Note to the reader
: The Howard and Colleen stories don't begin with chapter 7. The previous episodes involving Howard and Colleen are in the Susie series of stories as follows:
Susie chapter 8 provides a prolog to the story of Howard and Colleen
Susie chapter 9 is chapter 1 of the story of Howard and Colleen
Susie chapter 10 is chapter 2 of the story of Howard and Colleen
Susie chapter 11 is chapter 3 of the story of Howard and Colleen
(Susie chapters 12-14 do
not
involve Howard or Colleen)
Susie chapter 15 is chapter 4 of the story of Howard and Colleen
Susie chapter 16 is chapter 5 of the story of Howard and Colleen
Susie chapter 17 is chapter 6 of the story of Howard and Colleen
One change in the Howard and Colleen series beginning here is that I have changed the stories to third person. The dual first person method used in the Susie chapters proved to be cumbersome and difficult to follow.
*
Flight 436
Howard Duncan sat in seat 17D on flight 736 from Phoenix to Des Moines. He had been in Phoenix only to catch this flight and he had no business in Des Moines. Neither was he connecting to other flights at either end. He was going to Des Moines only because that's where flight 736 went.
As the plane taxied for take off he closed his eyes and thought back 12 years ago to when he had first met Colleen. Since then he had his masters degree in civil engineering and was employed at a decent salary. He felt the backpack stuffed under the seat in front of him and thought of the ring inside. He considered when the best time might be to present it.
Colleen Murphy sat in the cockpit of flight 436 as she completed aiding the captain in the pre-fight checklist. It sure seemed close to the ground. She had just completed her stint with the Air Force after graduating from the Air Force Academy. In the Air Force she had flown some of the biggest planes in the world and spent six months as captain of Air Force One. With her resume and reputation as a pilot she had had no problem getting a job as a commercial pilot, turning down offers from almost every US airline. This was her maiden flight as a commercial pilot, well, technically, "co-pilot". She would be in command soon enough.
As the plane reached cruising altitude she asked the captain to allow her to make the usual announcement, with an addition.
Howard's rest was interrupted by Colleen's soft, familiar voice filling the cabin, "This is Colleen Murphy, your second in command. I want to thank you for flying with us today."
After the usual spiel about flying time, altitude, seat belts and electronic devices, she continued, "This is my maiden flight with the airline but I assure you I am capable of flying this airplane. I have flown the president of the US and never had any complaints." And then, " I also want to acknowledge a special guest. My boyfriend, Howard Duncan, is in seat 17D. He's a wonderful man. He got me started in flying and is great in bed. Stop by and say hello to him. While you're at it you might let him know that should he choose to ask me to marry him I will say 'yes'. I know he has been waiting for me to finish my commitments and have a regular job. I do now, so let him know."
Howard heard the voice of a young girl in the seat in front of him ask, "What does she mean he's great in bed, mommy?"
The answer was, "I guess he lets her sleep late."
The head of an 8 year old girl appeared over the back of the seat and asked, "Are you going to marry her?"
"Lycie," the woman in the seat next to her said, "leave the nice man alone." The head disappeared. Howard had time to answer with a quick nod.
"Well are you?" the man in seat 17F asked, seat 17E was empty. Then he added, "I think you're committed in any case. What's she like? A former air force pilot? Probably pretty tough and looks like it too?"
Howard told him, "You'd be surprised then. She may be tough but she's petite, red hair, lovely face and fantastic figure."
"I bet," 17F said, with a hint of skepticism.
"Stick around after the flight and see," Howard replied.
Howard wrote a short note and pushed the attendant call button. He gave it to the attendant and asked, "Could you get this to the second in command?"
"Of course. Your proposal?" she asked.
"Not exactly," he answered.
She came back and told him, "Your presence is requested at the front of the plane."
The note had said, "Your announcement sounded a lot like you are proposing
to
me
. You don't know how anxious I am to see you. I have something to say."
Howard pulled his backpack from under the seat and took out the small box. The flight attendant and his row mate saw the box and smiled as he got up and went forward. Colleen was standing outside the cockpit door her red hair, beautiful heart shaped face and welcoming smile lit up the entire cabin for Howard. Her tailored skirt showed off her fabulous figure but the loose fitting white blouse hid her small, perfectly shaped breasts.
When he reached her they kissed and she pulled him into the forward galley. She had asked the attendants to leave it vacant for them. She gave Howard a huge kiss. "You can't come onto the flight deck," she told him, asking with an expectant smile, "What do you have to say?"
"Well, if you are asking me to marry you, then the answer is 'yes'," Howard said. Then he held out the small box and opened it. "If not, then I wonder if you would consider marrying me?"