“You alright?”
“Yeah. Why?” He smiled. God, he was so damn adorable.
“You look like there’s something on your mind.”
“Oh, just work stuff. Have some stressful, pressing shit to get done tomorrow.” He spun the piece of cake so the frosted outer edge faced me, and handed me a fork. “Dig in, my black-haired beauty.” I smiled. He knew I wanted that frosting.
I took a bite and moaned. I closed my eyes, savoring the rich and creamy taste and the feel of the frosting in my mouth. I opened my eyes to fork another bite, and he was smiling.
“Promise to make that sound later?” he groaned, looking at me through his long, soft brown lashes.
“Yeah, and many more. I’m going to have to work off these calories somehow.”
He smirked. “I’m quite certain that could be arranged.”
We sat and chatted about nothing for several minutes, and several bites, until I saw something in the cake.
“What the hell? There’s something in the cake.”
“Really? What is it?”
I stuck my fork around it, and realized it was a huge ring. “Oh, geez. Someone’s ring must have fallen into the batter.” I turned in the chair to grab a napkin, and started to clean it up. “It’s a nice one, too. Christ, it must have cost a fortune.”
“Do you like it?”
“Of course I do. It’s stunning. Looks like Tiffany’s.”
“Good. Let me see it.” I handed it over. He took my hand and made me stand up.
“Are we leaving? What are you…?” Immediately, he dropped to one knee. “Oh, my god…Henry…” My body trembled. I looked around, and everyone was looking at us in silent anticipation.
“Elaina, you are the love of my life, and I couldn’t imagine one moment without you in it.” He looked down for a second to take a couple breaths, and when he looked back up, he had tears in his eyes. “I know it hasn’t always been perfect with me, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
“Yes! Oh, my god! Yes!” He jumped up and kissed me, spinning me around.
“Christ, I was so afraid you would say no. I’ve been stressing out over this since I bought the ring.” He slipped it on my finger with shaky hands. Even with chocolate cake on it, the ring was divine.
“Are you kidding me? Of course I would say yes!” There was an eruption of applause in the café. We thanked everyone for their kindness.
We walked up to the counter and thanked the Gemellis for helping with the surprise. They said they were honored to help, and Henry said we would be back in a couple months to pick out a cake for the reception.
We got into his truck, and I started hysterically laughing. “What?” He looked at me with that devious smile.
“You are such a cheeseball.”
He laughed. “That’s why I did it that way. I knew you would see the humor in my clichéd proposal.” He knew me all too well.
-November 2014-
“Elaina? Are you with me?” Henry waved his hand in front of my face.
“Uh, yeah. Yes. I’m sorry.” I looked down, and spun that gorgeous six carat Tiffany cushion-cut ring around my left ring finger. “Let’s go.” I opened the door for Henry, and he went in. I followed behind, watching our backs.
“Sophie!” I whipped around when I heard Henry yell her name. There was some mental-looking guy holding a gun to Sophie’s head behind the cake display counter. “Easy there, neighbor,” Henry said, like he was talking to a spooked horse.
“Henry, who is this guy?” I asked.
“I’m your downstairs neighbor.” He had a grin on his face.
“Let her go, Jacob,” Henry demanded.
“Hmm... No. I don’t think so.” Sophie looked terrified. I raised my Sig, aiming right at the middle of his forehead. He started laughing like a mad man. It was an evil, maniacal laugh. “Aw, look, Barbie. It’s your rescue party.” He laughed, then became serious in an instant. “I don’t think so!” He spit the words out with force.
“Listen…Jacob, was it?” Henry looked at me when I started talking. “Why don’t you let her go?”
“No!” Jacob screamed at me. He brought new meaning to batshit crazy. I could hear Henry’s breathing become more rapid. “Why should I? Huh? Tell me why I should let her go!”
“You don’t know her.” Henry was working hard to keep his voice even and calm, but I knew he was seconds from tweaking out. “Just let her go, Jacob.”
“Piss off, you sick son of a bitch! I saw you kill my wife. My wife!” His voice was resonant. Oh, Christ. I have never heard a voice so loud and full of venom. Jacob had an exceptional talent for animated body language while holding someone hostage. It was almost mesmerizing to watch. “You ran over her with your truck! Like she was a piece of trash in the fucking street!” He was struggling to keep his harsh persona up but, in reality, I could see he wanted to shatter into a million pieces on the floor. Henry was allowing him to say what he needed to say. “My wife was an amazing woman! You have no idea who she was, and what she did for me. For everyone! And now? Now, I’m going to make you watch me kill your Barbie!”