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Date Posted: 19:50:50 03/05/01 Mon
Author: Lakota
Subject: Waiting for Your - Chapter 24C

Waiting for You - Chapter 24C


Rainbow Grille - Valentine’s Day evening – February 1944


The cab stopped at the entry level of 30 Rockefeller Center. Lucas opened the door and climbed out paying the
driver before turning to offer his hand to Sami as she gathered her voluminous skirt and made her graceful exit from
the taxi. Lucas placed his arm around her waist as they both looked up at the famous towering skyscraper where
Carrie and Jennifer worked five or more days a week depending on the amount of news needing to be edited for
airtime. Lucas pointed to the top.

“That is where we are headed, Sami…the sixty-fifth floor.”

They walked to the entrance of the building and strolled to the bank of elevators. Lucas pushed the button. In four
minutes one of the doors slid open as a bell announced it was taking passengers to the top of the structure. The young
couple walked into the elevator and watched the doors quietly close, encapsulating them as it began its ascent.

“How long do you think it will take for us to reach the top floor, Lucas?”

“Probably not long but long enough for me to do this.” Lucas turned and placing his left hand behind Sami’s head
brought her toward him in a deep, heartfelt kiss. They arrived at the apex of the building just as they felt the need for
oxygen though not because of the altitude. As the doors opened, Lucas took Sami’s hand and began to lead her from
the elevator. He had gotten no more than two steps when he felt her gently jerk him backward.

“What are you doing?”

“This….”, Sami said as she took her thumb and ran it across Lucas’s lip removing the smudge of red lipstick. “It’s
really not your shade.”

Lucas realized what Sami meant and pulled his white handkerchief from his pocket and used it to remove any last
traces of how they had spent their elevator time. He looked back at Sami who nodded that all was in order before
they made a second attempt at making a grand entrance into the famous Rainbow Grille - - named by critics city-wide
as one of the finest supper clubs in New York as well as the most romantic.

“Bet we’re not the first ones to ever use that elevator as a passion pit,” Lucas whispered into Sami’s ear as they
walked to the cloakroom.

“Shhh …someone will hear you. I don’t think we want everyone to know what we were doing, do you?

Lucas grinned at Sami and wiggled his eyebrows making Sami wonder if he viewed her remark as a dare.

“Lucas…” Sami said under her breath through gritted teeth.

“What…I heard you. It’s tempting. What would be the harm in everyone knowing I’m out with the most beautiful girl
this side of the Mississippi River who just happens to be the best kisser around?”

“Because we’re trying to be sophisticated tonight, that’s why. This isn’t like the Valentine’s date we had at the Brady
Pub in high school.”

“Agreed….they probably have better burgers than this joint.”

“Oh, tell me you aren’t going to order a hamburger in here.”

Lucas turned to her never letting go of her hand as he looked squarely in her sapphire-colored eyes. He could see his
joke had gone on too long.

“No, I wouldn’t do that. I was just having some fun and trying to get over being nervous.”

“Nervous? What are you nervous about?”

“I’ll tell you later. Come on – our table awaits us…I hope.”

Lucas gave his name to the hostess who realized he was the young soldier who had won the complimentary dinner the
owners had donated for the International Red Cross New Year’s Eve Gala. A leggy, young woman in a short-skirted
costume reminiscent of what cigar girls wore, came over to take photos including one of them shaking hands with the
manager. They were escorted to their table while other patrons looked on trying to place the faces of the young
couple. With all the fuss made upon their arrival, surely, they had to be celebrities. They were seated at a table
directly to the side and slightly raised above the dance floor where the piano, drums and bass were awaiting
musicians’ hands to bring them alive. It was the perfect spot to hear the music when the set began though knowing
Lucas, he’d be out dancing rather than sitting listening to it. The room was darkened allowing the city lights to dazzle
through the windows displaying New York at its most glamorous. Far into the distance the lights of the city twinkled.

An elderly waiter, sporting a slight French accent brought their menus and prepared to take drink orders.

“I’d like a Bourbon and branch. What do you want, Sami?”

“A Singapore sling, please.”

“The lady will have a Singapore sling.”

The waiter left to get their drinks allowing them time to settle in and look over the entrees. Lucas shook his head and
smiled as he opened the menu to give it serious consideration.

“What’s so amusing?”

“You…..that’s what or should I say ‘who’.”

Puzzled, Sami rewound the previous few minutes’ happenings trying to understand what could have tickled Lucas.

“Okay,….. ..I give.”

“It’s just that……you….you’re gonna get mad if I tell you.”

“I am not…in fact, I’m going to get mad if you DON’T tell me.”

“See? You’re already getting agitated.”

“Lucas!”

“All right. It’s just that even though we’ve been back together for over six weeks, there still are times you’ll say or do
something that I’d forgotten were characteristics of yours. They remind me all over again of the reasons I love you.”

“Oh….” Sami quietly said feeling her cheeks warm as she blushed from Lucas’ admission. “What did I do that made
you think of that?”

“The drink you ordered….” Lucas grinned as he put down his menu and clasped his hand in from of him and resting
them on top of the entrée selection list.

“I don’t order a Singapore sling that often.”

“That’s true, it could also be a Fuzzy Naval, Sloe gin Fizz, …but it has to be anything that comes with a paper
umbrella in it. Never fails. It’s just something I had put away about you and was suddenly reminded.”

Sami started to say something when the waiter arrived with their drinks. When he left to give them time to peruse the
menu a little longer, Sami noticed a green and yellow swirl-designed umbrella perched atop the side of her drink. She
grinned and removed it before taking her first sip.

“All right, so I can’t help it if I like sweet drinks and the umbrella is kind of cute. Do you want to try a sip of it?”

Lucas held his hand up in a vigorous “no” gesture while swallowing from his own drink.

“I can’t do that…it’s against the code of manly behavior.”

“Code of manly behavior?”

“Yeah, you know……the one which says we first must solidly thump every appliance before trying to repair it, that
duct tape is to be used to repair anything, after we thump it …and under no circumstances ever drink a beverage with
a cute, paper umbrella in it.”

“Really? Is this in book form? I’d truly like to read it sometime. Maybe I could pick up a few pointers about my
brothers and you. ”

“Nope,…..sorry…strictly oral tradition passed down from generation to generation. “

“Hmmmm…pity, really. Well, pardon me while I just have another sip of my umbrella-decorated drink then.”

Sami took the straw into her mouth and sipped while Lucas watched her with a grin on his face before he once again
looked through the selections on the menu.

“I’m glad we’re really not having to pay for this based on the prices, Holy Cow.”

“You noticed that, too? I didn’t realize when you won it what a valuable door prize you’d won. Anything in particular
look good?”

“Everything…’cause it’s free.”

“Oh, honestly, Lucas…..”

“Well, it does. How about an appetizer, then a meal and leave room for dessert?”

“With the waistline on this dress, I may have to take part of it home. It doesn’t allow for all of that.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Lucas called for the waiter and ordered their elegant meal while Sami secretly delighted in watching him. It struck her
again how much maturity he had developed in their time apart. It suited him. She wondered if she appeared similarly
to him. She remembered some of their previous Valentine’s Days together before another memory crowded in.

Lucas had handed the menus to the waiter and was taking a sip of his drink when he noticed a sad look had clouded
Sami’s face.

“Sami?”

“Huh?”

“You okay?”

“Yeah…….I’m……fine.”

“No, you’re not. What’s wrong?”

Attempting to take herself out of the mood, she put on her brightest smile and shook her head. Lucas knew her too
well and had seen that gesture before. He knew better than to let it go.

“Come on…..remember?”

“Remember what?”

“That we made a promise to each other on the rooftop of the Grand Hotel on New Year’s Eve that we would never
lie or keep secrets from one another again…..nothing less than that would do. So, tell me what’s suddenly made you
have tears in your eyes. Did I do something?”

“No…no, it isn’t that.”

“What is it then? Whatever it is, it’s upsetting you and we’re supposed to be happy tonight.”

“Oh, Lucas, I am happy…really. It’s just…..I…..”

Lucas reached across the table and laid his hand on Sami’s and squeezed it as a sign of encouragement for her to tell
him what was responsible for the sudden mood change. He leaned forward bending his head down until her eyes once
again looked into his. She could see no further use in stalling, drew a shaky, deep breath and began.

“I was remembering this holiday last year. I had met this guy….a soldier….and he invited me to go out for Valentine’s
Day.”

“Oh….”

“See, that’s why I didn’t want to tell you.”

“No, no…Sami….we said the truth would have to be out in the open no matter whether we wanted to hear it or not.
Maybe this is one of those times for me…. so….. go on.”

“Well, I debated about it. You see, I hadn’t gone out on Valentine’s Day the previous three years…it was too painful.
Other holidays could sometimes be rough…especially Christmas…but Valentine’s Day…I would miss you so
much…”

Sami reached for her clutch purse trying to find the handkerchief through her blurred vision. Lucas handed his to her
after he had turned over one side where her red lipstick she had removed from his mouth was evident.

“Thanks…..anyway, I made all these plans to do my hair, nails…all the usual, you know, the routine I go through. I
was determined that it was time for me to get on with my life without you. This was going to be a big step in
accomplishing that.”

Lucas nodded his head and stared at the linen tablecloth to hide the hurt he suddenly felt.

“I was ready to go…he was going to be there to pick me up at the Penthouse in less than an hour…………….I
couldn’t do it……I called him…told him I wasn’t feeling well….and spent the evening going through the photo
albums looking at pictures of you and me and listening to our favorite song over and over, just like I did every year. I
guess you could say I dated you all these years we were apart on this one day even though you didn’t know …or, for
all I knew, care. Now, it just hit me…you’re really there across the table from me. We really are celebrating it
together again. Aren’t you sorry you asked now? ”

Sami tried to control her sniffles so the neighboring tables wouldn’t notice until she could get her emotions under
control.

“No, Sami, I’m not sorry. It’s funny….I wasn’t going to say anything about this.”

“About what?” Sami asked through choked breaths.

“Well, it isn’t any secret that I dated a lot of girls once we broke up. You’ve seen the photos. My ‘conquests’ Eric
called them. But….I never told anyone about this….but it’s right I should tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

“Never…….not on one single Valentine’s Day, even though I never thought I’d be with you again, did I go out with
anyone. I couldn’t do it, either. It was ‘our day’ and I had this idea that, okay, I’d never be with you again but I still
couldn’t let anybody else be with me on that day. Sami, I think somehow, for whatever reason, all this time apart, we
were still destined to be together….we just didn’t know. I think we had to learn how much we needed and loved
each other. I would rather not have done it the way I did…with….you know…but I know that I love you more at this
moment than I did four years ago on this date when we went to the college dance at Salem U.”

“I know….. I do, too, Lucas. ” A genuine smile was given to the other just as the waiter arrived with their appetizer.

They enjoyed their meal sharing conversation in between bites of the wonderful food each had ordered. Appearing
from the side of the dance floor, the entertainment for the evening in the form of a trio, made it’s way in their direction
to sit at the instruments directly below their table. An announcer came over the speaker system as the lights dimmed
to their lowest setting.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Rainbow Grille is please to present for your listening and dancing pleasure, the wonderful
Nat King Cole Trio.”

The spotlight beamed on the piano player for whom the trio was named as they began playing “Sweet Lorraine”, one
of their biggest hits.

“Lucas, did you know they were here tonight?” Sami asked with excitement.

“No, I had no idea. I forgot to look at the marquee as we came in. Of course, I was engaged in something other than
reading about that time,” Lucas recalled of their kiss in the elevator and beamed at Sami.

Once Nat King Cole had sung the familiar refrain he encouraged people to take to the dance floor.

“That’s my cue. Sami, may I have this dance?” Lucas asked as he came around the table and held her hand.

“You bet.”

When the first song finished, the trio slid into another of their signature tunes, “Straighten up and Fly Right” - a lilting
melody just right for the patrons to swing dance to. At the conclusion of it, Lucas and Sami headed back to their
table. Just before he sat down, Lucas headed back toward the trio and leaned over the piano talking to their leader.
Carefully listening but out of earshot, Sami watched Nat King Cole nod in agreement to whatever it was Lucas had
said to him. His back was to her making it impossible for her to determine what he had said. Lucas made his way
back and sat down at the table, took up his napkin, and resumed eating his dinner.

“Lucas?”

“Mmmmm…Hmmm.”

“What did you say to Mr. Cole?”

“I’ll tell you in a little while.”

“What?….what was all this about us being honest and telling the truth to each other?” she asked in a joking tone of
voice.

“I’m gonna tell you…just not right now.”

They resumed their leisurely dinner, listening and applauding to the music at the end of each number. The trio took
their first break of the evening as the house lights came up.

“You know, Sami, I have an idea.”

“Which is?”

“Let’s go take a stroll out on the terrace and see the city lights and the stars. Then, we can come back in and dance
some more.”

“Gosh, it’s cold out there. Maybe we should stay in where it’s warm, at least.”

“But, I thought we wanted to see the lights from up here.”

“I don’t HAVE to…we saw them New Year’s Eve.”

“Yeah, but that was only twenty-eight floors…this is sixty-five stories up.”

“Sooo…they’ll look smaller is all.”

“Sami, come on.”

She sensed there was more of a purpose to Lucas’ interest in the lights of New York than he was telling. She could
see he was fidgeting….the way he always did when he was nervous. Sami remembered he had told her he was
nervous when they got off the elevator entering the restaurant.

“All right…I’ll button up my coat and brave it. You just better be prepared to put your arms around me and keep
them there for the extra heat.”

“I promise. Come on, let’s go.”

“Okay…okay…..what is the big rush, anyway?”

They got their coats from the hatcheck girl and headed out to the terrace that overlooked the city. A few other
couples strolled as well. Lucas kept watching the others and seemed to be waiting for them to disappear….at least,
that’s what Sami sensed. Eventually, they were the only couple robust enough to continue braving the cold breeze that
swept across the terrace. Lucas stood behind Sami with his arms wrapped tightly around her.

“Look at that view, will you? “

“Ummm….hmmmm…it’s nice.”

“It’s a shame it’s overcast. The stars would be spectacular.”

“Yeah, they probably would be.”

“WAIT…….What’s that? There…up in the sky…see?”

Sami looked to where Lucas pointed and saw nothing but clouds. She looked back over her shoulder at him.

“Uhhh…let me guess….Superman?” she replied with a smirk on her face.

“Nooooo……aaggghh…..play along with me here, okay?”

“Okay, Lucas, but I don’t know my lines or for that matter my motivation in this scene.”

“Look, it’s right up there,” he gestured to the same spot before. Sami lined up her site along the length of his arm and
still saw only low cumulous clouds. She shrugged her shoulders and pleaded for clues with her eyes.

“I’ve got it….I’ve got it…!!” he grabbed up into the thin air and made a tight fist.

“Whatever it is you’ve got, I hope it’s curable.”

“shhhhh….shhhh….what I have in my hand is a star,” Lucas conspiratorially whispered.

“Oh, that was going to be my second guess after I first thought it might be a moth,” Sami whispered back to him in the
same tone.

Lucas looked at her and uttered a deep, exaggerated sigh as though he was miffed she wasn’t playing along with as
much enthusiasm as he had expected.
Choosing to ignore her remarks, he continued on playing his rehearsed part.

“You know… there’s only one way to keep a captured star from getting away.”

“No, I didn’t know that but I’m assume you’re going to tell me.”

In a subdued tone of voice, Lucas gave Sami directions.

“Slowly bring your hand to mine…no, no… the left one, not the right.”

“Does it matter which one?”

“Yes, of course, it does.”

“Oh, okay….”

Sami gave her left hand to Lucas who held it in his right while his left hand he continued to keep tightly closed.

“What you have to do is anchor the star to something so it can’t get away.”

Sami turned her eyes to look at Lucas from her left, smiling and trying to fathom what he was doing.

“Now, I’m going to move the star from my hand to yours. Whatever you do, don’t look at it or it might get away.”

“Right…..I knew that.”

“Okay, now, close your eyes while I make the transition and don’t open them until I tell you to.”

“Lucas, it’s getting cold out here.”

“Wait…just…just….a minute or two more.”

“All right….but this better be worth my freezing to death out here.”

She closed her eyes, still smiling as she felt Lucas take her left hand and maneuver her fingers.

“Okay, you can open you eyes, now, and see what I’ve anchored the star to.”

Sami opened her eyes….her mouth dropped open and tears, for the second time that evening, formed. The emotions
behind them were different this time. On her left ring finger was a single, marquis-cut diamond that captured in all its
facets the lights of the terrace.

“See, a star can only be worn on the hand of the person its captor loves. It has to stay there….always.”

“It does?”

Lucas nodded and turned to face Sami holding both her hands in his.

“Okay…it’s corny, I know, but I wanted to do this a little differently….it’s the best I could come up with. So, I’ll go
back to the traditional…..Sami…..will you marry me?….Wait….before you answer. After everything we’ve been
through, I suppose some people might think we’d be better off as just friends. We ARE that….best friends. I can’t
think of anyone else I want to share everything with for the rest of my life except you. I want to come home when all
of this war business is over and make a home, a future….and yeah, and the best part…make a baby or two…or
three….someone to pass the male code of behavior on to.”

“You’re so sure we’re gonna have boys?”

“Well, I figure considering Austin, Philip, Mike and Billie, the odds are maybe that we will.....wait......did you say
we’re gonna have boys? Does that mean?”

“Well, Lucas, I wouldn’t consider having them without being married to you first. Call me old-fashioned…….Yes,
Lucas, I will marry you.”

“Oh, God….Oh, God….you said ‘yes’”, Lucas said off into the night.

“Wasn’t I supposed to?” Sami teased.

“Yes, you were…I mean,…I hoped…..I wasn’t sure….after everything, I thought you might hesitate.”

Sami lifted her hand to his face and turned it until he looked at her. She shook her head as she smiled into his eyes.

“No, I’m sure….that I love you…I have since that day I saw you in that military school uniform.”

“I’ve loved you since that day, too…even when we were verbal sparring partners before we each got to know one
another. There couldn’t ever be any one else for me, Sami.”

“There couldn’t be any one else for me either, Lucas. I was prepared to never be with anybody if it wasn’t you.”

“I know…..same here.”

“I think there’s another part of the tradition that goes along with this ritual, Lucas?”

“Oh, yeah…”

He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently on the nose, cheeks and lastly, her mouth. The kiss grew longer
and deeper before they parted.

“Sami Roberts…..I like that. It has a nice ring to it.”

“No, this is a nice ring, Lucas. It’s beautiful. Thank you. I’ll wear it always. That star’s not getting away from us.”

“Oh, now she goes along with it. Come on, let’s go inside and celebrate where it’s warm.”

Their arms around each other they returned to the restaurant. When they had once again checked their coats, they
walked arm-in-arm back to their table. As they approached Nat King Cole looked at Lucas with raised eyebrows.
Lucas made a “thumbs up” gesture with his right hand and the pianist nodded back.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have a request to play for the couple who just came into the room. They became engaged
this evening.”

Applause sprang up throughout the room.

“I hope all of you will enjoy this song which is their favorite. It seems appropriate for this young couple and for the
evening. I hope you’ll enjoy it and feel free to dance.”

“Lucas, did you ask him to play what I think?”

Lucas nodded. “It is our song.”

“I know…it’s the one I played every year while I looked through the photo albums.”

“Come on, dance with me, so we can start making pictures for a new album.”

Sami walked with Lucas out onto the dance floor as the trio played “their song”.


Behold the way our fine feather friend
His virtue doth parade.
Thou knowest not my dim-witted friend
The picture thou hast made.

Thy vacant brow and thy tousled hair
Conceal thy good intent
Thou noble, upright, truthful, sincere
And slightly dopey gent.

You’re my funny Valentine
Sweet, coming Valentine
You make me smile with my heart.

Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet, you’re my favorite work of art.

Is you figure less than Greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak are you smart?

But, don’t change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay, little Valentine, stay

Each day is Valentine’s Day.

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