Even though they'd received no less than three party invitations for New Year's Eve, he insisted that all the wanted was to spend the evening alone with her. "Come on," he whispered. "Just the two of us. You and me."

She'd pursed her lips, considering the idea grumpily. Just you and me? They'd had plenty of nights like that in the five and a half months they'd been dating. They could do that anytime. This was New Year's Eve, the social climax of the whole year. Just staying home sounded as fun as getting socks and underwear for Christmas.

She sat back against the couch cushion and closed her eyes in contemplation. "Just you and me?" she asked. "That's what you want?"

"Yes." She could hear the smile in his voice, like the flash of sun breaking through gray clouds. "I'll make it special, I promise. Leave it all to me."

So, despite her inner Ms. Daytimer Plan-it-all nature, she left it all to him. There was certainly enough to keep her busy at this time of year. They picked out a tree together, for her apartment, sine his was a tiny efficiency and they spent most of their time at her place. They shopped, they wrapped, they had Christmas celebrations with his family and hers. She barely gave a though to New Year's, and when she did think of it she bit her tongue to keep from asking him about it-- was he really planning it? Was he remembering? She really wanted to give him the gift of trust all wrapped up with a pretty blow, but she found the wrapping paper did not want to lie smooth and neat.

On the afternoon of New Year's Eve, he shooed her out of her apartment. "Go see a movie," he told her, pressing a twenty into her hand. "Don't come back till 5:30." She sighed with relief as she crossed the parking lot to her car, and could feel a bubbly excitement rising inside.

She did go see a movie, which felt like a decadent thing to do in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon, when she would usually be working. Nibbling popcorn, she tried to lose herself in the plot, but found herself snapping with awareness every few minutes, wondering what he was up to at home She had to admit, she was getting rather excited at the idea of this "just you and me" evening.

At 5:30 she was back at her apartment, knocking on the door even though she had a key. he answered the door wearing a tuxedo with a black and silver vest. She gasped and he kissed her, then took her arm to escort her to her bedroom. "Would you like to slip into something a bit more comfortable, darling?" He gestured at the bed, where he'd laid out a stunning silvery turquoise evening gown the delicate strappy shoes.

She covered her mouth with her fingertips. "I'd love to!"

Everything was perfect. The dress fit, she shoes made her feel light as a cloud. She spritzed on her favorite perfume and freshened her makeup. She could hear the smooth voice of a clarinet in the sultry music winding its way to her from the living room stereo. Her eyes sparkled in the mirror.

She felt like a princess when she walked down the hallway to meet him. He turned and smiled at her, and took her hands as she met him. "Hello, Gorgeous. Would you like some champagne?"

"You know I love champagne," she said, her voice a few notes lower than usual. He stepped away to get two champagne flues of the table. the pale fluid danced with bubbles.

"To us," he said. They clinked their glasses and sipped.

"Mmmmmm." She smiled at him, then closed her eyes to take a longer drink, enjoying the sweet tickle on her tongue, in her throat. He hadn't poured very much into her glass, which was funny, since he knew she loved champagne. She drained the glass, enjoying every last droplet, and it was only when her throat quivered unexpectedly that she realized she was swallowing something solid. She felt it here, unsure of whether she should swallow or cough to try and expel it, and then her body decided before she could make up her mind. She swallowed.

She opened her eyes to find him staring at her bug-eyed, the color draining out of his face. "Did you... did you...? He could only stammer as he reached out to touch her lips.

She grasped her throat. "What the hell was that?" She could still feel the scrape of whatever it was in her throat, could feel it settling down deep inside her.

He continued to sputter and stammer. He pushed open her mouth and looked inside. "You swallowed it. I can't believe you swallowed it! Honey, are you okay?"

"I think so. It hurt a bit going down, but... what was it?" Her eyes pleaded with him, horrified

He pulled away and went to collapse on the couch. "Oh god. I can't believe this. This isn't how I wanted it to be. I wanted it to be so nice. I planned it all out! And now..." He began to laugh. He looked up her startled face and laughed loudly, with tears coming to his eyes. he howled and held his sides.

She sunk onto the couch next to him. "It wasn't what I think it was, was it?"

"God, it's a beautiful ring, too. I wish you could see it." He wiped his eyes, then sighed and took her hand. "Darling, will you marry me?"

The kiss was so sweet, even more delicious than the champagne and a swallowed ring. She said yes with her mouth, with her eyes, with her heart. It was a wonderful New Year's Eve, and she was shining with diamonds and love, from the inside out.

[Copyright 2002, Theresa Jarosz Alberti; do not reproduce without permission]