It took a few days to make the arrangement for the date but Ricky managed to be a great help. He kept Regina distracted while he made phone calls or had to run out to find something. He was surprised he’d managed to get anything done. There was a fever pitch to their activities these days. Between the television appearances that were being demanded by the hour, the interviews that were claiming up to four or more hours at a time and the useless rehearsals that usually accomplished nothing they had no time to do much but the essentials. That included, eating, sleeping (minimally) and taking care of the girls.

Dre had been in constant meetings, setting up the touring schedule, with a new act to fit in it required a little finessing the label to give Regina some time to record her album. They wanted it out by the fall and that looked almost impossible at this time. With Marshall and Regina being a couple, it seemed the interest generated came even faster. The single was doing remarkably on the charts, the video was number one. Fan mail was pouring in and excitement was buzzing over Marshall’s soon to be released album.

Most of their days were insane, waking the girls up early and dragging them to studios and TV sets or sitting through long, boring interviews that Regina managed to keep interesting in some strange way. Marshall and Dre, as well as the rest of the guys were proud at the way Regina was handling the pressure. On one occasion they were all waiting for the inevitable Regina rant when a gaggle of photographers cornered her and Catalina when they went out for breakfast one morning. Dre had Paul on hold on one line and Marshall was waiting to grab Regina to keep her from hitting someone. The photographers had literally surrounded her and she stood in the middle of them, Catalina’s hand in hers, just waiting for a lull in the camera flashes. When there was she simply said,

“All right, since I know ya’ll ain’t gonna get out of the way, and you gon be pestering me all you want, come have breakfast with us.” After that Regina had confidently pushed between two of the photographers and sat down at a table. She proceeded to eat breakfast with five paparazzi, for which she later posed for several pictures and even gave them autographs. Catalina had enjoyed herself, making faces at the cameramen and throwing grapes at one of the photographers. Regina’s reputation with the paparazzi was astounding. Her acceptance of them as a part of her life seemed strange to everyone around her who constantly ran from the camera. At one interview she was complimented on her handling of the cameras.

“It comes with the territory. What can you do about it? As long as I can do what I want to do and they don’t get in my way, I don’t care. They are doing their job as much as the rest of us.” Marshall didn’t know what to make of Regina and her handling of all the attention on them. He often saw their photos on those celebrity magazines making wild and colorful accusations about their relationship. While he often got angry about them, Regina brushed them off and made jokes about them. She often just picked up the magazine, looked at it and said,

“Oh, now that’s an attractive picture, tell me, why do they always use the pictures that make me look like a bad version of Angelina Jolie and you a demented boy bander?” Enough to make him laugh and forget about the cover.

That said, Marshall found that instead of Regina pulling away from him, she seemed all the more comfortable and confident with him. Though they had little time together, she made whatever few minutes they had together special. Like ten minutes in the car between interviews she’d spend leaning into him, her lips at his ear whispering things to him that only he’d be interested in hearing. She was not afraid to touch him in public. Her hand holding his, or giving him a small kiss here or there, hugging him. She acted the same in front of the cameras as she did when they were alone, though in private she was usually more affectionate, obviously. At interviews she always spoke honestly about their relationship, but if there were something she did not feel comfortable answering she would just reply that it was something she would not discuss. Marshall went along with those guidelines as well. They weren’t overly secretive of their personal lives, but there was a limit at which they both agreed to keep quiet about.

The night Marshall had everything arranged for was all set. Ricky had been instrumental in planning and keeping Regina from noticing what he was up to that evening, staying in and helping her take care of the girls.

At seven on the dot there was a knock at the hotel room door. Ricky jumped and said he would answer it, though it didn’t look like Regina would be getting up to get the door since Hailie and Catalina were both lounging in her lap. However, Ricky returned after answering the door, plopping on the couch saying,

“It’s for you.” Regina gave him a look.

“Who is for me?” she asked.

“I don’t know, some guy, said he wanted to talk to you,” Ricky replied shrugging his shoulders.

“Well go ask him who he is, I don’t really want to be bothered right now,” Regina snapped.

“He just wants to talk to you for a few seconds, jeeze, just go, the rugrats can lounge on you when you get back!” Ricky said pulling Catalina off his sister’s lap and motioning for Hailie to do the same.

“Erg, Ricky, I talk to people all day, and you can’t deal with one guy,” Regina said shaking her head and getting up. She grumbled something about calling the front desk and not allowing anyone to come up to the door unless they were on the list when she opened the door. There stood Marshall, dressed in a pressed black suit, dress shoes, black shirt, tie and his glasses.

“Hey, what are you?” she asked confused, a small smile on her lips.

“Hi, Regina, I’m Marshall, remember, we met a few months ago at that club, you know the Soda Bowl,” Marshall had practiced his moves with Ricky and they had both agreed on making it as stupid as possible. The suit was just another way to make the date as memorable as possible, the glasses because she had mentioned that she thought he looked sexy with them, and he did look good in the get up anyway. A smile crept onto Regina’s face and she agreed to play along.

“Yeah, I remember you, what can I do for you Marshall?” she asked. “Well, I was wondering, if you were available, you might like to go out and see a movie with me,” Marshall kept his face strait, his one hand behind his back.

“I don’t know, see I’m supposed to be baby sitting while a friend of mine attended a business affair,” Regina said as she looked over to the couch to see both her siblings and Hailie peeking over the edge of the couch.

“Maybe these will change your mind,” Marshall replied pulling the bouquet of sterling roses from behind his back. Regina nearly melted with the thought. Okay, it was sappy, but it was too cute.

“Aww, you didn’t have to do that, they’re beautiful.” Regina said taking the flowers and smelling them. Hailie and Catalina giggled from the couch and Ricky shushed them.

“So would you go with?” Marshall asked in a very gentile manner.

“I would love to. Come inside for a minute, I just have to change,” Regina said as he stepped forward into the room.

“Ricky, you be a good host to Marshall now, I’ll be just a minute,” Regina said closing the door and giving him a smile. Regina disappeared into her bedroom while Marshall took a seat in one of the chairs.

“Thanks man,” Marshall said looking over at Ricky.

“No problem,” Ricky clucked.

“Daddy, you’re all dressed up, how come?” Hailie asked.

“Cause I’m taking Regina out on a real date,” Marshall replied.

“You and Regina don’t date, you’re just, together,” Catalina added.

“I know, that’s why I’m taking her on a date,” Marshall replied smiling at the little girls. They both turned to the bedroom door as Regina entered. She looked drop dead gorgeous in a soft knee length skirt of black satin. She wore a feminine green shirt of many layers of some sort of gauzy material that made long graceful sleeves. This time instead of her signature boots she wore short kitten healed pumps, and though this made her shorter she still looked tall and confident.

“All set,” she said with a smile.

“Make sure she’s back by curfew!” Catalina called as Marshall stood up and went to open the door.

“I will,” Marshall laughed.

“You two behave,” Regina said as she looked back at them. As soon as they were out in the hall Marshall held out his arm for Regina to hook her through as he said,

“Shall we?” Regina giggled at this treatment, but took his arm all the same.

“So Marshall, what brings you to town?” she asked with a laugh.

“Just business as usual, you?”

“Oh same here, just the usual,” Regina replied coyly. Once out of the elevator they walked out of the hotel, alone, and continued walking to their destination.

“You look beautiful,” Marshall remarked as they walked.

“Thank you, you’re looking pretty smart yourself,” she replied.

“I scrub up nice once in a while. Ah, here we are,” Marshall said as they arrived at their destination. It was an old-fashioned beautiful movie theater. The foyer was glowing with brand new shining bulbs and a smart looking gray haired man sat in the ticket booth, a full uniform and hat straightly in place. Marshall walked up and obliging took his arm back from Regina.

“Two please,” Marshall said as he pulled out his wallet. He paid the man as he smiled at the couple, returning Marshall’s change and two tickets. Regina returned the smile and her hold on Marshall’s arm as they walked into the beautiful theater. Marshall knew where he was going and led Regina into the theater and to two seats in the center, the best view possible.

“So what is it that we’re going to see?” she asked as they de-tangled their arms and sat.

“You’ll see in a minute,” Marshall replied looking over at her. She smiled at him, her green eyes glowing in the slowly dimming light of the theater and said before the lights finally went out,

“I’m seeing something already.” A moment later the opening credits of the movie started. Regina turned and watched, trying to figure out what they were seeing. After a few minutes it dawned on her and she let out a smiling laugh.

For about fifteen minutes they sat and watched the movie, Marshall itching to put his arm around her, but wanting to wait and make it worthwhile, he kept his hands to himself.

“I love this part,” Regina said leaning over for a second.

“Do you know where the wicked go after death? To hell sir. And what is hell? A pit full of fire sir. And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burning there forever? No sir. Then what must you do to avoid it? I must keep in good health, and not die.” At this Regina gave a good laugh that reverberated through the room. Even Marshall allowed himself a chuckle, for the type of movie it had been a funny situation. Regina concentrated on the movie and when she didn’t expect it, Marshall’s arm came around her shoulders. She welcomed it warmly and snuggled into him to watch the rest of the movie. Marshall paid attention to the movie as much as his body would allow, Regina being so close to him making coherent thought almost impossible. But it was a good story, a little sappy maybe, but he could see why Regina liked it. He might even pick up the book one day and give it a read, that was if he could ever get the time to do anything. But he had to agree, that Mr. Rochester had the right idea to make his girl jealous, even if it was the eighteen fifties.

After the movie neither of them really wanted to move, but Marshall felt his arm cramping up and they both decided it was best to get up. Marshall led her to the front of the theater rather than back to the doors.

“What are you up to Marshall?” she asked.

“Oh, you’ll see,” he said as he pulled her up the small stairs in front of the movie screen to the tiny stage that had once been used for performers. A small table sat in the corner of the stage and there sat two long stemmed glasses and a bottle of champagne.

“Since we never had a real date, I thought we should celebrate,” Marshall said as he popped the cork and filled each glass.

“I don’t think we ever had a date Marshall,” Regina replied as he handed her a glass.

“No, but we do now, cheers,” he said clinking the glass and drinking. She smiled at him and drank as well.

“Care to dance?” he asked taking the glasses and placing them back on the table.

“There’s no music,” Regina laughed.

“Never stopped me before,” he smiled as he pulled her close. They moved together silently, dancing in the stillness, the only sound being of their own breathing and movement. When Regina leaned into Marshall, placing her head on his chest and linking her arms around him, he knew he could do it.

In secret he’d been working on something that not even Ricky or any of the guys knew about. It was something just for Regina, and it was for her, tonight, on their first date, with their first dance. Regina was almost startled when she heard the soft voice, but realizing it was Marshall, she smiled and held him tight as she listened to him sing a song, just for her.

“Call it what you want, but I can’t find the words, to explain, all the stupid things I do. I’m not exactly what you think I am, I’m just me, here with you, tonight. It’s not exactly our song, but It’ll have to do, until I can think of words to describe you. And write a song that does justice, only to you.” Regina picked her head up and smiled at him, pulling his face in to kiss him deeply.

It seemed they stayed in that moment forever. Moving to the music only they could hear and felt. After a while they migrated back down to the seats and sat together for a while, Regina kicking off her shoes and Marshall losing the jacket and tie. They talked, for hours, about anything, everything, stupid things, serious things, bad things, wonderful things. There seemed to be a world of everything for them to talk about even though they’d been together almost everyday for the past six months.

“This was wonderful you know,” Regina said after a thoughtful pause.

“I’m glad you liked it,” Marshall replied leaning back and looking at her. He gave her a funny face making her laugh.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to go, and let you take full advantage of that champagne kicking in,” she laughed. He grinned at her and gave her a quick hard kiss before they hurried back to the hotel, giggling, laughing and tripping the entire way.