My dear Frodo, Hobbits really are amazing creatures. You can learn all there is to know about them in a day, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you. ~ Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
He forwarded her the email. It was an invitation for both of them to attend a small housewarming gathering at his friend's house that evening. Order some pizza, play a little poker, no big whoop.
A little reluctant at first, she eventually gave in because heck, he hasn't seen his friends in such a long time. After a small snack (a Ceasar salad with chicken), and a quick stop to the bank to withdraw the poker bankroll, they drove off to the party.
The drive was an uneventful 25 minutes, save for a cell phone call from the sender of the email invitation.
Hello? Are you two on your way? Then I'm glad I caught you, because we're going to stop by the Orange Hill Restaurant for some drinks and watch the sunset before we start the party. Can you join us? Cool. I'll see you there then. *click*
A small detour to the restaurant overlooking the O.C. Very nice. She could go for a couple of drinks right now. The days following a week-long vacation can be pretty hectic at work. What should she get? A cosmo maybe. Or a white zin? Thankfully the restaurant is only a few blocks from the house party.
Did we catch the sunset last time we were there? he asked her. The last time was on her birthday, a year and a half ago, on what they might have considered their first real date. That night he surprised her with a tiny bracelet as his birthday gift to her.
No, we came late. It was winter, and the sun already set, she replied.
As he drove up the hill to the valet attendants, they wondered if they were dressed appropriately: he in cargo shorts, and she in flip-flops. Didn't matter, anyways. They would just be there for one drink on the patio and to watch the sunset. Fifteen minutes max, and then off to munch on some pizza and toss around poker chips.
Once on the patio, they looked for his friends. Each bonfire place was occupied, but by no one recognizeable. They walked to the other end. Still none of his friends were there.
Are you sure they're here? Orange Hill Restaurant, right?
I'm sure. I don't know where they are. Let's try here.
He walked her to the far end of the patio where the general population avoided... probably because the waiters didn't cover that area of the patio. No drinks were served here. They picked a table and sat. And waited.
Maybe you should call them, she ordered.
Look, the sun is just about to set. Let's give it two more minutes and I'll call. I'm sure they're just running late.
The sun, a bright orange ball of resplendence, began it's dip into the horizon. Those two minutes during its descent she sat concerned about his friends ditching them. Those two minutes during its descent he sat ensuring that they'll show up, but just to enjoy the sunset while it lasted.
Two minutes passed. And the sun was extinguished.
Babe, they're not showing up, he said to her suddenly. The tone of his voice sounded different to her. The sound of near disappointment (in his friends?) coming from his lips.
What? Why? She was confused now. He didn't hear him talking on the phone. They spent the last two minutes in silence taking in the wonder of the sun falling toward the Earth.
She turned toward him. He glanced down toward the table. She followed his eyes down to what was placed on the table: a bright red velvet box opened to display its contents.
Both of their hearts skipped a beat. Two. Now three beats.
Inside the box was a stone, showing the same brilliance as did the sun a short moment before. The stone stood out among other smaller ones lined up in rows two on each side, yet accompanied by a pair of rectangular ones.
He took the box from the table, not removing it from her view. And he moved from his chair to drop to one knee...
'Til next time,
Gizmo | 
Lifetime
