Howie paced nervously around the room, stopping periodically to open and then close the box he was holding. Having sent Dani off to change into something a little more comfortable, he was trying to use these few moments to gather his thoughts and dispel the tension that had been building all evening. Room service had already arrived with their meal by the time AJ and Sam had finally shown up. The four of them had proceeded to enjoy a casual dinner sitting on the floor around the coffee table. Dani's relief over finding out that it was Sam's computer and not hers that had been stolen had been obvious and she was more relaxed than Howie had seen her in days. He smiled to himself as he recalled the stern lecture Dani had given Sam on the importance of backing up all her files. The two women had bickered good-naturedly for the better part of an hour, laughing and teasing one another while Howie had tried several times to bring the evening to a polite close without success. Sam and Dani were having none of it. He had finally resorted to pulling AJ aside and revealing his plans for the remainder of the evening. AJ had smiled broadly, given Howie a healthy pat on the back, and taken matters into his own hands as only he could. He had marched across the room, announced to Sam that it was time for them to leave and had thrown her over his shoulder, carrying her out of the room.
Howie smiled at the thought of Sam being packed out of the room by AJ and made a mental note to remember that little maneuver. Sitting down in a side chair beside the sofa, he leaned forward and balanced his elbows on his knees. He opened the box yet again, staring at its contents. He couldn't remember the last time he had been this nervous about anything. Well, maybe the first time he'd made love to Dani, but he didn't have to do much talking that night. Now, he struggled with himself over whether this was the right time. Wondering if he should he wait and plan something more romantic and contemplating what he should say and how he should say it. He practiced the words that he had decided on over and over in his head. Closing the box, he breathed out a nervous sigh and leaned back against the chair, closing his eyes. "If only you had written yourself a script, this wouldn't be so hard," he mumbled to himself.
The knob of the dressing room door rattled and the door opened. Howie stood up quickly and shoved the box back in his pants pocket. The butterflies in his stomach turned into soaring eagles as his gaze fixed on Dani. He wasn't sure if it was from the nerves or the effect that the sight of her had on him. The lavender silk negligée hugged close to her body but flared at the base of her hips into a swirling mass of sheer fabric. One thin strap had fallen off her shoulder and the other was hidden beneath her hair. He could see the buds of her nipples under the soft fabric, and the pleated chiffon that formed the skirt gently kissed her ankles as she walked towards him. Right down to her bare feet and red painted toenails, Dani was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He couldn't imagine waking in the morning and not having her beside him. Smiling broadly, he suddenly knew it was the right time. None of his doubts about the timing mattered. All that mattered was Dani. He stepped over to the CD player and hit the `play' button. Strains of Savage Garden softly filled the room as Howie held open his arms for Dani. Without a word, she walked into them, sliding her arms around his neck and laying her head on his shoulder. He closed his arms around her and they began slowly swaying to the rhythm of the music. Breathing in the soft scent of her hair and caressing her back through the silken fabric, he knew that he never wanted to let her go.
"I love you so much, Dani." Howie's lips grazed her earlobe as he said the words. Dani raised her head and looked into the deep brown pools that gazed down at her. She slid her hands around his neck and gently removed the band that held his hair back, dragging her fingers through it and freeing his curls. Raising up on her toes, she drew him into a deep, loving kiss.
Dani pressed the length of her body against Howie's. When she made contact with the unfamiliar hardness in his pant's pocket, she drew back, eyeing him suspiciously. Howie laughed sheepishly, caught in his plan. Taking her by the hand, he led her to the chair he had occupied a few moments before and sat her down in it. Dani's heart leapt into her throat as he sank down on one knee in front of her. Howie reached into his pocket and pulled out the small, black velvet box. Dani gasped slightly and one hand rose to her chest as he opened the lid revealing a simple, single carat diamond engagement ring. Howie picked up her left hand from her lap and brought it to his lips, kissing her fingers softly.
"Dani," his voice cracked and he cleared his throat, beginning again. Dani smiled at his nervousness. She could only remember one other time she had seen him so nervous. "Uhmmm, Dani, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. You are the one I live for. The one I can't live without. I want you with me everyday... everynight.... for the rest of my life. Legally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. Completely. Forever." He pulled the ring out of the box and held it in front of her. "Dani, will you marry me?" He gazed nervously into her eyes looking for her answer. He didn't have to look hard. The love that she had for him welled up in her eyes and a single tear rolled down her cheek. "Oh Howie. Yes! Yes, yes, yes, I'll marry you!" He slid the ring onto her finger, and she threw herself into his arms.
Howie had to brace himself to keep from tumbling to the floor. He held Dani against him and said a silent prayer of thanks to God for bringing her into his life and asking him to let her stay there forever. For what seemed like an eternity, they held each other, softly laughing and sharing in each other's joy. Howie reluctantly broke their embrace and stood, drawing Dani up into his arms. He lifted her off the ground and swung her around. "Oh Dani, I love you so much," he said with excitement in his voice. Setting her feet back on the ground, he brushed the hair out of her face. "You have made me happier than I ever thought I could be," he said lovingly. Dani placed her index finger on his lips. "Shhh. Make love to me, Howie," she said with all the passion that filled her.
Howie scooped Dani up into his strong arms and carried her to the bedroom. Stopping beside the bed, he let her slide down his body, setting her feet on the floor. He looked longingly at her as he slid his hands down from her shoulders, across her curves, and rested them on her hips. Dani reached up and slipped the straps off her shoulders, pushing her negligee down to her hips. His eyes followed the path of bare skin that was left behind. She stopped briefly at her hips before dropping the bodice to puddle around her feet. Howie swept her up in his arms again and laid her gently on the bed. Dani watched as he removed his clothing. Slowly and seductively. He lowered himself to her, covering her body with his own.
Their lovemaking was gentle, quiet, and tender. The only sound besides their soft moans was the rustling of the sheets. They explored each other's bodies thoroughly with their caresses and their kisses. When he entered her, his strokes were long and smooth. When their passion couldn't be contained any longer, Howie clasped his hands in Dani's and held them in place on either side of her head. He gave one last thrust inside her bringing them both to climax and taking her aloft. Dani knew this was the one kind of flying where she would always be safe.
"Dani?" Howie said, after their breathing had returned to normal.
"Hmmm?" Dani said contentedly as she ran her finger lightly up and down Howie's chest, her head resting on his shoulder.
"Well, first," he said as he placed his hand over hers, stilling her caress, "you'd better stop that or we'll never get this wedding planned." Dani raised up on her elbow and looked him in the eye. "You want to plan the wedding? Now?"
"Why not? I want to marry you as soon as possible. If my family wouldn't kill me for not letting them plan a big wedding, I'd march you down to the justice of the peace and marry you first thing in the morning," Howie laughed.
"Your mother would never speak to me again if I let you do that!"
"My family loves you Dani, they can't wait for you to become an official member of the family. Mom has already checked to see how soon we can get the church." He looked suddenly nervous, afraid he might have overstepped his bounds. "Uhmm, that is okay with you, isn't it? That we get married in my church?"
"Your family knew you were planning to propose?" Dani shook her head and smiled. "Of course they did. You tell them everything. John or Polly probably helped you pick out the ring. It's going to be so wonderful having a family again. And yes of course, I would love nothing more than to marry you in our church."
"Our church?"
"Our church," she said matter-of-factly. "I've gone to mass ever since I moved in with you. It's our church and I want to get married in it," and as an afterthought she added, "and have our baby christened there."
"Well, I hope you mean babies. Because I want to have at least enough for "Backstreet, The Next Generation," he said waving his hand in the air simulating an imaginary marquee.
Dani laughed. "Branson here we come! So how soon can we get the church anyway?"
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