When they walked into the living area, Gini made her way out of the bedroom. He laid the flowers on the breakfast bar, set the bottle next to them, and swiftly walked to meet Gini.
“Oh, sweetheart, you look absolutely gorgeous.”
“Oh… yes…”
He took her hand, and when they got close to the kitchen, he put her hand on his shoulder and dropped to one knee. Debbie was in the kitchen looking for a vase.
“Virginia Anderson, I love you with all of my heart, with all of my being.”
Gini lowered down to her knees and opened her eyes. He smiled broadly.
“I want you to be my wife, so we can live together for the rest of our lives. Guiney, will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?”
Gini sat back on her feet, closed her eyes, and thrust her tongue. Debbie had her hand over her mouth, almost in shock. Was Gini ever going to answer him?
Robert knelt patiently, looking at the beautiful woman before him.
After what seemed forever, Gini rose back up on her knees. “Be… uff… wife. Be… marry… uff… rob… ber… all… uff… life.”
He put his hands around her head and pressed his lips to hers… a long firm kiss. Debbie saw Gini returning the love with passion. Then he stood, taking her with him, and walked to the bar chair. Half sitting, half leaning against it, he pulled Gini close to him. He reached in his pocket and took out a ring box and slipped a ring on her finger. Then he took her right index finger and rubbed over the top of the square-cut ruby.
“Gini, this beautiful stone is you, brilliant and full of light.”
Then he rubbed her fingers on the diamonds surrounding the ruby.
“And these diamonds are my arms around you always holding you tight, my love that will always be there, my body to keep you safe and take care of you. You are my life, the one person I will always love.”
Debbie sniffed and wiped her tears with the kitchen towel.
Gini hugged into him. “Be… lah… uff … rob… ber. Be… lah… uff … all… teem… to… get… ter.”
“Debbie, open that bottle of champagne so we can celebrate.”
“Oh… yes…”
“Robert, how did you find that beautiful ring today?” Debbie asked, handing him two glasses of champagne.
“I’ve had it for a while. The first time Gini asked me to get in her bed and sleep with her, I knew right then and there I was going to marry her. I took a twist tie off the rolling table in Dr. Adam’s exam room while Gini was under and got her ring size. I ordered the custom-made ring the next day.”
“Well, here’s to love,” Debbie said, raising her glass.
Robert wrapped Gini’s fingers around her glass with his hand on top and helped her take a sip.
Gini faced him and opened her eyes wide. “Guiney… know… rob… ber… be… uff… one… long… uff… teem… Long… uff… teem.”
He helped Gini take a couple of more sips and then Debbie took her back to refresh her hair and lipstick.
“Dee… bee… lah… uff.”
“I know, baby. I’m so happy for you, and for Robert.”
As Robert and Gini were walking to the door, he leaned down and gave her a long joyful kiss.
“It’s going to be a hard lipstick day,” Debbie said under her breath.
Robert was so filled with love. He was proud to show his bride-to-be a good evening and let the world see how beautiful she was. He had stopped by a posh restaurant on School Street to make a reservation. He frequented the place for lunches and business dinners. He knew the maitre d’, Francis, and had told him he was going to propose, and that his lady was handicapped, so if they had an out-of-the-way table, he’d appreciate it. Francis told him not to worry; they’d make the evening perfect.
It was early, so there wouldn’t be many guests. Robert walked Gini up the six steps, saying, “step” quietly for each one so she’d raise her foot.
Francis greeted them at the door. “Dr. Young, Ms. Anderson, your table is ready. Richard will be your waiter tonight.”
The table was tucked in the back corner, a half-circle, which was perfect. Robert could sit next to Gini.
“Is that Virginia Anderson?” Richard asked Francis.
“Yes, it is.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Dr. Young says she’s handicapped, that’s all I know. We will be discreet.”
“Yes sir, always.”
Gini and Catherine had dined there often in the days before the accident. No one knew where she had been for over a year.
“Ms. Anderson, your usual cocktail?”
“Oh… yes…” She smiled her amazing smile.
“And you, Dr. Young?”
“What is Ms. Anderson’s usual?”
“A long mojito.”
“Bring that, and I’d like to see the wine list, please.”
The drink was served, and the waiter described the specials. “And, of course, we always have your favorite, Ms. Anderson, shrimp scampi in our special wine butter sauce to go with your petite filet mignon.”
“Is that what you want, sweetheart?”
“Oh… yes…”
“Bring us that with an eight-ounce steak and an extra plate to share. And this bottle of wine.” Robert pointed to the expensive wine on the list.
They sat in the back enjoying their meal, lost in a world of two.
When the evening was over, Robert put a folded fifty-dollar bill in Richard’s hand and told him he could have the rest of the bottle of wine. He swept Gini off her feet and carried her down the steps and set her inside the car.
“I’ll be right back.”
He gleefully ran back up the stairs and put another fifty in Francis’ coat pocket. “Thank you so much for the wonderful evening. You and
