Andy grinned, and said softly "Our movie, and then dessert after the movie when we get home.  You sexy lovely lady!"

"You wonderful, lovely man. You nourish my soul."

She then devoted herself to finishing her dinner portion, sitting back, immensely satisfied.

"Absolutely delicious. Thank you Andy."

  He'd managed to make two large plates of meat disappear while she ate her spagetti, and he smiled as he said "My pleasure, my love."

Victoria smiled, the remnants of the meal consumed.

"It is nice that the Forces of Darkness are leaving us alone so we can enjoy ourselves."

  Andy chuckled, and said "They're just trying to get us to let our guards down."

Victoria smiled.

"We're never truly off of our guard. Enjoying this respite, yes...but never unaware."

  Andy rumbled with amusement, and said "You know how rarely I actually truly sleep, so you know how rarely I fully let my guard down, love."

"All of existence depends on you and I, Andy. Now...make me a promise. No more shop talk for the rest of the night."

Victoria smiled.

"I want to hear more about our future together."

  He kissed her again, and said softly "Immediate future, or long term, love?  As SOME of that really is entirely up to you . . . and I love you."

"My short-term is gladly spoken for...my long-term I'd like to know about more..."

Her smile glimmered at that thought.

"Where do you see us in the next few years?"

  He held her close to him, since they'd finished the food, and kissed her before he answered "I was thinking that we might delight your family, and make us an official, in the eyes of the law, couple.  Would you like that?"

"That would make me happier than I already am," Victoria replied, her smile knowing no bounds. She then pulled Andy close and kissed him deeply, the embrace silently telling him how much he meant to her.

  He kissed her back, then said softly "Well, my love, I already knew you would keep me forever, but I thought I could make your family aware of how much I love you, and marry you.  If you can handle an outdoor wedding, and one done by a non-clergyman.  I'm afraid a church wedding would be . . . painful.  Black blood-tears from the groom might make a bad impression."

"Details, love...we'll get it all worked out," Victoria replied. She clasped her hand on his.

"And the answer is yes."

  He smiled, and held her close as he kissed her deeply, then asked lightly "Want me to tell the others, or would you like to send out actual invitations?"

"I want to share this with the others. The invitations, while nice, are a formality."

She smiled again.

"I'm proud that we are taking this next step, Andy. It's a big one, but one I'm sure we're both ready for."

  Andy chuckled, and said "Want to worm-net them, or do you want to have a meeting at Meg's?"

"I think an announcement of this proportion demands attention, and not just the worm-net kind," Victoria said. "Besides, I suspect that a lot of the others have been hoping for us to take this step."

  Andy slowly headed them for the door, and he told her "Well, then I guess we tell Meg we'd like a soiree at her place, and then make the announcement there."

Victoria nodded, as she smiled going out the door.

"It should be interesting, trying to get them all together."

  Andy chuckled, and said "Let's worry about it after the Desolation of Smaug."

Victoria chuckled.

"Deal. After Desolation Of Smaug."

  He grabbed the handlebars, and perched her on it, sidesaddle, in front of him, and headed to the movie theater.  He said teasingly "We COULD see two movies, the Legacy movie, and the Desolation."

Victoria smiled as Andy set her down.

"Doubleheader then. Smaug, and then the Legacy movie. I have been wondering how they've been portrayed, seeing as how we do know them fairly well."

  Andy chuckled, and headed them to The Mall.

--------->> The Weston MALL