Home » The Archives » Chapter 12 » Playing with Fire
| Re: Playing with Fire [message #459 is a reply to message #458] |
Mon, 23 July 2012 21:01   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Saturday, October 13, 2068, 11:15 p.m., Sydney harbor (Sunday, October 14, 1:15 a.m., Tracy Island)
Dancing in the dark, till the tune ends.
We're dancing in the dark, and it soon ends.
We're waltzing in the wonder of why we're here.
Time hurries by, we're here and gone.
Looking for the light of a new love,
To brighten up the night, I have you, love,
And we can face the music, together...
Dancing in the dark.
What, though love is old,
What, though song is old,
Through them we can be young.
Hear this heart of mine,
Make yours part of mine
Dear one, tell me that we're one.
It wasn't terribly dark on the yacht. The railings had been strung with tiny white lights, and the pale pine flooring reflected the hidden lights around the edges. Jeff and Dianne waltzed to the music, cheek to cheek. There was a warm breeze that stirred her hair, and had made it impossible to have candlelight. But dinner had been first class, and the view of the harbor at sunset as they'd made their easy way along had been breathtaking.
Now the song ended, and they parted enough to join lips in a passionate kiss. He smoothed his hands over the satin and velvet of her red gown, and she traced a finger along his jawline, ending with a small flourish at his chin.
"I have something for you," he said, his voice husky. He'd shed his tuxedo jacket earlier, and Dianne liked him better this way, white pleated shirtfront and spotless white tie making him seem more approachable, less stuffy.
"And I have something for you," she murmured. The breeze that had stirred her hair had disarranged it in an almost artful fashion, and Jeff liked the way it softly framed her face. He brushed a stray lock back and away.
By mutual consent, they returned to the little linen draped table. A bottle of champagne, already opened, sat in ice, waiting for another toast. And on the table sat two small boxes, both wrapped in shiny paper, with satin or velvet bows. Jeff picked up his, Dianne lifted hers, and almost in unison, they held out the gifts and said, "This is for you."
Laughter followed, then again, as each took the proffered package, they said, "You go first."
More laughter, then Jeff spread a hand towards her. "Ladies first."
Dianne acquiesced. "All right." She sat down, untying the bow slowly, glancing playfully up at Jeff to watch his reaction at the deliberate pace. He seated himself, leaning forearms on the table, fingertips touching the box she'd given him.
At last she opened the box, and extracted the jeweler's box within. "This looks familiar," she said, smiling. Opening the velvet case, she smiled a little wider. "My rings. You did find them."
"Yes. I had Julian make sure they were all right, and he cleaned them, too." Jeff peered over as she began to slide on the plain band. "Wait. I also had him inscribe something... finally figured out what I wanted to say."
"Oh!" Dianne stopped, and held the band up to the small lamp that graced the table, turning it so she could read the fine script lettering. "'From this day, my light, my love, my life'." Tears filled her eyes as she gazed at her husband. "Oh, Jeff. That's beautiful."
Reaching out, he took the ring from her fingertips, then took her left hand and slid the band onto the proper finger. "With this ring...," he murmured as he slipped it on. Then he picked up the diamond ring, and did the same to it, kissing her hand when he was through.
"Thank you, love," she said, as she took a linen napkin to dab at her eyes. Once she'd finished sniffling, she smiled at him, and nodded toward the box before him. "Your turn now."
Jeff made shorter work of the wrappings than Dianne had, and smiled when he extracted the familiar jeweler's box. He opened it, then met Dianne's gaze as he pulled the wedding band from within.
"After your accident, they had to cut the ring from your finger. I promised you a new one then. It seemed fitting to give it to you now," she explained. "Please, read the inscription."
Jeff squinted at it in the light, then gave Dianne an apologetic glance. "I'm sorry. I don't have my reading glasses..."
She laughed, and took the ring from him. "'Yours alone, today, tomorrow, always'." As he had, she took the band and slipped it on his finger. "With this ring..." Then she turned his hand over, placed a kiss in the palm, and rolled his fingers over it.
They sat quietly for a moment, listening to the sound of the engine as it eased the boat through the water. Then Jeff rose and offered his hand to Dianne. "Another dance?"
She took his hand and stood. "I don't think so. I have... another idea." She gave him a sly smile and he pulled her to him tightly, kissing her deeply.
"I think I know what your idea is," he said when they paused. "And I like the way you think." They kissed again, then Dianne took him by the hand. He grabbed his tuxedo jacket and slung it over one shoulder as she led him to their cabin... and a different kind of dance.
to be continued...
(The song is "Dancing in the Dark", by Schwartz and Deitz, lyrics copied from "Showstoppers" as sung by Barry Manilow)
Posted by Tikatu on March 4, 2008
  
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