"like sands through the hourglass... so are the...Days of our Lives"

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Waiting for You - Chapter 31

A note before this chapter begins. Music is a way to remember moments in our lives and to feel emotions we may not be able to put our own words to. The lyricist can suddenly paint on our hearts what we feel in the words to a song. Each segment of this chapter has a song, popular at the time that will do that for the characters. Maybe you know the songs and perhaps they have meaning for you as well.

Monday, February 14, 1944 - - Valentine’s Day evening - - Carrie’s apartment


"I know, Victoria. You don’t need to remind me I’m running late but the girls aren’t ready ……How do I know? I haven’t seen one of them appear from the hallway practically since the moment I got here although there’s a lot of activity going on by the sound of their footsteps."

Kurt sat at the desk in full tuxedo and black dress topcoat with a white silk scarf loosely draped around the collar of the coat. He held the telephone receiver cradled next to his shoulder as he retied the lace on one highly polished black dress shoe.

"Yes, I’ve got the address….What?….Victoria, they aren’t going to start without me…I’m the honored guest, remember? Sometimes having ‘Baron’ in front of my name does serve a useful purpose other than for getting a good table as a restaurant and this is one of those times. Where are you calling from, anyway?"

He let out an exasperated breath while he check his elegant gold, Swiss-made watch making sure it was accurate and in time with the one on the fireplace mantel.

"I’ll be there as soon as I can to pick you up the same time I let the girls off at the hotel…………….. Yes, I promise. Look, not everyone’s as punctual as you are……… No, last I heard Mike, Lucas and Jack had left the base. Mike called me …oh…..an hour ago. They’ll be waiting at the hotel to head out to wherever it is each of them has reservations I imagine. I wanted to be helpful and…since I was out this way it didn’t make sense for the guys to come to Staten Island and then go back to Manhattan when I could save them some time…Tory…..Tory…listen, I gotta go - - I hear someone coming…see you in probably an hour or less. Bye."

"Who was that?" Jennifer asked floating into the room wearing her newly purchased evening gown. She was dressed in dove gray crepe. The neckline of the gown was straight across leaving the top unadorned. The material gathered at the left side of the waistline at an angle. Rhinestones radiated out in a sunburst pattern from it in gradually longer rays to the bottom of the straight, floor length skirt. She had borrowed Carrie’s gray heels from New Year’s Eve when she delightfully noticed they were the same shade as her dress. Her hair was up in curls and held in place with combs having the same radiating, sunray pattern in rhinestones as her dress. It was simple and elegant. When she turned the beholder was met with a surprise. As high as the neckline was in front, its direct opposite was true in back stopping only two inches short of the waistband – leaving Jennifer’s back revealed.

"Oh, it was Victoria, checking up on me. Wow………,Jennifer, THAT is a dress," Kurt complimented.

"Well, thank you. I take that as a compliment indeed, coming from a man who sees who knows how many evening gowns in a year. It must take a lot to have you notice someone."

"Jack is gonna flip when he sees you in that. I hope you’ve got a coat to cover up with. It’s cold outside and the back of the dress isn’t going to keep you warm."

"Oh, I’ve got a coat that will do fine. I want to dazzle Jack when I get to the restaurant and he’s walking behind me to our table."

"I think that mission is going to be accomplished." Kurt looked at his watch again noticing another few minutes had gone by.

"What time do you have to be at your fundraiser, Kurt?"

"Well, officially the early evening chatter and mingling begin at seven."

"Let me go light a fire under the other two. Carrie was almost ready, I think, before I came out. I haven’t seen Sami since she changed her outfit completely for the third time."

"The THIRD time? What was wrong with the previous two?"

"Dunno…….she just kept looking in the mirror and the next thing I knew, she was diving back into the closet for another dress. I still remember when she and Lucas were in high school and would go out. Her standard issue ensemble was a sweater, skirt, bobby socks and her penny loafers. It was so simple then…..now, her getting ready is a major production worthy of Broadway. I guess she just wants to look special for Lucas."

"Just between you, Guinevere and me, Jennifer, I find the love between Sami and Lucas refreshing. They’re so honest with each other. They’re friends as well as being in love……come to think of it that’s what you and Jack, Mike and Carrie have, too."

"Is that what you’re looking for, Kurt? I’m sorry, ….you don’t have to answer that, but I am curious what that special someone will have to possess that turns your mind to thoughts of marriage. I guess since I’m getting married soon I want everyone to be as happy as I am."

"It’s all right, Jenn. I….I don’t have a complete wish list made up but there are some things I’d like to have. I want someone who will be beside me through my life – a partner in whatever we decide to do. It would give everything that I do more meaning then it has now for her to share it all with me. In simplest terms I just hope I can find the some one who was meant to walk with me through this moment of eternal time in the cosmos and make me the richer for being with her. I have a lot I want to give to someone….I don’t mean just the Von Amberg title or the money….I want to give of myself. I’ve spent a lifetime gathering wishes, dreams, hopes ……"

"Well, how any woman could resist you telling her that is beyond me."

Kurt smiled in embarrassment. "I haven’t told any woman that yet."

"You haven’t? Why?"

"Because I haven’t found her and I plan to tell only her those things."

"Kurt, you just told me….."

"Well, yeah, the basics but not the specifics. That will only be for her to hear."

"Mind if I tell you I feel honored that I now know the basics?"

"No, I don’t mind at all." Kurt kept looking at Jennifer as his smile lingered. Jennifer looked at her watch and noticed it was nearly six fifteen.

"Oh, I had no idea we were running this late. You so nicely offered to take us to the Grand Hotel so we could meet up with the guys and now we’re holding you up."

"I’ve still got time. I know this is a romantic evening and you all want to look your best. I’d say so far, so good."

Jennifer smiled at Kurt and curtsied before heading to Carrie’s room down the hall. The smile faded from Kurt’s face after Jennifer left the room. He glanced about and noticed the three Valentine cards propped up on the piano and assumed one was for each of the young women he would be escorting by limousine and ferry to meet with the cards’ senders in a short while. A moment of pensive sadness overtook him for a reason he couldn’t define.

"Helloooooooo, where are you at this moment?" Carrie asked as she quietly walked toward Kurt in her evening gown. The bodice and all but ten inches of the long, full skirt covered the nylon dress material in lace, cinched in at the waist and was all one deep shade of burgundy red. Sheer, full sleeves billowed from the shoulders and gathered again at Carrie’s wrists forming dainty, frilled cuffs. The bottom of the dress flared out in multiple layers of nylon beneath the lace and swayed in time with each step she took. The ever-present pearl pendant was visible above the scoop neck of the dress. Her hair, as always, was worn up in delicate curls.

Kurt looked up from his reverie to see mild concern on Carrie’s face.

"Sorry….just doing a bit of woolgathering, I’m afraid. You look like a Valentine, Carrie. That’s a great color on you."

"Thank you. I had to think about what to wear. The first part of the evening we’ll be sitting in a theater so I wanted to be comfortable for the two and a half hours of the play but we’re going to a late night dinner afterward at Sardi’s and probably a little dancing. I love the way this dress moves when I walk or dance. It just sort of flows. Besides…..Mike hasn’t seen me wear this dress before. I’ve been saving it just for tonight. I bought it…."

"Carrie! I don’t know about this dress either. You think it’s too much for dinner and dancing?" Sami asked as she came rushing into the living room unaware her sister was engaged in conversation with Kurt. "Oh, I’m sorry, Kurt. I didn’t meant to interrupt."

"No, no…..it’s fine. Do me a favor, though, would you?"

"Sure, ….what?"

"Just slowly do a complete turn and let me see the outfit from all angles."

"Oh, Kurt, I don’t know…"

"Please, just humor me?"

Sami smiled and while clasping her dainty hands behind her back began to slowly pirouette. The bodice was black velvet with a sweetheart neckline that showed off her flawless skin to perfection. The long, full skirt was a black and white checked design in taffeta. All around the neckline as well as the short sleeves was piping of the same checked design. A large, vibrant red cloth rose was pinned at the waist and matched the one in Sami’s hair which she had done in a pageboy with one side pulled back to accommodate the matching, smaller rose. Her nails and lips were adorned in the same shade of red as the roses.

"Well?"

"I don’t know, Sami. I think Lucas may not care for that outfit……..."

"I knew it, I KNEW it! Why,…. why didn’t I just keep the first one on? But , nooooo I didn’t think yellow was festive enough to wear for Valentine’s Day.…but, then the green one wasn’t either…I’m never gonna be ready at this rate…."

"Sami ….wait, wait…..I wasn’t finished."

"Oh, God, ….I look that bad? I wanted to look so special for Lucas tonight and I’ve ruined everything."

"Will you let Kurt finish what he was saying, for Pete’s sake, Sami…"

"Thank you, Carrie. What I was GOING to say is he might not care for that outfit only because he’ll be spending all evening fending off every eligible guy in New York City who comes within ten feet of you. You look spectacular, Sami."

Sami looked up from the rug on the living room floor and into Kurt’s eyes for verification of what she thought she had just heard him say. He smiled wider the longer she looked at him.

"Really? I look okay?"

"You are going to put a sparkle in a certain Tech Sergeant’s eyes the minute you step from the car at the hotel, I guarantee."

"You don’t think the red rose is too much?"

"No, it makes the outfit," Carrie complimented.

Sami hesitated a few moments before turning quickly and heading to the foyer where the coats were hung. "Well, come on, then, let’s get going. I don’t want to keep Lucas waiting."

Kurt turned a puzzled face toward Carrie as he attempted to deal with the sudden feeling that he had become the one keeping everyone waiting.

"What just happened?"

"Well, you see, you performed a valuable service."

"I did?"

"Yes, you gave Sami the male perspective of what her impact will be on Lucas when he sees her in that dress. Jenn and I could have told her repeatedly how wonderful she looks but hearing it from the ‘other camp’ was what she needed to hear for some reason."

"Such a feeling of power over women I’m getting. It’s like I have the ability to cloud women’s minds with a simple fashion pronouncement……..just call me ‘The Shadow’."

"What’s this about ‘The Shadow’?" Jennifer asked as she came in working the clasp on her bracelet until it clicked into place.

"Oh, nothing…Kurt’s just having momentary delusions of being the Lamont Cranston of the fashion world."

"Huh? I’m not following this conversation…"

"Come on, Jenn, I’ll explain it the hall on our way to the car."

"What are you guys still doing here?" Sami asked poking her head back into the apartment. "We need to get to the hotel…time’s a wasting…Geez, you guys are pokey." Sami whirled about and headed back down the hallway a second time hoping the others were following her unlike before.

Carrie looked over her shoulder as Kurt helped her on with her coat after having done the same for Jennifer moments before.

"See what you’ve done with that silver tongue of yours? She’s impossible now."

"I’m sorry…..I won’t let it happen again," Kurt said as he hung his head in an exaggerated attempt to show contrition.

"See that you don’t."

"Yup, next time, I’ll know better how to use this devastating power I have over women. It’s a curse but I’m up to the job." Kurt followed Jennifer into the hall as Carrie took her key to lock the front door. She turned and picked up her pace to join the others a few yards in front of her.

"Ah…ah….ah…." Kurt said, slightly shaking his left index finger at Carrie while looking at her over his right shoulder.

"What’s that for?" she asked not having a clue.

"Careful you don’t follow too closely…you might step on my cape."

Letting out a deep sigh, Carrie rolled her eyes – disbelieving of her gullibility - having been taken in by Kurt’s deadpan expression moments before.

"To the Baronmobile we go," Kurt said in an exaggerated baritone voice - the patented sort used by actors on radio who played in shows like ‘The Shadow" and "Green Hornet" to convey to the listener, they were in all ways, the hero.

"Will you stop it already?" Carrie sternly spoke while stifling the urge to giggle.

"You’re the one who started the whole thing about ‘The Shadow", Carrie," Jennifer said as she wiped away the tears of laughter that threatened to make her mascara run.

"Ohhhh, don’t remind me."

They reached the landing before descending the stairs that led to the front door."

"All right, fair ladies, it’s down, down and awaaayyyyyyy."

The car was waiting at the curb with the door open on the back right side. Kurt carefully helped each one in before following them.

Less than a half an hour later they arrived at the Grand Hotel. It was a place they all knew how to find and held wonderful memories of another occasion when they’d all become closer friends on New Year’s Eve. As the car pulled into the circular driveway, a doorman dressed in a sunshine yellow uniform stepped forward in anticipation of opening the door. Behind him through the heavy, revolving door came three servicemen who had recognized the car upon its arrival. As the door opened, Jennifer, Carrie and Sami emerged in that order. Kurt followed them advising the doorman he would not be staying for more than a few minutes and asking that he direct other arriving cars around the limousine.

"Here they are…all safely delivered as promised," Kurt said as he took Carrie by the arm and delivered her to Mike’s.

"Hello, Honey, you look beautiful. Is that a new dress?"

"Hi, Sweetie….well, sort of. I bought the dress awhile ago but I’ve been waiting for tonight to wear it."

"I have a taxi waiting to get us to the theater. The curtain goes up in less than a half an hour. We don’t want to miss the opening. From what I hear it starts right in with a terrific song."

"I’m so excited. You do have the tickets, don’t you , Mike?"

Mike looked at Carrie with a look of mock exasperation. "Yes, I have the tickets. How would we get into the play otherwise?"

"I’m just asking. You’ve had the tickets since before Christmas. It’s just easy to put them somewhere and then not locate them when the time comes."

As Carrie spoke she noticed a concern come over Mike’s face as he checked the various pockets on his dress military topcoat. She began to feel an uneasiness the longer Mike seemed to search.

"You’re kidding, Mike….you haven’t really lost the tickets, have you?"

Mike stopped searching and looked directly into Carrie’s eyes, hesitating before he answered her.

"No, but I had you going, didn’t I? They’re right here in my right front coat pocket."

"Mike, that is NOT funny. I suddenly had this terrible vision of us not seeing the play after all this anticipation. You are terrible!"

"Yeah, but you love me."

Carrie smiled and gave him a quick kiss. The cab the doorman had called for them arrived.

"Well, I hope everyone has a good time tonight. We’ll tell you all about the play and whether the food at Sardi’s is really all people say it is."

"Have a wonderful time, you two. I’ve seen the musical, you’ll find it isn’t like anything you’ve seem before but it is incredible."

"I agree with Kurt, I loved it," Victoria said as she walked up to the group from a cab she had arrived in only minutes before. She was dressed in lavender evidenced by the long skirt that extended beneath her white ermine coat. She slid her arm through that of her cousin’s as she waved to the group, showing her warmth in a smile as she always did.

"Tory, I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you were going to wait at your place for me to pick you up."

"I decided to meet you here so we could save time going back up Broadway and I could see everyone dressed in their Valentine finery. You all look wonderful. Sami, I love the red rose in your hair."

Sami’s hand reached up to touch the rose in reflex as she smiled. Victoria was always so fashionably dressed that her opinion carried some weight with the youngest of the women.

"You look elegant, Victoria. I love the fur coat."

"Thank you, Sami. It was my mother’s. I hardly wear it except for formal occasions like this. I gather you all have special plans tonight. I know Mike and Carrie are going to see ‘Oklahoma’."

"Yup, and afterward, we’re going to Sardi’s for a late dinner. We gave each other the tickets and reservation for Christmas. We’ve waited a long time for this evening."

"Well, you better not wait any longer. The meter is probably running on the taxi. I’ll be anxious to hear what you think of the play."

"Sami, we better get going, too. Our reservations are for eight o’ clock at the Rainbow Grille."

"I’m ready whenever you are, Lucas. We’re using the dinner for two Lucas won as a door prize New Year’s Eve, remember? I have always wanted to see the view from the top of Rockefeller Center and it’s beautiful out tonight. The lights should be spectacular."

"Oh, that’s right. I remember him winning the dinner. Good idea to use it for a special occasion."

"I plan to make it an even more special occasion when we get there."

"You do, Lucas? How?"

"You’ll see, Sami…..I don’t want to give away everything." Sami recognized that Lucas had that mischievous smile he got whenever he had a secret he wasn’t ready to share.

"Lucas Desmond Roberts, what are you up to?" Sami asked knowing he had no intention of telling her until the moment was right according to his personal timetable.

"Uhhhh…..there’s a cab. We should take that and hightail it to Rockefeller Center, don’t you think…"

"But….Lucas….."

"Yes, I knew you’d agree. Everyone….have a great evening I know I will."

With that they hugged everyone and headed toward the cab just as Mike and Carrie climbed into the one waiting for them.

"Jenn and I are going to have dinner here and dance to the house orchestra. We didn’t get to be here on New Year’s Eve so we thought this would make up for that."

"I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I understand they’re going all out for Valentine’s Day with decorations and mood," Victoria offered.

"This romantic fiance’ of mine found that out which is why we decided to come here tonight. He’s full of surprises."

"I just wanted to show you a beautiful evening."

Jennifer kissed Jack before turning to look at Victoria and Kurt still with arms linked.

"And, where might you two be headed?"

"Oh, well…..nothing out of the ordinary."

"What Kurt means is, we’re attending another fundraiser for the International Red Cross. This one is a little special because the organization who is organizing it has chosen Kurt to be the honoree’ tonight for all his work involved in raising funds."

"Well, congratulations, Kurt, " Jack said as he shook hands with him.

"Thanks, Jack. I really don’t feel I’ve done anything to be made the center of attention but if it raises more funds I won’t make a big scene."

"No, but he does have to make a big speech, " Victoria interjected.

"A speech? Kurt, you didn’t tell any of us this was happening. We might have changed our plans and been there to support you. It’s really a wonderful honor, you know."

"That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you, Jennifer. I mean, you tell me which would you really rather do on Valentine’s Day…… go out and have a romantic evening of wonderful food, soft music, dancing and mood lighting or be put to sleep by my droning after eating a meal of rubber chicken?"

"Ooooooooh, tough call, Kurt."

"See? That’s why I didn’t say anything, Jack. Now, have a great evening. It’s getting chilly and Jennifer shouldn’t be out that long in that dress."

"Why do you say that, Kurt?" Jack asked suspiciously.

"You’ll see in a few minutes. See you soon? If not before we’ll see you at the wedding service."

"You’d better be there. It wouldn’t be the same if you weren’t?"

"We wouldn’t miss it for anything, Jennifer. Come on, Kurt….we’ve got a date with a rubber chicken as you so enticingly put it."

"See you two. Enjoy your evening."

"You too, Kurt. Come on, Jenn, I want to see this reason why you shouldn’t be out here in the cold."

Jack put his arm around Jennifer as they headed for the revolving door. Jennifer glanced over her shoulder with a grin sharing with Kurt the knowledge of the detail involving the back of her evening gown.

Victoria and Kurt climbed back into their limousine and pulled away back into the heavy traffic on Broadway. They sat quietly for a few minutes looking out the windows at the city.

"Victoria?"

"Yes?"

"Don’t you ever get tired of going with me to these sorts of events?"

"No, why would you think I do?"

"Because you’re beautiful, intelligent, funny and you should be sharing all of that with someone other than your cousin, that’s why."

"I don’t know if there are many other men who would appreciate me as much as you do. Thank you for the compliment."

"You’re welcome but…..Tory, there’s a whole city of attractive men who’d have jumped at the chance to take you out tonight….some of them work with us."

"I’m not interested in getting serious with any one."

"Who said anything about getting serious? You could just have gone out for the evening….."

"Because, you know how I am….I don’t get lightly involved." Victoria’s tone was sterner than she had wanted to use.

It was quiet in the car for a few more minutes.

"Victoria…..you’re not responsible for Peter Townsend’s death."

"I KNOW that……..I know that…..but…….I am responsible for not showing him the kind of love he should have had from a woman he was going to marry when he was home on leave that fortnight. I tried, Kurt…….I tried…..I just didn’t love him enough."

"He was so crazy about you from the time you were kids that finally knowing he was going to marry you was adequate for him."

"Adequate? Is that what most people settle for?"

"It is in family arranged marriages. Let’s face it, Tory, you were marrying Peter’s family as much as you were him."

"But I wouldn’t have been sleeping with them every night….making love to them. That’s what I couldn’t bring myself to think about. I cared for Peter, I loved him in a way, but, not THAT way. Do you know what I really feel guilty about, Kurt? When I heard Peter had been shot down and killed, just for a moment…. a split second…. my first thought was not about him being dead but a little relief that I didn’t have to marry him. What kind of a person am I?"

Kurt reached into his dress coat and brought out a handkerchief he handed to his cousin. She took it into her lavender-gloved hand and turned away from him as she attempted to compose herself.

"You’re a person who believes that when you marry it should be because you love them more than anything or anyone else in the world. You’re a person who doesn’t want to settle for less than that. You’re a person who can’t give love in small dosages….you have to give it all to them or you can’t be happy."

Victoria looked at her cousin with surprise in her eyes as it mingled with her tears.

"How do you know that? Am I that transparent…or maybe, more to the point…...that selfish?"

Kurt looked at her, smiled and shook his head before gazing back out at the night through the limousine window.

"No, I know because I feel the same way, Tory." Kurt turned to look at Victoria before going on.

"I understand what you want because I want that, too. I’m betting there are people who think we have it all…..wealth, position……our names in the social pages every other day. It couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t mean those are all bad things necessarily…except, maybe the latter…..but who cares if you don’ t have someone to share it with? I really realized that tonight."

"Tonight? What about tonight?"

"It was waiting for Jennifer, Carrie and Sami to get ready………they were all excited about looking just so for the men they loved. I envied the guys in that moment. And, then later, there I was in a limousine with three beautiful, intelligent women who are all spoken for and not one of them belonged with me. Seeing them all together at the entrance to the hotel was actually painful. I wanted to be like them at that moment…out on the town on the most romantic day of the year with…"

"I’m sorry, Kurt. I’ve been treading water in my pool of self-pity while you’ve been trying to pull me out. You’re right, we do both want the same thing…..a love that’s ours alone. Trouble is…..I don’t want to risk finding him and losing him to the war. I admire Jennifer….she’s found her lifetime love…and she’s willing to risk everything to be happy now…no matter how uncertain the future. I wish I had her fortitude."

"Have you been hunting for him a little lately?"

"What are you talking about? I haven’t been dating anyone."

"Well, I know you, Victoria Schwengle, and I saw the double take you did of the photo in Carrie’s apartment."

"What…..what photo?" Victoria’s voice went up an octave as she tried to remain unflustered.

:"The one you practically stared a hole through looking at it when you were supposedly hunting for your make up bag…the one of Eric Brady."

"Oh, that? It was a nice grouping….I was looking at the faces of the two families…you know, trying to see family features…who looks like who…’

"Tory….this is me you’re talking to, remember?"

"All right…so, I admit, he’s handsome. I don’t know why I was surprised. He has two beautiful sisters and if he’s got any sort of a personality like theirs…."

"Yes…"

"I was just looking, that’s all."

Kurt grinned and placed his hand on top of his cousin’s giving it a squeeze.

"Well, it looks like you might have a prospect in Eric……if you decide you’re interested in more than the photo."

"What about you, Kurt? Any ‘prospects’?"

"No, I saw someone…but….I’m too late…..bad timing."

"I’m sorry. Do you suppose we’ll ever find them….the special one?"

"I hope so."

The two occupants of the limousine rode on in silence to their dinner appointment listening to a song that came on the radio and feeling every word Helen Forrest sang of the Gershwin standard.
.

There’s a saying old, says that love is blind
Still we’re often told. "seek and ye shall find"
So I’m going to seek a certain girl I’ve had in mind.

Searching everywhere, haven’t found her yet,
She’s the big affair I cannot forget,
Only girl I ever think of with regret

I’d like to add her initial to my monogram
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb.

There’s a somebody I’m longing to see,
I hope that she
Turns out to be
Someone who’ll watch over me.

I’m a little lamb who’s lost in a wood
I know I could
Always be good
To one who’ll watch over me.

Although she may not be the girl some men think of
as handsome, to my heart she carries the key

Won’t you tell her please to put on some speed
Follow my lead
Oh how I need
Someone to watch over me.

Waiting for You – Chapter 32

Valentine’s Night, February 14, 1944
Entry to the main supper club at the Grand Hotel

Even before they reached the doorway, Jack and Jennifer could hear the house pianist playing romantic tunes for the patrons to dance or talk to in the huge ballroom where only weeks before their friends had celebrated New Year’s Eve.

Dining in such opulent surroundings as the Grand Ballroom hinted of at its entrance was nothing new to Jack. He had grown up dining out a minimum of once a week in similar places since he was sixteen as the son of a high profile New Deal Senator. In such heavy-draped, crystal water-gobleted places were deals made or compromises struck that moved along the business of a nation struggling to regain its economic feet after the Depression. Only since the declaration of war in December 1941, had the United States truly regained its financial equilibrium. Jack’s father had come in on Roosevelt’s coattails as a freshman senator filled with ideas of how to resurrect the nation’s economy. Twelve years and two terms later, his father had gained position and political clout. There wasn’t a restaurant in Washington, DC or his home state that didn’t eagerly accommodate Senator Devereaux’s party on any given night, no matter how crowded they might be.

As they passed through the entry and made their way to the cloakroom, Jennifer’s eyes sparkled as she took in all the beauty of the room. It certainly wasn’t the Penthouse Grille, though that was the closest Jennifer could think of any place back in Salem that could even attempt to match the majesty of the room. The hatcheck girl smiled and reached to take Jennifer’s coat first handing Jack the claim ticket at the same time she reached to take his overcoat. Jennifer took his arm as they made their way to the podium blocking the entry to the salon where the maitre’ d held court as he matched names quoted to those on the reservations guest book.

"Good evening, sir,…the name?"

"Good evening…Devereaux."

The maitre’ d scanned the list before him as Jennifer glanced about the ballroom taking in the rich wood paneling that lined the floor, walls and even ceilings. All was polished to a high gloss and reflecting the candlelight from the hurricane lamps placed at each dining table.

"Ah, yes….Devereaux, party of two. One moment." The maitre ‘d motioned to the podium a lovely, young woman dressed in black and gave her two leather-bound menus along with the table number the Devereaux party has been assigned.

"Please, follow the young lady who will show you to your table. Enjoy your evening with us."

"Thank you," Jennifer and Jack answered in unison.

As they followed the hostess the walking room between tables became narrower until Jennifer was forced to unlink her arm from Jack’s and walk ahead of him. It was then Jack first noticed the interesting and, yes, surprising feature of Jennifer’s dress. He found himself unable to tear his eyes away except to look around and see if other males were noticing it as well. They arrived at their table situated one row in from the edge of the large dance floor. Jack pulled out Jennifer’s chair and watched her gracefully descend into it smiling up at him as he walked around to take his opposite her. Jack stared across the table silently with a small quizzical look on his face.

"What is making that face on you?"

"Huh….what face?"

"That one…that I’ve seen before whenever you’re dying to make some comment."

"I don’t know what you’re talking about…except…"

"…except? Come on, Jack, what happened between the time we walked into the room and sat down here?"

"Well, I was just wondering……"

"About?"

"I’ve read there’s a material shortage along with everything else these days. Is that dress a victim of it?"

"What are you talk….oh, now I get it. I forgot I had my coat over it until a few minutes ago. And, no, it was designed this way. Are you not so subtlety telling me you don’t like it?" Jennifer asked in a tone indicating Jack had better tread lightly.

"No…no, I wasn‘t implying that at all. It’s beautiful, especially on you. It’s just that every male’s eye in the room was on you when we walked by. I’m surprised you couldn’t feel them."

"What if they were? It’s flattering but as long as your eyes are on me, I don’t care about any one else. Besides, think of it this way,…. YOU get to have more than just your eyes on me in this dress."

Jennifer looked at Jack finishing her sentence and flashing her best Mona Lisa smile at him. Jack cleared his throat when her meaning became clear to him. He reached for a taste of the cold water in his crystal goblet before responding.

"Well, that’s definitely one way to look at it. I like your thinking, Miss Horton."

"I thought you would."

"May I make one more comment about the dress and then I’ll stop."

"All right…one more."

"I was just going to say that you’ll never have to worry about putting it on backwards by mistake, will you?"

"No…not unless I mean to."

"Jennifer!"

"Oh, will you relax. I was just kidding. Kurt was right. He said you were going to flip when you saw me in this dress."

"Oh, he did, did he? Since when did he become your fashion consultant?"

"Since when did you get upset about what Kurt says? He’s a friend."

"Uh, huh…a MALE friend."

"I thought you liked him."

"I do like him …..and……….. I suddenly realize I am behaving like a complete idiot."

Silence.

Jack looked at Jennifer who stared unblinkingly back at him. Jack raised his eyebrows silently asking Jennifer for a response to his admission.

"Well?"

"Oh, I’m sorry, was I supposed to disagree with you? Afraid not - I saw no point to argue against."

"Fine, just let me dangle here in the wind from the hangman’s noose of my own making."

"Honestly, Jack, I had no idea you were going to react this way about a stupid dress."

"It’s just that…..you’re so beautiful, Jennifer, and that dress just makes it more obvious to the whole world….well, at least to everyone in New York City tonight."

Jennifer’s face softened as she leaned across the table, moving the hurricane lamp slightly to her right and reached for Jack’s hand.

"After that remark, I think the governor just granted you a stay of execution."

"Thank you, Governor."

They met across the table and kissed - each smiling as they pulled back at the end of it.

"Would you like to order or have a drink first?"

"Ummmm…a drink would be nice. We have all evening to eat dinner and dance."

Jack motioned over a waiter and ordered champagne.

"Champagne? Jack, are you sure?"

"Of course, it’s Valentine’s Day…nothing is too good for my Valentine and besides it’s only…..how many days?"

"Days….what? Oh…it’s seventeen days and a few hours."

"I’ll have you know I’m up to a little over two hundred push ups a day in anticipation."

"My, you are desperate."

"Desperately in love….with you."

"Oh, Jack…I love you, too."

They silently gazed at one another while waiters took orders and delivered dinners around them at a frantic pace. For a while it was as though Jack and Jennifer were locked into their own sense of time while the rest of the world hurried by oblivious to them. A waiter appeared and returned the time continuum by asking if they were ready to order.

When dinner arrived they leisurely ate and talked of wedding plans – their favorite topic – next to talk of honeymoon plans, that is. With all their meticulous planning it was impossible to believe anything could go wrong. It also helped that only six guests would be in attendance.

The dishes were removed and a dessert menu was brought.

"How about cherries jubilee, Jennifer?"

"That sounds good. Can we wait just a little before we order?"

"How about, we order but ask him to delay preparing it? I think I could use a respite before the next course, too."

The waiter took the order and agreed to serve it in a half an hour.

Jennifer looked around the room at the various tables taking in the people they were sharing their evening with in a roundabout way by merely being in the same room and having the idea this was the place to celebrate, too.

"What are you thinking?"

Jennifer looked back into Jacks’ eyes and sheepishly grinned.

"Oh, you’ll think I’m being silly or sentimental."

"No, I won’t…besides this is a day to be sentimental. So tell me."

"I was just looking at the people here. They’re all ages. Some of the couples are younger than we are…..some are maybe fifty years older than we are and there’s every age range in between. We have something in common tonight. We’re with the one we love on the day that’s made to celebrate love. It kind of gives me a good feeling to know there’s a constancy in things …like love. See? I told you……you’d think I was being silly."

"No...no I see what you mean. I’d be willing to bet there may even be a couple or two who come here every year to celebrate…like a tradition. They probably even make it a point to see at the exact same table.

"Jack, that’s a wonderful idea. Let’s do that."

"Do what?"

"Come back here every year to celebrate Valentine’s Day until we’re at least one hundred years old."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, I am. I want us to have our own private traditions we create from our shared life together. Some will probably come from Christmas, Easter or other occasions involving family but this one would be just ours…yours and mine."

"What about the kids? Are we going to bring them along as they begin to appear in our lives?"

"Kids? How many are we planning on having?"

"Let’s see…how many does this table seat…..maybe two…three at most ..unless we ask them to add an extra leaf to the table."

"Bite your tongue. I was thinking maybe two…. or three at most. I’m beginning to wonder if you’re planning to keep me barefoot and pregnant."

"No, you can keep your shoes on if you want."

"There’s an interesting image forming in my head. Are you really thinking about more than three?"

"Let’s just say if I were to offer a stock market tip to anyone, I’d encourage them to buy heavily into shares of Motherhood Maternity and Gerber baby foods."

"Am I ever going to see my feet again the first twenty years of our marriage?"

"Probably not…so, I guess it won’t really matter if you have shoes on either. They’ll all be flats…heels aren’t something you should wear during pregnancy."

"Just how would you know?"

"I’ve been reading up on this stuff. Might as well be well informed, I always say."

"Oh really…and when had you thought you might share all of these plans with me?"

"Right at the start of the honeymoon…first night I believe."

"The first night? Don’t you think we should have a little time for just the two of us."

"Oh, we will…at least nine months."

"My…you certainly have everything planned out."

"Well, I try to be thorough."

"I see…and will it be a boy or a girl?"

"Well, I’ve given this a lot of serious thought. After considering the two basic options we have, I came to the conclusion I’d like to have someone who’ll think I’m perfect, can do everything and will always need me, besides you, that is…so, I think it should be a girl."

"Are you sure you aren’t confusing a family with a fan club?"

Jennifer sat back with her arms crossed and smiled as Jack described how the first baby would look. Even though there was a sense of play in Jack’s tone, she also realized he truly had given their future family great thought. It had caught her off guard. Jack didn’t talk much about his family. They were polite to one another, she remembered, as they had been to her the weekend they spent with the Devereaux’s in Washington, DC but there wasn’t the warmth she was used to apparent in all her family’s gatherings. It struck her how much Jack wanted a family of his own and she could feel the beginning of tears forming.

"Jennifer? What’s wrong? Did I say something? Sweetheart, I was only kidding about making all these plans without consulting you. I just got carried away. I’m sorry."

"Don’t be. I’ve just learned something about you I didn’t know before. I’ve had this impression that maybe my family was overwhelming to you when we went back for Christmas. I admit, there are a lot of us. Having met your family, I thought maybe you weren’t interested in having more than one or two children and that was fine with me. I wanted more but I understood that would be maybe too many for you to handle."

"You know what? Before I met you I never really thought about marriage let alone kids. I grew up where marriage was a way to garner votes – perfect family…more votes. It wasn’t about the content of the marriage but the way it appeared to the public from outside. We weren’t allowed to make noise or slide down banisters in case we were seen as being unruly. It was a given political formula - if you can’t control your kids how can you govern a town, county, state or country?"

"Oh, Jack…I had no idea."

"No one did. Another rule is you don’t talk about family problems or dislikes with anyone. The press might find out, then the opposition party and it could be used against you in the following election. I didn’t want that perpetuated so I kind of thought marriage might not be for me…..until I walked into the Manhattan USO club one early evening in the autumn. Everything I had talked myself into went right out the window the minute I saw you."

"I remember turning around from the soda fountain and seeing this handsome soldier walk in. I didn’t see anyone else in the room the rest of the evening."

"How did I get so lucky, Jennifer, to find you?"

She smiled looking down at her engagement ring before looking back up to answer him.

"You just had sense enough to parachute into the right place at the right time."

Jack nodded and grew quiet for a moment or two before looking out across the floor where the hotel dance band was beginning to assemble on the platform before doing the first set of music for the evening.

"Okay, Jennifer you’ve got yourself a deal."

"Meaning?"

"We’ll come here every year to celebrate Valentine’s Day just like we did the first one. I think I’d really like that, too. I’ll even include that it’s at this very table. What do you say?"

"I say, I think you’re wonderful and that you’ve got a deal, too."

"Meaning?"

"Four kids."

Jack grinned at her remark.

"With an option to renegotiate for a fifth?"

Jennifer let out a long, exaggerated sigh.

"You are a tough negotiator……..all right….option for a fifth."

Jack held out his hand to shake on it. Jennifer reciprocated.

"Let’s seal this with a kiss, have dessert and finish with a dance."

They met across the table with a long, lingering kiss. As they finished the waiter arrived with the chaffing dish to prepare the flaming dessert at the table. No sooner had the dessert been finished and the plates removed the orchestra began playing a tune that had Jennifer turn and look at Jack with a smile.

"Jack, this is unbelievable. That’s the song they were playing at the USO the first time you and I danced. Do you remember?"

Jacked listened to a few measures and nodded.

"I kind of think of this as our song."

Jack rose from the table and came around to where Jennifer was. He held out his hand to her.

"May I have this dance…..again?"

"Yes, …you may."

They made their way to the dance floor. He placed his arm around Jennifer and began to move in time to the music. Jennifer placed her head on his shoulder until she felt him pull back slightly. She looked up to see why and saw a broad smile on his face.

"Do I want to know what brought that on?"

"It’s nothing…I’ve just suddenly developed a whole new enjoyment of your dress."

Jennifer could feel his warm hand gently running up and down her exposed back. She shook her head at Jack in mock admonishment before pulling his head down to kiss him once more. She returned her head to his shoulder closing her eyes as he did his. The band singer approached the microphone. As they swayed to the music the future parents of the Devereaux dynasty listened to the lyrics.

Dozens of girls would storm up;
I had to lock my door.
Somehow I couldn’t warm up
To one before.
What was it that controlled me?
What kept my love life lean?
My intuition told me
You’d come on the scene.
Lady, listen to the rhythm of my heartbeat,
And you’ll get just what I mean.

Embrace me,
My sweet embraceable you.
Embrace me,
You irreplaceable you.
Just one look at you – my heart grew tipsy in me.
You and you along bring out the gypsy in me.
I love all the many charms about you’
Above all,
I want my arms about you.
Don’t be a naughty baby,
Come to papa-come to papa, do!
My sweet embraceable you.

to be continued...

Chapter #33

Rainbow Grille - Valentine’s Day evening – February 1944


The cab stopped at the entry level of 30 Rockefeller Center. Lucas opened the door and climbed out paying the driver before turning to offer his hand to Sami as she gathered her voluminous skirt and made her graceful exit from the taxi. Lucas placed his arm around her waist as they both looked up at the famous towering skyscraper where Carrie and Jennifer worked five or more days a week depending on the amount of news needing to be edited for airtime. Lucas pointed to the top.

"That is where we are headed, Sami…the sixty-fifth floor."

They walked to the entrance of the building and strolled to the bank of elevators. Lucas pushed the button. In four minutes one of the doors slid open as a bell announced it was taking passengers to the top of the structure. The young couple walked into the elevator and watched the doors quietly close, encapsulating them as it began its ascent.

"How long do you think it will take for us to reach the top floor, Lucas?"

"Probably not long but long enough for me to do this." Lucas turned and placing his left hand behind Sami’s head brought her toward him in a deep, heartfelt kiss. They arrived at the apex of the building just as they felt the need for oxygen though not because of the altitude. As the doors opened, Lucas took Sami’s hand and began to lead her from the elevator. He had gotten no more than two steps when he felt her gently jerk him backward.

"What are you doing?"

"This….", Sami said as she took her thumb and ran it across Lucas’s lip removing the smudge of red lipstick. "It’s really not your shade."

Lucas realized what Sami meant and pulled his white handkerchief from his pocket and used it to remove any last traces of how they had spent their elevator time. He looked back at Sami who nodded that all was in order before they made a second attempt at making a grand entrance into the famous Rainbow Grille - - named by critics city-wide as one of the finest supper clubs in New York as well as the most romantic.

"Bet we’re not the first ones to ever use that elevator as a passion pit," Lucas whispered into Sami’s ear as they walked to the cloakroom.

"Shhh …someone will hear you. I don’t think we want everyone to know what we were doing, do you?

Lucas grinned at Sami and wiggled his eyebrows making Sami wonder if he viewed her remark as a dare.

"Lucas…" Sami said under her breath through gritted teeth.

"What…I heard you. It’s tempting. What would be the harm in everyone knowing I’m out with the most beautiful girl this side of the Mississippi River who just happens to be the best kisser around?"

"Because we’re trying to be sophisticated tonight, that’s why. This isn’t like the Valentine’s date we had at the Brady Pub in high school."

"Agreed….they probably have better burgers than this joint."

"Oh, tell me you aren’t going to order a hamburger in here."

Lucas turned to her never letting go of her hand as he looked squarely in her sapphire-colored eyes. He could see his joke had gone on too long.

"No, I wouldn’t do that. I was just having some fun and trying to get over being nervous."

"Nervous? What are you nervous about?"

"I’ll tell you later. Come on – our table awaits us…I hope."

Lucas gave his name to the hostess who realized he was the young soldier who had won the complimentary dinner the owners had donated for the International Red Cross New Year’s Eve Gala. A leggy, young woman in a short-skirted costume reminiscent of what cigar girls wore, came over to take photos including one of them shaking hands with the manager. They were escorted to their table while other patrons looked on trying to place the faces of the young couple. With all the fuss made upon their arrival, surely, they had to be celebrities. They were seated at a table directly to the side and slightly raised above the dance floor where the piano, drums and bass were awaiting musicians’ hands to bring them alive. It was the perfect spot to hear the music when the set began though knowing Lucas, he’d be out dancing rather than sitting listening to it. The room was darkened allowing the city lights to dazzle through the windows displaying New York at its most glamorous. Far into the distance the lights of the city twinkled.

An elderly waiter, sporting a slight French accent brought their menus and prepared to take drink orders.

"I’d like a Bourbon and branch. What do you want, Sami?"

"A Singapore sling, please."

"The lady will have a Singapore sling."

The waiter left to get their drinks allowing them time to settle in and look over the entrees. Lucas shook his head and smiled as he opened the menu to give it serious consideration.

"What’s so amusing?"

"You…..that’s what or should I say ‘who’."

Puzzled, Sami rewound the previous few minutes’ happenings trying to understand what could have tickled Lucas.

"Okay,….. ..I give."

"It’s just that……you….you’re gonna get mad if I tell you."

"I am not…in fact, I’m going to get mad if you DON’T tell me."

"See? You’re already getting agitated."

"Lucas!"

"All right. It’s just that even though we’ve been back together for over six weeks, there still are times you’ll say or do something that I’d forgotten were characteristics of yours. They remind me all over again of the reasons I love you."

"Oh…." Sami quietly said feeling her cheeks warm as she blushed from Lucas’ admission. "What did I do that made you think of that?"

"The drink you ordered…." Lucas grinned as he put down his menu and clasped his hand in from of him and resting them on top of the entrée selection list.

"I don’t order a Singapore sling that often."

"That’s true, it could also be a Fuzzy Naval, Sloe gin Fizz, …but it has to be anything that comes with a paper umbrella in it. Never fails. It’s just something I had put away about you and was suddenly reminded."

Sami started to say something when the waiter arrived with their drinks. When he left to give them time to peruse the menu a little longer, Sami noticed a green and yellow swirl-designed umbrella perched atop the side of her drink. She grinned and removed it before taking her first sip.

"All right, so I can’t help it if I like sweet drinks and the umbrella is kind of cute. Do you want to try a sip of it?"

Lucas held his hand up in a vigorous "no" gesture while swallowing from his own drink.

"I can’t do that…it’s against the code of manly behavior."

"Code of manly behavior?"

"Yeah, you know……the one which says we first must solidly thump every appliance before trying to repair it, that duct tape is to be used to repair anything, after we thump it …and under no circumstances ever drink a beverage with a cute, paper umbrella in it."

"Really? Is this in book form? I’d truly like to read it sometime. Maybe I could pick up a few pointers about my brothers and you. "

"Nope,…..sorry…strictly oral tradition passed down from generation to generation. "

"Hmmmm…pity, really. Well, pardon me while I just have another sip of my umbrella-decorated drink then."

Sami took the straw into her mouth and sipped while Lucas watched her with a grin on his face before he once again looked through the selections on the menu.

"I’m glad we’re really not having to pay for this based on the prices, Holy Cow."

"You noticed that, too? I didn’t realize when you won it what a valuable door prize you’d won. Anything in particular look good?"

"Everything…’cause it’s free."

"Oh, honestly, Lucas….."

"Well, it does. How about an appetizer, then a meal and leave room for dessert?"

"With the waistline on this dress, I may have to take part of it home. It doesn’t allow for all of that."

"Sounds good to me."

Lucas called for the waiter and ordered their elegant meal while Sami secretly delighted in watching him. It struck her again how much maturity he had developed in their time apart. It suited him. She wondered if she appeared similarly to him. She remembered some of their previous Valentine’s Days together before another memory crowded in.

Lucas had handed the menus to the waiter and was taking a sip of his drink when he noticed a sad look had clouded Sami’s face.

"Sami?"

"Huh?"

"You okay?"

"Yeah…….I’m……fine."

"No, you’re not. What’s wrong?"

Attempting to take herself out of the mood, she put on her brightest smile and shook her head. Lucas knew her too well and had seen that gesture before. He knew better than to let it go.

"Come on…..remember?"

"Remember what?"

"That we made a promise to each other on the rooftop of the Grand Hotel on New Year’s Eve that we would never lie or keep secrets from one another again…..nothing less than that would do. So, tell me what’s suddenly made you have tears in your eyes. Did I do something?"

"No…no, it isn’t that."

"What is it then? Whatever it is, it’s upsetting you and we’re supposed to be happy tonight."

"Oh, Lucas, I am happy…really. It’s just…..I….."

Lucas reached across the table and laid his hand on Sami’s and squeezed it as a sign of encouragement for her to tell him what was responsible for the sudden mood change. He leaned forward bending his head down until her eyes once again looked into his. She could see no further use in stalling, drew a shaky, deep breath and began.

"I was remembering this holiday last year. I had met this guy….a soldier….and he invited me to go out for Valentine’s Day."

"Oh…."

"See, that’s why I didn’t want to tell you."

"No, no…Sami….we said the truth would have to be out in the open no matter whether we wanted to hear it or not. Maybe this is one of those times for me…. so….. go on."

"Well, I debated about it. You see, I hadn’t gone out on Valentine’s Day the previous three years…it was too painful. Other holidays could sometimes be rough…especially Christmas…but Valentine’s Day…I would miss you so much…"

Sami reached for her clutch purse trying to find the handkerchief through her blurred vision. Lucas handed his to her after he had turned over one side where her red lipstick she had removed from his mouth was evident.

"Thanks…..anyway, I made all these plans to do my hair, nails…all the usual, you know, the routine I go through. I was determined that it was time for me to get on with my life without you. This was going to be a big step in accomplishing that."

Lucas nodded his head and stared at the linen tablecloth to hide the hurt he suddenly felt.

"I was ready to go…he was going to be there to pick me up at the Penthouse in less than an hour…………….I couldn’t do it……I called him…told him I wasn’t feeling well….and spent the evening going through the photo albums looking at pictures of you and me and listening to our favorite song over and over, just like I did every year. I guess you could say I dated you all these years we were apart on this one day even though you didn’t know …or, for all I knew, care. Now, it just hit me…you’re really there across the table from me. We really are celebrating it together again. Aren’t you sorry you asked now? "

Sami tried to control her sniffles so the neighboring tables wouldn’t notice until she could get her emotions under control.

"No, Sami, I’m not sorry. It’s funny….I wasn’t going to say anything about this."

"About what?" Sami asked through choked breaths.

"Well, it isn’t any secret that I dated a lot of girls once we broke up. You’ve seen the photos. My ‘conquests’ Eric called them. But….I never told anyone about this….but it’s right I should tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"Never…….not on one single Valentine’s Day, even though I never thought I’d be with you again, did I go out with anyone. I couldn’t do it, either. It was ‘our day’ and I had this idea that, okay, I’d never be with you again but I still couldn’t let anybody else be with me on that day. Sami, I think somehow, for whatever reason, all this time apart, we were still destined to be together….we just didn’t know. I think we had to learn how much we needed and loved each other. I would rather not have done it the way I did…with….you know…but I know that I love you more at this moment than I did four years ago on this date when we went to the college dance at Salem U."

"I know….. I do, too, Lucas. " A genuine smile was given to the other just as the waiter arrived with their appetizer.

They enjoyed their meal sharing conversation in between bites of the wonderful food each had ordered. Appearing from the side of the dance floor, the entertainment for the evening in the form of a trio, made it’s way in their direction to sit at the instruments directly below their table. An announcer came over the speaker system as the lights dimmed to their lowest setting.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Rainbow Grille is please to present for your listening and dancing pleasure, the wonderful Nat King Cole Trio."

The spotlight beamed on the piano player for whom the trio was named as they began playing "Sweet Lorraine", one of their biggest hits.

"Lucas, did you know they were here tonight?" Sami asked with excitement.

"No, I had no idea. I forgot to look at the marquee as we came in. Of course, I was engaged in something other than reading about that time," Lucas recalled of their kiss in the elevator and beamed at Sami.

Once Nat King Cole had sung the familiar refrain he encouraged people to take to the dance floor.

"That’s my cue. Sami, may I have this dance?" Lucas asked as he came around the table and held her hand.

"You bet."

When the first song finished, the trio slid into another of their signature tunes, "Straighten up and Fly Right" - a lilting melody just right for the patrons to swing dance to. At the conclusion of it, Lucas and Sami headed back to their table. Just before he sat down, Lucas headed back toward the trio and leaned over the piano talking to their leader. Carefully listening but out of earshot, Sami watched Nat King Cole nod in agreement to whatever it was Lucas had said to him. His back was to her making it impossible for her to determine what he had said. Lucas made his way back and sat down at the table, took up his napkin, and resumed eating his dinner.

"Lucas?"

"Mmmmm…Hmmm."

"What did you say to Mr. Cole?"

"I’ll tell you in a little while."

"What?….what was all this about us being honest and telling the truth to each other?" she asked in a joking tone of voice.

"I’m gonna tell you…just not right now."

They resumed their leisurely dinner, listening and applauding to the music at the end of each number. The trio took their first break of the evening as the house lights came up.

"You know, Sami, I have an idea."

"Which is?"

"Let’s go take a stroll out on the terrace and see the city lights and the stars. Then, we can come back in and dance some more."

"Gosh, it’s cold out there. Maybe we should stay in where it’s warm, at least."

"But, I thought we wanted to see the lights from up here."

"I don’t HAVE to…we saw them New Year’s Eve."

"Yeah, but that was only twenty-eight floors…this is sixty-five stories up."

"Sooo…they’ll look smaller is all."

"Sami, come on."

She sensed there was more of a purpose to Lucas’ interest in the lights of New York than he was telling. She could see he was fidgeting….the way he always did when he was nervous. Sami remembered he had told her he was nervous when they got off the elevator entering the restaurant.

"All right…I’ll button up my coat and brave it. You just better be prepared to put your arms around me and keep them there for the extra heat."

"I promise. Come on, let’s go."

"Okay…okay…..what is the big rush, anyway?"

They got their coats from the hatcheck girl and headed out to the terrace that overlooked the city. A few other couples strolled as well. Lucas kept watching the others and seemed to be waiting for them to disappear….at least, that’s what Sami sensed. Eventually, they were the only couple robust enough to continue braving the cold breeze that swept across the terrace. Lucas stood behind Sami with his arms wrapped tightly around her.

"Look at that view, will you? "

"Ummm….hmmmm…it’s nice."

"It’s a shame it’s overcast. The stars would be spectacular."

"Yeah, they probably would be."

"WAIT…….What’s that? There…up in the sky…see?"

Sami looked to where Lucas pointed and saw nothing but clouds. She looked back over her shoulder at him.

"Uhhh…let me guess….Superman?" she replied with a smirk on her face.

"Nooooo……aaggghh…..play along with me here, okay?"

"Okay, Lucas, but I don’t know my lines or for that matter my motivation in this scene."

"Look, it’s right up there," he gestured to the same spot before. Sami lined up her site along the length of his arm and still saw only low cumulous clouds. She shrugged her shoulders and pleaded for clues with her eyes.

"I’ve got it….I’ve got it…!!" he grabbed up into the thin air and made a tight fist.

"Whatever it is you’ve got, I hope it’s curable."

"shhhhh….shhhh….what I have in my hand is a star," Lucas conspiratorially whispered.

"Oh, that was going to be my second guess after I first thought it might be a moth," Sami whispered back to him in the same tone.

Lucas looked at her and uttered a deep, exaggerated sigh as though he was miffed she wasn’t playing along with as much enthusiasm as he had expected.
Choosing to ignore her remarks, he continued on playing his rehearsed part.

"You know… there’s only one way to keep a captured star from getting away."

"No, I didn’t know that but I’m assume you’re going to tell me."

In a subdued tone of voice, Lucas gave Sami directions.

"Slowly bring your hand to mine…no, no… the left one, not the right."

"Does it matter which one?"

"Yes, of course, it does."

"Oh, okay…."

Sami gave her left hand to Lucas who held it in his right while his left hand he continued to keep tightly closed.

"What you have to do is anchor the star to something so it can’t get away."

Sami turned her eyes to look at Lucas from her left, smiling and trying to fathom what he was doing.

"Now, I’m going to move the star from my hand to yours. Whatever you do, don’t look at it or it might get away."

"Right…..I knew that."

"Okay, now, close your eyes while I make the transition and don’t open them until I tell you to."

"Lucas, it’s getting cold out here."

"Wait…just…just….a minute or two more."

"All right….but this better be worth my freezing to death out here."

She closed her eyes, still smiling as she felt Lucas take her left hand and maneuver her fingers.

"Okay, you can open you eyes, now, and see what I’ve anchored the star to."

Sami opened her eyes….her mouth dropped open and tears, for the second time that evening, formed. The emotions behind them were different this time. On her left ring finger was a single, marquis-cut diamond that captured in all its facets the lights of the terrace.

"See, a star can only be worn on the hand of the person its captor loves. It has to stay there….always."

"It does?"

Lucas nodded and turned to face Sami holding both her hands in his.

"Okay…it’s corny, I know, but I wanted to do this a little differently….it’s the best I could come up with. So, I’ll go back to the traditional…..Sami…..will you marry me?….Wait….before you answer. After everything we’ve been through, I suppose some people might think we’d be better off as just friends. We ARE that….best friends. I can’t think of anyone else I want to share everything with for the rest of my life except you. I want to come home when all of this war business is over and make a home, a future….and yeah, and the best part…make a baby or two…or three….someone to pass the male code of behavior on to."

"You’re so sure we’re gonna have boys?"

"Well, I figure considering Austin, Philip, Mike and Billie, the odds are maybe that we will.....wait......did you say we’re gonna have boys? Does that mean?"

"Well, Lucas, I wouldn’t consider having them without being married to you first. Call me old-fashioned…….Yes, Lucas, I will marry you."

"Oh, God….Oh, God….you said ‘yes’", Lucas said off into the night.

"Wasn’t I supposed to?" Sami teased.

"Yes, you were…I mean,…I hoped…..I wasn’t sure….after everything, I thought you might hesitate."

Sami lifted her hand to his face and turned it until he looked at her. She shook her head as she smiled into his eyes.

"No, I’m sure….that I love you…I have since that day I saw you in that military school uniform."

"I’ve loved you since that day, too…even when we were verbal sparring partners before we each got to know one another. There couldn’t ever be any one else for me, Sami."

"There couldn’t be any one else for me either, Lucas. I was prepared to never be with anybody if it wasn’t you."

"I know…..same here."

"I think there’s another part of the tradition that goes along with this ritual, Lucas?"

"Oh, yeah…"

He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently on the nose, cheeks and lastly, her mouth. The kiss grew longer and deeper before they parted.

"Sami Roberts…..I like that. It has a nice ring to it."

"No, this is a nice ring, Lucas. It’s beautiful. Thank you. I’ll wear it always. That star’s not getting away from us."

"Oh, now she goes along with it. Come on, let’s go inside and celebrate where it’s warm."

Their arms around each other they returned to the restaurant. When they had once again checked their coats, they walked arm-in-arm back to their table. As they approached Nat King Cole looked at Lucas with raised eyebrows. Lucas made a "thumbs up" gesture with his right hand and the pianist nodded back.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have a request to play for the couple who just came into the room. They became engaged this evening."

Applause sprang up throughout the room.

"I hope all of you will enjoy this song which is their favorite. It seems appropriate for this young couple and for the evening. I hope you’ll enjoy it and feel free to dance."

"Lucas, did you ask him to play what I think?"

Lucas nodded. "It is our song."

"I know…it’s the one I played every year while I looked through the photo albums."

"Come on, dance with me, so we can start making pictures for a new album."

Sami walked with Lucas out onto the dance floor as the trio played "their song".

Behold the way our fine feather friend
His virtue doth parade.
Thou knowest not my dim-witted friend
The picture thou hast made.

Thy vacant brow and thy tousled hair
Conceal thy good intent
Thou noble, upright, truthful, sincere
And slightly dopey gent.

You’re my funny Valentine
Sweet, coming Valentine
You make me smile with my heart.

Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet, you’re my favorite work of art.

Is you figure less than Greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak are you smart?

But, don’t change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay, little Valentine, stay

Each day is Valentine’s Day.

to be continued....