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*Part 3 of the 3 Part Fiction Series Scholar&Scribe / DreemPort Challenge
You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here *
Heather had been assigned to the night shift for a few weeks while another nurse took time off. Mindy was still working days, so the two friends weren't able to have lunch together like they often had. Heather was finally back on the day shift. She bumped into Mindy, almost literally, as they walked into the lunchroom one day.
“Sorry, Heather, I didn't see you coming.”
“That's okay. I should have been watching where I was going.”
“Hey, it's great to see you again. I haven't had a chance to talk to you since we worked in OR together delivering those triplets.”
“I know. I'm glad to be back on the day shift. I haven't seen too many people in the last little while. Except for Jonathan.”
Mindy's eyes widened. “You mean Dr. Jonathan MORROW?”
The ladies made their way through the lunch line as they talked. “Yes. I never knew it could be so much fun getting to know someone.”
"Oh, do tell.” Mindy stopped and winked at Heather. “What have you been doing on your hot dates?”
“Nothing extraordinary. Supper, a movie, walking through a park, talking. The usual.”
“And?” They arrived at an empty table and sat down.
“I think I'm falling for him.” Heather lowered her voice to a whisper. “Not only is he handsome, but he's also a real gentleman. We can talk for hours and not run out of things to say.”
“Sounds like you have something going there alright. So what's he like in bed?”
Heather almost choked on her food. “I don't know.”
“What do you mean you don't know?”
“Exactly what I said. We go out and eat or participate in an activity together and then he drops me off at my apartment and that's it. We call it a night.”
“You can't be serious. Is there a problem between you? Is something wrong with him?”
“Jonathan and I agree that we need to get to know each other in non-physical ways first. He hugs me and holds my hand, but he didn't even kiss me until our fifth date. He was raised to believe that sex should only take place after you're married and I'm okay with that. It takes a lot of pressure off both of us.”
Marcy shook her head. “Well, whatever works for you two.”
++++++
A few weeks before Christmas, Heather paced the floor of her apartment as she waited for Jonathan to show up. He had indicated she needed to dress formally for the evening, but he refused to give her any more details. It hadn't been difficult for her to figure out what to wear. She preferred to dress casually and she focused on saving her money for important things like a nice house. Only one outfit in her closet fit the bill for formal wear — a black sequinned dress just shorter than knee length, which her mother had insisted she buy. She added a cherry red floral scarf and matching jacket. Red stilettos may be normal decor for her mother, but they weren't even part of Heather's collection; black pumps would have to do.
Jonathan arrived, looking dapper as usual. His black suit accentuated his blonde hair and blue eyes.
“I see we're on the same wavelength tonight,” Heather said.
“How's that?”
“Red accents on black.”
“I hope we're always on the same wavelength, darling.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek. “Shall we be off?”
“But of course, Mon Cheri!”
Jonathan led the way to his black Ferrari and opened the door for her. When he sat down in the driver’s seat, his eyes were twinkling.
“Where are you taking me, my prince?”
Jonathan smiled in reply. He reached over and took her hand in his, caressing it with his thumb. “You'll see, my princess.”
A few minutes later he left the vehicle with a valet and escorted her into the Space Needle.
“I've heard about this place, but I've never been here.”
“Then you're in for a treat.” He grinned like a young schoolboy. Opening the door, he led her into an area where they joined a small crowd waiting for launch time. Since Jonathan had made reservations, they only waited a few minutes before boarding the elevator. Her stomach flipped as the elevator sped up to the top of the tower. Heather gasped as she stepped out into the observation area, which allowed people to see for miles in any direction, the full three hundred and sixty degrees. She and Jonathan made their way slowly around the tower, enjoying Seattle from a unique perspective. Jonathan asked a passerby to snap some photos of them.
“Are you hungry yet?”
“I'm famished.” Heather’s stomach growled in agreement.
“Good. The food here is amazing.”
“We're eating here? In the SkyCity Restaurant?”
He nodded.
“But Jonathan, you'll spend a whole month's food budget on one meal.” They had reached the entrance to the restaurant.
He placed his finger over her lips. “A meal fit for royalty, my princess. Just forget about what it costs and enjoy.”
The maître-de came forward and seated them at a table for two, right beside a west-facing window. The sun had set a couple of hours earlier, but the lights of Seattle provided a beautiful backdrop, adding to the elegant ambiance of the restaurant.
“This is amazing.”
“I'll have to bring you back here in the summertime when we can watch the sunset.” His eyes reflected the glowing candlelight from the table.
“I'm sure it's incredible, but don't feel like you have to bring me back here.”
“There you go worrying about money again. You're supposed to be relaxing, remember?”
A waiter interrupted and took their order. Jonathan ordered Manila Clams and Penn Cove Mussels with house-made chorizo, Walla Walla sweet onion, and salsa verde for his appetizer; and American Kobe beef tenderloin with fingerling potatoes, roasted cauliflower, and sauce bordelaise for his entree.
Heather chose the Dungeness crab cakes with winter squash slaw, smoked apple butter, and thyme honey to start; and pacific halibut with house-made porchetta, crispy oysters, wilted crimson spinach, and smoked peppercorn butter for the main course.
The couple exchanged small talk. Soon the appetizers arrived.
“Mmm. These crab cakes are delectable.” Heather closed her eyes as she took the next bite, savoring the flavor. “How are your clams and mussels?”
“Cooked to perfection and tasty. By the way, I want you to save room for dessert too. If you have to, take some of your main course home.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
“Of course. Trust me; the dessert here is worth it.”
“Okay, you've twisted my rubber arm.” Heather giggled. It was wonderful to relax and just spend time getting to know someone. She didn't feel like she had to perform for Jonathan; she could just be herself.
The conversation continued to flow through the meal. She smiled as Jonathan told her about the latest novel he was reading. They shared a love for reading and enjoyed discussing books. While they were waiting for dessert, Jonathan waved over their waiter.
“Excuse me, would you mind taking a picture for us?”
“Not at all.”
She rolled her eyes. “Do we really need another picture? We've had several taken already.”
Jonathan rose from his chair and knelt on one knee. He took her hands in his and gazed deeply into her eyes. “Heather Donovan, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
Time stood still for her. She saw flashes out of the corner of her eye. Her mind replayed the dates Jonathan had taken her on, the conversations they had enjoyed, the feeling she had of being at home in his presence. She wasn't really sure what it was supposed to feel like to be in love, and she was enjoying their times together so much that she had never really made the logical connection to marriage. However, there was no good reason she could think of to say no.
“Yes, I'll marry you, as long as you'll ask my mother for permission first.”
His arms came around her as he engulfed her in a hug and then his lips were on hers, gentle, questioning at first, and then passionate. When they stopped kissing, his grin covered his whole face. “I'll gladly ask your mother. I hope you know I'll do anything for you.”
She leaned back and looked into his sparkling azure eyes. “I'm glad to hear it. You haven't met my mother yet; she's a real piece of work.” She paused and then winked at him. “But don't worry. I already told her about you and she had us married off after our second date.”
*So, Dear Reader, where do we go from here? Are you satisfied with this as the conclusion to Heather's story or would you like this story to continue, even though the 3-part fiction challenge is over? *
Image source: The Global Interview
Ruth L. Snyder is an author, speaker, and coach. She helps entrepreneurs write, publish, and profit from their books. Ruth figures out ways to work smarter, not harder, and then shares those tips with her clients. One of her clients says Ruth makes the seemingly impossible feel attainable with her easy-to-follow steps. Ruth has shared her expertise on platforms like Thrive Global, Women in Publishing, Authority Magazine, The Write Coach, and Author Audience Academy. Connect with Ruth at https://ruthlsnyder.com.