A Quiet Evening

[Cameron Kingsley]

Cameron Kingsley stood in his kitchen, a corkscrew in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. Slowly he twisted the screw in and pulled out the cork with a quick pop. He smiled slightly as he placed the expensive bottle on the counter and turned his attention back to the stove top where he was sauteeing mushrooms with chicken in a rich, creemy wine sauce. The twenty three year old stirred the dish, turning down the heat to simmer before moving his attention to the new england potatos and green beens. Everything was turning out nicely for his dinner with his once again girlfriend, Cyndi Weasley.

Between the pair of young lovers, things had pretty much returned to normal since their break up only a few months ago. There was no denying that Cameron was very much in love with the dark haired beauty but he was still trying to take things slow. They were together officially now, knowing that she had missed him nearly as much as he had missed her. Cam had not enjoyed their seperation and was doing his very best to make sure that this time he didn't screw it up. Cam quickly glanced at the clock, seeing that Cyndi would be at his house in five minutes or less. Cameron turned back to the wine, pouring two glasses, taking a sip out of the one closest to him.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Cyndi brushed her hair once again and impatiently looked at herself in the mirror. She'd already been through this whole routine and knew that if she didn't get herself out of the door in the next minute or so, she would be late. Pulling herself away after swiping some lipgloss across her lips, Cyndi grabbed her jacket and the small pastry box as she left her apartment, apparating quickly to the area where he lived. Her stomach growled, but she knew in just a few moments it would be getting its fill. It was better for her to apparate on an empty stomach anyway. Besides, her boyfriend was an amazing cook and the promise of a meal prepared by him was going to make the night worth the tiny discomfort she suffered from apparating.

Anyone who knew Cyndi knew that she thought the world of Cameron Kingsley. He was classically handsome, had the most adorable accent and was one of the smartest people she knew. And that he was kind and brave and could cook only endeared her even more. The couple had been back together for several months now and the twenty-two year old couldn't be more pleased. She had been miserable when they'd been apart, so getting him back her life had set things back in place. As she reached the door, Cyndi gave a small knock, pushing her hair behind her ears as she waited for her boyfriend to answer.

 

[Cameron Kingsley]

Cameron paused at the stove as he heard a rap on the door. He knew that it had to be Cyndi and with that thought came a grin. Quickly, he turned off all the heat on the stove and went to answer his front door. He pulled it open, his icy blue eyes immediately catching hers. A crooked grin danced on his lips. "Hey Beautiful." he said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before he stepped aside to let her into the house. "I hope you brought your appetite." Cam joked lightly as he led her towards the kitchen with her arm tucked into his.

As the young couple reached the table, Cameron turned to face her, to give her a proper greeting. He cradled her delicate face in his hands ever so gently as he pressed his lips to hers. This kisses deepened as he parted his lips, seeming to be urgent. Reluctantly, Cameron broke the kiss, stepping away and pulling out her chair so that she might sit. He went back to the stove, gathering the food dishes and hovering them over to the table. "Tonight for your dinning pleasure we have new england potatos, green beans, and chicken with mushrooms." he said, handing her a glass of wine before taking his seat oppisite the beautiful woman.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Cam's eyes were the first thing she always noticed about him, and instantly a smile was on her face even before he was calling her beautiful and making her smile broaden. She stepped in. "Hey yourself, handsome." She held out the small box. "Of course I brought my appetite" she grinned, "and I also brought dessert. Cupcakes."

That was all she got to say for a few moments as she was quite distracted kissing Cameron. She put her hand on the back of his neck as the kiss grew more urgent, but it was over, far too soon for Cyndi's liking. But, she couldn't be upset for long as Cam became ever-the-gentleman again and held out her chair. She sat and watched as he returned to the stove. "Merlin! This all looks and smells amazing Cam" she replied as he sat across from her. She lifted her wine glass up and held it out. "To good food and even better company" she said happily. Things were going so great with Cameron these days, the darker days of their break-up long forgotten. "You spoil me way too much y'know" she said as she took a sip of the wine and then began to serve herself. She didn't know what to try first.

 

[Cameron Kingsley]

Cameron grinned at Cyndi's toast as he raised his glass before pressing it to his lips, drinking down some of the bittersweet liquid. He was happy once more, with Cyndi a constant presence in his life. He knew that he could not bear to lose her again. Cam chuckled at her words, shaking his head in disagreement. "No, I don't. You won't let me nearly as much as I would like to." he teased her lightly. Which was true. Cameron would constantly shower his beautiful girlfriend with presents if she would only let him.

Cam spooned out a portion of each dish onto his plate, making sure that there was still plenty left over. He had a bottomless stomach but he wanted to make sure Cyndi got her fill of everything. Cameron looked over at the brunette, smiling once more. "So how is everything at the school? Was your first week good?" he asked her before placing a fork full of food into his mouth.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Cyndi chuckled at Cameron's comment, but knew there was some truth to it. If she would let him, Cyndi had the feeling Cam would apparate her away to exotic islands, give her expensive gifts and the like. But, she didn't need any of those things. And, she wasn't sure she'd be comfortable accepting all of those gifts from him, boyfriend or not. "Oh really now?" she teased back, her eyebrow arching up. "I don't need any of that stuff though. You make me happy enough" she said with a grin as she pointed her fork at him.

"This food is amazing" she gushed after finishing a bite. "See? I'm a simple girl. If you promise to cook for me, I'm yours" Cyndi chuckled. She began to fork up another bite as she answered his question. " I have a large group this year, which is great. My fifth years are kind of attitude-y but I think it'll be ok." Picking up her wine again, she took a quick sip before giving Cameron a pointed look. "How was your week?" She knew he couldn't say much but she still liked to ask.

 

[Cameron Kingsley]

Cameron rolled his eyes at his beautiful, silly girlfriend. He actually had a much bigger surprised planned for later in the night that Cam hoped she wouldn't object to. It was hard not to give Cyndi everything he could. It was Cameron's nature to dote on the ones he loved. It was nice to know that she obviously loved Cameron for himself and not the gifts or surprises he could give her. "Well that's a disappointment. I had a big surprise for you missy but I guess I will just have to cancel it." he teased, shaking his head. "Good to know that my cooking can at least win you over." Cam said with a laugh.

Cameron listened to Cyndi talk about her classes, frowning as she said her fifth years had an attitude. "If they start causing too much trouble for you, then you should bring them to talk to me. I'll straighten them out." Cameron told her with a slight smile, meaning what he said. "Work was work. I had to work overtime on a crisis but..." he said with a shrug. It was all he was really allowed to say. Cam hated having to keep secrets from Cyndi but it was all part of the job, which luckily she understood.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Cyndi's eyes widened as she finished another bite. "No! C'mon. I didn't mean it. You can't do that to me. What is it?" she asked excitedly. Any surprise coming from Cameron was bound to be a good one and now that he had gone and mentioned it, Cyndi was impatient to find out more. She chuckled as he spoke about helping her out with her problem students. She didn't think it would be necessary nor did she think it would help since the students in questions were girls and more likely to get in crush mode if Cameron was in front of them. He was pretty hot after all and they were teenage girls.

While he briefly spoke about work, Cyndi took the opportunity to take another bite. The green beans were excellent and she knew her mother would especially approve that Cameron was trying to get her to eat more vegetables. They truly were good though and it was easy to forget that they were also healthy. "Since you can't speak about your crisis, you should tell me about the surprise" she said with a smirk on her face. Her brown eyes were full of mischief. "It's only fair" she added in a sing-song voice. She knew that what she had said wasn't fair at all, but she really, really wanted to know the surprise.

 

[Cameron Kingsley]

Cameron shook his head at all Cyndi's questions as she asked to be let in on the secret. It was hard not to give her everything she asked for, but Cameron knew that it would be better if he kept the secret until after dinner. It was a really big surprised and there was no way Cam was going to spoil it. So, he made a gesture, as if he was locking his lips and throwing away the key. Cam grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "I guess you better eat fast." he said, teasing her. The young couple ate their dinner and then desert, talking about the past week and what was to come in the next week. Soon enough it would be Christmas again and Cameron wanted this Christmas to be better than their last. "You know, I was hoping you might spend Christmas with me and my family in California?" he asked Cyndi, praying she would agree. "Kiera and James will be there," he threw in as a small bribe to his girlfriend. Cameron knew how close Cyndi was with his sister so how could she turn them both down?

Finished with his desert, Cameron stood up from the table, taking his plate over to the sink. He began to fill the sink with soapy water, planning on doing the dishes in the muggle way. Gently Cam placed the glass plate in the sink. He then went and collected Cyndi's plate as well as the rest of the dishes, and put them in the soapy water. "So, You ready for your surprise now?" he asked her, unable to keep the giant grin from forming on his lips.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Cyndi playfully pouted when Cameron shook his head at her and then sealed his lips. He didn't usually tell her no, so she knew that the surprise was something really good. "Fine..." she replied with a sigh and then broke into a grin herself. The food was good, so she knew that he knew she wasn't going to rush through it. It was well played on his part. The dinner was a pleasant one and when the subject of Christmas came up, Cyndi listened to his question and then nodded eagerly. "That sounds great, Cam." That Kiera would also be there would only make the holiday even more fun in Cyndi's opinion. "I haven't seen Kiera in a while. It's going to be so fun!" she added excitedly.

Cyndi watched Cameron as he stood up and headed for the sink. With his back to her, she could freely admire his broad shoulders and his confident stance. "Let me dry those while you wash" she offered as he took her plate to the sink. She couldn't let him do all of the work. A smile crossed her lips as she stood to head over to him and he finally brought up the surprise again. "Yes! What is it? The suspense is killing me..." She really had no clue what it could be.

 

[Cameron Kingsley]

Cameron smiled with delight as Cyndi agreed to head home with him for Christmas. He was really looking forward to having her around for a few weeks where she didn't have to be at school. "I believe Kiera may have mentioned that the last time I talked to her." he said with a laugh. In fact, Kiera had complained that Cam was occupying too much of Cyndi's time so that it didn't leave anytime for Kiera to see Cyndi. "It will be fun though." Cameron promised, giving Cyndi a little kiss on the forehead.

Cameron chuckled at his girlfriend as she was eager for her surprise. A coy smile appeared in the corners of his mouth, thinking about how surprised Cyndi really would be. "Alright." Cameron answered as he enveloped Cyndi in a hug. It felt as if their bodies were being shoved into a place much to small before their feet landed on solid ground. They were at the bench that Cameron had been sitting on when he first saw Cyndi running by. It was where he had first asked her on a date. On the bench, there was a cushion of white flowers with a glass slipper sitting precariously on the top of the petals. Inside the glass slipper was an open jewelry box with stunning, 2 carat diamond ring. Cameron Kingsley looked over at his beautiful girlfriend, his icy blue eyes serious as he sunk down to one knee. Butterflies were fluttering in his stomach as he took a deep breath, staring back up into those big brown eyes. "Cyndi Weasley. I love you. I love you with everything that I am, all of me. I cannot live without you any longer. If I were to lose you again, I know I would go crazy. I promise you will be my Cinderella and you will have everything you ever want. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Cameron said with a voice full of nerves. His heart was pounding in his chest as Cam prayed that Cyndi would accept his proposal.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Cyndi nodded her head and hid a smile behind her hands. She'd make it up to Kiera during the vacation. They would be able to sunbathe, swim and shop and leave the guys to their own devices for a while. Cyndi planned on spending her fair share of time with Cameron though. Between his job and hers, they didn't spend nearly as much time as she would have liked together. It would have to do for now, but she longed for a time when they could be together more often. At least during the vacation, they both would be leaving their work behind or so she hoped. His job as an unspeakable kept him extremely busy sometimes. As Cam's lips touched her forehead, Cyndi put an arm around his waist and gave him a little squeeze, content to enjoy the moment she was currently sharing with him.

When she saw his smile, Cyndi's interest was piqued even more and she was almost not ready for the side-along apparation. She just managed to close her eyes tightly as the familiar sensation of being sucked through a tube enveloped her. As always, the sensation left her feeling a bit disoriented but since she was holding onto Cameron, she felt safe and secure. Cyndi felt the warm breeze on her face as she opened her eyes and realized they were outside in a park somewhere. Her brown eyes fell onto a beautiful arrangement and she quickly looked back at Cameron, confusion and amusement dancing across her face. What is he up to? When he sank down to one knee, it all became clear.

"Oh Merlin" she said as she looked down at Cameron while he spoke. At first, she couldn't rip her eyes away from the loving look in his blue eyes. She could hardly believe that he was proposing! To be sure, it was real she glanced back at the bench where sure enough there was a ring as big as a quaffle staring back at her. For a brief moment after he'd finished silence filled the air until she realized that he was awaiting an answer. The young woman opened her mouth to reply when it suddenly hit her that the moment that many young women waited for was now upon her, no longer a wish but a near reality. Her eyes teared up and a huge lump filled her throat, and the only way she could reply was to nod her head vigorously as she made every attempt to not end up a teary mess. Throwing her arms around his neck, Cyndi tucked her head into the crook between his neck and his shoulder. "Yes, of course I'll marry you Cam" she spoke into his shoulder.

 

[Cameron Kingsley]

It felt like the seconds turned into hours as Cameron held his breath, waiting impatiently for his girlfriend's answer to one of the most important questions he would ever ask her. It was obvious that Cameron had taken Cyndi by surprise. Cam could see the tears forming in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around him, placing her face on his shoulder. Her answer had him soaring as he heard that three letter word, yes. A wide grin stretched across his face as his arms pulled Cyndi tight to him. Jumping up off bended knee, Cam swung her in a circle, laughing. "You have made me the happiest man on the face of the earth." he said, shaking his head at her.

"Well come here and let me put your new ring on you." he said, anxious to see the ring on her finger, excitement clearly in his voice. Cameron picked the delicate looking ring up off of the flower arrangement, looking back at the teary-eye beauty he now got to call his fiance. He grinned at her as he took Cyndi's left hand, sliding the engagement ring into place. "Perfect." he murmured as it fit perfectly on her hand.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Cyndi couldn't help but laugh as she was spun around, her arns still wrapped tightly around her fiance. The word ran through her mind and she was pleased with how natural it seemed to feel. A wide grin crossed over her face, as she wiped some of the tears away. The grin mirrored Cameron's and as he spoke about being the happiest man on Earth, Cyndi chuckled again. "I was thinking the exact same thing about you. I don't think I've ever been happier" she said.

She was caught up in his excitement which was her excitement as well, and Cyndi eagerly held out her hand for him. As he slid the ring slowly onto her finger, the young woman watched its movement. As the ring found its new home, Cyndi couldn't help but admire its beauty again. The ring was...perfect. Cameron's words couldn't have been accurate. "Oh, Cam...I love it" she murmured as she held it out to admire it once more. After another moment, she turned her brown eyes on her fiance and then gave him a slow kiss. When she finally pulled away, her eyes were twinkling, "I can't wait to tell my parents and Kat and Kiera! Does she know you were going to propose?"

 

[Cameron Kingsley]

Cameron was on top of the world as he watched Cyndi's reaction to how the ring fit on her hand. Cam was relieved at how genuinely she seemed to love it. Cameron had picked out the ring all by himself but the young man had to have a woman's perspective before he purchased it. Cam had enlisted the help of his younger sister and Cyndi's best friend, Kiera, to approve of it. Kiera had loved it and said that Cyndi would too. However, it was one thing to hear his sister say that and another thing entirely to hear that from his now fiance.

Cameron chuckled and nodded his head to Cyndi's question. "Yes well, I had to get it approved by someone." he teased her, kissing her affectionately on the end of her nose. "I'm sure she is going crazy not knowing if you accepted or if I even proposed." Cam said, laughing again. It had always been fun to irritate both of his little sisters. "Kiera and Kat and your family will all be very happy for us I'm sure." Cameron told her certainly, leaning down to press his lips to hers once more.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

The smirk on Cyndi's face made it apparent that she had suspected Kiera's involvement in Cameron's plans. That she had been able to keep the news from Cyndi was what was a bit more surprising. The girls kept so little from each other that Cyndi couldn't believe that Kiera hadn't let even a small hint slip out. She nodded her head. "I bet there's an owl already waiting for us at your place" she chuckled, knowing that if it were the other way around, that was exactly what Cyndi would do. Patience wasn't exactly one of her virtues. She would have been positively dying with anticipation and a chuckle passed through her lips as she wondered what Kiera was doing at the very moment.

Cyndi had her arms wrapped around Cameron's neck and she was looking up at her fiance, a look of pure joy and love coming from her. Cyndi couldn't help but smile through the kiss that Cameron gave her. When they broke apart once more, she nodded her head. "I'm sure" she agreed not even doubting for a second that everyone she and Cameron knew would be happy about the news. "Do you want to head back to your place? We can let Kiera know my reply and then we can...celebrate our engagement" she said with a wink, "or the other way around. I'm not picky." Breaking the news of their engagement to their friends and family members would be just the first of many things she and Cameron would have to do for their wedding. And, it would likely take a while to do. She wanted to tell her friends in person and with some of them in other countries and as busy as she was with work, Cyndi knew she would have to remember to make the time to tell them all.