I Introduce The Selfish Machine

I rubbed my arms fiercely over my jacket as I stood outside the airport in Berlin. I was tapping my foot, trying to keep warm. Why is it so freaking cold? I sighed, and it look like I had just exhaled smoke.
I listened to a German couple next to me whisper quickly about me. They were saying things like "what a tourist" and "why is she shaking" and "stupid American in our country."
I turned my head to look at the couple. "Ich habe in Ihrem Land gelebt und höre Sie flüstern sind. Bitte aufhören, über mich." (I've lived in your country and hear you whisper. Please stop talking about me.) I said. The woman rolled her eyes at me.
A black car pulled quickly and out of the back jumped Tony.
He ran up to me and grabbed my freezing hands. "Sorry I'm so late." He said. His hands were so warm against mine.
"It's alright." I said. Tony's lips collided fiercely with mine, and I didn't want him to stop. I've missed him so much.
Tony pulled away and put his hands on my hips. "I've missed you so much."
I felt my teeth chattering. "Ditto. Sorry, I'm just freezing."
Tony let go of me and grabbed my bags, pushing them in the backseat of the car. He then grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the car with him.
Once we were inside, Tony's hands cupped my face and he pulled me towards him, kissing me every so softly.
"I just want to kiss you all over." He whispered, then kissed me yet again.
"I'm with you guys for a whole week Tony, there will be enough of time for kissing."
"We don't have a show tonight, so I hope it's okay that I planned out a date for us."
I smiled at him. I missed this man so much. "Of course that's okay! What time?"
"7." It was 4:30 right now. "The hotel is only a few blocks away, so you can get ready there. I also made sure we had a room to ourselves."
"You know exactly how to make me swoon, Tony."
"It's what I do best." Then, he kissed me again.

At exactly 7, there was a knock on the hotel door. I stared at myself in the mirror. Even though Seren was a rich prep, she had great taste in clothes. Luckily, we're the same size. I had on a long sleeve black dress, that had lace on the sleeves then went solid on my chest. It went a little shorter than midthigh, and since it's cold, I put pantyhose on. I had black flats on my feet and my black hair was curled just at the ends. Needless to say, this is the classy Piper has ever looked. I thought I looked great.
I opened the door to see Tony there with a huge grin on his face and purple tulips in his hands. He had a black button up on with a black suit jacket over it, with black skinny jeans and black Vans on as well. I guess we're a goth couple tonight.
"Here you are, my love." He said, handing me the tulips. I smiled and brought them up to my face to smell them.
"Is it alright if I just, leave them here?"
He laughed. "I figured you would."
I placed the roses on the desk next to the door, and shut it. "So, where are we headed?" I asked, after lacing my arm with his.
We started walking down the hallway. "We are going to Reinstoff."
My jaw dropped. "Shut the hell up."
He smiled. "I'm being serious. We are going to eat at one of the classiest places in Berlin."
I kissed his cheek, leaving a red kiss mark on it. "You are amazing."
"You're lucky I love you."
"I love you."

We were already seated when Tony leaned across the table. "Will you order? You know, since you speak German and everything?"
I tried to laugh quietly. The restaurant had light music playing, and people were talking very quietly. I felt out of place, this was a high class restaurant and I'm not that high class of a girl. The waiter came by and I asked if there was anyone who spoke English. The waiter nodded and then walked away.
"Why's he gone? What did you say?" Tony asked, his eyes wide.
"Tony, you tour the world, how do you not know a little bit of German?"
"I'm a slow learner. Anyway, what did you say?"
"I asked him to send someone who speaks English so you don't freak out." I said, then looked back at the menu.
"You have too much power." Tony said. I glanced up over the my menu to see him staring at me with his big brown eyes and handsome face. I smiled slightly. I have no idea what I did to get this lucky. He's amazing.
"Welcome to Reinstoff, may I start you off with some wine?" The waiter said with thick German accent.
"The most expensive you have." Tony said. I stared down Tony. I know he is not made of money.
"Red or white?"
"Red." Tony said, then looked at me. He remembered that I prefer red over white.
"May we also get a glass of water?" I asked.
"Of course ma'am. I will back." The waiter turned and walked away.
"The most expensive? Tony, what are you thinking?"
"I have a secret savings account." He said. He reached across the tabled and grabbed my hand. "I want to treat you to a fancy dinner in one of your favorite countries, just let me." He raised my hand up to his lips and kissed it.

"So, you went to college in Berlin?" Tony asked.
I took another sip of my wine, trying to slow down. Wine was my favorite, but I was not going to get drunk here. "I went to Steinbeis, only for a year ago. It got to expensive."
"Do you miss college?"
I shook my head. "Not really. If I was in college, I'd still be in Berlin. I would have never met you." I said softly.
Tony smiled at me, then took another bite of his cheesecake. "I'm so glad I met you, Piper."
"See, dropping out of college was a good thing." Tony laughed. "Let's just not tell my niece that." My eyes grew wide and my jaw dropped. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone until a week before the baby shower because if it got out, someone might say something to Leanna.
"Leanna's having a girl?" Tony asked with a smile on his face.
"Yeah, they're going to name her Payton Grace." I said. My niece. She's going to be beautiful, and so kick ass.
"That's a really pretty name."
I smiled, staring at the strawberries on my plate. "Yeah, they're going to be great parents."
Tony cleared his throat. "I'm so glad I met you, Piper. I'm so glad we both decided to get drunk at your sister's wedding." I laughed. "You're so beautiful when you laugh. Like, your mouth gets all wide and your eyes squeeze shut. It's adorable, like a little cat yawning. You're beautiful all the time, Piper. I love when I roll over in the bed in the middle of the night and see you sleeping. I could stare at you all day and never get bored, your face is like an angel. I know you hate sappy stuff, but I want to be romantic with you right now. I want to express to you that you are the love of my life. Piper, I never thought I would meet someone like you. I never thought I would fall in love with someone like you. Someone so sassy and who speaks their mind. It gets you in a lot of trouble, but that's what I love about you. You're you, and I fell in love with you over a year ago." I felt my eyes start to water. This man. "I wanted you to come to Germany with me because I know you missed it, and I hope being here is making you happy. I can't wait to spend this next week with you sleeping on the bus together, seeing you smile and laugh, and just spending time with you. Every second I spend with you is the absolute best. I cannot believe how much I love you." I looked up and brought a finger to my eye to wipe the tears. When I looked back down, Tony was in front of me, and on one knee. A black box that had Tiffany and Co typed across the top sat in his hand. He pulled it open.
"Piper Lynn Kristianson, will you make me the happiest man alive? Will you spend the rest of your life with me, so I can spend the rest of my life holding you and kissing you, and just showing you how much I love you? Will you marry me?"

Notes