Copyright 2010 by Wren Phoenix

“I think we should go inside.” She shivered. “It’s getting colder out here.”

He had to agree; it was becoming bitter. He pulled her in and wrapped his arms around her.

“All right, Jenny, let’s go see what Lisa has come up with this time.”

They walked down the sidewalk, and they could see the sign for the restaurant.

“You make entering the restaurant sound a little ominous. Should I be concerned?”

“Oh, we’ll have a great deal of fun, you’ll see.” He stopped. “There is something you should know, and I hope that you won’t be angry.”

“Oh?”

“Do you remember the background report that Lisa did for me? The people you will meet tonight have read or worked on that report. They all know who you are, and they have accepted you already. You don’t need to be concerned. Does that bother you? I’ll admit, I should’ve brought this up earlier, so if you are angry, it is entirely my fault.”

“I've told you, I am not sensitive about who and what I am.” She cuddled into him. “I feel very safe with you, but it’s good that you are concerned, and you’re forgiven for waiting this long to bring it up!”

“Speaking of who and what you are,” he said, reaching into his jacket. “Lisa gave me this, earlier today.”

He handed her a piece of paper. “It’s a list of available surgery dates. She talked to your Doctor, and these are his suggestions. He told her that you were already aware of what would be involved in the recovery, as we had already discussed.”

“Oh, yes, we had a long discussion about that. Thank you, I’ll compare this to my schedule, and see what would work best.”

She clutched the paper to her, and Michael saw that she had tears in her eyes.

“Are you alright?”

“I am beyond happy, my love.” She kissed him. “My dream is coming true- - - it’s just so wonderful!”

Michael smiled. They reached the door of the restaurant. As they entered, they were met with the sounds of happy people. Lisa was quick to find them.

”You made it! Hi, Jenny, I’m Lisa, Michael’s best friend and . . . Jenny, are you all right?”

Jenny almost pounced on Lisa, hugging her happily.

“Thank you so much! Michael just gave me the surgical schedule you got for me, and I am a bit overwhelmed. I’m very, very happy right now!”

Lisa laughed. “I was glad to do it. You’re so cold- - -did he keep you out there, talking about this?”

“Well . . . Uhm, yeah, we . . .“ he stuttered.

“It’s warm in here, Boss, and we have a reason to celebrate! C’mon, let’s get you a seat!”

They hung their coats and went to join the others. Lisa introduced Jenny to her husband, Greg Jensen. Then she introduced the rest of the group and laid out the rules.

“Now remember,” Lisa said to everyone. ”This is just the first stop! Using the internet, we have narrowed it down to five top candidates. To make it fair, we will order the same three choices at each steakhouse. We’ll all sample the choices, and score them on these cards I’ve made up. There are scores for atmosphere and service, as well as for your opinion of the meal. Oh, and for safety’s sake, there is no alcohol allowed until the last stop! The restaurants are all aware of what we are doing, and some of them have done this with me before for other meals. This is going to be fun, so relax and enjoy it!”

Each time Michael had taken part in one of her restaurant comparisons, he’d been impressed with Lisa’s effort. He knew that the preparation involved in arranging it had been made easier because she did creative things frequently. Obviously, she had some kind of list she followed, as it was always the same arrangement, with different restaurants and different groups of people.

It was also always a great time.

Jenny and Michael went through a great many different steaks that evening, and, as Michael expected, they had a lot of fun.

Of course, he reflected, with Jenny here, I would have fun doing anything.

She and Lisa had quickly become fast friends, and they seemed to have somehow become the co-hostesses of the group.

He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. She almost sparkles! She seemed to shine with her own light. The intellectual, rational part of his mind said that it was just infatuation, and that he needed to be patient, to see how things went over time. He knew it would be the wisest thing to do. Emotionally, though, he knew that he was falling head over heels, and he liked it a lot.

Every time she smiled at him, touched his hand or shared a part of her steak, he fell more and more in love. It was like a drug. And he was a willing addict.

At one point, Lisa came over to talk to him while Jenny danced with Tim.

“I can tell, she’s so much in love with you. I think you make a great couple. She has that same openness that you do, like she doesn’t have a secret in the world. You two will never be able to surprise each other. You share that special gift, just like your mom and dad.”

That’s exactly how I feel! It’s just like what my parents always told me. He knew he had to talk to Jenny about it.

Jenny and Tim came back to the table, and she immediately went to Michael and hugged him.

“You were right,” she whispered to him. “I am having so much fun!”

He kissed her, and laughed as she blushed. “You are wonderful.”

Lisa snapped a picture with her cell phone. “You two aren’t fooling anyone. Some people are just made for each other, and you two definitely were!”

Greg wrapped his arm around his wife. “Michael, you would be a fool not to marry this lovely lady! She’s just like my Lisa, a very special gift. Don’t take too many chances, tie this one down! She’s your soul-mate!”

Jenny was wrapped around his shoulders, and she kissed his ear. “He’s right you know. I fell in love at first sight, and I’m never going to let you go.”

Michael turned to her, and they looked deep into each other’s eyes. Somehow, he knew this was right. He stood, and then dropped to one knee.

“Jenny Carter, will you marry me?”

Everyone was suddenly quiet, and it almost seemed like an eternity to him, before she squealed and fell into his arms.

“Of course I will!”

Lisa ran to them, and pulled Jenny into a huge hug. They began to talk to each other in hyper talk, so fast that Michael couldn’t keep up.

“Congratulations, that was such a . . . “

“Surprise, I know! He’s so . . . “

“Wonderful, yeah, he can be so . . .”

“So perfect! I love him so much!”

Greg laughed,loudly, which made everyone look. “You two are like twins! Michael, I am so jealous!”

“Jealous? Why’s that?” Lisa asked.

“Because it’s obvious you both love him! “ He laughed. “Just remember, sweetheart, you’re coming home with me!”

Lisa and Jenny looked at each other for a minute, and then began to laugh.

“I think he’s right!” Jenny said. “You’ve been Michael’s best friend forever! You’ll be a bridesmaid, won’t you?"

“She can’t!” Michael shouted. “She has to be my best . . . uh . . . man?”

“Of course I am!” Lisa said, as she strutted around. “I always have been!”

Everyone at the table laughed as Michael hugged Lisa. The guys all stood and shook Michael’s hand, while the
women joined Lisa and Jenny. There were hugs and handshakes and tears.

Eventually everyone sat down again. Jenny sat on Michael’s lap, with her arms around his neck and her lips on his.

“Alright, you two, get a room!” Someone hollered, to everyone’s laughter.

“Not just yet,” Jenny said, blushing. “I still have some things that need to be taken care of.”

“But it won’t be long after that, Honey.” Michael said, smiling, and hugged her again. “I promise to be there with you, every step of the way.”

“I know.” She looked at him with love. “Oh, is Janet in for a surprise when I get home!”

Michael laughed. “She said she got you to put in the ad because she wanted to get out of your shell. I think it worked a little better than she thought!”

Everyone laughed.

Linda looked at Jenny.

“So, when is the big day? Any ideas?”

Jenny looked at Michael. “We’ll have to wait until after the recovery, which would be oh, sometime in May, I believe.”

“What do you think, Jenny? “ Lisa asked. “Do you want to be a June bride? School would be done for the summer, I think, and things should be quiet at Tallon.”

She nodded, the tears starting again.

Michael kissed his fiancée.“Okay, that’s settled. We’ll check our schedules for the exact date, but it’s in June!”

Jenny had her head on his shoulder. He grabbed a napkin so she could wipe her eyes.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy!” She said quietly into his ear. “I love you so much!”

“I hope to make you much happier in June, my love.”

Her tears were going to make his shirt wet, he thought. I love her with all of my heart. This feels so right!

Lisa decided to change the subject.

“Okay,does everyone have their cards done? When you’re ready, the future Mre. Tallon volunteered to tabulate the votes and see what we decided!”

There was a flurry of activity, and Lisa had a short talk with Jenny, who had a quick whisper with Michael, then nodded happily.

“Ladies and Gentlemen!” Lisa announced. “The votes are in! Jenny; would you please read the winner?”

“Oh, it was, well, okay maybe not so close, with Roast coming in second, but the winner is the Coach Insignia!”

“And for coming in first as our choice of the best steakhouse in Detroit, Greg and I have decided to host the rehearsal dinner at the Coach Insignia!”

Michael and Jenny smiled. Now, if they could only find a way to speed up the calendar!

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