Sunshine, Sea Spray, and Surprises - Part 3 (Conclusion)

Posted on Fri Aug 20th, 2021 @ 7:09pm by First Lieutenant Bethany Harrison & Captain Jonathon Harrison
Edited on on Fri Aug 20th, 2021 @ 7:10pm

Mission: The Factions
Location: Miami, Florida
Timeline: Present Day

“James Bond versus Zorro. Why does that sound like a bad movie that Hollyweird would actually come up with?” Bethany said, laughing. As she dipped another bit of calamari into the sauce, she eyed him, seeming to size him up, and a wave of desire was shared along their link. “I’m pretty sure I prefer Bond, though.”

Jon smiled. “You are quite the Bond girl, my dear,” he said in his best-worst Sean Connery Scottish accent.

Bethany laughed brightly at Jon’s impersonation. “Your accent is better. And you’re a lot sexier than he ever was,” she said, blushing furiously at his compliment, and as she thought about the last couple of days on the island. And about how devilishly handsome he was in that white suit.

“Thank you, bay-bee,” Jon said, the accent this time pure Austin Powers.

The young woman actually cringed a bit at that accent. “You’re definitely more believable as a mysterious spy than that goofball was,” Bethany said, nodding a bit. She hadn’t really known what to make of those parodies. Most of it was so overtly sexual that it just made her turn as red as lava. “And you’re far more of a gentleman than that.”

Jon nodded. “My gran beat that into me,” he admitted with a chuckle.

“Your gran sounds like a good woman,” she responded with a playful grin.

The waiter checked on them a few more times before their entrees arrived, and while Bethany was friendly and cordial, it didn’t really measure up to what could be called flirting. She was just far too inept in dealing with that kind of attention, and she had little desire to do it anyway. The green-eyed young woman was quite happy with the man across from her, so others kind of slipped into the background, unable to hold a candle to him in her eyes.

For a while, Bethany ate in silence, enjoying her birthday dinner, and the company of the man that she loved, her demeanor relaxing as the evening went. While the food portions weren’t large, it was still a lot for the girl that mainly ate for the flavor of things, and the company. “So, where are we going from here? You said a show, but that’s kind of vague. I mean, unless you’re trying to surprise me, or something.”

“Les Miserables is in town,” Jon said. “Broadway musical. It’s superb. I hope you like it,” he told Bethany.

They had gone to movie theaters before, but nothing that had an actual stage. She beat down the anxiety over the idea of being surrounded by strangers, intent on not letting her concerns ruin the night. Bethany looked at Jon curiously, pushing her food away and leaning back in her chair. “Like, the one that Victor Hugo wrote? In an actual theater?” she asked, smiling a bit.

“Yes,” Jon said. “One of my favorite shows.”

Ever since Jon had introduced her to literature, she had been reading quite a bit. And she always enjoyed watching movies with him, even if they didn’t always appeal to her. Most of what he exposed her to was considered classical, or classic, and he rarely steered her wrong. Well, except maybe for the Austin Powers movies. Those were just...weird. “If you like it that much, then I’m sure I’ll enjoy it,” she said, feeling a sense of excitement for the rest of the evening.

“Good. Ready for dessert?” he asked.

Bethany shrugged her tanned shoulders slightly. She wasn’t that much of a sweet eater, but she said, “I’m not sure what a lot of that stuff was, to be honest. But the lime pie sounded kind of interesting. Unless you’ve got something you think I should try.”

“Key lime pie is good,” Jon acknowledged, “but also something you can get anywhere. Same with the cheesecake. But I do like a good flan,” Jon acknowledged. “Just trying to decide between caramel or coconut.”

“I don't really know what that is,” Bethany admitted, again blushing at her lack of knowledge. “But then, I’m not exactly an expert on desserts. You can order one, and I’ll order the other, then we can share them?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Jon said. “It’s a kind of custard,” he explained, nodding the waiter over.

“So, eggs, milk, and sugar?” Bethany asked, seeming genuinely curious. Her mama had made custard on a few occasions, but it hadn’t been a regular thing. She glanced up towards the waiter as he approached with that dashing air, and winning smile. Again she blushed under his friendly attention, then ordered the coconut flan.

“And I will have the caramel,” Jon said. “Thank you.” Soon they were enjoying their desserts.

Bethany did enjoy the flan, though Jon was likely going to wind up eating most of it, as it was rather rich. After nibbling at it in silence for a bit, she asked, “Are you alright? You’ve kind of gone quiet on me.”

“I am fine,” Jon admitted with a smile. “Just enjoying the time with you, not on a mission.” Idly, he touched his pocket.

Bethany smiled happily at Jon. “I agree. It’s nice to be doing something other than dodging bullets together,” she said with a soft laugh, taking a bit more of the flan onto her spoon to nibble on. “Maybe we should do things like this more often. I really am enjoying it.”

“We should. Put them on the calendar or something,” Jon said with a smile.

Bethany chuckled, knowing that would never work, as they never knew where they’d be, or what they’d be doing, on any given day. “Maybe we could make it a point to do things like this during our downtime. I mean, I know we haven’t gotten much of that lately,” she said, taking her last bite of the coconut flan and pushing it towards Jon. “But we could just tell Dyami to sit on his hands for a few days, or something.”

Jon nodded. “I’m fine telling Dyami off most days,” he said with a smirk before pulling a small, square velvet box from his pocket, fiddling with it nervously.

Bethany laughed at the fact that Jon had no issues telling Dyami off. She had seen it a few times, and it was always humorous. The young woman’s emerald gaze shifted to the small box in his hands. “What’s that?” she asked curiously, wondering what about that little box had suddenly made him nervous.

“I got you something, for your birthday,” Jon said, sliding the small box across the table to Bethany.

For the life of her, she couldn’t imagine what would make him nervous about giving her a gift. It wasn’t like he had never done it before. Bethany took the little box and gave him a smile. “It’s not going to bite me, is it?” she asked teasingly as she opened it.

Inside was a ring, with a diamond glinting brightly in the light of the restaurant. Jon slipped from his chair to one knee. “Bethany Davies, luv, will you be my wife?”

All that Bethany could do for a moment was blink a bit rapidly, stunned by the beauty of the colors dancing off of the ring. But she was even more stunned by the sight of Jon on his knee in front of her, and the question that had fallen from his lips. Now she knew why he was so nervous. Her heart was suddenly pounding in her ears, as a million things raced through her mind. Her mouth fell open no fewer than three times, before snapping shut again.

It took a moment for her to realize that all eyes seemed to be on them, and another for her to finally speak, tears in her emerald eyes. She reached over and gently caressed Jon’s cheek. “Of course I will. Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife,” she finally managed to say, her voice strained with emotion.

Jon’s smile beamed, and he took the ring out of the box and slipped it on her hand before sweeping her into his arms to kiss her.

Bethany’s arms slipped around Jon’s neck, holding him tightly as she happily returned his eager kiss, seemingly oblivious to the cheers and applause from the other diners at the restaurant. She didn’t really understand why she was crying when she pulled back slightly to gaze into his gorgeous blue eyes. After all, she was so happy that she thought her heart might burst. “I love you,” she said softly.

“I love you,” Jon returned, pulsing his feelings for her down the bond that they shared.

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FIN
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Captain Jonathon Harrison
“Rook”
Mutant Underground

1st Lieutenant Bethany Davies
“Fractal”
Mutant Underground