Chapter 8

Courtney stood in front of the mirror, She looked, making sure she had taken care of every detail of her outfit for tonight. She had her hair up, secured with a gold clip, while whisps of hair hung down shaping her face softly. The diamond earrings Carly had insisted she borrow dangled gently from her lobes. Courtney’s dress was black and ended just above her knee. The top dropped down from her shoulders to a plunging neckline between her breasts. In the back, the dress dropped with a draping effect ending just above her waist, which exposed her entire back. The fabric was a delicate crepe and accented every curve on her body. “I’ll give Carly one thing, she sure knows how to dress someone for a perfect evening.” Courtney commented as she made a final adjustment to her ensemble, slipped on her black sling-back heals, and got ready to head out of the bedroom. She was sure Jason was waiting for her downstairs, but she so wanted to look perfect.

The last month had been amazing. Jason and Courtney had spent so much time together. She thought about everything they had been through, the hiding, the murder investigation, AJ, and now here they were, together. They had laughed, and loved the entire last month. Jason had shown up with surprises and she had had a few for him too. If this is what love was supposed to be, well then she was sure she didn’t want it to end. Smiling at herself in the mirror, Courtney sighed; she was ready.

Turning to leave, she stopped as Jason entered the room. “Courtney, if you don’t hurry we are going to be la... WOW!” Jason stopped in mid sentence and looked at her. “You look amazing.” Jason walked across the room and took Courtney’s hands from her side as she fidgeted with her dress. Pulling her arms around him he let go of them and placed his softly around her back. “Never mind, we could just be late,” Jason whispered as he lowered his head to her neck and placed a soft kiss just below her left ear. By instinct Courtney moved her hands up his back and began to caress him through his sports jacket.

“Late for where? Jason can’t you to tell me where we are going now?” Courtney asked as she moved her hands to his front and touched his face. Jason was wearing a grey round neck sweater under a black leather sports coat. The coat was more tailored than his every day jacket, accenting his broad shoulders and great body line. He wore a pair of dark grey pleated dress pants with a black belt. His shoes were different too, black dress boots, not his usual attire. Courtney couldn’t help but notice his attire. Where could they be going?

“No, but if we don’t get going right now, I am probably not going to let you leave this room tonight. And, as much as that appeals to me, I think you might enjoy what I have planned better!” Jason stated as he stepped away, taking her hand in his. He led her down the stairs of the penthouse. Stopping at his desk, he picked up her wrap and turned to gently place it around Courtney’s shoulders. Courtney and Jason left the penthouse, ready to celebrate their first Valentine’s Day together.

Entering the limo as they exited the building, Courtney discovered the first surprise of the evening. Roses. “Jason, they are so beautiful. Thank you.” exclaimed Courtney. Jason reached over and chose one of the three dozen roses, which were laying on one of the seats of the limo. Handing it to her, Jason slid his arm around her shoulders and nuzzled his nose into her neck a bit. Smelling the rose deeply, Courtney let out the breath and raised her hand to his face. “You have thought of everything haven’t you Jason?”

“I hope so, I have been working on this evening for some time,” Jason commented as he lifted his head and looked into her eyes. Reaching forward, Jason opened a compartment in the car and retrieved its contents. Inside were 2 glasses of champagne and a long velvet box. Handing her a glass, he took the box and placed it in the inside pocket of his jacket and then picked up the other glass. Leaning back he placed his arm back around her and looked into her eyes. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he whispered. “You know, I think your outfit might be missing something.”

“Oh really?” she commented looking at him. “And what would that be?”

Removing the box from his coat he handed it to her and leaned over, gently brushing her lips with his. “This,” was his only comment as he pulled back to watch her open the box. Lifting the lid, Courtney stared at the contents. Jason had bought her a bracelet. There were small diamonds on it and charms attached at different spots. Courtney removed the bracelet from the box and looked at it. One of the charms was a C, one a J, and one an M. She continued to look at the bracelet and found charms of a golden retriever, a motorcycle, and an angel. Finally, the last charm was of a heart. Looking at Jason, Courtney smiled brightly as she reached up to wipe away the tears of joy that were beginning to fall from here eyes.

“Thank you, I love it. Will you help me put it on?” she asked as she leaned in and kissed him gently. Taking the bracelet he slipped it around her wrist and hooked the clasp. Placing his hands on her face he wiped away the tears with his thumbs. Leaning in he kissed her, gently at first, but then more passionately. He slid his tongue into her mouth and she responded as her hands went to his chest and her tongue danced with his. Pulling away after a bit she spoke, “I was planning on waiting till later to give you your Valentine, but I guess I can give it to you now.”

“Who said this was your Valentine from me? Maybe you should hold on to mine for a little while longer?” Jason stated as he looked at her and smiled. Courtney looked at him puzzled and curious. He could see she wanted to know what was planned for the evening. Jason wanted to tell her, God he wanted to. However, this evening was all about her and giving her the most incredible experience of her life. He had to stick to the plan.

The limo stopped and Courtney looked at Jason. “You’ve been distracting me so I wouldn’t pay attention to where we were going.” Smiling at her as a confirmation, Jason leaned in and kissed her. He then slipped a small handkerchief over her eyes.

“Yes and I don’t want you peeking either,” Jason whispered in her ear. Jason took her hand and helped her out of the car. Going in the building, Courtney could hear something, it sounded like water, like rain on windows. Where were they? Holding on to Jason’s hand she started to reach for the blindfold with the other. “I said no peeking,” Jason quipped as he took her hand away. “We are almost there.”

Walking a bit further, he stopped and came behind her. Wrapping one hand around her waist he pulled her close to his body. Reaching up with his other hand he removed the blindfold. Looking around, Courtney took in the environment and smiled. “What do you think?” he asked.

“I love it, but where are we?” Courtney inquired.

“We are in the rain forest of the botanical gardens at the zoo,” he replied. “Its supposed to make you feel like it is raining, only you don’t get wet. I wanted to bring you here, well, because we first kissed in the rain.” Courtney took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Jason had thought of every detail. Taking her hand, Jason started to walk through the forest, enjoying just being with her. Courtney paused and Jason turned to her. “Something wrong?” he questioned.

“No, I just am still a little amazed at all the things you have done for tonight,” she replied, smiling at him. Jason pulled her in close and cupped her cheek. Leaning in, he kissed her gently, gliding his lips across hers and parting them to taste her more. Courtney pulled away from the kiss after a moment and laid her head on his chest. “I don’t think I could be any happier than I am right now. I love this, and I love you,” she whispered. Jason put his finger on her chin and turned it up towards his face.

Returning a smile he replied, “Me too. Come on.” Sliding his hand around her shoulder he pulled her close and turned to continue their walk. Emerging into a clearing of sorts, Jason stopped when Courtney did. She looked at him and beamed because of what she saw. Jason leaned into her ear and whispered, “Is it what you had in mind?” He placed a kiss on her neck and pulled back to see her response.

“I would have never thought of this, it’s wonderful,” Courtney declared as she looked at it again. Jason had arranged for a private picnic of sorts at the botanical gardens. Walking over to the blanket spread on the ground, Jason turned to her and took her hands in his.

“Let me help you down,” he said. Courtney slipped off her shoes and stepped on the plush blanket. Jason continued to hold her hand as she lowered herself to her knees and then into a sitting position. With a quick movement Jason joined her on the blanket. He looked over at her and smiled. “You hungry?”

“Maybe a little. Why, are there waiters somewhere ready to pop out and serve us?” she inquired as she smiled.

“No we are the only ones here. I didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone,” he responded. Jumping up, Jason went over to a table behind a bush. “We have various fruits, cheeses, thingy ma-bobs and other things. What are you in the mood for?”

“Whatever you want is fine,” she smiled and said. She was a bit hungry but she really didn’t care what she ate. She was still too stunned by everything to make even a simple decision. She watched as Jason selected a few things, poured them some champagne, and then returned to her. Setting the tray down he rejoined her down on the blanket and smiled. He had strawberries, grapes, canapés, cheese and the champagne. All looked wonderful, but it was not the food that had captured her attention. It was the small velvet box she couldn’t break her stare from.

“Jason, you did not have to get me another gift. The bracelet is perfect,” she professed as she finally turned and looked at him. Taking the box in his hand he moved closer to her.

“What’s in this box isn’t a gift, it is, well, I guess you have to call it a promise. Courtney, you have changed me in places I didn’t even know existed. You make me think about life outside my job, and you make me look forward to that time. I know this may sound strange, but you actually make me do my job better. I am more efficient because I want to return to you. You make me smile, laugh, and love. I had forgotten what it was like, and now I don’t ever want to give these things up. I don’t want to give you up.” Jason stopped for a minute and looked away from her. This was not coming out the way he wanted it to. He had wanted to be smooth in his expressions, but he just seemed to be rambling.

Seeing the look of frustration in him, Courtney raised her hand and placed it on his upper arm, squeezing gently. Jason looked up at her as he took a deep breathe and exhaled slowly. “Jason, I know what you are saying, because I feel the same way,” Courtney began. “I love you and when I am away from you I can’t get back to you soon enough and when I am with you I don’t want to leave. I get that. I have it too.”

Jason had been opening the box while she had been talking. “Courtney will you marry me?” Jason blurted out. Holding out the ring Courtney stopped what she was saying and looked at it. It was beautiful. The marquis diamond in the center was accented with four little round channel set diamonds on each side of it. The gold band of the ring swooshed in a design around the channel sets and to the points of the marquis. It was not an exorbitant ring, maybe a carat total weight, but it was flawless.

Reaching down Jason took her hand and looked into her eyes. “I said, Courtney Mathews will you marry me?” After sliding the ring on her hand he moved his hand to her cheek, waiting for a response, any response. He was starting to be a little concerned. As he touched her cheek he could feel her trembling. Had he gone too far. “Courtney?”

“Yes,” she mouthed almost more than spoke.

“Say something, please.” He pleaded.

“Yes,” she said again, this time with a bit more volume. “Yes Jason I will marry you.”

Leaning over to her he pulled her into a passionate kiss. Parting her lips with his tongue he explored her, almost like it was the first time all over. Touching each other they continued to kiss for several minutes. Laying her back, he had placed himself beside her and was beginning to explore her body once again. Pulling away finally to breathe, Courtney looked at him and smiled, beamed really. Reaching over for her small purse, Courtney removed something from it and looked back at Jason.

“Well, now I would like to give you your present, if you don’t mind,” she commented. Jason was now lying on his back and Courtney slid in under his arm and laid down beside him. Looking at him she took his hand in hers. Slipping the ring in his she folded his fingers around it and then removed her hand from his. Jason moved his hand up and opened it seeing the ring. It was simple gold band, with 4 small diamonds across the bridge of it. Looking inside it he read the inscription. “Marry me. Love Courtney”.

Jason took his hand and slipped the ring on his finger. Turning his attention to her he slid his hand down her back and pulled her towards him. Reaching her mouth he kissed her, excitedly. He parted her lips and plunged into her, tasting her once again. Rolling her gently on top of him he stopped a moment and looked at her. Jason slowly moved his hands to her shoulders and gently ran his fingers along the edge of the plunging back of her dress. Pulling it down her arms her dress began to fall.

Courtney and Jason were focused on each other. Neither had heard the trees rustle as they had enjoyed the passion between them. Jason heard the cold click of the metal and the gun fire. Instantly reacting he rolled Courtney over placing himself between her and danger. “Courtney!!”