I Hope You Dance

Chapter 5

We made it downstairs as Phoenix was gathering the last of her things. "I hate that I'm missing breakfast but I will meet you guys for some shopping." I nodded as I walked into the kitchen for some water. "Sounds good, what about dinner?" She shook her head. "Haven't figured out any plans, yet." I nodded as I turned and I heard her gasp. "Oh my god! Are those the Louboutin wedges you were telling me about?" I nodded and lifted my foot for her to look. "How much?" I smirked and sipped my water. "You don't want to know." She scoffed. "And you tied them in a perfect bow?" I looked to Rooster and smirked. "AW! You even tied her shoes for her?" Suddenly she gasped. "This is your first date! Let me take a picture! Please?!" I looked to Rooster who nodded. 

She moved us in front of her large bay window in the living room. "Act all cute or something!" I giggled as Rooster wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to his side while his other hand reached across and held my waist. I rested one hand on his back and my other on his chest while I popped my left foot up. I smiled at Phoenix as she snapped a few pictures and suddenly I felt his lips on my forehead. "Oh, I am so keeping these for your wedding." I chuckled. "A little soon, don't you think, nix?" She shook her head. "Not at all, I'm maid of honor of course." I chuckled. "Of course, now go. Or else you'll be late." I said and she chuckled hugging us both before walking out the door. 

"Can I drive your jeep?" I nodded and handed him the keys. "Shall we ma'lady?" I looped my arm through his. "Why, of course Mr. Bradshaw." I said putting on my best old southern Georgia accent. He led me outside and to my jeep where he opened the door and helped me in, kissing my knuckles before letting go and closing the door. He came around to the drivers side as we buckled in and he started the car, driving off. 

~~~

I sipped on my mimosa as we waited for our food. "So, I feel like if we're gonna do this we need to know a little more about each other." I said and he smirked at me, making me giggle. "Oh so we hardly know each other?" I shook my head. "Not at all." He licked his lips before nodding and leaning forward. "Okay so birthdays. Yours is March eleventh nineteen-ninety three and mine is June twenty-seventh nineteen-eighty four." My bottom lip stuck out at his words. "You remembered my birthday?" He chuckled and reached across the table, grabbing my hands. "How could I forget? We did get to spend that one together on the ship." 

I was asked to report to the ready room, which was weird. We were on our way home so we didn't have to deploy. I walked in to find the room dark when suddenly five little flames lit up the room. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you." My eyes welled with tears as I heard Phoenix and Rooster start to sing. "Happy birthday dear, Magnolia. Happy birthday to you." I rushed over and blew out the candles. Rooster hit the lights as Phoenix sat the slice of cake down and I yanked her into a hug. "You're the best." I let her go as Rooster pulled me into a hug. "Thank you, so much." I said squeezing him and placing a kiss on his jaw as he pulled away, making him look to me. "Well here, it's strawberry." I chuckled as I picked it up. "Y'all want some?" I offered and they shook their heads. "It's yours Magnolia." I nodded. "Yeah, but I want you guys to have some. How often to we get cake on deployment?" They agreed and we all dug in, moaning at the taste.

"I still appreciate that, still to this day." I squeezed his hand. "Okay, school?" I asked and he chuckled. "Graduated from the University of Virginia in 2009, with a bachelors in Political Science." I bit my lip. "You?" I looked down at my Naval Academy ring. "Graduated from the Naval Academy three years ago with a bachelor of science." He smirked. "I didn't know you went to the academy?" I nodded. "Straight after boot camp, met Phoenix in my second year. we bunked together." He chuckled. "That had to be interesting." I shrugged and sipped my mimosa. "It was fun, but Phoenix was always there for me. All the bullshit with Aaron, hell she tried to convince me to leave before he even proposed. Now I realize she was right."