The Grand Piazza / It's about time...(private/Mathias) / Shay 18 years ago

It's about time...(private/Mathias)

As the two of them walked arm and arm into the
lobby of the Grand Piazza, Shay caught one or two
pairs of eyes on them, and allowed a small grin to
grace her face. While she never was a true wallflower,
she also never was much of a party animal either. But
lately it was becoming more and more
enjoyable for her to be out, and about, especially
on Alexi's arm. Having someone to share things
with made all the difference in the world.

With only one major issue on her agenda for the
night, she hoped she could get it out and explained
quickly, and then enjoy the rest of the evening.
Having time to think, as well as having spoken to
Wren and Tristan, Shay was slowly learning to live
with her circumstances, and no longer see them as the end
of the world. She didn't doubt there would be days in the
future when the reality would hit her harder than
others, but having Alexi made the matter much easier
to live with.

The hotel seemed very upscale, and posh, and she had
to wonder about some of the people sitting in the
lobby...who they were, what did they do...were any of
them vampires? Her interest in the others waned quickly, as
it was difficult to think of anyone besides Alexi, when they
were together.

As the entered the restaurant, Shay's grin widened. The maitre d'
practically fell over himself in his rush to attend to Alexi. Though
Shay knew him to be a loving and caring man, she knew he
could be imposing as well. Looking up at him now...tonight...all she saw
was her center...her rock...the main reason for her existence...now. She
again thanked whatever fates brought them together that night at the House of
Pain, and the fact that his sometime austere stature had been missing
when his gaze fell upon her.

The were seated in one of the less busy corners, out of the way
of the kitchen traffic and the noise a young family with three small
children were making. In a different setting, or on a different night,
Shay wouldn't have minded the children, and even found them entertaining,
and delightful to watch. Not tonight.

Sitting across from Alexi, she laced her fingers with his, across the table,
and smiled.

"This is a lovely place. Thank you for suggesting it."Â?

A drink...she would have one drink first...and then tell him.
She chewed her bottom lip as she glanced at the waiter
coming in their direction.

Shay 18 years ago

When she was just inside the ladie's room, Shay collapsed on the small settee, alongside the vanity. There was no one in the room with her, though it sounded like someone was washing their hands in the inner lavatory. She laid her head on her arms on the vanity, and cried.

Crying was not something Shay was ashamed of, but she didn't want the attention it sometimes sought out. So when the woman came through from the sink area, Shay took a tissue and blew her nose, pretending to check her hair, casting her eyes towards the mirror and away from the door. Once the woman left, Shay felt in better control.

As she patted her face with a damp towel, she tried to pull back the Shay of earlier in the evening. It seemed it might be a losing battle. As long as she thought of things besides Alexi, and the future, and the upcoming operation, and life in Nachton, she was fine. That left little to think about though.

Smoothing her hands over her clothes, making sure everything was tucked in, and straight, with a final glance in the mirror, she left the restroom.

"I'm baaaaaack."

She said, as she approached the table, in a soft, quiet, singsong voice. She was trying to keep upbeat...positive...it was working better now, than before she left the table.

Except she was avoiding his eyes.

Sitting down, she placed her napkin in her lap, and bent over to retrieve her purse from where she had placed it on the chair next to her. Reaching inside, she pulled out the small box, and returned her purse to the chair.

Sitting up, she toyed with the box in her lap...rolling it around between both hands. She looked up into his face, and smiled.

"I have something for you."

She thrust the ring box at him, and swallowed. Her eyes were still bright with unshed tears, but now because she was happy again.

(ooc - contents of box - platinum male's signet ring with letter A carved into the top. Inside engraved "Forever - S")

Mathias 18 years ago

Sighing quietly,Mathias watched Shay go. He knew that the old couples gift was bittersweet for them both,but he didn't expect her to break down so suddenly. Perhaps it was just everything,with the operation and Patrick and the stress he had been under as well - perhaps she had every reason. It was something Mathias didn't do - he dealt with things,never letting them get to him..but was it a better way? He said his heart was open to shay,but if he couldn't feel or let himself feel her pain was it a lie then?

He resolved then to make an effort,to be more open truly and to give more of himself to Shay. Preparing to tell her that and to let Shay know he felt her pain,Mathias was taken aback by not only her bounciness but how she avoided all eye contact. Something was bothering her still and Mathias wanted to know what it was.

And thus he was caught off guard when Shay produced a box for him. A gift? Opening it,Mathias saw a platinum ring with the letter A in the top. Examining further he saw the inscription and for the first time in a long while, Mathias felt tears well up. Not tears of pain, or of rage..but the pure clear tears when one has a perfect moment of joy.

"I..I don't know what to say..Sweet Jesu,it's beautiful...YOU are beautiful..."

He would worry about the meaning of the ring later,analysis was the last thing on his mind.

"I love you Shalimaar O'Mannon. As I have never loved before,or will ever love again. With all my heart,my soul...forever and a day"

Shay 18 years ago

So relieved that he seemed to like it, Shay felt a small part of her tension ease. And even though his words of 'forever' love gripped her heart, she refused to give into the pain.

Taking his hand in both of her's her emotions poured out in a stream of consciousness.

"I'm so glad you like it...it's been in my family for over a hundred years...it was my great-great grandfather's and my mom was thrilled to know it would now, again, have a good home. I think that's her way of welcoming you to the family. You don't have to wear it, of course...I know a lot of men don't like wearing jewelry, but it was just something I needed to give you...though I had intended on giving it as a holiday gift...but then they were so hectic, and since I didn't know your birthday, and really didn't want to wait...I wanted you to have it when I went to New York...crazy...I know it makes no sense, but it had become almost an obsession to know you will have it when I 'go under'."

Because she needed a breath, Shay stopped...but didn't wait long before beginning again.

"I'm sorry...I'm babbling...it must be nerves..."

One of those involuntary shudders ran through her then...the kind that sometimes happen after she had been crying a long time. Another way her body released tension, she supposed.

"I don't envy you living with me for the next little while, and if you ever find you need to get away, have some space, I'll certainly understand. Hell, I'll be surprised if Tristan hangs around very long...though by now he's probably one of the few people used to me and my moods."

Though in all fairness to her, once she left her teen years behind, Shay's moodiness had calmed dramatically.

And then his declaration of love had her tears falling again...which then angered her.

"Ach! This is insane! I have got to stop crying!"

Her words were said low and soft, but yet with enough emphasis to get across the feelings they held.

The operation she was to have was supposedly the best course to leave her hormones in tact...though after the day she'd had today, she couldn't help but wonder maybe artificial hormones was the way to go. Of course that thought was just her frustration coming out, and not even a real consideration.

She let go of his hand with one of hers, and swiped it across her damp cheeks. A look of mixed emotions...sadness, happiness, apology, and fear, now passed across her face, as she tried to smile at him.

"You poor man...what have you gotten yourself into?"

And she finally laughed again, even if for just a brief moment.

Mathias 18 years ago

"You poor man...what have you gotten yourself into?"

Watching Shay run the gamut of emotions,he half expected her to rage at him for some imagined crime. And yet wasn't this love at heart? Happiness,sadness,tears and laughter all in one confusing jumble. Yes,that was the answer.

Mathias took Shay's hand in his and looked directly in her eyes. Losing himself in the blue green pools he felt his voice catch when he spoke.

"What have I gotten myself into? A love that I could not imagine a year ago, a love that even now I scarcely believe is true. I have gotten myself into a relationship with a woman who is truly my soulmate. One whom I want to share tears,laughter,happiness and pain with as long as God Above allows me."

"That is what I have gotten myself into"

Shay 18 years ago

With those words, he was her undoing. No longer content to sit and just hold hands across the table, Shay wanted to crawl into his lap, and begin the dance they danced so well together.

Fortunately, her mind hadn't totally left her, and she did no such thing. What she did do was hand him a glass of the champagne, and lifted one herself. She hadn't seen the waiter pour them, but it didn't matter, the glasses were full and ready. Holding her's towards the other couple, who were still glancing their way, she mouthed the words 'thank you', before she took a good sized sip, and smiled at them again.

Not able to continue with the mixed emotions being generated there, Shay then stood, grabbed her purse, and then tugged on Alexi's hand, indicating she wanted him to stand as well, and for them to leave now. When he stood, she intended to kiss him anyway, partially as a sign of confirmation to the older couple, but more so because she needed his lips on her's now...she needed to feel him.

She had eaten enough to provide her with the nutrients her body needed...and his needed none from the meal there. So she saw no reason they shouldn't move on with the rest of their evening. Maybe once they were dancing, all would again be right with the world. It was that hope that kept her motivated. That and the look in his eyes tonight, when he had her in his sight.

"Do you mind too much, if we leave now? I'd really like to feel your arms around me, as soon as possible. I need you so much now my sweet man. To feel that love that only exists between the two of us. Your words are what I will live on, while I am away...I hope with all my heart that you never regret them."

It didn't seem possible, that anything could harm their love for each other, but Shay had seen it happen to others. And though the old couple had been well intentioned, they had opened up a box she had thought to leave dormant, for a lot longer time.

Shay just couldn't see her and Alexi sitting at this table together like that, fifty years from now.

Mathias 18 years ago

This night had been a roller coaster of emotion - helpful,but not what either of them had intended or desired. So it was not a particular shock when Shay nudged MAthias to stand and asked if they could go. Getting out of here and the feelings it engendered was definitely in order.

"Of course love, I think some fresh air and dancing will be the balm we require."

Nodding and bowing to the older couple,Mathias returned Shay's kiss with equal ardor, forgetting the room existed as they became lost in one another.

the waiter's subtle cough brought him back, as the bill was presented. Paying the bill, Mathias led Shay out into the night and hopefully brighter memories.

((OOC - Mathias and Shay out, lock please ))