[Dani] From Eden

[Jacob Daniel Russo]

Jake had thought that after Wizards his life would calm down a bit. He had thought that after the ordeal with Dani’s father was over, life would calm down a bit. But things hadn’t really settled down. He was directing movies, something he had always dreamed of doing; being behind the camera rather than in front of it. But he was also still in front of the camera on dancing with the Stars; something he hadn’t expected he’d be doing but his competitive nature prevented him from turning down the offer. Dani’s career was the complete opposite of calming down, Dani was a force to be reckoned with lately. Things hadn’t settled down, but there was one aspect of his life that he wanted to settle down in. He was completely proud and enthralled by everything Dani did. Dani was the only constant in his life, the one thing that had lit a fire in his heart since the day they started. Something that burned so hot he knew he couldn’t be without her, even at the expense of someone close to himself. And they had been through a lot; he’d put her through a lot, lied to her. Jake had jeopardized major parts of their relationship but he did it because he felt so strongly about her that he felt it was his duty and privilege to protect her from everything he could. He would eliminate any threat that even approached, no one doubted that. But now he felt that now more than ever they were secure in their relationship together. If they could make it through what they had, then they would make it for the rest of their lives. He had his heart set on marrying Dani, and even though they both agreed that they would eventually get married, neither of them had been in a hurry to be engaged. They were young; they were working on their careers. Marriage was something that would be there whenever they were ready. But they were adults now, and Jake wanted to marry her, wanted it to be real and solid and be able to say, hey she’s my wife and she will be forever. He wanted them to move forward, buy a real house and mow the lawn, let her stupid dog run around the lawn, and their kids one day too. Jake wanted kids. He wanted to have a family, with Dani. And it just all seemed that things had fallen into place. Even though they drove each other crazy she made him feel like no one was going to love him as much or the way that she did. That made him lucky, something he wouldn’t take for granted. All he could do to honor that was try to be worthy of it and show her his love matched hers.

He had not settled for a ring that wasn’t exactly what he thought she would love, so he had it custom designed. And redesigned. And changed, and he didn’t care that he was being crazy about it and making it take longer than it should have. Jake also wanted to propose in like, a really romantic location, something kind of cliché but still sweet because secretly he thought Dani wanted that fairytale proposal. But not something so clichéd that it had been done a million times. Jake had hired a planner and met with her every week to look at locations and pick the perfect spot to propose. He’d planned everything out; he’d told her they were having date night, not something uncommon for them. He knew he was being totally crazy about it, but he wanted it to be everything Dani had ever dreamed of and more. Jake had some work things earlier in the day and then had flown back into the city, asking her to meet her at the Met roof garden for drinks before dinner. He liked going to the Met, loved taking Dani. Jake liked looking at everything there, you could barely get through one wing in one visit, he and Dani would look at things and imagine what the lives were like for those people in the paintings, and wonder aloud if that person was meant to look constipated or make up fantastical ideas about the modern art and what it really ‘meant’.

Jake was constantly flying back and forth for dancing with the stars and had gotten into the city a few hours ago, and he was anxious to see Dani. See her smile, laugh, lecture him, anything. Jake waited for her at the Met martini bar, checking his watch and adjusted his collar. She’d been a little weird lately, distant. He thought maybe it was just that she was tired from her busy schedule, or he worried that he wasn’t home enough to spend time with her. Maybe she was upset that they didn’t spend enough time together, or maybe it was something else. Was it something he had done? Even though they talked about and alluded to marriage many times before there was still a nagging fear in the deep recesses of his mind that worried there was more to her mood lately, enough that when he asked her to marry him she might say no. There was also a part of his mind that knew that was crazy, of course she wanted to be married, didn’t she?

[Dani Marie Cooper]

Dani finished getting dressed as she placed her earrings in, taking a slight step back to get the full glimpse in the mirror. She'd seen worse, but she'd also seen better. But the Met wasn't just an ordinary date, even if date night was an ordinary thing. The Met was one of her favorite places in the world to go. it was just one of those places that you owed getting dressed up to. Plus, as much as Jake was slipping through her fingers, maybe it wouldn't hurt to remind him what she looked like in an evening gown compared to that little twig of a blonde bitch that he danced with. Even her grandma had commented on how the blonde looked a little too attracted to Jake. Though, to be fair, Dani couldn't really blame her. But it didn't mean she didn't daydream about popping her little plastic barbie head off and squeezing it until all of the air came out. She'd been procrastinating too long, it was time to go and face him. She'd avoided watching last night's show, but had caught a few clips of it here and there so she could do her best to sound supportive if he brought it up at all. It was just too difficult to try and watch him doing something so intimate with someone that she believed him to be doing things a hell of a lot more intimate with. She leaned forward, finishing up her lipstick before tossing it into her clutch and making her way out to the car waiting.

Later at the Met, Dani stood across the martini bar, just taking a moment to watch Jake. There was something so dangerously elegant about that man. He could rub elbows with the most elite of all people, but then look like he could fight the craziest martial arts fighter at the drop of a hat. She kept back, watching as though everything around her was moving in slow motion except for him. Was she really going to sacrifice the exclusivity of their love in order to keep him? She'd never believed she'd do it. But he was perfect, and her heart, and he was standing there seemingly without a care in the world. A pain shot through her chest at the thought of losing him. She picked up the edges of her dress, moving through the crowd before she could reach him. " Hey," she said as she approached him, placing her hand on the side of his arm before kissing his cheek. " You did really well last night," she said, smiling quickly. Maybe if she just said it now she could get it out of the way instead of stressing over it the rest of the night. She gestured to the bar and looked at Ryan, "I promised Ryan that I would get him some food when we go home. Madeline's having some...intense pregnancy cravings or something. Think we can stop by Taco Bell in our finest?" she said, smirking at their outfits.

[Jacob Daniel Russo]

Jake looked over when he realized that Dani had arrived and stood to greet her, "Hey", and looked her over. Man she was beautiful, it wasn't even fair. "Thank you," he said as she kissed his cheek, and he grabbed her waist and pulled her closer, "You look so beautiful, I can't stop looking at you," he smiled, kissing her on the lips before gesturing for her to sit down and ordered her a drink. "I would imagine we could make a quick stop at toxic hell, be the best looking person there even if you were wearing a garbage bag." Jake sipped on his drink, still watching her. "I'm sorry I haven't been home, I really wish I was though." He felt bad for not being around, he knew there was something bothering her and maybe that was part of it. "So... I like that new song you released. Almost started wondering what guy you were singing about," he joked, rubbing the small of her back. Hearing that song made him physically ache to be apart from her. It only ever took being away from her to remember how much he wanted to be with her, knowing he would never be able to live his life without her. He wondered if she had any clue what he was going to ask her tonight. He leaned over to kiss her cheek, "I'm so happy to be home," he added, knowing that home meant more than being in New York; it meant being with Dani.

[Dani Marie Cooper]

Dani ignored the lump that was forming in her throat as Jake continued to tell her all of these sweet things, touching her as though everything between them was perfect and normal. Though, a smirk did pass her lips as he referred to Taco Bell as toxic hell. If Ryan was expecting her to bring over Mexican food, he probably wasn't expecting Taco Bell. It wasn't like she had time to whip him up a full course meal, and honestly, Ryan would be appreciative of whatever anyone brought him. Except for the time that Blake tried to make him eat cauliflower mashed potatoes. She glanced up at him, realizing that he had been paying attention to her music as much as she had been paying attention to his show. " Oh it was you," she pointed out obviously, not recognizing his joking tone. "Ryan helped me with it," she admitted with a tinge of embarrassment. Dani looked over her shoulders, waiting for the drink before she looked back at Jake. " Are you sure going out tonight is what you want to do? You just got in. And honestly, I'd be happy if we grabbed some hot wings and went home. Sweatpants... Orange Is The New Black.." she said, smiling as she tried to tempt him away so that he could get some rest also.

[Jacob Daniel Russo]

Jake laughed as the bartender brought Dani's drink, "No, I wanted to take you out, we deserve a night out. We can stay in tomorrow night," he teased. Jake could stay in whenever, they could stay in any other night of the week. But tonight was a special night. Jake stood up, offering his hand, "What do you say, should we go observe art like proper Met goers?" Jake loved to dress up and pretend like they were upper eastsiders, but he often found it all so funny and fake. They had these reputations to uphold, they were celebrities, but behind closed doors they were just young people in love who liked chicken wings and arguing. "Gotta go see my man Picasso." Jake took her hand and led her back through to the elevator, taking their drinks with them. He would go see whatever exhibit she wanted to see and enjoy their drinks. He wasn't in a hurry, dinner was waiting on his time and would be ready when they arrived. They could take as long as they liked. As they stepped off the elevator he stopped, letting her decide, "Where to?"

[Dani Marie Cooper]

Dani leaned agains the counter, smiling as Jake said that they deserved a night out. At least it didn't seem like he was interested in ending things with them, for now. She wasn't sure she would be ready for that day if it ever came. Thankfully, it wasn't tonight. She picked her drink up, lacing her fingers around his as they made their way toward the elevator. Dani leaned into his side, placing her head against his arm as they waited to get off at the right floor. It felt like things were falling back into whatever the new normal was, with him being home. Jake was anything but ordinary. You couldn't put him in a box and think that you had him all figured out. He was a talented actor, but also a phenomenal writer and director. In interviews he was easily charming, and then he could erupt into a fight that scared you to your core. But he was her everything. There wasn't a single side of him that she didn't know, and didn't love. Nothing caught her by surprise anymore.

"Babe, there isn't any Picasso this time. But they have some Van Gogh," she said, moving her head away from his arm so she could look up at him. Dani took a sip from her glass, nearly emptying her martini. Dani did not like martinis. But that is what you were supposed to drink at these things, right? So Jake probably knew better than anyone that she would drink it for the aesthetic purposes. Just as much as he knew she would never eat a hot wing in public. " Here," she said, taking Jake's hand and pulling him toward the exhibit. Dani looked up at the painting, lacing her fingers into Jake's again. It was one thing for musicians to call themselves 'artists', but let's be real. Dani knew that nothing she created or did would have this much effect, or be in museums for generations to come. Her music wasn't ever going to change the world, but it didn't mean she personally couldn't try to. " I want flowers just like that... in a vase... just like that" she said, smiling slowly at Jake before she nudged his side softly.

[Jacob Daniel Russo]

Jake followed her away from the elevator to go see the Van Gogh Exhibit, still holding onto her hand. He watched her a little, seeing that whatever was bothering her lately had been put in the back of her mind for tonight it seemed. That was good, he knew she was in a happy mood. And just watching her he also didn't get the feeling she knew anything about tonight. No, she had no idea. That was good too. Not that he liked surprising people, he wasn't one much for surprises, but he wanted her to be surprised, dammit. "Wasn't Van Gogh the one that cut his own ear off or am I thinking of someone else?" Jake mused, looking around at the exhibit and stopped to look at the painting she was looking at. Jake laughed, shaking his head, "You can have whatever you want. Flowers like that... you can have that painting... I'll get it for you," he joked, looking around in mock suspicion. It wasn't a secret between them about Jake's family and their business, or what Jake would do for Dani if he had to, but at the very least he could make light of it. "Or you can pick pocket it," he said quietly, looking at her dress. "Where will you put it, does this thing have pockets? Over here?" He laughed wrapping his hand around her waist and pulled her closer.

"If you squint at it, they sort of look 3 dimensional. Almost real." he said squinting at the painting, "I guess anything could look real if you squinted at it long enough. If you just look at it normal you can see its just some paint on canvas. Wish I could make paint look like real stuff," he said, but he made other things seem real. Like movies, he was good with those. He should stick to his day job. They stayed a little while longer, finishing their drinks and imagine the headlines that would be out tomorrow, Wizards Duo Looking Confused at the Met, Too Many Martinis. As the stepped out of the Met and onto the steps Jake spotted the horse drawn carriage he had arranged. Quite possibly the corniest thing he had ever planned on a date but they'd never ridden in one and this way they could make half their trip to their destination through Central Park, which was gorgeous this time of year during sunset. Jake led the way over to the carriage, grinning goofily and waiting for her reaction, "After you."

[Dani Marie Cooper]

Dani had to admit that despite everything that was going on between them...and someone else, it felt really nice to be near him, and to see him smile, and touch her, and just be in his presence. He had this calming presence over her, even when she wanted to throttle his neck. It was the strangest and yet most calming of all things. And it was funny, she had to admit as well, about his family. It seemed that they were capable of anything and everything they wanted to, especially when Jake wanted to see to it that she was safe. She would always be thankful to him for that, no matter what happened between them. She smiled as he jested her about pick pocketing it, yet a small twinge of guilt swept through her also. She needed to stop pick pocketing his things to try and catch him doing something, if she had already decided she forgave him anyway. But as it seemed like they were going to wind the evening up at the met, she was glad that she had agreed to come out with him tonight. It was nice to take a step away from everything and just remember that at the core of their relationship, they cared about each other and had fun. Even if it was going somewhere that they didn't really fit in, playing dress up, and looking the part.

When Dani stepped outside and saw the carriage, she started to make a joke about how cheesy it was, until she looked over at Jake, who was grinning just as cheekily. "Oh God," she said, looking between Jake and the carriage before starting to smile nervously. She placed her hand against her stomach, before letting out a gentle laugh. " Baabbe..." she said, bringing her hands up to her cheeks as the blush of embarrassment came over her. Dani moved away from Jake, walking toward the carriage. If this didn't scream fairytale, then what else was there? " This is.... amazing. Cheesy, and ... completely cliche for a date... and for some reason, I love it," she said, giving a laugh as she stood on her toes, placing her hands against his cheeks and gave him a kiss. Dani took a step back, pushing the hair from her face before she held the side of her dressed, bunched together in one hand tightly, as she used another to hold onto the railing of the carriage to climb in. "What has you being all sorts of New York romantic comedy romantic?" she asked, sitting back before looking at him with another genuine smile.

[Jacob Daniel Russo]

Mission accomplished. For some reason even though Jake knew it was totally cheesy it was exactly the reaction he was hoping to get from her. Jake leaned down to kiss her back, smiling, "I am glad you like it." He was glad. He was glad she was his and that she existed and that they could have this life and all of it. He was beginning to get antsy. He was also so glad he didn't have the ring on him so that she couldn't pick pocket him. That would ruin the surprise. Jake climbed into the carriage beside her and put his arm around her, listening when she asked him what was making him so mushy and lovey. Jake shook his head, smiling a little, "Nothing, just you." The carriage driver took them into central park, the sun setting through the trees as people milled around and they made their way south. They had plenty of things to talk about, and argue about, but sometimes Jake just liked sitting with her. Normally carriage rides stayed int eh park but as the carriage merged onto 5th Avenue Jake smiled, sitting back in his seat. The sun had set and the lights on 5th Ave. were beginning to light up the NYC evening as they headed south toward Rockefeller Center. They were going to be passing Tiffany's he thought laughing to himself. She always gave him such a hard time every time someone around them got engaged.

[Dani Marie Cooper]

There was a piece of New York that was strictly magical. It wasn’t the New York that you saw today. But in this carriage, there was a little piece of that New York that she felt was just hers and Jake’s. It was like living in a Frank Sinatra song. She looked up at Jake, her eyes probably full of the same wonder and awe that she held when their relationship first began. Yes, he was worth fighting for, until the day she died. And him saying that ‘just you’ was what was causing him to be so lovey dovey? It melted her heart. She got to have this side of him, that no one else got to see. Dani leaned over, laying into his side as she rest against him. “You’re magical,” she said, resting her hand on his chest. But just as she expected the carriage to make another loop around the park it was pulling onto..the street?! Dani sat up, here eyebrows lifting in surprise as her eyes filled with shock. “You’re insane!” she said with a laugh, sitting up to look at the busy street before looking up at Jake, shaking her head in admiration. “How long have you planned this date.. And.. are we going to get a ticket? If we do… is Vinny going to take care of it…” she said, looking back around as it occurred to her that she should probably be trying to spot one of his family members in the midst anyway.

[Jacob Daniel Russo]

Jake smiled, hugging her closer when she said he was magical. He was no Justin Russo, only Jake Russo. But he had his own kind of magic going on. And he didn't feel very magical, it was just brought on when he was with Dani, just like he could let out a sigh of relief when they were together. When he was away for work he always felt like he was forgetting something or that there was something just off about everything. Jake looked around at the cars and laughed, "Hey now, this is perfectly legal, still. Maybe not for long... but currently we aren't breaking any rules!" Jake chuckled, mumbling, "I checked... not that it would have mattered." Jake smiled and pulled her back, looking around too. Yeah okay, there was probably some family members milling around, but for safety reasons. They were in a horse drawn carriage on 5th Avenue and they were two celebrities. Jake didn't trust body guards with that shit. Jake didn't answer her about how long he'd been planning this date, because honestly it had been in the works for a long ass time. Getting the 620 Loft at Rockefeller rented for a dinner for two was not an easy feat. There was booking, and money involved, and vendors and goddammit maybe he just thought it looked like a castle garden out of a fairy tale, okay? It was private, up off the street, but it was outside with flowers and grass and it felt like you were almost right out of the city. jake looked over to see as they passed Tiffany's, smirking, "Tiffany's... I think I've heard of that place, is it popular? What do they sell there?"

[Dani Marie Cooper]

“Mmm..” Dani hummed to herself as he suggested that they weren’t breaking any rules. The start of their relationship had been based off finding the gray area in the rules. But they were here now, and in the end it all seemed worth it. She took in a deep breath, letting out a happy sigh as she retightened her arms around him. This little carriage with his arms around her, this could be a little piece of heaven on Earth. One thing she loved about their dates is that they really did feel like an escape from the world. She couldn’t recall a single time she looked at her phone while they were actually out on the date. It was like they could have a little world where it was just them that existed. When he jokingly asked what Tiffany’s sold, because they were rather popular, she let out a slight snort. “Nothing you’re interested in, Jake,” she said, glaring at him playfully. “But speaking of popular places,” she said, smiling as she looked at him. “ There is another popular place that you’re wanted at… being the bedroom.. Since you’ve been missing a while. So that’s a good place to end this date later.. You’ve seen my latest video, right?” she said, smiling as she sat up to give him a quick kiss.

[Jacob Daniel Russo]

Jake laughed out loud when she said Tiffany's didn't sell anything that he would be interested in, "Oh, okay, never mind then. I'll keep that in mind in case I'm ever inclined to go there," he teased, smirking. No, she had no idea. Which was so uncommon, usually she knew when he was up to something, so this could not be going better. Dani said he was wanted elsewhere in the bedroom, leaving a smiled on Jake's face. "Oh?" They would definitely be ending the date at home. Did the date ever actually end though, after this? It was all full speed ahead after tonight. A real wedding. Dani leaned over to kiss him, asking if he had seen her latest video and Jake smiled leaning down to nuzzle in her neck, leaving a kiss, "Mmmm yes..." He kiss her cheek, turning her chin in his hands to kiss her lips and squeezed her thigh, "Later." The promise of later was more than enough. They had finally arrived at their destination and Jake climbed out of the carriage and helped Dani down, offering her his arm as they went into the building and were greeted and directed to a specific elevator. Fancy stuff they did here, apparently. It was nothing less of what he asked for. As the elevator climbed to their floor Jake adjusted his tie, watching as the door opened onto the loft. The reception area was dark except for being lit by candles near the door to the garden and he led the way, taking Dani's hand and opened the door for her onto the patio under the tent. There was a bar and a butler waiting, with two margaritas made to Jake's exact specifications. "Welcome, how are we doing this evening, Mr. Russo, Miss Cooper?" "Just fine, thank you Alfred." Jake smiled at her, gesturing that she should help herself to a drink. "If you'd like to sit down or peruse the garden, dinner will be ready shortly. Please let me now if I can be of service," the man smiled, winking at Jake, with a perfect british accent and old man white hair. He was so posh, Jake couldn't stop smiling. It was all so funny and cliche and perfect.

[Dani Marie Cooper]

Later. Later made sense. Considering they were in public, and not in like the back of a limo or anything. She smiled, kissing the side of his arm as he touched her thigh. When the carriage stopped, Dani narrowed her eyebrows in confusion, looking up to where they were at as she took Jake’s hand to get out of the carriage. “ Thank you so much,” she said to the carriage driver…man. With a slight wave she looked back toward the building, holding onto Jake tightly. He always planned such romantic things for her. And here she was talking about getting Ryan dinner earlier. Jake deserved a good dinner. Maybe she would make him a huge homemade dinner tomorrow night. “ We get a special elevator?” Dani said with confusion on her features again. But she wasn’t here to ask questions, when Jake made plans, you just went with it. As the doors open a slight gasp passed between her lips. Dani loved flickering candles , the way they danced in the darkness against them. But then.. one of her other favorite things. “Oh my gosh,” she said happily, letting go of Jake’s hand for the first time so that she could take hold of the margarita. “Thank you,” she said to the old British man. “ Can we look at the gardens?” she said with a hopeful look in Jake’s direction before using both hands to hold the margarita glass as she took a big sip. “ Jake this is so beautiful….” she mused, taking a step in the direction of the gardens as she did a small circle to look around at everything that was so perfectly put together in the most whimsical of ways.

[Jacob Daniel Russo]

Jake helped Dani down the steps and then watched her as she went off into the garden, following behind. There was something a little surreal about the sight of her in her gown, drink in hand, wandering through a garden in the glow of the city. Like a ethereal goddess in a sparkling garden in a little bubble where everything was perfect and beautiful. Dani was everything he had ever dreamed he wanted, and all the things he didn't even know he wanted. "I'm glad you like it," he replied smiling at her and the garden around them. Jake sipped his drink and then set it down on the table as she came back over, pulling her chair out for her. It really was all sort of whimsical, the setting and everything. They sat with their drinks, talking and laughing, watching her smile, until their food arrived in front of them with lids ready for the big reveal. He knew she hated eating wings in public, but they were alone here. He just wanted to see her face when she pulled off the lid. "Well? Shall we eat?" he offered placing his hand over his lid. Jake watched her as they both pulled the lids off, "We are living large by the way, were you expecting escargot?"

They ate in silence for a moment, enjoying the wings and Jake decided to take the opportunity he had. "Here," he said grabbing a napkin, "You're saving that for later?" he joked reaching over to wipe the sauce off her face and took he hand, "No wonder you don't want to eat wings out in public," he teased, smiling at her as he wiped her hands cleaned, slipping the ring he'd been left on the table onto her ring finger.