The Question #
Chapter 1 #
Mike felt into his pocket, reassured that the item was still there. It was an insane gesture, really. Of course, it was there. It was there five minutes ago and will likely be there five minutes from now. But he checked obsessively that it was there, regardless. Everything hinged on this one small object.
He looked up to see Alice walking out of the clothing store, looking ravishing in her latest outfit. She wore her long brown hair down draped over her shoulder with one small band resting across her soft face, her cheeks rosy, her beautiful eyes brightly shining behind her black framed glasses.
She wore a white and blue frilled skirt that hung high on her sensual thighs and a blue halter strap top that framed her amble chest in a way that made Mike’s gaze linger lustfully.
Mike was wearing white slacks, brown dress shoes and a black t-shirt, over which he wore a tropical patterned open short-sleeved shirt with shades of pink and green tropical fronds patterned onto it. His ever perfect hair carefully combed into place and his trademark sunglasses finished his look.
He smiled broadly as she walked out into the sun, his heart skipped a beat as if it were the first day he had seen her. Her beauty and grace always gave him butterflies.
He would never tire of seeing her, he mused to himself. No matter how bad of a day he had, one sight of her made it all melt away.
“You look stunning” He said with awe in his voice as he looked her up and down.
Her face brightened, a wide, warm smile danced across it. “You like it, babe?” Alice asked cheerfully.
“I love it,” he said, with a warm smile, “and I love you”. He added sincerely.
“Aww, babe!” She replied excitedly. “I love you tooooo!”
“Let’s go, then.” He said, nodding towards his car waiting at the curb. “Newgate and Heart are already on their way to The Hen House”
Mike checked his pocket absently, making sure it was still there. The distinct shape greeted his fingers, the small object safely stored where it needed to be.
Chapter 2 #
They arrived at The Hen House in Paleto, a quaint little bar that just opened. It was quiet as they entered, with one person tending the bar and two patrons sitting at a table in the back.
Newgate and Heart entered just after, and they all sat down at a booth near the front.
Again, Mike fiddled in his pocket, feeling the object nestled there, reassured that it was still fine. He smiled inwardly. It was almost time, he asserted to himself.
They ordered food, and talked among themselves, planning the various events for Heart’s program and the car show that Mike wanted to eventually put on. They laughed and joked and enjoyed their time together.
Mike’s eyes kept drawing to Alice, her eyes bright and her laugh making his heart swoon. Her radiant beauty consuming the room in his eyes.
He sighed, and stood up, seeing Clarke, the owner, running about.
“Hey Clarke”, he started as he came up to her, “I need a favour”
“Oh, hey Mike” She answered with a smile, “What can I do for you?”
“Do you mind playing some romantic music on the speakers to dance to?” Mike asked, setting his plan into motion.
“Oh sure!” She smiled. “I’ll change it out in a second.”
Mike went back and sat down, waiting for the music to start.
Chapter 3 #
Clarke changed the music. Mike nodded toward Clarke, who smiled back before getting back to her work.
He stands and turns to Alice, asking “Hey, do you want to dance?” as he reaches out his hand.
She smiles, taking his hand and standing, “I’d love to” she answers, following him over to the stage area.
They begin dancing in each other’s arms, swaying to the music. He looks into her eyes, and she smiles, her eyes searching his.
“I love to dance” she says warmly, moving to the rhythm, slightly exaggerating the movements with her hips, a little playful glimmer in her eye.
“I know you do,” He replies, smiling, “I love to dance with you”.
“Aww” she responds, blushing again. She holds him and lays her head on his chest as they dance.
After the song finishes, Mike reaches into his pocket and takes hold of the object. He takes a deep breath and lets it out before stepping backward. Alice gives him a quizzical look, slightly tilting her head to one side.
Before she can ask what he was up to, he drops to one knee. And holds his hand in front of him, with his palm up fingers closed around the object, cradling his hand with the other.
“Alice Corleone” Mike starts with a determination in his voice that even surprised him, “Will you marry me?”
He opens his hand to reveal a pristine diamond ring. A single large, intricately cut diamond that glinted brightly in the dim lighting in the room. The diamond was seated on a pure golden band ringed with smaller decorative rocks at the base of the main jewel.
At that moment, the Hen house and everyone in it ceased to exist, his entire world was just the two of them, the distance between them bridged by the question that hung in the air. His gaze fixated on her delicate face and bright, radiating eyes that were overwhelmed with a flood of new emotions, tears starting to form in the corners of her eyes.
Chapter 4 #
Time itself seemed to stop around her. She was in shock, momentarily unable to process what just happened. She looked down at him kneeling in front of her, the ring in his hand. The words still ringing in her ears.
A wall of emotions slammed into her, waves of utter joy, surprise, fear, and relief all crashed after each other. She thought back to their first “date” at the restaurant where they were forced into a booth, but managed to hit it off.
Their hours-long talks on Mount chiliad, and the beaches, and all the moments they shared together. How he held her after she learned about the death of her father, and how he went out of his way to protect her. The safety and happiness she feels when wrapped in his strong arms. The raw passion they experienced with their first time together in bed.
One word flooded her mind and after what seemed like an eternity, she said “Yes”. At first, it was almost a whisper, but she kept repeating it over and over, louder and louder.
“Yes. Yes! Yes! YES!” she cried, tears streaming down her face, She felt him slip the ring on her trembling finger, and she looked down to see it fitting proudly on her finger and continued crying out “Yes”.
Mike rose and embraced her, a look of utter joy and relief on his face, she whispered into his shoulder between gasps “I will… I will marry you”…
Everyone in the restaurant at that point had stopped to see what the commotion was, some realizing right away. The staff cheered and yelled congratulations, Newgate seemed confused, Heart was elated.
“What’s going on here?” Newgate interjected, a look of confusion across his face.
“Mike Proposed!” Alice shrieked, running over to show him the ring.
“Did he now?” He replied incredulously, not seeming to believe it.
“Yes, I did.” Sparks affirmed, walking up beside the pair as Alice shoved her hand in Newgate’s face.
“See!” She squealed in excitement, tears still visible on her face as she beamed.
Hart was almost vibrating with excitement of her own, “Now I need to plan the wedding!” She cried out, already thinking about possibilities.
Alice had run off to show the staff her ring, showering her in congratulations. Newgate looked at Mike a long time, an unreadable expression on his face.
“You mean this don’t you” He asked, staring Mike directly in the eye.
“Of course I do.” Mike replied, never more sure about anything in his life. “I love her and I want to be with her forever.”
“Okay then.” Newgate said after a pause. His expression unchanged.
Before another word was spoken, Alice came back with Clarke in tow, her excited expression beaming.
“In congratulations, I’d like to offer everyone a free drink” She said with a gigantic smile