Baby Steps

Why do palms always get sweaty when you’re nervous? It was one of those things that I never quite understood. Anyway, I’m nervous because Tony and I were on our way to this really nice Japanese restaurant tonight. We had another day off so I figured that today was as good as any other day to take him out. That, and I needed to give him the gift I got him yesterday.
I was so glad that we ran into Taylor and Austin at the mall. Speaking of her, she never did tell me exactly was going on and from what Vic told me he had no luck getting it out of Austin either. I guess I’d text her later. Now what was I on about? Oh yeah! Driving to the restaurant.
“Babe, where are we going?” Tony questioned for the sixth time today.
“Tony, how many times do I have to say that it’s a surprise and you’re not going to find out until we get there?” I couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped from my lips. He huffed and stared out the window of our rental car. I reached over and grabbed his hand.
“You’ll love it. I promise.” He eyed me and I caught the slightest glimpse of a smile cross his face.
It wasn’t long before we reached the turnoff. I checked the GPS again and followed it to a small building. I was glad you couldn’t really tell what the place was from the outside. I didn’t want to give it away too easily.
“Please tell me that this isn’t the part where you kill me.” Tony eyed my suspiciously. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“No, Babe. I wouldn’t pick somewhere as bland as this to kill you.” His eyes grew wide.
“That… is not funny.” He crossed his arms and glared at me.
“Relax, Tone.” I gripped his arm gently. “Just trust me.” I went to get out of the car and Tony followed suit. I opened the large metal door to the building and led Tony down the hallway. Tony gave me a skeptical look as I led him, his eyes darting around a little. I couldn’t help but chuckle at how his eyes grew wide as we walked into the main entrance of the hallway.
“Mike, seriously.” He looked at me with an excited look as a hostess walked over.
“Anything for you.” I grinned.
“Hello, did you have a reservation?” The young woman asked in a slight accent.
“Yes, under Fuentes.” I answered, giving her a warm smile.
“Right this way please.” She led us to one of the back rooms, the ones where you have to take your shoes off. Yay for wearing slip on Vans. We settled in and our hostess took our drink orders and left us a pot of hot tea.
“So why the fancy restaurant?” Tony asked as he took a sip of his tea.
“Can’t I take my boyfriend out?”
”I never said that. I just wanted to know what’s so special about today.”
“Well-“ The sliding door to the room opened up, revealing our waitress.
“Here are your drinks.” She set them gently onto the table. “Are you guys ready to order?” I looked to Tony who turned to her.
“Sure, can I get the baked lobster roll, please?” She nodded, jotting it down in her note pad.
“And you sir?”
“Volcano roll please.” She nodded again.
“Alright, I’ll go put those in for you.” With that she got up and left. Tony turned back to me, an expectant look on his face.
“Yes?” I asked dramatically. He rolled his eyes.
“You were saying?”
“Ah, right.” I folded my hands together and leaned against the table. “Tony you know I love you right?”
“Yes.” He was eyeing me again.
“And you know that I would never do anything to hurt you.”
“Mike where is this going?” He leaned back into his chair. I could tell from the look in his eyes that he was freaking out. Our waitress chose this exact moment to return with our food. She set everything down, asked if we needed anything, and then left again.
“As I was saying. I’d never intentionally hurt you.”
“Mike, I don’t understand.” He looked like he was on the verge of a breakdown. “Are you breaking up with me?”
“Baby, just breathe.” I reached over and took his hand in mine. “If I was going to break up with you, I wouldn’t pick a public place to do it in.” He took a deep breath and nodded. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a neatly wrapped box, setting it onto the table. His eyes got wide and his mouth fell open slightly.
“Mike?” I shrugged a little as he reached for the box, unwrapping it and opening it. He pulled out the ring that was inside the box, meeting my eyes in the process. The ring was a thick blue band that was designed to look like R2D2.
“Tony you mean everything to me, and I wanted to get you something that would represent that.” I brought his hands to my lips and kissed his knuckles. “I want to be with you for the rest of my life and this is my promise to you. I will never give you another reason to think that you’ll lose me. I will always be yours.” A single tear fell from one of his eye and he moved to my side of the table, pulling me into a hug and kissing me deeply.
“You are so amazingly perfect.” He met my eyes with his.
“So you like it?” I chuckled.
“I love it, and I love you.” He kissed me again before returning to his side.
“Well make sure you thank Taylor, she took me to the store where I found it.”
“I’ll be sure to do that.” He smiled before popping a piece of sushi into his mouth.

Dinner went fantastically. After giving Tony the ring, we ate and just hung out and talked for a while. By the time we were ready to head back to the bus, I was full and getting sleepy. Tony, being the amazing boyfriend that he is, decided to drive. I must have fallen asleep too, because when I refocused my attention, we were at a hotel.
“Babe?” I asked sleepily.
“We’re at a hotel, come on.” He got out of the car and walked over to my side.
“Why?” I asked, yawning and following him to the door.
“So I can thank you.” He gave me a wicked grin and pulled me inside, shoving me against the door and connecting our lips. I was, by far, the luckiest guy ever.