journalist our handiwork to waste some more time before the guys returned from the Key Club. The photojournalist took a picture of me with the scrapbook to include in the article.
"Hey, hey, hey," Peter sonorously greeted when he emerged from Ecto-One fifteen minutes later.
"Janine, any calls while the Key club celebrated us," Winston jovially inquired as he and Ray joined the others at my desk. The journalists were sitting in Dr. Venkman's office behind me.
"Yes, a couple for Dr. Stantz, one for Mr. Zeddemore, and a personal one for Dr. Venkman, Dana," I reported, whispering the last word then giving him a wink.
Peter's face lit up, and he inquired if he could go into Egon's office to return the call swiftly.
"Who am I to stand in the way of love," my boyfriend caustically interjected, using one of his friend's lines against him. The balding Ghostbuster made a playfully sour face at my lover's joke at his expense.
"Brooklyn, would you alert me when five minutes have passed?"
"Yes, Dr. Venkman, sir, " I dutifully responded with a grin.
For now, Ray, Winston, and Egon had introduced themselves to the journalists, and I offered them fresh coffee to warm themselves up on this reasonably cold Winter day with temperatures reaching the low twenties.
"That would be terrific, Janine, thank you," he politely answered with a wide smile.
As I cleaned out the coffee pot and carefully measured out the new coffee grounds, I watched the time to ensure Peter did not miss the interview. It was his show, after all. Rapidly, I ascended the stairs to retrieve coffee mugs for everyone. Egon's brown eyes met mine, and he mouthed, "I love you." Happily, I returned the sentiment.
Last month Egon and I decided that we didn't want to disclose our relationship to the public. We weren't embarrassed by it; we just didn't want the coverage to change focus from the company's victorious defeat of Gozer to a boss-employee relationship. Technically, Egon wasn't my boss.
Peter
"Hello, Mr. Barrett. How are you, sir? May I speak with Dana?" I asked after carefully dialing my love interest's number on Egon's office phone. Currently, she lived with her parents until she received the money from her insurance company to find a new place to live, but they were moving at a snail's pace. Dana was losing patience quickly with residing with them because she was used to living alone.
"Well, thanks for asking. Here is Dana," her Dad responded in his low voice, holding his hand over the receiver and then calling for his daughter, "one moment, please."
"Hi, Peter! How are you?"
Since Dana sounded ecstatic to hear from me, I felt my heart rate intensify.
" I am well, " I happily responded, my pulse also quickening at hearing her soft voice, "How are you?"
"Better. Therapy is going smoothly, and I do not have any nightmares. The Orchestra's season is also keeping me busy," Dana cheerfully explained.
"Too busy for our Christmas party tomorrow night, then maybe a late dinner with the best looking Ghostbuster?"
"Is that you or Ray?" she flirted.
"Ray?! No way," I declared indignantly, and I ran my right hand through my hair.
"Yes, I know," she craftily exclaimed with a bit of a giggle," I'm ready to have the Peter Venkman dating experience!"
"Are you," I coyly questioned, thinking that I loved how she simpered, "Do you think you can handle it, Dana Barrett?"
"Oh yes," she seductively murmured back, and I felt a twinge of arousal south of my waist at her words. Shivers ran down my spine, too. My thoughts turned to the two of us naked amid our silk sheets making love, but I swiftly shook my head to eliminate them.
"Only if you feel ready, Dana. I don't want to push you because I care about you," I reminded earnestly.
"Peter, if it weren't for you, I would be a mess after the whole situation. I appreciate your care of me," she confessed, "I couldn't have asked for anything better."
"And we haven't even been on a date yet," I made a wisecrack with a chuckle.
Dana laughed, and then there was silence.
"Peter, I need a couple of nights out of here, but I don't want you to get the wrong idea," she slowly suggested.
"You want to stay with me and my friend, Charlie?" I jested. He was a former colleague of mine from Columbia and also a bachelor.
"No, I- I was hoping we could get a room somewhere and spend some time together," she slowly responded with pauses of uncertainty in between.
"I don't know if I am ready to be intimate, but I wouldn't mind the possibility of spending the night in your arms."
"Hush, Dana. I was joking with you," I gently interrupted, "how about coming to our Christmas party and we can have a nice dinner downtown. Next, we watch movies on pay-per-view in a nice hotel with a view and fall asleep in each other's arms. Maybe the next day we can go skating at Rockefeller Center with everyone else after scouring the City for new digs," I exultantly recommended.
"That sounds so wonderful! However, I have an early performance tomorrow. What time is your Christmas party," she gushed.
"Sevenish. It's very informal, just spouses and significant others and friends of the Ghostbusters," I informed, "It will only last an hour and a half or two at most."
"It sounds great, but I wouldn't be there until closer to seven-thirty. Would I be able to change there?"
"Yes, Dana, but you would have to bring a gag gift, something under $5 to give," I divulged, "or I can pick one up for you?"
"No, I love giving white elephant gifts! I always seem to find excellent ones for some reason. I will stop and buy one today," Dana happily replied, and I felt instantly glad I remembered to mention it.
"About the sleeping arrangements," she hesitantly said after a moment of silence.
"No need to worry, Dana. I will make sure there are two queen beds in the place we stay to be comfortable regardless of where you choose to sleep. Second, for your information, I wear long PJs to bed anyway, Ms. Barrett," I said, in a voice that feigned pretend hurt. By the way, I liked to sleep in the nude and without clothing restrictions, but I would let her find that out later.
Dana and I had a magnificent rapport with each other as we navigated through our friendship, so she knew I was playing with her. Therefore, she genuinely laughed.
"If you didn't give me a kiss, I think I would be extraordinarily disappointed."
A knock on the door appeared before I could make another witty comment, and I knew that I had an interview with my teammates.
"Damn," I thought, displeased, and felt my lips turn upward to a frown.
"Dana, we have an interview that I have to be a part of right now, but I couldn't wait to speak with you and hear that lovely voice," I truthfully responded, " May I call you tonight with the details for our date?"
"Yes, thank you for calling Peter; I look forward to talking with you more," she wistfully said.
"Me,too. Be sure to find your most unappealing long PJs," I jested back.
"Bye, Peter."
Our interview went off without a hitch, and I felt so enthusiastic about my date with Dana later tomorrow. Afterward, I reserved a room at a classy hotel nearby for the weekend that afforded a nice view of the part of Central Park that wasn't damaged since that was her home area. The Ghostbusters defeat of Gozer allowed me to retain a fancy room with a hot tub at a small fraction of the going price due to the Hotel's indebtedness to us. Also, we could eat at the trendy new restaurant there at nine in the evening after the party.
Mentally, I made a note to myself to buy or borrow some long traditional plaid pajamas that covered my whole body and revealed absolutely nothing. Dana would regard this gesture as a joke even though I highly aspired to view the bombshell of a woman au natural. With the horrific situation she endured while being possessed by Gozer, we had grown closer together, and a bond had formed. Dana and I displayed our affection for each other in small ways- long embraces, holding hands on occasion, and light kissing with a bit of groping above the waistline. I desired to go as slow as she needed. Like Egon was with Janine, she besotted me.
"Janine, would you order a dozen red roses to be delivered to room 719 at the Hotel - at nine tomorrow night, " I queried.
"Yes, sir, should I use your usual florist?"
"Please, Brooklyn. Would you have the card read- to the most phenomenal woman in the world, Pete," I dictated, feeling pleased with myself. Winking at me, Janine wrote down the message and began dialing the phone number.
Dana and I spoke again later that evening when I was at Charlie's, and she seemed so appreciative of the opportunity for a night of freedom and to spend some time together.
Dana
All of my preconceived notions of Peter Venkman were erroneous; I am relieved to admit. He displayed great care and affection for me, and I found myself falling in love with him. Like most people, I, too, had a sad story of a bad relationship and had guarded my heart afterward. With Peter, the protective shielding fell away quickly, more so than I had expected.
He had gone through a lot of trouble to keep me out of the media's eye, provide opportunities for low-cost therapy, and now plan this brilliant date together. Peter had carefully listened to me and taken care of me like he was my significant other, and gradually, I found that I wish he were. Our chemistry was potent, and we had made out a few times. His kisses quickly caused me to lose my train of thought, and just the idea of them produced a flush in my cheeks. We hadn't been intimate yet but I wasn't against the idea as I felt myself falling for Peter.
After my concert, I brought my cello and my overnight bag over to the Firehouse. There was Christmas music loudly playing and a good vibe there. Giving me a sly smile, Janine nudged Peter's shoulder when I arrived and greeted me with an enthusiastic, "Hi Dana!"
Sauntering over, Peter grinned then took my bags from me. We embraced for a second and greeted each other in low whispers. He introduced me to everyone I didn't know, including Lucy Stantz, Ray's younger sister, Maura, Winston's fiancee, Ray's date, Kimberlee, and a couple of friends of the Ghostbusters from Columbia first. Next, he whisked me away to someone's office to change clothing.
"Take your time, beautiful," Peter murmured, placing a kiss on my cheek, and I blushed heavily. He shut the door behind him and rejoined the party. I removed my heavy coat, concert outfit and unzipped my suitcase to reveal a casual bronze sequin v-neck dress that I wore to Christmas and New Year's parties during the season. I put it on, straightened the shoulder pads, and looked for my matching heels in my bag hurriedly.
Fifteen minutes later, I rejoined the group who sang Christmas carols along with the radio. There were two punch bowls on a long foldable table, one with a sign labeled "booze" and the other one without to the side of Peter's desk and several plates of appetizers.
"Welcome back," Ray greeted, appearing a little drunk, and opened his arms for a hug. We briefly embraced, and I could smell the liquor on the youngest and most congenial Ghostbusters' breath.
"Hi Ray," I responded, handing him the white elephant gift, "Merry Christmas."
"You too, Dana. I will put this under our tree. Thanks for bringing one," he cheerfully replied.
"Wow! You look marvelous," Peter declared, coming from behind me.
Spinning around, I glanced at the six-foot-one-inch man dressed in khaki pants, a white button-down shirt with a red tie with a Santa on it, chuckling. He looked devilishly handsome, even with the Santa hat.
"Hello Peter, Merry Christmas," I greeted, "Nice hat."
He removed his arm from behind his back and then produced a piece of mistletoe.
"Can I get a kiss, Ms. Barrett," he joked.
Strolling to him and then halting, standing a few inches before I reached him, I seductively reminded him, " You don't need that for me to kiss you, Dr. Venkman."
Proving it to him, I removed the mistletoe from his hand and put it on the nearest desk. I lifted my arms and placed my hands on his chest, then lifted my mouth to his to kiss him fervently. He wrapped his arms around my waist and deepened it as I put my arms around his neck, enjoying the kiss.
"Oooooohhhh," the party-goers cooed at our actions as we persisted.
Ceasing just for air, I pulled back from his body, feeling a bit dizzy, and our lips made a loud smack.
"Thank you, thank you," Peter bowed a couple of times, behaving as a court jester would in Medieval times as I covered my mouth to hide my embarrassment at my audacity. Honestly, I felt exhilarated kissing him.
Egon
The speaking engagement at Cornell was a perfect short escape for Janine and me in early January to be together. During the middle of December, Peter, Ray, and I went to Maplewood, New Jersey, to scour the jewelry stores around the Newark airport for the right engagement ring and shop for Christmas presents in the Mall.
It was ten twenty in the evening when I spotted the ring in the second to last display case in the back of a family-owned store.
"May I see this one, please?"
The owners were cleaning the store and trying to shoo us out. I was on an unstoppable mission.
A man in his early sixties with a dark wig on his head, who wore square glasses and a mustache, huffed when his wife demanded that he show it to me in a foreign language. Impatiently, Peter and Ray had gone outside the store to smoke a cigarette while I viewed the inventory. A magnificent ring sat in the back of a display that caught my eye immediately. My heartbeat rapidly in my chest at my excitement and the possibility of it being the ring. It sounded as loud as a drummer beating a drum.
"A rare ring, an eighteen-carat rose solid gold ring one inch thick with a one-carat diamond, a style similar to the infamous jewelry store, Tiffany's, in the 1920s," the man reported, handing it to me, meticulously.
While I vigilantly scrutinized the ring, it gave me an immensely sanguine vibe. Usually, I didn't go by the "feel" of things when making decisions, yet it drew me in. I adored the exclusive coloring of the mixture of red and gold that I hadn't seen on any other rings, and both colors made Janine's beauty shine. Next, I attempted to imagine it on her ring finger, and I shut my eyes. The diamond with the unique band color would shine as brightly as her luminous smile on her slender cream-colored finger.
"Success, This is it!" I exclaimed to myself after fifteen minutes had passed, disregarding my friends nagging me about my decision. Purchasing an engagement ring was a monumental choice and one that I did not take lightly.
"Come on, Iggy," Peter tugged at my black jacket, but I ignored him by holding up my right hand. Annoyed, he sauntered off in a huff.
"Can I put a two-carat diamond on the ring," I eagerly inquired because I wanted Janine to have the largest, shiniest one possible that would flatter her hand?
"No sir, this is a ring design knocked off from Tiffany's style. However, the diamond is real, and the ring itself is in pristine condition. The cost is $1150. Although this ring costs more, it is worth the price because of its exclusiveness," the balding man behind the counter mentioned, observing Egon's vivacity.
" What size is it?"
"7.0," the older man stated, seeming pleased to be making a sale.
"Can it be made into a six and a half? And if so, when would you have it ready?"
"Yes, sir, Let me get your information, and it will be ready for you on Wednesday," the owner said, grinning, removing a notepad and a pen from his pocket. Meanwhile, I handed the ring to the youngest Ghostbuster to inspect.
"Raymond, what do you think?"
He viewed it gingerly, then held it up to the light, "It reminds me of J- dynamic and glowing. She will love it, I think. Good job, Iggy."
After I gave the information to the man, I inquired if there was a deposit or if I needed to pay in full. I didn't have my checkbook on me, but I did have an American Express in my wallet with a low balance. Ray handed the salesperson the ring back.
" Your choice, sir," the owner politely answered.
Swiftly, I removed my black wallet from the pocket of my gray pants and handed him my American Express card without hesitation. I spent little money on other things than science equipment, lectures and demonstrations, and visiting family on occasion before I dated Janine last year because I thought it was frivolous. However, I realized I wasn't living my life in full until she opened a plethora of doors and that money was just a tool to do so.
Grasping the credit card, the man leaned his head graciously downward and thanked me. Immediately, I felt relieved that I had found the most beautiful ring for my precious Angel.
Now it was eleven-thirty, and we had to drive an hour back to the firehouse with traffic.
"Are you going to Brooklyn, Spengs" Peter questioned, cracking a window before lighting a cigarette.
"Yes, please. Do you mind dropping me off there, Raymond?"
"No problem. What has J been doing tonight," Ray wondered as he maneuvered Ecto One onto the busy highway.
"She went with Winston, Maura, Lucy, and Chris to a movie," I reported, "Originally, I was going too because it was a triple date."
"Aren't you glad you didn't go," Ray gave me a sly smile through the rearview mirror?
"Hell yes! I finally discovered the right ring for her," I truthfully exclaimed with exhilaration in my voice. Also, I felt relieved.
"Where are you going to conceal it when you get it," Peter questioned.
"Hmmm. Good question, Peter," I pondered as I peered out the window and frowned.
"Could Wendy assist you in hiding the ring"
"I'd rather not involve her. She struggles with keeping secrets," I revealed, "but not maliciously. Wendy barely contained her animation when she helped me with Janine's birthday surprise."
I felt a platonic fondness of my girlfriend's good-natured and well-meaning roommate, and I grinned at the memory of her excitement when I inquired for her help in October.
The three of us discussed other hiding places for the ring, like Lucy's apartment, Janine's parents', or even a bank safe. However, we did not reach a solution.
"Who is it," a sleepy-sounding Janine questioned after I knocked on her apartment door. Now, my Casio watch read twelve thirty-five in the morning and at least one hour later than I had anticipated my arrival. I felt ecstatic about finding the correct ring for Janine but realized it would even be more challenging to hide it from her.
"Egon," I cheerfully responded, "is it too late?"
When the bolt unlocked the door from the inside, and the door opened, I viewed my lovely Janine in her satiny green pajamas with her eyes partially hooded from sleep and her bangs sticking up in different places. She was adorable, and I moved forward to kiss her before she was able to say anything. Her pink lips were the object of my desire, and I delighted in kissing her.
" I love you, my Angel. I apologize for being so late, " I commented afterward, holding her in my arms in the doorway.
"I'll wait forever for you, Egon Spengler. I am enamored of you, darling," Janine confessed with a brilliantly radiant smile on her lovely face, and she grasped my arm to guide me into her warm apartment. Her soft touch made the hairs on my arm stand up.
"I believe you already did," I jokingly replied after I closed the door behind me, and she embraced me tightly.
Janine and I were in Ithaca, New York, on a frigid Thursday evening a few weeks later. The train from Manhattan took four hours in length and allowed me to practice my speech with Janine, who gave me advice and tips, causing the time to go by swiftly. I planned to propose after a romantic evening on Saturday.
Both of my speaking engagements were outright successful. The B&B was a hit with Janine, who loved the decor and the coziness of the room. On Saturday afternoon after my lecture, we participated in our couples spa package to diminish any stress and changed clothes. Next, I whisked Janine away to eat a late dinner before going to the theatre. It was such a hit that I wondered if I should push off the proposal until tomorrow when we returned to the room.
Janine
"So, can you tell me what's in the box," I curiously asked after we returned to our room and made love. A pretty red box with a large white bow around on the pillow that I overlooked earlier. Nevertheless when we made it back to our room, we began tearing each other's clothes off when we reached the room and fucked each other senseless.
Egon turned red in the face and smirked slyly,
"A surprise, but don't open it yet."
Without another word, he went into the bathroom and put his thick white bathrobe on while I dug through my suitcase to search for my silky wrap to wear. I waited on the plush bed, lying on my stomach, eyeing the gift.
Egon joined me on the bed in his bathrobe, handed me the medium-sized box, and then kissed me. I enthusiastically opened it, viewing several pieces of drawing paper in it, laminated and bound into a book. Curiously, I questioned,
"Did you make a book about your collection of spores, mold, and fungus to give to me?"
"Maybe," he replied with a slight grin, "go ahead and look."
Delicately, I flipped the paper over to view the front cover. It was terrific: Egon sketched a profile picture of both of us with a giant heart in the middle. He wrote the title "Egon and Janine: A Journey of Love" in his block handwriting. My heart skipped a beat as I examined the cover in awe.
"I love it already," I exclaimed happily.
"You haven't even seen it yet," He mentioned in disbelief, laughing at my eagerness. I noticed that Egon appeared a little nervous.
"You seem anxious, my darling, relax," I coaxed, putting the homemade gift down and massaging his broad shoulders for a few minutes until he loosened up.
"I am OK, gorgeous. I want you to finish opening your gift," Egon apprehensively insisted. Giving him a confused glance, I gradually turned the page and saw the heavily detailed comic strip.
First, there was a picture of Ray reading my resume and mentioning that I knew BASIC to Egon and Peter. In the second, my current boyfriend looked skeptical and wrote some questions down. Thirdly, there was a picture of me writing some answers on a paper with him standing over me smugly. Egon drew himself, turning around to walk away with question marks over his head in the conversation bubble in the fourth box. The fifth box had a picture of me grinning that I had the answers right with my arms crossed, satisfied.
Lovingly, I kissed Egon's cheek and declared," This is fantastic already. How wonderful an artist you are! "
"You broke my brain that day," he shyly admitted, "from the beginning."
As I read each page, my adulation strengthened for the homemade gift. His comic covered several milestones in the path to our relationship, such as our first kiss, the gala, kissing underneath the stars, our reunion last December, the first time we made love, and others. One of my favorites so far was one of us meditating on the roof after I thanked him for arranging for me to go to a private lecture with Steve Jobs, but truthfully, I adored them all.
The last chapter was "my life without you" and contained several boxes that summarized and illustrated the aching and challenges he faced while he struggled to move on. Others include- Egon talking to a therapist, grappling with me dating again, not being able to sleep and eat, and even one box of his heartbreak while he watched me cry after an unnamed man (Victor) hit me.
My tears flowed freely down my face at this point as I took in the excruciating detail he spent on this gift. Then the third to last page-
"To my Angel and Goddess Janine,
My love for you is boundless. You are my sun, my moon, and my stars."
Love always,
Egon
"Don't turn the page yet, my Angel, please," he pleaded, his long face displaying worry.
Egon had been leaning over my shoulder, watching my reaction as I read his precious gift, but he moved to where he sat in front of me. Wiping my tears away, I took a deep breath first to gather my thoughts before speaking.
"OK, How, how...long... have you been doing this," I stuttered, holding up the comic strip book. Then I put my book against my heart and crossed it with my arms, protectively.
"I believe I told you that I have always drawn to relax, usually at night when I'm too tired to do anything else yet when sleep eludes me," Egon confessed, looking into my blue eyes intently, with a slight smile on his enticing lips.
Tears in my eyes welled up, but he continued, "Eventually, I started to draw things that happened between us. I didn't know it would be a work of love until I realized that I was in love or maybe until I wanted to admit it."
"Wow! You are immensely talented, the detail that you put into this comic, " I stammered, "wow. Thank you."
"There's a little more, " he stated, taking the comic and opening it to a blank page," but you have to promise me to keep it on this page right now."
"Ok, my darling Egon. You don't need to do anything more. This weekend has been out of this world awesome," I announced, then kissed my lover's sweet lips.
"Now shut your eyes until I say to open them, please."
"From the first day we met, you have captivated and challenged me. I walked away in a daze when you proved me wrong about your knowledge about BASIC. By the time Ray formally introduced us, your beauty, charm, and wit blinded me even if I didn't look up from my work. I know you had to pull me out of myself very slowly, and it was extraordinarily frustrating. You kept at it. After we solved our first case at the hotel, I realized that you fainted at HQ and that my feelings were serious for you. It was intensely frightening," I elucidated, climbing off of the bed and kneeling on the floor. Next, I took a deep breath then checked to ensure that Janine still had her eyes shut, and they were.
"Oh, Egon, that's sweet," she murmured.
"Here it goes," I thought, my right hand shaking a little, taking the small black box out of my robe pocket.
"When we kissed for the first time at the bar, I knew that you owned my heart no matter how much I would deny it. You guided me through so much in the last year and a half, and I don't want to live another day without you. When I said that you were my sun, moon, and stars, I wasn't joking. You are brightness in the dark, illuminating everything. You are more beautiful than the blanket of stars we danced underneath. I love you more than life itself," I explained, my voice trembling with emotion.
With tears in my eyes, I knelt before her on bended knee and asked in my deep voice, "Please open your eyes, my love. I want to cherish, and take care of you for the rest of your life, Janine Louise Melnitz. Would you do the honor of marrying me?"
Speechless, my girlfriend's pretty blue eyes widened and filled with tears while her mouth dropped open. Janine was hardly ever shocked into silence, but for this second, she was. In agony, I awaited her answer, hoping she would accept my offer.
Janine
When I opened my eyes, I began crying when I saw the giant diamond engagement ring in a tiny black velvet box. Egon's eyes were misty, and his face portrayed deep consternation.
"This is the moment you have been waiting for," I exclaimed privately, and I could barely contain my elation. My whole body started to tingle, but I couldn't form words to answer Egon.
"Please, Janine?" he inquired in a weak voice that I hardly recognized. His hand shook as he held the ring box towards me as I began forming my words again.
"Yes! " I cried loudly, leaping off the bed to kiss him ardently. We kissed passionately until we both needed air to breathe. Next, Egon placed the ring gently on my finger as I watched in awe. He still had some tears in his eyes, but he affectionately grinned at me as he stood from a kneeling position.
"Thank God," Egon sentimentally replied.
"I love you tremendously,darling. I can't wait to be your wife. This ring is P.H.E.N.O.M.E.N.A.L," I informed him after viewing it for a long time, unable to disclose how much it enamored me at first. It fit perfectly on my slender finger, and I admired it as Egon told me it was designed after a ring from the Tiffany's jewelry store in the 1920s.
"It's one of a kind, just like you, my Goddess Janine," Egon proudly replied, "Do you like it?"
"This is the perfect ring. Are you kidding? I love it. The rose gold is so gorgeous, and I adore it so much," I declared, then hugged him without restraint. I felt some wetness coming from Egon's face.
"Sugar, are you ok," I asked, pulling my body back from my brand-new fiancee.
"Yes, Janine...I'm a slow...processor when it comes... to my...feelings... I still..can hardly believe I asked you... to marry me, I have been antsy for days," Egon softly replied, holding on to my waist tightly, " and you said yes! I'm overcome with gleefulness, and look, my Angel, I'm trembling."
Rapidly, Egon removed his hands from my body and held them up so I could see them with a chagrined half grin on his handsome face.
"Aww, darling, it will be ok," I replied, kissing them and then his lips. I threw my arms back around his waist, embracing him snuggly.
"I still can't believe that you said yes," he honestly confessed, peering into my eyes and cupping my face with his hands.
"Oh, Egon. Of course, I would say yes! However, I can see that you have been apprehensive this week but I thought it was because of the lectures, silly me," I playfully teased, touching his face with my hands. My heart was full of love for my fiancee.
Suddenly, Egon swiftly dipped me down to the right and laid a scrumptious kiss on my lips and I felt myself melt from it.
" How in the world did I get so lucky?" Egon pondered afterward while we snuggled in each other's arms, feeling magnificent after our lovemaking.
"Funny, I ask myself the same question all the time. Now even more so, I'm going to be Mrs. Egon 'Freakin' Spengler!" I squealed in delight, and Egon chuckled. I leaned over his attractive hard body and we spent some time blissfully lip-locked.
"Is it too early to ask when you want to get married?"
"Not at all," Egon eagerly replied as our nude bodys remained intertwined in the cozy bed sheets, "I wondered the same thing."
"I have always wanted to be married in the Fall, preferably at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. They had a few different areas for ceremonies. Are you open to that idea," I curiously asked, drawing hearts on Egon's chest with my fingertips.
"I always enjoy our visits to the BBG," Egon enthusiastically answered after he kissed the top of my head, " that sounds like a fantastic place if that is what you want. I want you to have everything you want for our wedding."
"You spoil me," I protested slightly, but I was pleased, and he knew it.
"I hope to do it for the rest of our lives. Get used to it," Egon promised, with a joyful smile, "I'm going to make mistakes along the way, but I will adore and cherish you for the rest of my life."
Egon
Janine and I stayed in bed for the following day, making love and planning our wedding as well as calling our families to inform them of the joyous, life-changing news.
When my fiancee was at work in late November, I inquired her parents for her hand in marriage with their permission and told them I hadn't proposed yet only because I hadn't found the correct ring to suit my Angel. They were euphoric at the news and instantly permitted me. We were all emotional, and it was difficult to hide my excitement from Janine later. However, I managed it.
We left Ithaca mid-Monday afternoon and arrived at the Firehouse in the early evening. The lights were off when we entered the building, and it seemed a little odd that no one was around.
"It's only seven-thirty," Janine replied, puzzled, as she flipped on the light switch, then we strolled toward her desk and the office area.
"Hello?" she loudly called in her sweet Brooklyn accent.
Jumping from behind Janine's desk and the office area, Ray, Kimberlee, Lucy, Chris, Pete, Dana, Winston, and Maura shouted "Congratulations Janegon" while wildly clapping and cheering. Behind them hung a home-made sign that conveyed the same sentiment.
My fiance's deep emotions caused her to weep in happiness after we gaped at each other in shock. Surrounded by our friends, I felt blessed by their well wishes and surprise party. Everyone congratulated us as we moved through the small group. Dana, Lucy and Maura ogled Janine's brilliant ring and gushed over it. Then Ray and Peter handed everyone a flute of champagne.
"Ok, I'm keeping it short because Pete's will be lengthy, most likely. To two of my favorite people, Egon and Janine, may you have a loving and prosperous marriage, " he announced, his chubby face turning up to a large grin.
"To Egon and Janine!" Everyone cheered in unison, and we drank the bubbly liquid after clinking our glasses together.
"He's going to tell the BASIC story, my love," Janine adoringly whispered to me.
"Well, that is how it started," I sardonically teased her, kissing her cheek, and she playfully pinched my own.
"First things first, I want everyone to know that I called this romance from day one. When I read Janine's resume, I knew she was overqualified because not only did she have some experience with accounting, she had computer training. All we needed was someone to answer the phones because Ray and Egon were too busy creating things so we could catch ghosts, and well, you all know how much I work? "
Everyone snickered, and then Peter continued good-naturedly silencing them by raising his right palm up, "I had teased Egon since day one about Janine because she proved him wrong about knowing BASIC. For as long as I have known him, he has only been wrong once or twice. Although Egon would deny it at the time, he was impressed by that fact. Then after her first week of working for us, I would say, 'Spengler, did you meet our new secretary, the one who knows BASIC?' Just to piss him off, and it worked."
Additional laughter ensued, and Pete persisted in telling the story after a short pause, "Shortly after we captured our first ghost, I escorted Janine to the subway after her shift. I figured it was time to tell her that Egon was interested in her. You all know the infamous look Janine gives people when she feels like you are out of line? Well, I got one of those, the extraordinarily dubious one. I informed her that she would have to be patient with Egon, extremely patient. Janine turned away and walked down the stairs, thinking I couldn't see the beaming smile on her face. But I saw it, Janine, I saw it. She has the patience of an angel not only to put up with me for so many months, but for Egon, who was clueless about his feelings. As someone who has known Dr. Spengler for ten years, there isn't any way I would have expected to see him propose to anyone. Ever. Or be in love, for that matter? Thank God Janine came along for him and us as Ghostbusters when she did. I'd like to make a toast to the ongoing and future happiness of two of my best friends Egon and Janine, the future Mr. and Mrs. Egon 'Freaking' Spengler!"
"Hear, hear," someone called.
"It's about time," Maura happily declared.
We all drank to the toast.
"Aww, Peter, you almost made me cry," Janine told him afterward, hugging him," That was sweet."
"Thank you, Venkman," I honestly stated.
"I'm so happy for you both. Couldn't happen to two better people," Peter informed me afterward, offering his hand to me, but I pulled him in for a manly embrace.
"I believe you told me that if I had listened earlier, Janine and I would be married right now already," I wryly admitted, wrinkling my nose.
"Maybe, but you had to grow up some first," he quipped, winking at me with a smile on his face.
"Indeed," I agreed.
The End