Only Once

Chapter 5

"Are you sure you want to go for dinner? We could always stay right here," Isabelle implied, running a hand across Michael's thigh, squeezing lightly.
He laughed and continued to drive in the opposite direction of their complex.
Seeing Scott had brought up all of her suppressed thoughts, and she so desperately wanted to forget her shameful behaviour. The only thing that seemed to make her truly forget was losing herself in Michael. Unfortunately, he was not having it.

They sat across from one another at a two-person table. As they dined, they talked casually about their days. Isabelle talked about her day in the emergency room, at one point a severe trauma had been brought in. She was able to scrub in on the surgery. The patient had been hit in a head-on collision and although she appeared fine, abdominal bleeding was occurring.
Michael talked of his day, and the good impression he got from his new employee, Scott. Isabelle nodded along, unable to concentrate when his name was mentioned. She was sure the guilt showed on her face, but Michael didn't comment on it if he noticed.
Instead, she paid attention to the restaurant itself. It was on the expensive side, more expensive a place than she would have picked. The room was dimly lit, making the place seem more intimate than it really was. The walls were painted red, black and white framed photographs hung on the wall. Servers all dressed alike, red ties, black dress pants and vest, white button up. Candles were lit at every table. She couldn't help thinking how expensive it must be to replace them; then again, the thirty dollar entrées were sure to cover them.
Men and women sat around them, seated in their best dresses and suits, buying wine by the bottle. Few kids were in sight and looking at them, Isabelle knew they'd been told to be on their best behaviour.
"So as I was saying," Michael said, extra loudly to steal back Isabelle's attention. Her cheeks burned of embarrassment.
"Tonight's a special night," he smiled. "As you know, in two weeks, we will have been together for five years. At twenty-six I had not imagined myself settling down anytime soon, but then I met you."
He grasped her hand in his. She smiled nervously, realizing where this was going.
"You were beautiful, your blue eyes captivated me and I have not imagined looking into another pair since. I still remember the night we met. You were waiting on a table, and as soon as you came to take my order, I knew I had to get to know you. Asking you out on a date was the best decision I have ever made. We've been together for so long, and I cannot imagine my life without you."
Michael pulled out a black suede ring box and took a step out of a seat. Situating himself in front of her, on one knee, he continued. His face glowed as he smiled at her.
Isabelle looked around, noticing other tables now had their eyes on the two of them. Her own eyes were glossy looking down at him.
"I knew years ago that you were the one, and tonight, I kneel before you. And I request you be my one and only, forever. I love you, Isabelle." His blue eyes gleamed full of hope as he opened the ring box. She had to cover her mouth to keep from gasping. The ring was beautiful, small diamonds circled the band, and surrounded the larger cut diamond in the middle. It must have cost him a fortune.
Looking down at the ring, and then back to Michael she knew what her answer was. No matter her unfaithfulness, this was how it should be. Herself and him.
She nodded slowly, "yes."
Offering her left hand, Michael slipped the ring onto her ring finger. A perfect fit.
Leaning up, Michael placed a kiss on her lips, holding her cheeks in his hands. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
"I love you," she whispered against his neck.
Around them, small cheers had broken out. Almost the whole restaurant's eyes were on them. Some were clapping, others yelling their congratulations. She felt the eyes focused on her, making her self-conscious.
When Michael sat back down, she tilted her hand this way and that, watching the ring sparkle.
Her face lit up, grabbing both of her fiancé's hands in hers. All of her previous worries evaporated.
In her heart, Isabelle knew this was what was right for her, and them. The two had met in a sports bar she had been waiting at. She still had a couple years of med-school at the time and he still had a year remaining of law school. Michael was a full year older than her. She twenty-nine, and him recently thirty-one. Her birthday was in July, a few months after their anniversary.

They slipped into their apartment, neither's smile had disappeared.
"The ring is beautiful," Isabelle said.
"I hoped you'd like it."
"How long had you been planning this?" She asked, curious.
They walked through the cream coloured hallway to their bedroom. Michael removed his shoes, and Isabelle did the same.
"Months," he told her. "I picked the ring up last week while you were away."
"I see."
Michael wasn't able to see the frown that tugged at Isabelle's lips. While Michael had been picking up an engagement ring, she had been sleeping with someone else.
Isabelle removed the remainder of her clothes, tossing the dress in the hamper. She walked to the bathroom, in desperate need of a shower.
Stopping in the doorway, she got an idea.
"Want to shower with me, fiancé?" She stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame. Her ring exposed, sparkled brightly against the bathroom light.

Michael looked up, mesmerized by the beautiful woman in front of him. Dropping the pyjama pants he was about to put on, he took a moment to just look at her.
She bit her lip as he walked to her. Turning, he watched as she disappeared into the bathroom, starting the shower.
His eyes drank in the site of her bare behind. Stepping out of his boxers, he walked in the shower to join her.
Gripping her hips, he pushed her into the shower wall, water flowing over the two of them. Pressing his body against hers, she gasped, caught off guard.
He kissed her neck and she trembled beneath him.
"I would love to, fiancé."