HE CHANGES INTO SWEATS. SABRINA ASKS IF HE HAS ANY SWEATS THAT WOULD FIT HER. HE HAPPENS TO HAVE A PAIR TOO SMALL FOR HIM BUT SHE FITS INTO THEM PERFECTLY. HE SAYS “I WORN THAT SET YEARS AGO AND FORGOT I HAD THEM UNTIL THIS LAST WEEK. HERE IS A VERY LONG T-SHIRT FOR YOU TO SLEEP IN.” THEY WIND DOWN THE SATURDAY EVENING SITTING ON THE COUCH IN FRONT OF HIS FIREPLACE. THEY HAVE ALREADY MADE UP THE SPARE BED. THEY DID THIS RIGHT AFTER CHANGING CLOTHES. HE HAD INVITED HER TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE GUEST ROOM. SHE AGREED. THEY BOTH DECIDED TO GO TO BED. HE KISSED HER SOFTLY AT THE GUEST ROOM DOOR AND WHISPERS. “GOOD NIGHT AND CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW JOB.” THE NEXT MORNING, SHE WAKES UP FIRST. SHE GOES INTO THE KITCHEN AND STARTS THE COFFEE. SHE IS ALREADY FEELING SAFE HERE. SHE GOES OUT ON THE BACK PORCH AND SITS TO GREET THE MORNING. TRENT WAKES UP TO THE SMELL OF COFFEE AND A SENSE OF PEACE. HE WANDERS ACROSS THE HALL BUT SHE IS ALREADY UP. HE GOES INTO THE KITCHEN; THE COFFEE IS DONE; HE POURS TWO CUPS AND CARRIES THEM OUTSIDE. SHE SMILES; “HOPE I DIDN’T WAKE YOU UP“. HE HANDS HER THE CUP WITH A KISS ON THE HEAD. THEY SIT IN SILENCE WATCHING THE BIRDS AND SQUIRRELS IN THE YARD. SHE SAYS, “I COULD GET USED TO THIS.” TRENT ASKS, “WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO TODAY?” SABRINA SAYS. “I WOULD LIKE TO BE LAZY TODAY.” “ME, TOO.” THEY CHANGE INTO JEANS, T-SHIRTS; AFTER SHE BORROWS AN OLD PAIR OF JEANS FROM HIM. SHE IS TINY ENOUGH TO WEAR A LOT OF HIS OLD CLOTHES. HE PUTS A LOAD OF CLOTHES IN THE WASHER. WHEN THE CLOTHES ARE READY, SABRINA PUTS THEM IN THE DRYER. TRENT DOES THE CLEANING UP OF HIS HOUSE (i.e. DUSTING, VACUUMING, AND SWEEPING). TRENT FOLDS HIS CLOTHES WHILE SHE IS GETTING HER STUFF TOGETHER TO TAKE BACK TO HER PLACE. BOTH ARE FINISHED AT HIS HOUSE SO THEY DECIDE TO GO OVER TO SABRINA’S APARTMENT TO DO THE SAME. BEFORE THEY LEAVE HIS HOUSE, TRENT ASKS HER TO SIT DOWN IN THE LIVING ROOM FOR A MOMENT. HE SITS DOWN BESIDE HER. SHE IS EXPECTING THE WORST. TRENT STOPS THOSE FEARS IMMEDIATELY. TRENT TELLS HER THAT AFTER TODAY HE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE SEEING HER ON A REGULAR BASIS. HE ADMITS TO FINDING HER ATTRACTIVE INSIDE AND OUT. THE CHOICE IS HERS. SABRINA SAYS “YES, I WOULD LIKE THE SAME. I AM SURPRISED THAT YOU DON’T HAVE A LADY YET.” TRENT SAYS, “I KNEW I WAS WAITING FOR A SPECIAL LADY AND I SAW HER THAT NIGHT OF THE PARTY. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THAT LADY TO SHOWER WITH LOVE AND ATTENTION.” TRENT PULLS SABRINA CLOSE AND JUST HOLDS HER TIGHT FOR A FEW MINUTES. HE STANDS UP AND PULLS HER UP WITH HIM. “WE GOT AN APARTMENT TO CLEAN.” THEY LEAVE HIS HOUSE AND GO TO HER APARTMENT. THE NEIGHBORS ARE OUT AND ABOUT ALREADY. SABRINA LEADS TRENT INTO THE APARTMENT COMPLEX DOOR. SHE HANDS HIM THE KEY TO HER APARTMENT. HE OPENS THE DOOR AND PLACES THE KEY BACK IN HER HAND. SHE GOES INTO THE KITCHEN, THRU TO THE UTILITY HALL. SHE STARTS THE WASHER. ALL THE CLOTHES FROM THIS WEEKEND GO IN FIRST; THEN SHE GOES TO FIND THE HAMPER IN HER BATHROOM. TRENT STARTS STRAIGHTENING THE APARTMENT. SHE FINISHES CLEANING THE KITCHEN THAT SHE STARTED YESTERDAY MORNING. TRENT ASKS “WHERE IS THE VACUUM?” SHE SHOWS HIM AND HE VACUUMS HER LIVING ROOM AND HALLS. HE DUST MOPS HER ROOM, GUEST ROOM AND THE UTILITY ROOM. SHE CLEANED HER BATHROOMS. HE HEARS THE WASHER STOP SO HE AUTOMATICALLY THROWS THE CLOTHES IN THE DRYER. SHE FINISHES IN THE BATHROOM AND QUICKLY DUSTS HER ROOM AND THE GUEST ROOM. SHE FOLDS HER CLOTHES WHILE HE SITS AND TALKS TO HER FROM THE KITCHEN. THEY ORDER PIZZA FOR DINNER AND SPEND A QUIET SUNDAY NIGHT. SHE GOES TO WORK THE NEXT DAY. JUST BEFORE LUNCH, A SINGLE ROSE IS LAID ON HER DESK. SHE IS IN HER OLD OFFICE FINISHING UP HER CURRENT WORK BEFORE STARTING THE MOVE IN THE AFTERNOON TO A NEW OFFICE. HER SECRETARY TELLS HER THAT HER WEEKEND ESCORT IS IN THE HALL. SABRINA MOTIONS FOR HIM TO BE ALLOWED IN HER OFFICE. HE ASKS, “ARE YOU BUSY?” “I HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES.” “I BROUGHT LUNCH.” HER EYES WIDENED. HE LAYS A BASKET ON THE DESK FOR A MOMENT. SHE AGREES TO LUNCH IN THE OFFICE PARK. THEY HAVE LUNCH AND EACH GO BACK TO WORK. HE CALLS SOON AFTER SHE GETS HOME. SHE SPENDS THE EVENING WITH WORK WHICH HE KNEW SHE WAS GOING TO DO. SHE CALLS TO WISH HIM GOOD NIGHT. THAT IS HOW THE WHOLE WEEK CONTINUES EACH DAY. SHE DECIDES NOT TO MOVE INTO A NEW OFFICE, JUST BECAUSE OF HER NEW POSITION IN THE COMPANY. HER REPLACEMENT GETS THE OLD SENIOR ACCOUNTANT’S OFFICE. IT IS BIGGER THAN HERS BUT SHE DOESN’T CARE. SHE DOESN’T WANT TO MOVE HER STUFF. SHE IS SECURE IN HER OLD OFFICE.
THE NEXT WEEKEND, THEY GO OUT ROLLER SKATING ON FRIDAY AND THEN A BURGER AFTERWARD. TRENT SPENDS THE NIGHT ON HER FOLD OUT BED. HE WAKES UP TO COFFEE AND WAFFLES ON SATURDAY. BOTH SPEND THE MORNING CLEANING HER APARTMENT BEFORE HEADING TO HIS HOUSE. THEY CLEAN HIS HOUSE NEXT. THEY GO TO HIS COMPANY PICNIC ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. HE FOREWARNS SABRINA ABOUT JEFF AND WIFE BEING AT THIS PICNIC. HIS COLLEAGUES ARE SURPRISED THAT TRENT IS DATING. HE ALWAYS APPEARED TOO BUSY TO DATE. HIS BOSS REALIZES THAT IT JUST TOOK THE SPECIAL WOMAN TO THAW TRENT OUT. SABRINA PINCHES RIGHT IN, SHE PLAYS THE GAMES, SERVES THE FOOD AND IS ACCEPTED BY ALL. THEY GET BACK TO HIS HOUSE AND DINNER IS WARMING IN THE OVEN. SHE IS SURPRISED HOW HE GOT DINNER STARTED WHILE THEY WERE TOGETHER THE WHOLE TIME AT THE PICNIC. “PAYS TO HAVE FRIENDS AND MAGIC IS MY MIDDLE NAME IN REGARDS TO YOU. YOU DESERVE THE ATTENTION, SABRINA. IT IS LONG OVERDUE AS FAR AS I CAN TELL AND AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.” THEY HAVE DINNER BY CANDLELIGHT IN FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE. SHE SPENDS THE NIGHT IN THE GUEST ROOM AGAIN. THEY FIND OUT THE ARRANGEMENT FROM THE FIRST WEEKEND WORKS WELL. HE DOES FIND OUT SHE HAS A HECK OF A MISCHIEVOUS STREAK THOUGH. THE COMPANY PICNIC WAS THE SECOND TIME HE SAW THIS SIDE OF HER WHEN SHE GOT HIM SOAKED WITH A WATER BALLOON. TRENT IS DEFINITELY FALLING IN LOVE WITH HER. THEY CONTINUE TO DATE ON WEEKENDS, MEET FOR LUNCH AND CALL EACH OTHER EVERY NIGHT AFTER WORK AND BEFORE BED. TRENT NEVER FORGETS TO GIVE HER A SINGLE ROSEBUD EVERY TIME HE SEES HER. THE COLOR OF THE ROSEBUDS MIGHT BE DIFFERENT BUT ALWAYS A ROSEBUD. THE ONLY COLOR HE WILL NOT GIVE HER YET IS RED. THEY BECOME BEST FRIENDS AS WELL AS STEADIES. SABRINA HAS ALREADY LET HIM INTO HER LIFE ENOUGH THAT ONE WEEKEND SHE HANDS HIM THE CODE TO HER APARTMENT BUILDING TO USE WHENEVER HE COMES OVER. HE KNOWS THIS IS A LARGE TRUST ISSUE FOR HER AND HONORS THE GESTURE. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE CODE EXCHANGE, THEY DECIDE TO TAKE A FRIDAY OFF AND GO TO THE MOUNTAINS. TRENT ARRIVES AT HER APARTMENT BUILDING EARLY. HE LETS HIMSELF IN, PASSES SEVERAL OF HER NEIGHBORS GOING OUT FOR A WALK. TRENT HEADS FOR HER DOOR. HE RINGS THE BELL. SHE OPENS THE DOOR TO FIND A BLUE ROSE IN HIS MOUTH. “ARE YOU READY TO GO, SABRINA?” “THE FOOD HAMPER, I PROMISED, IS ON THE FLOOR WITH A SURPRISE.” THE SURPRISE CARRIES THE FOOD HAMPER AND HER BAG. HER COAT IS LAYING ON TOP. THE SURPRISE IS AN OLD FASHIONED SLED. SHE HAD MADE BREAKFAST FOR THE TRIP. THEY PULL THE SLED OUT, LOCK THE APARTMENT DOOR AND HEAD FOR THE CAR. SABRINA PUTS THE FOOD HAMPER ON THE SEAT BESIDE HER WHILE TRENT STORES EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE TRUNK. TRENT CLOSES THE TRUNK. THEY GET ON THE ROAD. SABRINA HANDS HIM A CROISSANT AND A MUG OF COFFEE. SHE HAD THEM PREPARED IN THE HAMPER. THE THERMOS OF COFFEE WAS STORED IN A POCKET JUST ON THE INSIDE OF THE HAMPER. THEY GET TO THE CABIN AND UNPACK THE CAR. SABRINA STORES THE FOOD SUPPLIES AWAY, PULLS OUT THE STEAKS, AND TAKES THE CLOTHING BAGS TO THE BEDROOMS; TRENT HAD GONE OUT TO GET THE FIREWOOD FROM THE WOOD PILE BEHIND THE CABIN. HE COMES IN, GOES OUT SEVERAL TIMES. HE ALSO STACKS WOOD UP OUT ON THE PORCH. TRENT HAD ALREADY STARTED THE FURNACE TO TAKE THE SLIGHT CHILL OUT OF THE CABIN. HE STARTS THE FIREPLACE. FOR ADDED WARMTH AND ATMOSPHERE. THEY GET THEIR SEPARATE TASKS DONE AND MEET UP IN THE LIVING ROOM. BOTH LOOK AT THE OTHER, LAUGH AND SAY “WE WORK WELL TOGETHER.” THEY DECIDE TO GO PLAY IN THE SNOW FOR A WHILE. THEY PLAY FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN THE SNOW, MAKING SNOW ANGELS AND SNOW PEOPLE. SABRINA HAD PUT A POT OF WATER TO WARM FOR HOT CHOCOLATE BEFORE GOING OUTSIDE. THEY COME IN VERY COLD BUT HAPPY. SABRINA RUNS FOR THE SHOWER FIRST; WHILE TRENT ADDS MORE WOOD TO THE FIREPLACE. SHE COMES OUT IN JEANS AND SWEATSHIRT. “I WILL GET DINNER STARTED WHILE YOU SHOWER.” TRENT NODS, WALKS OVER TO KISS HER. SHE HEADS FOR THE KITCHEN. THE STEAKS ARE THAWED. SHE STARTS THE REST OF DINNER. TRENT HAS CALLED MEAT COOKER DUTY. TRENT COMES IN, TOSSES THE STEAKS ON THE BROILER. THE STEAKS ARE DONE THE SAME TIME AS THE REST OF THE MEAL. TRENT CARRIES THE STEAKS IN; SABRINA FOLLOWS WITH THE PLATTER OF VEGETABLES. TRENT PULLS HER CHAIR OUT. THEY EAT AND TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT HAVEN’T BEEN IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO MENTION THRU THE WEEK. THEY HAVE STARTED THIS TRADITION SOON AFTER STARTING TO DATE. THE TRADITION TO ONLY TALK OF IMPORTANT MATTERS DURING THE DAY AND SAVE THE MINOR STUFF FOR ONE DAY DURING THE WEEKEND. THEY FINISH DINNER AND SIT BY THE FIRE, SIPPING HOT CHOCOLATE. TRENT LEAVES HER BY THE FIRE TO RINSE OFF THE DISHES, REFILL THEIR MUGS. HE FINDS HER DOZING ON THE COUCH. SHE APOLOGIZES; HE WAVES HER APOLOGY ASIDE. “SABRINA, I KNOW HOW OFTEN YOU BRING WORK HOME. DON’T APOLOGIZE FOR DOZING OFF.” THEY DRINK THEIR HOT CHOCOLATE, RINSE OUT THE MUGS AND HEAD TO BED. HE LEAVES HER AT THE DOOR OF HER ROOM. SHE GETS A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP, WAKES UP REFRESHED IN THE MORNING. SHE HEARS NOTHING IN THE CABIN SO SHE QUIETLY TAKES THE WORK SHE SNUCK IN TO THE KITCHEN TABLE. SHE IS WORKING WHEN HE COMES IN FROM UPSTAIRS. “SABRINA!! I THOUGHT WE AGREED NO WORK THIS WEEKEND.” “ONE FILE IS ALL, I BROUGHT.” SHE CLOSES UP THE FILE AND RUNS IT BACK UPSTAIRS. THEY PREPARE BREAKFAST, EAT AND WASH UP. THE DAY IS SPEND BEING LAZY. THE NEXT MORNING, THEY GET UP, GET THE CABIN STRAIGHTENED UP AND PREPARE TO LEAVE. THE GROCERIES ARE PACKED BACK UP. EVERYTHING IS SITTING BESIDE THE DOOR. TRENT AND SABRINA TAKE ALL THE TRUNK STUFF OUT FIRST. HE LEAVES THE SLED WITH A NOTE FOR THE CABIN OWNER TO KEEP THE SLED SAFE. SABRINA GETS IN WITH FOOD HAMPER AGAIN. TRENT LOCKS THE CABIN DOOR, GETS IN THE CAR, AND STARTS THE JOURNEY FOR HOME. THEY ARRIVE AT HER APARTMENT. HE COMES AROUND, UNLOCKS THE TRUNK, GETS HER BAG OUT, GRABS THE HAMPER, AND CARRIES THE FOOD HAMPER INSIDE. SHE DEALS WITH ALL THE LOCKS. HE CARRIES THE HAMPER INSIDE TO THE KITCHEN. SHE TAKES THE BAG TO THE LAUNDRY ROOM. TRENT EMPTIES THE HAMPER. SHE STARTS THE WASHER. HE STORES THE HAMPER IN THE SPARE ROOM/OFFICE. TRENT DOESN’T SEE WHAT SHE PUTS IN THE WASHER. SHE HAD COLLECTED HIS DIRTY CLOTHES WITH HERS WHILE AT THE CABIN AND IS WASHING THEM ALL TOGETHER. HER CLEANS ARE IN THE BOTTOM OF HIS BAG. TRENT COMES BACK INTO THE LAUNDRY ROOM, KISSES HER BYE BECAUSE HE KNOWS SHE HAS THINGS TO DO BEFORE THE WORK WEEK STARTS. SHE SEES HIM TO THE DOOR. SHE IS TRANSFERRING CLOTHES FROM WASHER TO DRYER WHEN THE PHONE RINGS. SHE KNOWS WHO IT IS AND WHY. “SABRINA, DID I ACCIDENTALLY GET THE WRONG BAG?” “NO, I HAVE MINE. WHY?” “YOUR CLOTHES ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF MY BAG. HOLD IT ONLY HALF MY CLOTHES ARE HERE.” “TRENT, FIGURE IT OUT. I LEFT MY CLOTHES IN YOUR BAG SO YOU CAN STASH THEM IN YOUR GUEST ROOM FOR WHEN I AM OVER THERE. I HAVE SOME OF YOUR CLOTHES NOW OVER HERE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.” “OH, OH OK.” THEN, IT SUDDENLY HITS HIM. SHE IS SHARING MORE OF HERSELF WITH HIM. “GOOD NIGHT, SABRINA. SLEEP TIGHT. I LOVE YOU, MY DARLING.” HE WHISPERS AS HE PREPARES TO HANG UP. “TRENT, HOLD IT. DON’T YOU HANG UP THIS PHONE! WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?” “I LOVE YOU, MY DARLING”, HE SAYS AGAIN. “I LOVE YOU, TOO, TRENT.” TRENT IS STUNNED FOR A MOMENT. THEY SAY GOOD NIGHT, AGAIN AND HANG UP. THE NEXT MORNING, SHE COMES TO WORK TO FIND A RED ROSEBUD ON HER DESK ALREADY IN WATER. HER SECRETARY WALKS IN WITH THE MORNING AGENDA. SABRINA JUST LOOKS FROM THE ROSE TO HER SECRETARY AND BACK. HER SECRETARY JUST SHRUGS. THE MORNING PASSES QUICKLY. TRENT SHOWS UP JUST BEFORE NOON. HE HAS THE USUAL BAGS WITH HIM. HE IS MOTIONED STRAIGHT INTO THE OFFICE BY THE SECRETARY. SABRINA HEARS FOOTSTEPS BUT SHE THINKS IT IS HER SECRETARY BRINGING IN A NEW SET OF FILES. SHE FINDS OUT DIFFERENT WHEN SHE SMELLS LASAGNA AND GARLIC BREAD. SHE LOOKS UP, LOOKS AT THE CLOCK AND WHISPERS, “OH MY, MY LUNCH DATE IS HERE.” HE COAXES HER OUT OF THE OFFICE WITH THE LUNCH. HE ADDS A SECOND RED ROSEBUD WHEN HER BACK IS TURNED. THEY GO OUT TO HIS CAR TO EAT. THE WEATHER IS GETTING COOLER. THEY COME BACK IN AFTER LUNCH. HE SNEAKS ANOTHER RED ROSEBUD INTO THE VASE. HE LEAVES TO GO BACK TO WORK AS HE STARTS OUT THE DOOR. SABRINA WHISPERS, “I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THE ROSEBUDS.” EVERYBODY IN THE OFFICE KNOWS ABOUT THE LOVE AFFAIR BETWEEN THEM BUT STILL GOSSIP IS SOMETHING SHE DETESTS. TRENT NODS, WHISPERS, “ME, TOO. CALL YOU TONIGHT.” THE SAME ARRANGEMENT GOES ON FOR FOUR DAYS UNTIL THERE IS A DOZEN RED ROSEBUDS IN THE VASE. ON FRIDAY, HE ADDS THREE WHITE ROSEBUDS TO THE VASE. HE KNOWS SHE TAKES HER ROSES HOME EVERY FRIDAY. THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, SHE GOES BY HIS WORK ON HER WAY HOME. SHE SEES HIS MONTE IN THE PARKING LOT. SHE PLACES TWO RED AND A WHITE UNDER HIS WINDSHIELD WIPER. SHE GETS HOME, SHOWERS AND IS DRESSING WHEN HER DOORBELL RINGS. TRENT SMILES AS SHE OPENS THE DOOR. “I BELIEVE YOU LOST SOMETHING, MA’AM?” SABRINA MOTIONS HIM TO COME ON IN. SHE HAD MADE CHILI THE NIGHT BEFORE FOR DINNER TONIGHT, LEFT SIMMERING IN THE CROCK POT WHILE SHE WAS AT WORK. TRENT SHOWERS, DRESSES AND COMES BACK OUT TO HELP WITH WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE FINISHED. HIS CLOTHES, HE LAYS ON THE WASHER TOP. SABRINA IS JUST PULLING THE BREADSTICKS OUT OF THE OVEN WHEN HE ENTERS THE KITCHEN. “LIGHT THE CANDLES, PLEASE.” HE FOLLOWS THIS REQUEST UP WITH “AND PLEASE POUR MY WATER.” SHE LAUGHS. HE KNOWS HER TOO WELL. HE KNOWS SHE DRINKS WATER, PEPSI OR FRUIT JUICE WITH MOST OF HER MEALS. HE GETS HER WATER WHILE SHE DISHES UP THE CHILI. THE BREADSTICKS GO IN THE BASKET SET OUT. THEY EAT DINNER. TRENT GOES BACK FOR SECONDS, THIRDS. “ARE YOU STARVING OR WHAT?” “YOUR CHILI IS FANTASTIC.” SHE SITS THERE AND TALKS TO HIM WHILE HE EATS. HE CALLS KITCHEN CLEAN UP DUTY SO SHE CAN GO IN TO RELAX. HE FINISHES, COMES OUT. SHE IS READING THE PAPER WHILE SITTING ON THE FLOOR. HE SLIDES INTO THE CHAIR BEHIND HER AND LEANS HER BACK IN BETWEEN HIS LEGS. THIS IS A USUAL POSITION FOR THEM WHEN SHE IS READING THE EVENING PAPER. THEY SPEND THE EVENING WATCHING TV, READING THE PAPER AND CHATTING. TRENT REALIZES IT IS TIME FOR HIM TO GET GOING. HE STANDS UP TO LEAVE. SHE STARTS TO GET UP WITH HIM. HE PULLS HER UP. HE STARTS TO SAY GOOD-NIGHT; SHE TELLS HIM HE CAN STAY THE NIGHT IF HE WISHES. HE LOVED NOTHING BETTER THAN WAKING UP THE NEXT MORNING TO HER LOVELY FACE. “I WOULD LOVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT IF IT IS NO BOTHER. I LOVE WAKING UP TO YOU.” “I WILL GET YOUR BEDDING OUT OF THE SPARE ROOM.” “I WILL GET IT, SABRINA.” SHE YANKS OUT THE HIDE-A-BED WHILE HE GETS HIS BEDDING. HE MAKES UP HIS BED. THEY KISS GOOD-NIGHT. SHE IS INSTANTLY ASLEEP IN HER BED WHILE HE IS LAYING THERE THINKING IN HIS. HE FEELS A HARD SPOT NEXT TO HIS HEAD. HE REACHES UNDER THE SHEET TO DISCOVER A KEY TIED TO HIS PILLOW. HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHEN SHE PUT THAT KEY THERE, TOO. HE HAD GONE TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE LAYING DOWN. THIS KEY, HE HAD SEEN ON THE COUNTER THIS EVENING WITH HER WRITING ON THE TAG. HE REALIZES SHE GAVE HIM THE KEY TO HER APARTMENT. HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT. HE GETS BACK UP, TIPTOES TO HER ROOM, WATCHES HER SLEEPING. HE GOES BACK DOWN THE HALL TO THE KITCHEN. HE PLACES HIS HOUSE KEY ON TOP OF THE COFFEE POT. HE KNOWS SHE HITS THE COFFEE POT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. HIS MIND IS THINKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE. HE HAS A 3 BEDROOM HOME WITH A STUDY, LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM. HIS BACKYARD IS HUGE AND TWO CAR GARAGE. HE NODS SATISFIED. HIS PLANS ARE IN HIS MIND; NOW TO PUT THEM INTO ACTION. HE WAKES UP IN THE MORNING TO HER GIGGLES OF JOY. HE KNOWS SHE FOUND THE KEY. SHE TAKES HER HOME OFFICE OUT OF THE SPARE ROOM ONE DAY AFTER WORK. TRENT COMES OVER ON THE WEEKEND TO FIND A SIGN ON THE SPARE ROOM THAT SAYS, “TRENT’S ROOM AT SABRINA. “ SHE USES A CORNER OF THE DINING ROOM AS HER OFFICE. TRENT HAS A ROOM OF HIS OWN IN HER APARTMENT NOW. TRENT USES THE ROOM WHEN HE IS THERE. HE DOES CONVINCE HER TO LET HIM HAVE SOME OF HER UNNEEDED FURNITURE. SHE DOESN’T KNOW THAT IT IS PART OF HIS PLAN TO GET HER PERMANENTLY IN HIS LIFE. SHE DOES NOTICE OVER TIME THAT HER EXTRA FURNITURE BECOMES PART OF HIS HOUSE. SHE JUST ASSUMES THAT HE HAD NEEDED THE STUFF AND KNEW SHE WASN’T USING IT.
THIS NIGHT IS THE BEGINNING OF HIS NEW PLAN OF ACTION. THIS NIGHT IS A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT. TONIGHT HE PLANS TO PROPOSE TO SABRINA. THEY HAVE SPENT THE LAST YEAR GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER. THEY HAVE LIVED IN EACH OTHER’S HOUSES FOR SIX MONTHS. HE HAS WATCHED HER BLOSSOM AND GROW MORE BEAUTIFUL EACH WEEK. TRENT KNOWS HER MOODS SO VERY WELL. HE KNOWS HER WORK HAS BEEN ROUGH THE LAST FEW MONTHS WITH THE VARIOUS STAFF CHANGES. HER PROMOTION WAS ROUGH ADJUSTING TO WHILE TRYING TO ADJUST TO TRENT IN HER LIFE. THIS LAST WEEK, TRENT HAS SPENT A NUMBER OF HOURS GETTING THE FINAL FOUNDATION IN PLACE FOR TONIGHT. SABRINA BEGINS TO WONDER IF SOMETHING IS WRONG BECAUSE OF HIS PREOCCUPATION OF THE LAST WEEK. SHE HOPES HE WILL TELL HER WHAT IS WRONG TONITE. SABRINA, ALSO, WONDERS IF HE WILL REMEMBER WHAT TONIGHT IS. TRENT HIRED A CARRIAGE FOR THE NIGHT. TRENT THINKS BACK ON THE PAST YEAR AND LOOKS FORWARD TO THE FUTURE STARTING TONIGHT. HE ENTERS SABRINA’S APARTMENT, SABRINA HEARS HIS KEY. SHE CALLS FROM THE KITCHEN, “HELLO, TRENT LOVE.” SHE COMES TO THE ENTRANCEWAY TO KISS HIM. HE KISSES HER BACK. “WHY AREN’T YOU DRESSED, YET? WE HAVE A DATE TONIGHT.” “I JUST GOT HOME MYSELF AND WAS RETURNING CALLS WHEN I HEARD YOUR KEY.” “SABRINA LOVE, GOOD THING, I MADE THE RESERVATION FOR 7:30 p.m.” WHAT SHE DOESN’T KNOW IS THE RESERVATION INCLUDES A PARTY AT THE SAME RESTAURANT OF A YEAR AGO. HE ASKS THAT SHE WEAR THE SAME DRESS FROM A YEAR AGO. HE HAD BROUGHT HIS SUIT OVER TO THE APARTMENT EARLIER IN THE WEEK WHILE SHE WAS AT WORK. SHE GRABS HER SHOWER, FIRST. IT TAKES LONGER FOR HER TO DRESS THAN IT DOES TRENT. THEY FINISH DEALING WITH PHONE CALLS, RETIRE TO INDIVIDUAL BEDROOMS. TRENT HEARS THE DOORBELL AS HE IS BUTTONING HIS PANTS. HE WANTS TO GET IT BEFORE SABRINA DOES. THE DOZEN WHITE ROSES HE ORDERED HAVE ARRIVED. A ROSE FOR EVERY MONTH THEY HAVE BEEN TOGETHER. “TRENT, WHO WAS AT THE DOOR?” SHE COMES OUT OF THE BEDROOM, GIGGLES AND THEN OUTRIGHT LAUGHS. TRENT IS STANDING AGAINST THE WALL IN THE SAME POSITION OF A YEAR AGO. AGAIN, HE HOLDS A SINGLE WHITE ROSE. “MAY I HAVE THIS EVENING IN YOUR COMPANY, MY DARLING SABRINA?” “YES, YOU MAY, MY SWEET TRENT.” SABRINA TAKES THE ROSE INTO THE KITCHEN TO FIND THE OTHER 11 LAYING ON THE COUNTER. SHE FINDS THE VASE FOR THEM. TRENT GRABS THEIR COATS, LEADS HER OUT THE DOOR. THE NEIGHBORS ARE WATCHING FROM THE LAWN FOR HER EXIT. TRENT AND SABRINA GET TO THE COMPLEX DOOR. HIS CAR ISN’T IN ITS USUAL SPOT; INSTEAD, THERE IS A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE AT THE CURB. “TRENT, WHERE IS YOUR CAR?” “I HAVE RENTED THE CARRIAGE FOR THE NIGHT. MY SLEEPING BEAUTY DESERVES A CHARIOT TONIGHT.” TRENT ESCORTS HER TO THE CURB. HER NEIGHBORS ARE ALL CHEERING FOR HIS ROMANTIC NATURE. THE CARRIAGE DRIVER LOWERS THE STEP FOR THEM TO ENTER THE CARRIAGE. HE BOWS, HOLDS HER HAND AS SHE STEPS INTO THE CARRIAGE. TRENT FOLLOWS AND THE DRIVER PUTS THE STEP UP; PLACES A COVER OVER THEIR LAPS. THE CARRIAGE DRIVER WAITS FOR THE SIGNAL, SETS THE HORSES IN MOTION. THE RIDE IS SLOW AND CALMING. THE CARRIAGE PULLS TO A STOP AT THE RESTAURANT DOORS. “TRENT, HOW MUCH DID YOU REMEMBER OF OUR FIRST DATE?” “MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE, MY LOVE. I REMEMBER I HELD HEAVEN IN MY ARMS THAT NIGHT AND DIDN’T WANT TO LET IT GO.” THE DRIVER PLACES THE STEPS BACK DOWN. TRENT PICKS HER UP IN HIS ARMS, CARRIES HER OUT OF THE CARRIAGE AND GENTLY PLACES HER ON HER FEET. HE ESCORTS HER TO THE DOOR, OPENS IT SLOWLY. THE SAME HOSTESS IS THERE. SHE SMILES AND ASKS, “NAME AND RESERVATION TIME?” TRENT ANSWERS, “YES, PARTY IN THE BANQUET ROOM.” “VERY GOOD, SIR. RIGHT THIS WAY.” “TRENT, WHAT IS GOING ON?” TRENT USHERS SABRINA IN FRONT OF HIM AS THEY FOLLOW THE HOSTESS. THE HOSTESS STEPS BACK AS SHE OPENS THE BANQUET ROOM DOOR. THE ROOM IS FILLED WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS. TRENT LEADS HER TO THE FIRST TABLE WHERE THIS IS A SMALL BANNER THAT SAYS CONGRATS ON ONE YEAR, TRENT AND SABRINA. SABRINA GETS THE FEELING MORE THAN A ONE YEAR CELEBRATION IS GOING ON. THEY HAVE THE SAME THINGS THEY HAD A YEAR AGO. SABRINA IS REALIZING TRENT WENT TO A LOT OF TROUBLE TO DUPLICATE EVERYTHING OF A YEAR AGO. DESSERT FINALLY ARRIVES. SABRINA NOTICES THE ROOM HAS GOTTEN QUIET AND ALL ARE LOOKING AT HER. SHE LOOKS DOWN AT HER PIE, REALIZES THERE IS A PLASTIC BALL ON TOP. SHE LOOKS AT TRENT. TRENT TAKES THE BALL, KNEELS BESIDE HER. HE PULLS THE RING INSIDE THE BALL OUT. “SABRINA LOVE, A YEAR AGO TWO COUPLES SET UP A BLIND DATE FOR US AT THIS RESTAURANT. I FEEL IT IS ONLY FITTING THAT I ASK YOU THIS QUESTION HERE. WILL YOU BE MY WIFE AND CONTINUE THIS LIFE WE HAVE STARTED?” SABRINA STARTS TO CRY TEARS OF JOY. SHE WHISPERS SOFTLY, “YES, MY DARLING TRENT. I WILL BE YOUR WIFE.” “I FEEL THE SAME WAY YOU DO THAT IT IS FITTING YOU ASK THAT QUESTION HERE AND IN FRONT OF THE VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT US TOGETHER.” TRENT SLIPS THE RING ON HER FINGER AS SHE ACCEPTS HIS PROPOSAL. EVERYONE CHEERS AS THE RING SLIDES ON. SABRINA ASKS THE ROOM AS A WHOLE, “YOU KNEW? ALL OF YOU?” THE WHOLE ROOM SAYS, “YES”. ONE BY ONE THE FRIENDS COME UP TO CONGRATULATE THEM AND THEN LEAVE. SABRINA LOOKS AT HIM. “WHAT OTHER SURPRISES ARE IN STORE FOR ME TONIGHT?” “WELL, WHAT DID WE DO THAT FIRST TIME?” “WE WENT DANCING, THEN A WALK, THEN YOU ESCORTED ME HOME AND WE WATCHED A MOVIE.” HE ESCORTS HER TO THE DOOR; THEY WAIT FOR THE CARRIAGE TO BE BROUGHT AROUND. THE DRIVER KNOWS THE ITINERARY. HE GUIDES THE HORSES TOWARD THE NIGHTCLUB. AT THE DOOR, THEY AGAIN SHOW THEIR IDS TO TABITHA. TABITHA WASN’T THERE AT THE DINNER PARTY SO SHE DOESN’T KNOW UNTIL SHE LOOKS AT THE HAND HOLDING THE ID. SHE IS HAPPY FOR BOTH OF THEM. TRENT FINDS THE SAME TABLE AS A YEAR AGO. THE D.J. REMEMBERS THEM. HE ANNOUNCES THE NEXT SONG IS A LITTLE IN LOVE. HE DEDICATES TO A COUPLE WHO WERE A LITTLE IN LOVE A YEAR AGO AND DIDN’T REALIZE IT. TRENT TAKES HER HAND, LEADS HER ONTO THE DANCE FLOOR. TRENT MAKES SURE SHE SHINES UP HIS BUCKLE WELL. THE LIGHTS DIM. TRENT PULLS HER CLOSE. THE D.J. GETS A MESSAGE FROM TABITHA THAT THE COUPLE IS NEWLY ENGAGED WHICH THE D.J. ANNOUNCES TO THE CROWD AT THE END OF THE SONG. THE LIGHTS COME BACK UP. TRENT LEADS HER BACK TO THE TABLE. THEY SIT, TALK AND LISTEN TO THE MUSIC. SABRINA GOES TO THE BATHROOM AND COMES BACK TO THE MINT IN THE CENTER OF THE TABLE. SABRINA GIGGLES AT THE MINT. SABRINA AND TRENT DANCE A FEW MORE SONGS BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE NEXT STAGE OF THE JOURNEY. THE CARRIAGE IS WAITING AT THE DOOR. NEXT STOP IS DOWNTOWN MAIN STREET. THEY GET OUT OF THE CARRIAGE, WALK AND WINDOW SHOP. THE MINT IS BURNING A HOLE IN HER POCKET. THEY STOP AT THE CORNER. SABRINA DOESN’T DISAPPOINT HIM. THE CHOCOLATE COMES OUT OF HER POCKET. SHE EATS MOST OF IT BUT SAVES THAT LAST BIT FOR HIM. HE LICKS THE CHOCOLATE OFF HER FINGERS. SHE PUSHES HIM AWAY AS HE FINISHES, WHISPERING “CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.” HE CATCHES HER QUICKLY. SHE GOES ON A SPIN TOUR IN HIS ARMS WHILE KISSING HIM. HAND-IN-HAND THEY WALK BACK TO THE CARRIAGE. THE DRIVER IS SMILING WHILE WATCHING THEM. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE HE HAS SEEN TWO PEOPLE SO OBVIOUSLY IN LOVE. THE DRIVER HEADS BACK TO HER APARTMENT. THE CARRIAGE ARRIVES AT HER COMPLEX. THEY THANK HIM FOR THE RIDE AND HIS PATIENCE. TRENT OPENS THE DOOR TO THE BUILDING AND HER APARTMENT. SABRINA HEADS TO THE BATHROOM. TRENT STARTS THE POPCORN AND SHAKES WHILE SHE CHANGES. SHE FINISHES THE FOOD WHILE HE CHANGES. THEY MEET BACK IN THE LIVING ROOM. SHE FALLS ASLEEP AGAIN. HE KNOWS, AFTER ALL THIS TIME, WHAT TO DO. PUT THIS WOMAN TO BED AND GO TO BED HIMSELF IN THE SPARE ROOM. SHE GETS UP FIRST AND MAKES THE COFFEE. SHE CARRIES A CUP TO HIS ROOM AND SITS IT ON THE BED SIDE TABLE. SHE GOES BACK OUT, STARTS ON HER WORK FROM THE OFFICE. HE HAS LEARNED OVER THE YEAR THAT IF SHE CAN’T BE FOUND AT FIRST; SHE IS EITHER RUNNING OR WORKING. SHE HEARS HIS FOOTFALLS IN THE HALL. “I WAS JUST FINISHING UP SOME WORK.” “I KNOW”, WHISPERS TRENT. “AFTER A YEAR OF DATING YOU, I KNOW YOUR HABITS WELL, MY DARLING.” SABRINA SMILES, “GIVE ME A MINUTE AND I WILL START BREAKFAST.” HE NODS AND HEADS OUT TO THE BALCONY. “THE BANQUET IS 7p.m., CORRECT? SABRINA NODS, “HARD TO BELIEVE A YEAR HAS PAST.” THE BANQUET IS AT THE COUNTRY CLUB AGAIN. THIS TIME, NO ONE IS SURPRISED TO SEE SABRINA HAS A DATE. THE EXECUTIVES AND THEIR WIVES FIND OUT QUICKLY THAT SABRINA IS ENGAGED NOW. SABRINA IS CITED FOR HER WORK AND LOYALTY TO THE COMPANY. HER ENGAGEMENT IS MADE PUBLIC AT HER APPROVAL. TRENT AND SABRINA LEAVE THE BANQUET AND GO BACK TO HIS HOUSE FOR THE EVENING. THE NEXT DAY, THEY START PLANNING THE WEDDING. DRESSES MUST BE SELECTED, CAKE ORDERED, INVITATIONS DECIDED ON. TRENT AND SABRINA SPEND WEEKENDS MOVING A LOT MORE OF HER THINGS OVER TO HIS HOUSE. HER HIDE-A-BED COUCH BECOMES ONE OF THE FEW PIECES OF FURNITURE LEFT IN THE APARTMENT, THE WEEKEND BEFORE THE WEDDING. HER DESK AND KITCHEN TABLE STAY WHEN SHE MOVES INTO HIS HOUSE. HER BEDROOM SET STAYS THERE, TOO FOR NOW. MOST OF THOSE ITEMS MEAN NOTHING TO HER SINCE THEY ARE INSTANT FURNITURE. TRENT AND SABRINA HAVE YET TO MAKE LOVE. THEY MUTUALLY AGREED TO WAIT UNTIL THE WEDDING NIGHT. TABITHA THROWS SABRINA A BRIDAL SHOWER. SABRINA IS GIVING MOSTLY MONEY AND A FEW PIECES OF SILK. THE SHOWER GUESTS ALL HAVE CHIPPED IN FOR ONE LARGE GIFT. HER DRESS IS TOTALLY PAID FOR, ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE WEDDING. ALL THE BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES ARE PAID FOR BY THE OLDER LADIES OF SABRINA’S COMPLEX. TRENT DOESN’T KNOW IT BUT THE ENTIRE GROOM SIDE IS PAID FOR AS WELL.
THEY MAKE ARRANGEMENTS A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING TO GET AWAY. TRENT HAS TAKEN AN EXTRA DAY OFF TO GET THE FRIEND’S CABIN OPENED. SABRINA PULLS IN EARLY ON SATURDAY MORNING JUST BEFORE DAWN. SABRINA DOUBTS THAT TRENT IS AWAKE YET WHICH IS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE LEFT THE DOOR UNLOCKED. SHE BRINGS HER OVERNIGHT BAG IN AND LEAVES THE BOX OF THINGS THAT WILL END UP AT HIS PLACE IN THE CAR. THE BOX CONTAINS FILES, OFFICE SUPPLIES AND SUCH. SHE STARTS THE COFFEE AS USUAL. SHE SITS DOWN AT THE KITCHEN TABLE. SHE IS WAITING FOR HIS MATTRESS TO CREAK. SHE WAITS MAYBE TEN MINUTES. TRENT SENSES HER PRESENCE IN THE CABIN. HE ROLLS OVER TO FIND HER STANDING IN THE DOORWAY WITH TWO CUPS OF COFFEE. HE WAS SMELLING THE COFFEE BEFORE HE ROLLED OVER. HE SMILES, MOTIONS HER IN. SHE SITS ON THE EDGE OF THE BED DRINKING HER COFFEE. THEY FINISH THE FIRST CUP OF THE MORNING TOGETHER. SHE LEAVES TO START BREAKFAST. SHE SOON FEELS HIS PRESENCE IN THE ROOM. HE REFILLS THEIR CUPS AND SETS THE TABLE. THEY TALK ABOUT THE WEDDING, THEIR WEEKS OF WORK. “ARE YOU STAYING FOR THE NIGHT OR JUST THE DAY?” “I AM STAYING THE NIGHT IF YOU CAN STAND ME THAT LONG”, SHE SAYS. TRENT PICKS HER UP OFF HER CHAIR AND SNUGGLES INTO HER NECK. SHE GIGGLES AS HE SAYS, “I CAN STAND YOU THAT LONG”. “SABRINA, DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE TUXES BEING PAID FOR?” “YES, TRENT, THE LADIES OF THE COMPLEX PAID FOR ALL THE TUXES AND PAID FOR ALL THE DRESSES.” “OH OK, I WENT TO PAID FOR THE TUXES BEFORE I CAME UP HERE AND WAS TOLD THE BILL WAS PAID IN FULL.” THEY JOKE AROUND ALL DAY AND MOST OF THE EVENING. THE NEXT MORNING, HE MOVES THE BOX FROM HER CAR TO HIS. HE SAYS, “I WILL CLOSE THE CABIN AND THEN FOLLOW YOU HOME.” SABRINA NODS. THEY BOTH KNOW THE NEXT TIME THEY SPEND TIME LIKE THIS WILL BE THE WEDDING NIGHT. SABRINA IS A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE OF THE WEDDING NIGHT. SABRINA DOES REALIZE THAT TRENT WILL TAKE THINGS SLOW ON THEIR WEDDING NIGHT.
