Danielle sprayed some perfume in the air and walked through it. She’d gone with classic black. She already had black pumps to go with the dress she’d gotten. The strapless dress fell straight to the floor in a sleek, modern look. Pressing her hand against her stomach, she could feel just a little baby bump. But looking in the mirror, she couldn’t see it. She shook her head. It was much too soon. It had to be her imagination.

Nonetheless, a little blip of excitement shot through her, and she couldn’t wait to see if Samuel could feel it.

The dress was probably not one of the wisest purchases she’d made. She probably wouldn’t wear it but once, and then all bets were off whether or not she would be able to wear it post-baby.

She’d had her hair styled at the Dry Bar. She blamed Savannah, her stepmother for getting her hooked on that luxury. Her sleek hair cascaded around her shoulders. Tonight was the last night she would see Samuel for a whole week.

He wanted it to be special, and she wanted to look her best. At a quarter to seven, she went into her living room and sorted through her mail, cleared off her coffee table, leaving just the baby name book, and paced back to the bedroom. She decided at the last minute to wear her diamond pendant. A gift from her father on her college graduation, it had five small round diamonds sprinkled along a platinum chain.

As she took one last look in the mirror, her doorbell rang. By the time she got to the door on the other end of the apartment, she was a little breathless. She opened the door, and Samuel stood there in a black tux, holding a single red rose.

She stood there a moment, her hand on the doorknob, taking in his handsome smile and letting the warm emotions flow throw her.

“Wow,” he said. “You look absolutely stunning.”

“You clean up pretty nice yourself.” She stepped back, opening the door wide, matching his smile with her own.

He held out the rose, and she took it from him to put in a vase. Before setting it on the counter, she inhaled deeply and ran her fingers along the soft petals. She sighed.

Stay in the moment. He’s still here.

She turned brightly and took his hand. “Ready?”

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

It only took a few minutes to get to Masraff’s. “Have you been here?” He asked.

“No.” She said as they pulled into the parking lot. Samuel gave the keys to the valet, then came around, helped her out of the truck, and took her hand as they crossed the parking lot.

They were a few minutes early, so they went into the bar and sat near the fireplace. Samuel ordered sparkling water and held up his glass. “To us.”

“To us,” she repeated as their glasses met in a toast. Us. She would have to think about that later.

“It’ll be Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks,” Samuel said.

“I know. Then Christmas already. Savannah, Noah’s wife, is graduating with her doctorate in a few weeks, so I’ll be travelling to Auburn.”

“And we have to fly out to see your mother.”

“Are we taking your plane?”

He shook his head. “It’s too small. I’ll probably see if I can use one of your dad’s.”

Danielle studied the flames in the fireplace. Their lives were quickly becoming enmeshed. She’d gone from not dating anyone to having what looked to be a relationship in a flash.

Samuel took her hand. “Your dad will be alright with us seeing each other, right? I mean, eventually.”

“Sure.” Her father had always been supportive. He’d always been there for her. Besides, he’d already suggested that she not let her previous relationship disaster prevent her from moving forward with Samuel. Something held her back, though, from telling him that yet.

The hostess appeared at their side and led them to their table.

They ordered crab cakes for an appetizer, and they each ordered the sea bass for their entrée.

Soft music played in the background. Danielle was determined not to let this being their last night together for a week overshadow the moment. Nonetheless, she had to blink back tears before lifting her chin and putting a smile on her face.

“Are you excited?” She tapped a newly-manicured nail against her glass of sparkling water. “About your new job?”

“It’ll be good to fly again, but it’s hard to be excited when I’ll be leaving you.”

She sucked in her breath. “I’m not excited about it either.”

“You know,” he said, lacing his fingers with hers on the table. “We have a good thing here. Do you think?”

She smiled. “I think so, too.”

“Danielle, do you want to be my girlfriend?”

She laughed. “You mean like your steady girlfriend?”

“I don’t know what they call it now. Exclusive maybe?”

“Whatever they call it, yes.”

He leaned over the table and sealed it with a light kiss on her lips. “I’m happy. Are you happy?”

“Yes, but Samuel? Are you sure?” She ran a hand down her stomach. Felt the little baby bump. Later, when he took her home, she would see if he could feel it. “I come as a package.”

“I don’t mind. In fact, I’m kind of excited about the baby.”

She grinned. Life was finally going the right way.