just a little harmless pleasure.
He took her to a restaurant and they had a wonderful meal. He kept telling her how beautiful she was and she stayed flushed throughout. He drove to the beach where they took their shoes off and walked along there until they came to a familiar place. The sun was setting by this time and he spread out a blanket so that they could sit and watch the sunset. The colors were magnificent that evening. Red, orange, blue, violet, yellow all lit up the sky. Johann had brought a bottle of wine with them and two flutes. Rissy liked that he would have these little ideas and wanted to share them with her. As the sun settled where it seemed to be directly in front of them Johann set down his flute and kneeled in front of her. She wondered what he was going to do and with him there was never any telling. He had a habit of pouncing on her and tickling her or sometimes he would take her feet and massage them. There was something different in his presentation this time, but she just smiled at him and looked at the sun. "This is so beautiful Johann. I like these little surprises. It does a girl good to feel that someone really wishes to be with her. This girl is very lucky indeed." He smiled at her. "There is one thing more beautiful than this sunset Rissy, and that is you." He moved closer to her and looked into those hazel hues. "Rissy, I want to ask you something, but I want you seriously think before you answer. There is a lot of responsibility associated with this." She looked at him, her lashes fluttering and eyes shining bright. "This girl understands." He was right in front of her now and kneeled there. "Miss Rissy Ann Moonshower, you are the love of my life. I cannot imagine a time when I would not wish for you to be by my side, my partner, friend, or lover. If you can find it within your heart to bestow a great honor on your humble servant before you, it would please him more than life itself. This servant would be forever beholden to you if you would grant him this one request; to honor him by accepting him as your life partner, friend, lover, and husband." He held in his hand a garnet ring surrounded by diamonds, his head bowed and looked at the ground as though she were a queen and he nothing but a lowly nave.
Rissy's eyes watered and she spilled her wine. She was unable to speak and was afraid that he would rescind his offer before she could but finally the words flowed out of her mouth. "It is this lowly girl that is honored sir. You have granted many blessings upon one such as me. This girl has never felt so loved and desired and she most definitely accepts the offer of a union between the two of us, a loving union. One that has brightened a girl's soul and opened up a closed heart to one that can barely contain the love within." She took the ring in her hand and held it in the air. "Blessed be this union between this witch and her angel. Let no being dare to come in between, for the punishment shall be annihilation. We come together of free will and love. See this ring, this symbol of our love and union. The diamonds, which are unbreakable, surround the garnet which symbolizes our love. The time is ours and shall be forever more. Bless all who accept our union. Rain peace, love, grace, and happiness to all of those who love the two of us and that we have created this union. I am the witch Rissy Ann Moonshower who gives her heart freely to this angel Johann Todesengel von Gottes Gnaden. Let the world hear." Johann was standing right beside her. "I am Johann Todesengel von Gottes Gnaden, the angel, who gives his heart freely to the witch Rissy Ann Moonshower. May all in the world find love as strong as that between the two of us."
They wrapped themselves around each other and rumors spread once more about the Devil and his witch dancing in the moonlight.
As they finally left the beach the moon was shining bright and the ocean calm. They kissed as they walked until Johann made sure Rissy was in the car, and then he leaned in and kissed her once more. The ring caught the lights and shone brightly. Rissy’s fingers felt along the gems. She smiled at Johann as she leaned over and kissed him deeply. “I love you Johann. You have made me the happiest woman on earth.” She laughed. “Now I’m spitting out clichés, but I really feel that way.” He looked at her lovingly. “Rissy I love you and I know how you feel, but I was trying to stay away from the old cliché, but I cannot in my mind.” They both laughed and held hands as he started the car up and they sped into the night.
They found a late night roadside diner and decided that they would go in and grab a bite to eat. They laughed as they saw themselves in the reflection of the windows of the establishment. “We look like homeless people who robbed a rich couple.” Johann said. They were a sight in the nice clothes, but with sand sprinkled on them and their hair blown in every direction. The waitress approached them with a large wad of gum in her mouth chewing away. She dropped the silverware on the table and sloshed two glasses of water right beside it. She stared at Rissy and then at Johann as she smacked away. She focused her attention on Johann. “What’ll ya’ll have sugar?” Rissy stifled a giggle because she knew what was coming. Johann stared into the woman’s brown eyes, holding her attention with his. “You are a lovely woman and I think you know what I’d like, but considering that you are possibly asking about what we wish to dine upon, I guess I’ll have to cut my losses and order coffee for the lady and for myself a piece of that sweet cherry pie and a cup of coffee. Thank you my sweet darling.” The waitress stood there stunned and once the shock wore off, she smiled at him at which point he gave her a sly wink. Rissy had to giggle as the waitress left. “You are such the silver-tongued devil and right in front of me no less. I’m not sure how I feel about what you said.” “I guess I should be careful around you and I never meant to upset you.” He looked very sorry. “You could have said we both instead of I and really given her a shock.” Rissy laughed. “But really Johann, I do appreciate that you will be a little more careful especially when I’m around. I know it’s all in fun, but sometimes it hits a nerve.” He went over and sat beside her rather than across and hugged her. “Thank you for telling me Rissy. I really didn’t know it bothered you.” The waitress brought the ordered items and winked at Johann. “What about her?” Rissy spoke up. “I like to watch and then be watched or we can both tag team him and see if he can handle the two of us at once. Just be careful he likes to bite in places.” Rissy unbuttoned the top three button of her silk blouse and showed her left breast where there were two small punctures. “And that’s not the only sensitive area he bites. Would you like to see?” The poor waitress had a pale expression. “I think I’ll pass.” Rissy giggled and Johann laughed.
A slow song came over the jukebox and Johann rose, bowed to Rissy and asked her for this dance. Taking her hand he led her out into the aisle and twirled her close to him and they moved in harmony. The whole placed watched them and another couple got up and danced as well. Johann and Rissy focused on each other and soon everything around them became a blur as Johann’s memories went back to the last time he had danced with her when he proposed. Rissy seemed to share those memories or at least felt like something like this had happened once before. They were not aware that the music had ceased as they continued their dance. They were dancing in the air and people were spellbound. The Devil and his witch were dancing on air and no one had the nerve to say a word to them. They danced until dawn, looking into the other’s eyes green and hazel. When they stopped there was applause from all of the patrons in the place including several policemen who had decided to deny that the two were ever off the ground. The two dancers greeted the applause, Johann with a bow and Rissy with a perfect curtsey. Johann and Rissy returned to their seats where fresh coffee awaited them. They did not speak a word, but never took their gaze off of the other. They were in their element and seemed to have even melded into one another that night.
Once home, Rissy showed Randolf, Svelta, and finally Charlotte the ring. They all said how happy they were but Rissy could tell that there was some tension with Charlotte and so went to talk with her alone. They went to the art room. “Charlotte, please sit. We need to talk.” Charlotte flopped on the sofa. “Rissy I know it has always been you and would always be you, but it still hurts.” “I can’t imagine how bad you hurt, but do know that I love him and will do my best to make him happy.” “I know Rissy, but it’s just different now.” “Yes it is but if you are willing we can try to make it as close to normal as it always has been. Listen, you can still flirt with him and tease me. I won’t know what to do if you don’t, but remember I can play too.” Charlotte finally smiled.
The next few days were tense. Rissy was letting Charlotte help with the planning. She never could think of where to have it. She thought about St. John’s but then she thought it too grandiose. The invitations had to be ordered and checked. She wondered about the cake and should there