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Craig drove Mandie to a restaurant she was completely unfamiliar with. A valet ran out to the street, held open her door for her and then drove the truck away when Craig got out. He took Mandie's arm and escorted her inside. A Maitre'd in a tuxedo showed them to a private table in a dimly lit corner. Craig held out Mandie's chair while she sat and the Maitre'd took her coat to a coat room. When the Maitre'd tried to take Craig's leather jacket he held onto it firmly and gave the tuxedoed man a stern look.
"Thank you sir, but I will keep mine." The man nodded and Craig sat down. He picked up a wine menu and then ordered an expensive bottle of wine for the two of them and then sat looking at Mandie who was, by now, trying to figure all this out. It wasn't like Craig to go to this much effort and spend this much money on a dinner bought out. She tried to read his face but it was passive. He was hiding something and she knew it, she just hadn't figured out what yet. When they got their wine they began to search the menu to choose what they would like to eat. Mandie was having trouble deciding. It all looked good -- except for the escargot. She shuddered at the thought. It was then she noticed there were no prices on the menu! Jesus, how expensive was this one night out going to be? Whatever he had up his sleeve, no doubt it was going to be good. Mandie felt a little more than nervous ... They both chose an Italian dish with shrimp, pasta, chicken and Alfredo sauce, Craig ordered for both of them. When they were all alone he reached out across the table and took her hands in his, then smiled at her. She smiled back.
"Ok, Craig, what gives?" She asked suspiciously. He chuckled.
"I don't know what you mean darling?" He said, not even trying to hide his guilt. She sighed and turned her head.
"All this," She eyed the restaurant. "It isn't like you!" He cleared his throat, dropped her hands and sat upright.
"Well," He began. He didn't want to tell her the real reason they were there just yet so he talked about the meeting. "We met with the record company guy today and I guess we're going to sign." He said shrugging. Mandie grinned and felt excitement well inside her.
"You are?" She said, giddy. "Oh Craig, that is fantastic!!" She got up, ran around the other side of the table and planted a kiss on him.
"I guess it is." He said after she sat back down.
"You don't sound so thrilled." She noticed. He shrugged again.
"It is going to mean a lot of time away. I see what the 'good life' has brought to Brent and, Mandie, quite frankly I'm nervous about it." She sipped her wine.
"It doesn't have to be that way for you Craig. I think Brent has made some wrong choices in his life. I also think that you are different."
"Perhaps." He said, thoughtful. She smiled and reached out to him. He took her hand.
"Craig, this is what you've wanted since, well BEFORE I've even known you. Don't let Brent's situation get you down about something you've wanted long before he did! He's childish and immature. There are dozens of guys in famous bands who don't abuse fame the way he does. Look at guys like ...." She thought for a moment. "Ed Kowaczyk. He's happily married and the touring life doesn't affect that. Guys like Aaron Lewis ..." He made a face and nodded.
"I guess so."
"Well, anyway, things can get moving a little faster now. Perhaps one day we can be living in our own house and not a dinky little apartment! We can have a dog and ...." He watched her talk, so positive ... He wanted to pull her into his arms right then and hold her! He smiled. She made him feel a bit better about the situation. When she was finished with her diatribe he asked her how her day went. This time the shadow crossed her face ... She shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"Ah, uh, it was dull." She decided against mentioning Marcus while they were having a celebration dinner. "We're having a contest consisting of giving away a thousand dollars a day for 10 days and it looks like it's going to be a fun one." Craig nodded. Just then their dinner came and there wasn't much talking for a while. The meal was excellent! When it was through and the waiter brought them a cup of coffee and a slice of white cake Craig decided it was time ... He reached back into the pocket of his jacket and slid the little velvet box into his pants pocket. He got up and then knelt down beside Mandie. She looked down at him curiously.
"What the hell are you doing Greg?" She asked him. He took her hand and looked up at her.
"Mandie, I know we haven't known each other very long but damn, I really love you." She smiled at him.
"I love you too, Craig." He cleared his throat.
"I just want you to know what a difference you've made in my life. I, I feel so peaceful. I mean, if we had never even gotten this record deal I really wouldn't care because being with you has satisfied me in a way that fame and fortune could never have -- and never will!! Do you understand that?" She nodded. Her heart began to pound as the realization of it all washed over her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the box. He opened it and held it out to her. "Mandie, will you be my wife?" She felt numb all over, she began to shake and tears pooled behind her eyes and then spilled over onto her cheeks. She just stared at the beautiful princess cut diamond ring that he was holding out to her.
"Oh my dear God, Craig." She said. He took the ring out of the box, took her hand and slid it onto her finger. Her hands were ice cold and she was shaking. He held them and kissed them. She pulled her hands away and wrapped them around his neck and hugged him tightly to the point that she was choking him. He pushed her back a little so he could breathe.
"Is that a yes?" He asked making a 'hopeful' face. She kissed him.
"What do you think?" She chastised. He stood and then sat back in his seat. He was beaming. She was blushing and staring at the brilliant one carat diamond on her hand. The diamond was flanked by two blue sapphires. She just couldn't stop looking at it. She looked at her hand and then up at Craig several times. He laughed at her.
"I'm guessing you approve?" He said casually taking a bite of his cake. Her mouth was open but not a word would come out so she just nodded. He wished he had brought a camera - he would have liked to have had a picture of her just like this. He pointed to her dessert with his fork. "Eat your cake, darling, or I'll be forced to!" She couldn't even think of eating anything right then. She pushed it towards him and the diamond caught the light and flashed at him. He felt proud. This would be a day he would never, ever forget. First, a record deal, second, a wife. Holy Jesus! After the meal was over and they went back to the apartment, Craig and Mandie made love. Craig took his time and made sure Mandie enjoyed every second of it. Even if he had taken 10 minutes she would have been satisfied! She was drunk with the joy of the evening. Afterwards, they lay together. Craig, who thought he would never get to sleep after the excitement of the day was snoring within minutes. Mandie lay there over an hour before she finally drifted away.
