The Modern Mrs. Claus

Chapter six- April 12th

"-and so, please donate to our cause or visit us at the address mentioned in the program, we need all the help we can get!" I yelled into the microphone, enthusiastic cheering followed, a sign that I really was doing really well.

I walked off of the stage and immediately towards my car, ignoring the invitations to peoples houses for dinner, I had done a lot of work today and all I could think of doing right now was lying in my hotel and watching the latest James Bond movie.

"Diana!" I saw my boyriends head bobbing in the crowd, "Diana wait!" I stood stock still and let the crowd ebb around me as I waited for my boyfriend to join me. When I felt his firm hand entwined with mine, I brought him to the car, "alright, you ready for some movies at the hotel?" Jonah climbed into the car and motioned for me to do the same.

When I closed the door, Jonah turned my head and kissed me on the lips. After he finished, he nodded to the driver, "bring us to the hotel," the driver smiled and turned on the car.

"What was that for?" I asked, breathless. He smiled, "you'll see. When we get to the hotel, I want you to put on your best dress," I shook my head, "I want a night in," I told him sadly. But he just smiled, "don't you worry, I'm ordering room service and we'll have our own fancy restaurant in our hotel."

I grinned, what would make him do all this? But of course, if he wishes to do this, I'll oblige.

When we got to the hotel he motioned my unpacked things and then to the bathroom, "get started darling, I'll be waiting," he winked.

I grinned at him and grabbed the closest dress out of my bag and ran to the bathroom. After changing and applying a small amount of makeup, I walked out of the bathroom. I heard a click of a phone and I turned around to see Jonah holding his phone.

"Argh! What was that for?" I asked him, "for you," he smiled and hugged me and whispered in my ear, "room service should be here any minute, why don't you go sit outside on the patio?" 

I did. We were in Florida at the time, so this April night was warm and muggy. As I waited for him, I recalled back to a few months ago, when the factory only had a few hundred presents. Now guess what? It's up to the hundred thousands! People have been donating so much it's just been great. The volunteer's bring more and more presents each day they come to work, some are new, some aren't. Some are okay looking, while some have rips and tears. But we take them all. Most of the volunteers wrap kind of badly, but we deal with it, and it pays off in the end.

I heard Jonah speaking quietly to the room service people, and then he came onto the patio, holding a tray of who-knows-what. I looked up at him curiously. He then took the top of the tray off and said, "bon appetite!"

I stared at the dinner, it was nothing less than two hamburgers and a mountain of french fries! "I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!" I yelled at him, "I haven't had good fast food in such a long time!" I got up from my seat and kissed him on both cheeks, he guffawed, "I knew you'd like it! Now please, let's eat!"

I dug in and was half way through my hamburger when I caught my boyfriend staring at me, "what's up?" I asked him with a mouthful of food, "nothing," he said quickly. I shrugged and took some french fries, "You even remembered ketchup! Thank you thank you thank you!" I laughed. Jonah laughed a little half heartedly. I stared at him, "Jonah, are you sure your okay?"

"Yes I'm fine! Just a little nervous."

"Why?"

"Just please eat your hamburger,"

I looked at him with concern, but didn't question further. After I was done with all I could shove into my stomach, Jonah said quickly, "Let's eat dessert."

He went back inside, and as I watched him, opened the freezer provided by the hotel and brought out yet another dish. When he got back at the table, he looked at me, then took off the lid of this tray.

I gasped. The dessert was vanilla ice cream with chocolate and caramel sauce, topped off with a cherry. "This is beautiful Jonah, but why are you doing-"

Jonah cut my off, "please just eat it."

"Okay..." I trailed off, and grabbed my spoon and dug in, there's no hope of savoring this, it looks too good.

Wait. What's this? My spoon touched something... Hard? I looked at Jonah, his eyes shining, "oh my god Jonah, is this what I think it is?" I started, but I was cut off by him getting out of his chair, taking my hand, and kneeling to me, "Diana Jackson, beautiful, beautiful Diana. Will you be my bride?"

I took out the ring, still wet with melted ice cream and gave it to Jonah, he then started to repeat what he just said, but I cut him off by kissing him.

"Yes Jonah. I will marry you."