“Are you guys ready for your meals? Another bottle of wine maybe?” The waiter asked, sliding the curtain open. He was either oblivious to what had been going on or he just didn’t care. He was middle-aged and clearly wasn’t in the job he wanted to be in at this point in his life. He looked like he had seen it all and just wanted to get the night over with. The embarrassed couple in the booth placed their orders for dinner and more wine and then he left the two of them alone, with the curtain wide open.
“Well, that is not how I saw that going.” Derrick said to break the tension. Kate looked at him and then they both burst out laughing. Their food was brought to them only a minute or two later as the dinner cruise was well underway and the couple enjoyed their second bottle of wine together, eagerly enjoying the lowered inhibitions that each delicious sip brought.
~~~~
Dessert had been served and quickly polished off. It had been a beautiful assortment of small bites including everything from cheesecake to truffles arranged delicately on a platter with swirls of chocolate decorating the plate. They had enjoyed sensuously feeding one another and trading kisses in between. Couples were now beginning to make it to the dance floor and a variety of music all with slow, romantic undertones floated through the entirety of the ship.
“Do you want to dance?” Kate asked Derrick hopefully as they finished off the last of their wine and dessert. She dabbed at her mouth with a cloth, pressing away any remaining remnants of the sweets that they had devoured.
“I have a better idea.” Derrick said and winked at her as he slid out of the booth and stood up. He turned around and offered her his hand which she gratefully accepted and slid out behind him. He led her away from their table and she held his hand in between both of hers, pressing her body against the back of his shoulder as she followed him. He led her to the front of the boat and opened the door to walk out onto the deck outside.
The wind instantly hit her and chilled her straight through to her bones causing her to pull her cardigan around her tighter and press herself against Derrick’s back as he took most of the brunt of the wind. They walked out onto the bow of the ship, right to the very front. It was a real life Titanic moment and Kate felt her heart swelling as Derrick held her and shielded her from the cold.
When they got out to the very front of the ship, with nothing but the waves and the wind surrounding them, Derrick stopped and turned around to face Kate. He grabbed her waist and pulled her in close to his body, wrapping his jacket around her and catching her lips with his. He kissed her softly but passionately, gently nibbling on her lips and tasting every inch of her that wasn’t covered from the cold winds.
Just as soon as they had started, they stopped and Derrick gently pushed her away from him and took a step backwards to look at her. She tilted her head to the side perplexed as to why he was distancing himself from her but then he smiled at her and she felt her tensions release. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box and held it up in front of him.
“You know, a few days ago I asked you a question. It was spontaneous and real and I am so glad that I did. But you deserve more. Kate, you deserve more than I will ever be able to give you but I want to spend the rest of my life trying and failing just so I can try again.” Derrick said, looking down at the box he was fidgeting with in his hand. Then he looked up at her and smiled and kneeled down on one knee, holding the box up to her and slowly opening it.
Inside the box was a velvety red bedding nesting around a silver band supporting a row of multiple sparkling diamonds. The center diamond was very large and captivated her attention as her jaw dropped open. On either side of the center diamond were cascading smaller jewels covering the band. It was by far the most beautiful ring she had ever seen.
The cut of the stones and the patterns were so unique, she had never even imagined a ring like this before but now as she looked at it she knew nothing else would have been right. Somehow this man knew her better than she knew herself and she fell in love with him again right then for it.
“Kate, when I first met you I was just trying to pick up a cute girl in a coffee shop. Honestly, I had no clue what I was getting into and you knew that by how stupid I acted time and time again. But every day that I spend with you, I learn more about myself and the man that I want to become because you make me see that. You hold up a mirror to me when no one ever has and you know what you want and now I want to be what you want.
You should never accept less than you deserve in this world and, Kate, I don’t deserve you. Not even a little bit. But if you are willing to bend the rules just a little and give me a chance, I want to spend every day for the rest of my life trying to become the man that you deserve.” Derrick said to her confidently and softly. Kate put a hand over her mouth trying to hold herself together but a tear had already snuck down her cheek.