One Magical Night

He leads us to our table in a little corner of the dining room. It is beautifully set with a lovely red tablecloth embossed with little red hearts and matching napkins. A crystal vase in the middle cradles one gorgeous plump red rose. On either side of the vase is a white votive candle in a crystal holder to match. Delicate crystal glassware and china plates adorn the table as well as gold plated utensils. It is a wonderful gesture of hospitality for Valentine Lovers. 

I slide the high backed tapestry chair in under you as you settle down for a feast prepared for a king and queen. Sitting across the table from you I can see the sparkle in your eyes set off by the soft candle light. I smile over at you and you just beam back at me. Life couldn’t be better at this moment in time. 

The waiter comes and starts us off with a light wine that I have pre-chosen. It is an aged Asti Spumante. He pours the taster into my glass and I sip it, smiling in delight. He then fills both of our glasses and bowing slightly turns and walks off. We hold up our glasses and they ring together.

I offer this toast, “To my special angel, the best Valentine present I have ever laid eyes upon.”

You blush softly, responding, “To my Love, may I bring you the joy you so rightfully deserve.”

We then sip our wine, gazing deeply into each other’s eyes and letting our imaginations run wild. The waiter returns with a wonderful shrimp cocktail appetizer. The shrimp are so white and plump, surrounding a thick sauce on a big wide-mouth glass. 

You pull up your napkin and shaking it daintily out set it upon your lap. I do the same (not so daintily) smiles. We eat our appetizers and chat about many things. We talk of the past year we have spent together and things to come; of our hopes and dreams and even our fears. But nothing can dispel the magic of this evening here with my angel.

They bring our Caesar salads and we nibble at them, not wanting to get too full before the main course. Then they roll out a silver cart, covered in a lovely white cloth. Upon the cart are three covered platters. The waiter lifts off the first lid and you gasp. There in the middle of the platter is the most succulent Liberty Ranch duck with Gravenstein apple sauce. Then the next platter is uncovered and we are presented with potato pancakes with horseradish crème fraiche. Finally the last is unveiled revealing candied carrots in a most heavenly decadent sauce.

We are served new glasses and a superb decanted, 1993 Corton Les Regnets from Bernard Ambroise. You cannot believe how wonderful this is all turning out to be.

You look up at me with wonder in your eyes, “How will we possibly eat all of this my Love,” you query.

“Oh don’t you worry sweetheart, whatever is left over they will wrap for us to take home,” I respond.

We dig in and I eat to my heart’s content, but I notice that you are not eating as much as I thought you could. Reaching over and touching your hand I ask thoughtfully, “Are you ok angel? I see you are not eating much.”

“Oh no darling, I’m fine, just a bit overwhelmed is all,” you softly reply.

“Eat up sweetie, for the night is young and you will need your strength,” I counter, as I wink at you.

You smile that heart wrenching smile of yours and dig in a bit more greedily. Feeling better now I finish everything that is on my plate and pick at more from the platters. Not very gentlemanly, but hey, I’m paying for it!

The waiter comes and clears away all of the dishes and any remnants of food and says that he will package it and have it ready for us to take home when we leave. I thank him and he departs, leaving us once again alone.

The string quartet begins playing a lovely piece, Tchaikovsky’s Love theme from Romeo and Juliet. My heart stands still as I see the light in your eyes. You are so beautiful my angel, sitting there in all of your splendor, and to think you are all mine, or hopefully will be by the end of this very magical night. 

I stand, come around the table reaching down for your hand. You rise to meet me and our eyes lock on each other. We walk to the middle of the dance floor and I flounce you around into my arms, pulling you in close. You rest your head against my shoulder and we begin to sway to the music. Other couples filter on to the dance floor, joining us in the magic of the night.

I pull you in a bit closer as the next song begins and you feel my hardness pressing in on your soft pelvis. You look up into my eyes and I truly see angelic splendor in yours. I kiss you tenderly, and then pressing my tongue into your mouth it becomes more passionate. We are in a wonderful abandon, as if we were the only two in the entire building.

The song ends and guiding you with my hand at the small of your back we return to our table. I motion for the waiter and he approaches the table. “Yes, sir, what can I do for you and the lovely lady?” he asks.

I crook my finger and he leans in as I whisper in his ear. He smiles and replies, “Yes, sir I will get right on it,” as he walks away.

“What are you up to now darling?” you wonder.

“Oh you will see my love, you will see.”

We sip the after dinner Amaretto Di Saronno on ice and nibble on the Marjolaine Cake that has been delivered to our table while we were dancing and within minutes the waiter returns ushering another cart in front of him. On this cart is a white linen cover and in the center of it is a silver covered tray. It is a very simple presentation indeed. 

You look up surprised, “Oh I don’t think I can eat another thing baby,” you surmise.

“Shhh, my love, this is the surprise I told you about earlier,” I assure you.

You sit very still now; I think you may be even holding your breath. I smile over at you and suggest that you pick up the cover on the tray. As you reach over and lift the cover I keep my eyes on your face.

Lifting the cover you see a little black velvet box. You look up in astonishment and tears immediately form in your eyes. I take the box from the tray and motion for the waiter to remove the cart. He does so immediately with a little bow.

Rising up from my chair I move around the table and kneel on one knee in front of you. You gasp and one tear trickles down your lovely cheek. All eyes are on us now my angel. I open the box away from you so you cannot see what is in it and then lifting your hand to my lips, kiss it ever so gently. You bring your napkin up to cover your mouth so that the whimper is trapped there.

“Angel,” I begin, “It has been one year to the day that I first set eyes on you. I have loved you almost from the first time I kissed you. My love has grown for you over the past year and well, remember back in the camper I said that I wanted this to be the one Valentine’s Day that will stand out in your mind for the rest of *our* lives?”

Turning the box in my hand you get your first glimpse of the brilliant 2 carat heart-shaped diamond engagement ring, surrounded by four little diamonds on each side, running down the slim band. I think I can actually see your heart stop beating in your chest as you gasp your approval. 

Letting go of your hand I take the ring out of the tiny case and bringing your hand back up slip it on your left ring finger. 

With tears in my voice I stammer, “Angel, would you do me the honor of being my wife, of spending the rest of your life with me? I want to take care of you, to protect and honor you till the day I die.”

You immediately throw your arms around my neck almost knocking me over and hug me like you have never hugged me before. Tears are pouring down your face now and you are sobbing into my ear, “Oh yes, yes I will! I will be honored to be your wife. I want to make you happier than you have ever been in your life my Love. Oh this is the happiest day of my life!!

The whole room bursts out in applause. The cooks and waiters, the maitre d and even the owner have all come into the room to witness this wonderful occasion. The quartet begins to play Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. 

The owner then comes over and shakes my hand asking if he may kiss the bride to be and I say of course you may. He places one hand on either of your arms and drawing himself closer kisses each of your tear stained cheeks. 

He bows and says, “The wine that you have had is on the house sir.”

“Thank you sir, that is very kind of your establishment and I want to thank you and your staff for helping to make this the best Valentine’s gift I could give my lovely bride to be,” I thankfully reply.

“Yes, sir, thank you for everything. I will truly never forget this wonderful evening,” you softly counter.

We gather our things and the waiter brings our food packages to us as we are walking thru the lobby. The limo is waiting on us at the curb and the driver is holding the door. We slip into the limo and he pulls away.

“Rest your eyes now sweet angel. We will be home soon.”

You lay your head against my shoulder once again and close your eyes. You are so peaceful and content. This makes me very happy. 

In a short while the limo stops and you lift your head asking, “Are we back to the camper?”

“No my pet we are not.”

You look up at me quizzically as the driver opens the door. Once again you gasp as you see the front entrance to the Inn at Little Washington once again. You turn to me and shaking your head slip out of the limousine. 

“This must be costing you a small fortune darling,” you whisper as I usher you to the door.