The stretch limousine pulled out of Teddy’s driveway and they were on their way.  It was a formal occasion, as Nikki wore a long, white dress that showed off every curve in her gorgeous body, and Teddy wore a tux.  It was later that night, after their early morning drama and make up session at home, and Teddy couldn’t get over how beautiful Nikki looked.  And that gown!  It made him want to take her again, right in that limo.  But he couldn’t do that to her.

Because he knew it wasn’t easy.  Gloria had taken her to the absolute wrong high-end place to find her clothes, and Teddy had to take over.   He took her to Magvelli, a designer he often used for his own clothes, who had a team of sewers ready to sew, on the spot, the clothes Mag personally designed for Nikki.  The gown was the first order of business, since it had to be worn later that night.  It was an arrangement that cost Teddy dearly, but when he saw what they had designed, it was worth every cent.

“You look enchanting, Nikki,” Teddy said to her.  He held her hand from the moment they got into that limousine, and he wasn’t about to let it go.

Nikki smiled.  “Thank you,” she said.  “I’ve never worn a designer gown before, and it was designed right on the spot just for me!”

“Mag is my man,” Teddy said.  “He’s top rate.”

“Yes, he is.  But the money he charges!”

“Worth every dime,” Teddy said.  “But forget the money.  I’m just enjoying the view.”

“You look very dapper yourself,” Nikki said, enjoying the view too.

“That’s my uncle.  Tommy Gabrini.  They call him Dapper Tom.”

“Then what should I call you?  Dapper Ted?”

Teddy laughed.  “No.  Just Teddy will do.”

“Okay, Just Teddy,” Nikki said, and Teddy laughed again.  “But for real,” Nikki continued, “I have a question for you.”

“Shoot,” Teddy said.  He was really in a great mood.

“I think, since I’ll be working for you, we need to make it formal.”

Teddy paused.  Formal?  As in marriage?  He wasn’t ready for that!  “Formal, as in?” he asked her.

“As in my job,” Nikki said.

Whew, Teddy thought.  A bullet dodged!  “I agree,” he said.  “I already ordered HR to get the paperwork together.”

“You’re on it, I know.”

“Just like I’m on you, babe,” he said with a grin.  “You can count on that.”

“I’m just anxious to see it all on paper, that’s all,” she said.  Then she added: “But also, once I start earning that paycheck, I’ll need to start looking for my own place.”

That wasn’t what Teddy expected to hear.  He looked at her.  “Your own place?”

“Definitely,” Nikki said.

“But why?”

“Because I have to have my own.  You’ve been great to me, Teddy.  From everything to everything.  But I’ll be scared to death if all I have to show in this life, at my age, is what a man has given to me.  I want to work my ass off for you, earn my own money, and get my own place.  It’s not even debatable.”

Teddy saw the sincerity in Nikki’s eyes.  It scared him a little, not having her under his thumb, but he understood.  “If I were in your position,” he said, “I would feel the same way.”

Nikki smiled.  That was why she loved him.  He got her.  He understood her.  “Thank you, Teddy,” she said.

“I’m not going to like it,” he admitted, “and if I discover some dude is sniffing around trying to get next to you, I’ll beat your ass.  But I understand it.”

Nikki laughed.  “Beat my ass.  Yeah, right.”  She looked at Teddy.  “You’re kidding, right?”

No response.

“Teddy?”

Still no response.

“Teddy?”

Teddy smiled, but he still didn’t respond.

And then their limo was pulling up to the opulent estate of Fiona Mara.