Chapter 30: A Summer Night in Paris.

'Shorty!' He stood up so fast he banged his head on the overhead luggage rack.
'Ouch Jon are you ok?' She leant over to rub his head where he had hit it.
'I'm great now.' He smiled.
She laughed and looked down at her hands, coming over all shy suddenly.
'I'd given up on you' he said.
'Sorry but this is London, unfortunately traffic doesn't part like the red sea just because i'm in a hurry. Thought i was going to miss the train.'
'Well it doesn't leave till ten past. Call it security.'
She chuckled, and he admired her sparkling eyes as they danced with the laughter. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail, showing her perfect face off. Making her eyes seem even more blue if that was possible. The pale skin he remembered so well from last winter was sun kissed, she was radiant.
'So, is this seat free?'
Jon snapped out of it, he hadn't realised he had been staring. 'Yeah, Course.'
He gestured for her to sit.

'So you came?'
'Yeah, i've never been to Paris.' She smiled cheekily.
Jon laughed, he'd missed her sense of humour. Like the way she would mercilessly tease him, and the way he would take it. He didn't usually take humour at his own expense very well.
'And...Alex?'
'What about him?' Ruby really didn't want to talk about this, but it was probably best to get it out of the way, '...he's nice, reliable, my age....practically perfect, except....' She changed her focus, pretending to look for something in her bag.
Jon's eyes didn't move from her, 'Except?'
She opened her mouth to tell him except he isn't you, but stopped herself. 'I told him i need to take a break....Anyway i could ask the same about you and Diane. What is going on there?'
'Let's just call it a major error in judgement.'
Ruby nodded, knowing when to not probe any deeper.

A brief awkward silence followed...Jon was the first to break it.
'You may aswell have said that it's over.'
'What?'
'With Alex.'
'Cocky son of a...' She laughed.
'I mean it. I'm not letting you get away this time.' He looked intently into her eyes, hoping to show her he truly meant it.
'Sir, Madam can i get you something to drink?' They were interrupted by a waitress.
'Champagne.' Jon replied.
'Please.' Ruby added. Turning back to Jon, 'Mind your P's and Q's!'
Jon just rolled his eyes in response.

'So what made you come?'
'Let's just say a friend let me in on the inner workings of your mind.' She said stowing her bag overhead.
'Damn it what has he been saying?'
'You should be thanking him!' Ruby replied.
'Champagne, Sir.' The waitress said as she returned. 'Would you like me to open it?'
'That's okay, i'll do the honours.' Jon said, glancing at Ruby's face he quickly turned back and added, 'Thank you!'

He popped the cork and poured the champagne into two glasses.
'Here's to...us?' Jon asked cocking an eyebrow, not entirely sure where the land lay between them yet.
'Here's to getting it right this time.' She replied.
'Ouch.' Jon said clutching his chest in faux pain.

---------------

It was quarter to ten as they arrived at the train terminal in Paris. They stood on the pavement outside.

'What?' Ruby laughed. 'Do i have food on my face?'
Jon snapped out of it, 'Sorry...no, sorry its just, you look good.'
She blushed, looking away from his gaze, 'Thanks.'
'I really want this to work you know. I'm just figuring this out for myself..' he said as if he felt she was unsure about the situation.
'I know. And just so you know, there was no doubt in my mind.'

That was it then after that admission, a goofy grin was plastered on Jon's face that wasn't going anywhere in a while.

He picked up her bag and slung it over his shoulder and grabbed her hand, 'Come on you must be hungry.'
They got into the backseat of a waiting taxi and Jon leaned forward and said something to the driver. Ruby strained to hear but didn't catch it over the sound of the radio.

---------------

'This really is the only way to see Paris.' Jon said as he lead Ruby out.
She walked ahead of him, open mouthed at the stunning view.
Jon had taken them to the Tour Montparnasse the tallest building in Paris, and they had just walked out onto the terrace at the very top.
He walked to stand beside her at the railing.
The blazing sun had long since disappeared below the skyline leaving only a dark blue twilight. But it seemed as bright as ever, the darkness of the buildings broken up by a criss cross of streets lit by cars and lights.

'Wow.' she whispered, barely audible.
'Yeah best view of the city...mainly 'cause you don't see this ugly thing that we're standing on.' he chuckled.
'It's beautiful.'
'Hey we're on the wrong side.' Jon laughed, he took her hand and led her to the opposite side of the viewing terrace.
Placing his hands lightly on her hips he maneuvered her to stand in front of him and pointed her in the right direction.
'Eiffel Tower.' He said in her ear as he stooped slightly so his head was level with hers over her shoulder. Pointing across the city scape before them.
'There's the Champs-Élysées and at the end the Arc de Triomphe.'
'I don't see it.'
He moved his face closer to hers, his cheek brushed hers slightly.
Jon felt completely on edge this close to her, his arms had goose pimples yet the summer air was warm. Ruby was too enthralled in the view to notice.
'Follow the tip of my finger, right there, all lit up.'
'Oh yeah!' She exclaimed.
Jon could hear the wonder in her voice.

'How come you know all this?' She asked.
'I've stared out of hotel windows all over the world babe.' She could hear a tinge of regret in his voice.
'Well thank you.'
'What you thanking me for?' he asked as she pulled away and turned to face him.
'For this, bringing me up here.'
'I should be thanking you' Jon said. 'Anyway don't know 'bout you but i could eat.'
'Yeah i guess.' She turned to take in the view a last time before they went.
'Don't worry, where we are eating you will have nearly as good a view.'

***

Three floors below they took their seat next to the window.
Ruby turned in her seat to continue admiring the view.
'Looks like i have competition for your affections tonight.' Jon laughed.
She turned back to him with a smile on her face.
'I'm sorry, it's just wow.' She quickly turned her head once more, 'Beautiful....ok i'm done i promise.'
Jon just laughed. 'Wait till i show you Dubai, or Tokyo!'
'I might hold you to that you know.'
'You better had.' Jon replied, the goofy grin still evident.

Jon ordered them both oysters as a start and lobster for the main course. This was done in French and Ruby was none the wiser until the food was served. Reluctant at first she soon confessed her enjoyment of both. The wine flowed freely and they both enjoyed each other's company, any residual nerves put at ease.

Later on they were enjoying a simple dessert of Mousse au Chocolat, it was just past midnight.
'That was so amazing.' Ruby said as she put her napkin on the table.
'Aww come on look one more bite left.' Jon replied.
'Nope. I can't eat another spoonful!'
Jon reached across and scooped the rest out with his spoon and put it in his mouth appreciatively. 'Waste not want not.' He said as he liked the spoon for a final time and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
'Gannet!' Ruby said laughing.
'Nothin' wrong with a good healthy appetite babe.' Jon stood from he seat with a wobble.
'You ok there Mister?' Ruby laughed at his unsteadiness.
Jon put up his hand, 'Yeah fine, head rush that's all. I'll be back, just one minute.'
Ruby giggled at his tipsy state. She had barely had a glass of each of the two bottles of wine that had been brought to the table. And that was enough for her to be half cut.

Minutes later Jon was back.
He didn't move to sit down, he just stood next to her.
'Hey you gonna join me?' She asked. He seemed antsy.
'Listen i gotta say somethin'.' He said, his Jersey really came out strong when he was drunk she noticed.
He dropped onto one knee on front of her.
'Jon? What are you doing? Get up!' Suddenly she felt herself sobering up.
'Shorty. Will you marry me?'