The First Catch

Chapter 21: A Proposal

Melanie had been rather busy the past few days at work.  Mostly working the overnight shifts.  But the next two days she had some time off again.  She enjoyed doing what she did, but unfortunately with what happened since Paul, Melanie hadn't been getting as many hours in as she used to.  Rachel was quite worried about her stability to be working in her position with the team.  So she hadn't scheduled her much since then.  But Victoria had put in word for Melanie that she thought she seemed to be doing some improving.  Asking Rachel if she could give her another chance.  And though Melanie appeared to be doing fine, something now and then still seemed to trigger her memory of what happened the evening of Paul's accident.  And she would end up losing focus.  Which always worried her supervisor.  For that was something that she couldn't have.  She couldn't risk her team members not being focused, and have something going wrong on her account when it could have been avoided.

Now that it was Victoria's turn to take her shift, Melanie was home alone at the house as Levi was working too.  She wandered into the living room and decided to turn on the tv curling up on the couch to get comfy.  From working lately and not being used to having the night shifts so much anymore, Melanie grew fairly tired, and after awhile she managed to drift off to sleep.

Flashback:
Melanie glanced around as Paul had lead her into the restaurant.  She smiled looking over at him.  She recognized the place as they approached the building.  The restaurant Iris.  They hadn't been here since their first official date.  Melanie was slightly curious.  She knew that Paul had something in mind, but she didn't know what.  He seemed to be rather secretive lately.  She noticed as she scanned the area that the setting even looked to be the same setup as it was on their first date.  Even having the same table spot.  She grinned a bit looking at Paul.  "Here I thought we were going to be going someplace else.  You always manage to surprise me."  She winked.  Paul laughed.  "Well, I know it's sort of been awhile since we have been on a proper date.  And I know that you enjoyed coming here before when we came here the first time."  He smiled as he looked over at her, then lead her over to the table that was set up for the two of them.  He could sense that Melanie was starting to know something was up, but she was still trying to figure out exactly what was going on.  She chuckled.  "There's a lot of fancy places here in the city.  And except for making Overton Park seem to be our main spot, we usually tend to go someplace different each time.  I've noticed that we never really have hit the same places more than once.  So I wouldn't of expected for you to choose this place."  She explained.  Paul grinned shaking his head.  Melanie never seemed to miss too much when it came to details.  Even the miner ones.  "Perhaps I decided to choose this place for that reason.  You were expecting to go someplace different so I decided to throw you off by coming to one of the same venues we've been to already."  He winked teasing a bit.  Melanie smiled at him letting out a laugh.  "It was quite a nice surprise.  I did enjoy coming here the first time, and I would've liked to come here again, but I know it's expensive, so I didn't say anything."

Paul looked at Melanie as she spoke.  He always enjoyed listening to her talk.  He smiled a little as he heard her speaking, starting to ramble.  "I thought that you might like coming here again.  I had considered a few times taking you here.  But I know that you preferred keeping things more simple.  I also remember you were worried about the prices the last time as well too."  He grinned.  Melanie kept her eye on him grinning back.  "Hey.. I may be simple but that doesn't mean we simpletons don't mind a nice wine and dine now and then."  She winked.  Paul laughed.  "I will remember that for next time."  Melanie smiled as she took the last few steps with him closer to their table.  Standing next to him as he reached over to pull out her chair.  "After you."  He smiled at her.  Melanie looked at him a split second before sitting down.  "Thank you." She scooted her chair closer to the table as he walked around, sitting down in the chair across from her.  "You are welcome."  He said, looking at her as he sat down in his chair and pulled it closer to the table..