midnight's chill tendrils invaded their space as they strolled across the foot bridge. he supressed a shiver. teasingly, elbows bumped, shoulders rubbed. ever aware of how cold she must feel, he resisted the urge to find her hand with his, to warm hers with his. too soon, the mind berated his heart, too soon. and so they drove the chill away with the warm flow of conversation instead. he stumbled once or twice - he groped within his head for words that the night had stolen - lost words, he swore out loud in dismay, feeling so clumsy as the flow of conversation stumbled. "that's ok..." she answered reassuringly with a gentle smile, "that's what i'm here for; to finish off your sentences." with a smile of his own he glanced at her and found her eyes. warm fuzzies.
on the wall, the massive clock glowed red, its unnaturally fast hands spinning circles and circles. darkly atmospheric, the murmur of conversation ebbed and flowed, jazzy music served as a perfect backdrop. in the wee hours of morning, he sat opposite her in the cafe booth, absolutely mesmerised by everything that was this girl in front of him. is this real? how can all this be happening, so fast? i swore after the last time that i would take things more slowly. she is so perfect that it all seems so unreal. yet i haven't been as sure as anything - or anyone in my life. inadvertently, a smile crept across his features. "it's that smile again," she observed teasingly, eyes sparkling. he groaned and covered his mouth with a hand, muttering something about how stupidly transparent his expressions were. he dared to look into her eyes, and suddenly, just like that, all manner of thought fled his mind. as if emboldened, new, radical thoughts invaded. she is it, i think. it has been so long. how will you ask her? i ask myself. i don't know. when will you ask her? i ask myself. i don't know either - but not now - too soon now, i haven't prepared. how then? i don't know! there are so many ways, and i'm not sure. i want to do it right. for her i want to do it right, so i'll wait, and i'll plan.. and i'll.... her eyes, searching his, a pretty little frown creasing her perfect brow, asked, "what are you thinking?" he wanted to tell her, but didn't know how. he'd never done it before, never asked anyone anything of the like before. he'd not even thought about what words he'd use, and the way he'd put it. "uhmmm..." he mumbled, and averted his eyes, and laughed a strained laugh. but for the life of him, he couldn't wipe away his silly smile. but he couldn't say it... couldn't... couldn't... thoughts riotted. his heart thudded an epic battle against the logic of his mind. nerves clamoured and threatened to shut him down. he dropped his head and buried his face in the wooly sleeve that covered his forearm. but, sudden resolution. a window of light, and crystal clarity. this was her. and by God, she was worth it. all thoughts of planned words, and right times fled then. this was here. this was now. this was his resolution. he became acutely aware of the murmur of conversation in the booth behind him, the waiters and waitresses who flitted by, the dance of jazz music in his ears, the red glow of the massive clock on the wall in front of him with hands that moved too fast. non of it mattered. he blocked it all out, the world around became a muted, background thing. "what i'm about to ask you is so unplanned..." he began. he closed his eyes a brief moment. nerves threatened to overwhelm. an indrawn breath. he raised his eyes to meet hers, and held them there. yes, the world around them became a muted thing, and in it there was only him and her, in crystal clarity. here, now. warmth rose to colour his cheeks, his heart threatened to batter though his chest, but he held her eyes in his, and he said, "i was wondering.. if you would like to be my girlfriend." the words seemed oddly muted and ungainly, and shaky in his own ears, they fumbled out. her breath caught. to her, they were some of the the most beautiful words she'd ever heard. with an expression so heartwarmingly raw and sincere, she replied with the most beautiful words he'd ever heard: "i would love to.." so simple. so perfect. and for the first time, she reached across the table, and took his hand in hers. | 
