Chapter 67
The Proposal
"Did you have a nice evening? I hope you didn't feel kidnapped," Martin said, as he led Randi to the porch swing and they sat down. His parents were gone to a revival service, and finally, he was alone with Randi.
"I enjoyed it. Your parents are sweet. They make me feel at ease and at home. I loved hearing what you were like as a kid, how you used to act out plays at an early age."
"Goodness. I hope they didn't bore you and please don't mention pictures when they come home or we'll never get to bed. Mom will drag out boxes and boxes of pictures."
"I'll be careful. I enjoyed myself, but I'll be honest, I was looking forward to this. Randi pulled Martin’s arm around her shoulder and she nestled in resting her hand on his chest and closing her eyes. "This is nice."
He placed a kiss on her forehead and with his right leg kept them swinging. "We didn't discuss how long we would stay but I assumed we'd head back tomorrow."
"I'm riding on your dime so whatever suits your schedule."
"Then we'll head out tomorrow around noon, but we need to figure out a better place for you to stay than that motel."
"I agree but I'm not sure what. I need something that will take pets, and I'm going to need a car, too. I've been saving and I've got enough for a good down payment on a car or for the first and last months’ rent, but not both."
"I want you to hear me out before you say ‘no’," Martin said, as he felt Randi move. She straightened, and turned in the swing sitting sideways, to face him.
"I'm listening."
"We can do several things. One, there's a guest house behind the mansion you could stay in. Then there's the apartment in San Pedro. They take pets."
Randi smiled. "I love the apartment but it's too far from my work, and the guest house sounds great, but if you're going to sell soon I don't want to give it a lived-in look."
"Then my third option is when we get back we go apartment hunting. I'll find us something that will fit our needs."
"What does that mean?" she asked with a smile.
At least she wasn't saying ‘no’ yet, so he went on with his idea. "I need a place, too. Something small. I was thinking we could rent two places on the same floor or get a large condo and share."
"Us? Share a condo?"
"Don't you trust me?" he asked with a smile.
"I don't know if I trust me. You'd be all relaxed, running around the apartment with your shirt off looking all sexy and movie starish."
"That's not a word or an answer."
"I trust you not to force the issue, but I think it would be best if we had separate apartments. Less temptation that way."
Martin smiled. "Would you allow me to put you in an apartment? I wouldn't mind."
"It's sweet of you, but I don't think it would be right."
"What good is my money if I can't spend it on what I want? If I bought you a gift, you'd take that?"
"Yes, but it's different."
"No, it's not." Martin rose, walked to the edge of the porch and looked off into the distance. "It's my fault you don't have a place to stay. You should let me do this."
Randi sighed and walked over to him. "Let me talk to my mother. If I can't talk her into letting me stay, then I'll consider it."
When he turned and flashed her a smile she playfully hit him. "You were fake pouting."
"Hey, blame it on Mom. She told me that we needed to have some fights to test our relationship."
"Oh, Martin, we've been tested. If Celia isn't the test of the ages, I don't know what is!"
"That was huge." Martin reached out, resting his hands on Randi's waist.
"It was, and we passed."
He loved it when she initiated the kiss so when she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck he sped things up and met her half way. They kissed for a long moment, and as she pulled back he spoke, "We've been tested. We've had our fights, we've had long talks so according to Mom all that's left to do is to pray, pray, pray."
"What are you talking about?" Randi asked, giggling as she pushed away from his teasing kisses.
"Mom was giving advice. I was repeating what she said."
"Well, it all sounds like good advice, but let's not push the fighting or the testing. We're good there."
"I agree, and on that note, I've got something for you to read."
"Another script?"
"Kind of," Martin said, as he held the front door open. Randi went toward the kitchen and he stepped to the back of the house to his bedroom. He picked up the papers Rafa had drafted and reached to take something out of his suitcase. The moment he knew Randi would be coming with him, he'd gone by the jewelers.
The small blue box had been pushed deep into his suitcase. He took the diamond ring from its box and dropped it into his shirt pocket. After a quick glance in the mirror to make sure the ring didn't show, he went to the kitchen.
Martin found Randi sitting at the table waiting. "You don't have to read every word, but see if you think it makes sense." He laid the papers before her, pulled a chair out and sat facing her. He wanted to see her reaction.
Randi began to smile the moment she started reading. She moved to the second page and turned toward Martin. "Is this real?"
"It may not be binding, but it's real."
She flipped to the next page and began to read faster. Martin leaned in pushing her hair back. "Well?"
"This is very well done, very articulate."
"I had Rafa write it." At this comment she turned to face him leaving the papers on the table and reaching her hands out. "Martin, you didn't have to do this."
"Yes, I did."
"My mother will . . ."
"I did it for you, and me." Martin moved to the edge of his seat and pulled her hand to his heart. "I have to be fair and honest. There is no way on God's green earth that I would ever have one night’s peaceful sleep if I had to think of some other man's hands touching your body, kissing your sweet lips or holding you close in a lover’s embrace." Martin kissed her hand and looked into her eyes.
"And it would be unfair and unrealistic for me to expect you to do something that I couldn't. Will you agree to be the only woman that these hands will ever touch in a sexual manner? Will you agree to do any and all love scenes so that our love can remain pure and unblemished?"
With this last comment, Martin, in one fell swoop, kicked the seat behind him, dropped to one knee and began to reach into his pocket. “Randi Sanders, will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?"
He could see the shock come over Randi’s face but he could also see the smile and a tear running down her cheek. He wanted to move and kiss them away, but he had to know her answer.