Snowed In (Tad)

[Dix C. Martin]

Dixie had been planning for today and tonight for the past week. Not making a peep about it to keep it as a surprise for Tad. She had even prepped for any surprises that could throw things off course, determined to have a non interrupted evening with her husband. With a little help from Myra, and the nurse's renovated cabin near Willow Lake, her plan was finally in motion.

Driving there after dropping the kids at Di's, she put a call in to Myra once more to make sure everything was up to her standards.
"Doll this is the what, fourth time you've called!"
"It has not been that many times!"
"My phone bill would beg to differ."
"Well you'll just make the call last longer if you keep complaining."
"Okay okay fine. Run down that darn checklist of your's.", grumbled Myra. But couldn't help smiling at the enthusiasm in the younger woman's voice.

"We on track for dinner?"
"My nephew's out getting the ingredients for everything as we speak, and is gonna stay put in the kitchen once he gets back. After all you paid for a chef not a third wheel."
"What about the wine?"
"Stashed it in the cellar myself. All you asked for, all three bottles worth."
Myra said, sounding a bit disapproving.

"What? I like having a selection.", smirked Dixie. She knew if they drank all three bottles the two of them would be too toasted to enjoy dessert. But by getting them it gave Tad a chance to go back to his Orsini days and pick out the perfect bottle for the meal.
"Alright fine. Well there's the option to ice skate if you're so inclined, the lake's totally frozen over. And the hot tub is up and running too. You called to remind the chauffeur to pick Thaddeus up at the office?"
"Oooh, wait..maybe not.."
"Doll!"
"Settle down Myra I'm teasing. Like I'd forget the honored guest in all this. I'm calling Drew when I get to the cabin.", Dixie said, turning onto the exit for Willow Lake. She'd checked the weather and there was no chance of rain, sleet, or any other threatening precipitation, and traffic was minimal which put her mind at ease.
After 20 minutes driving up the woodsy, winding path to the cabin, she pulled into the driveway and with a little help from Myra everything was basically set up. Snow was falling gently, there was a fire in the fireplace, and a set table for two right by the window with a perfect view of the lake.

"Well..now that everything seems on track, I'm gonna go get changed."
"Into that mystery garment of your's? You know I bet you picked the prettiest dress in the store."
Myra assumed, until Dixie walked out of the guestroom in a white terry cloth robe much to her surprise.
"What the.."
"Believe me, they hold much more appeal than you realize."
"Well...whatever you say. Now I'm gonna make myself scarce..hope everything goes off without a hitch!"
"Yeah that makes two of us." Dixie smiled, and walked Myra to the door before putting a few finishing touches on the room and checking the menu once more with the chef. She was a bit anxious but in a good way, looking forward to the rest of the evening more than she could say.

[teamluv08]

Maneuvering the mouse around, Tad logged out of his system and jumped up from his seat. It was the weekend and the last thing he wanted to do was spend it here in the office when he could very well be doing it at home with his wife and kids. He had it planned down to a T. When he got home they were going to have another one of their picnics in the living room and afterward he and Dixie were going to have another mini date. The idea came to him a few days ago when he tried to remember the last time he had am actual date with his wife. “Shame it’s been this long,” he mumbled, shoving his arms into his coat and grabbing his thing.

Moments later he walked out, locked the door and headed to his car only to stop when he saw another car and figure stepping out. Hoping it didn’t have anything to do with a case or it wasn’t somebody trying to cause trouble, Tad got into a defensive stance. “Yes?” He asked when the man got closer.
“Mr. Martin?”
“Yes. What can I do for you?”
The man tipped his head. “I’m Drew and I was sent to by Mrs. Martin. She asked for me to bring you to her this evening,” he said politely.
Arching a brow, Tad’s face twisted. “Mrs. Martin? As in Dixie Martin?” He asked, wondering to himself what the hell was happening.
“Yes sir. Your wife,” he replied. “Please follow me.”

Still not sure about this nor what this man was saying, Tad smirked and removed his cell phone from his pocket. He checked for any missed calls or texts from his wife that pertained to this and found nothing. “No offense, but if you don’t mind I would like to check with my wife.” The guy seemed to be a pretty stand-up guy, but being in this business of finding people and helping PVPD put criminals behind bars you could never be too sure.

“Hello… Hey baby. There’s a man here saying you sent him to come and get me,” he said once his wife picked up.

[Dix C. Martin]

With Myra having left Dixie was going around the cabin triple checking things when her cell went off.
"Hey yourself.", she grinned. Sure Tad could hear her smiling over the phone. When she heard him trying to confirm things with her she inwardly groaned. She wanted this all to be a surprise but should've realized her private eye husband would be suspicious, maybe she should've sent roses and a card along with the driver.
"Yes I sent Drew. And don't worry, I don't see him as one to try anything.", she teased.
"No I just, I loved your going to the trouble setting up that date for us the other night, you know with the limo and everything. Just, consider this my returning the favor, alright?", she hinted slightly, not wanting to give everything away.
"He's got orders to bring you straight to me and been told there will be hell to pay if so much as a hair on your head is out of place. So..just go with it, okay? I love you and I'll see you soon, I promise."

Hanging up Dixie did a quick touch up on her nails and then checked her hair, makeup, everything. And if she didn't know better she'd swear she was getting ready for her first date.

[teamluv08]

“Hey! I… but … You… Dixie?” By then his wife had hung up the phone. Putting his own phone away he looked toward the man and sighed. “Your story checks out,” he said. “Let me just put this stuff away and we can head out,” he added before turning to head back into his office and put his things down. Had he been only leaving for a few minutes, maybe hours he would have left the items in his car, but he didn’t know how long he was going to be gone and he certainly didn’t want to risk anybody breaking into his car to steal his stuff.

Moments later Tad got into the car and sat back as the guy drove off to some unknown place. "What are you up to Mrs. Martin?"

[Dix C. Martin]

Sitting in front of the fireplace with her head in her hands, Dixie was staring starry eyed at the embers. She loved watching the flames dance and the coals burn out. It had been mesmerizing to her ever since she was a kid and right now it was doing the trick of occupying her.
So much she didn't even hear the limo pull up the drive until it stopped and parked. Running over to the window with a silly grin on her face, she drew the curtain back and giggled. When Drew let Tad out of the car the confused, baffled expression on his face was priceless.

But not willing to keep the confusion going too much longer, she threw on her overcoat and shoes and met them halfway up the walk.

"Well Mrs. Martin as promised I got him here safe and sound.", Drew said.
"Thank you very much sir.", smiling Dixie tipped him and sent him on his way, before turning to a bewildered looking Tad.

"Well hello there, Mr. Martin" Grinning she got on her tiptoes and gave him an inviting kiss hello, before pulling back and taking his hand.
"C'mon now..got something to show ya."

Half dragging him inside from the cold, she opened the front door and revealed the table set for two in the cozy living room, complete with three bottles of wine and candles. Which along with the fireplace and the setting sun were all that illuminated the room.

"I just thought we were a little overdue for one of those, enchanted evenings of ours. And Myra did too so, she agreed to help with location. We get this place all to ourselves. Well, aside from her chef nephew that's agreed to make dinner for us. But, this way..no interruptions from the young ins, and, I get to spring a surprise on you for a change."
Smiling she went over to the closet and hung up her coat to reveal her robe, before grabbing one for Tad.
"There is a dress code however. You think you can oblige?",
Dixie asked with a sly but hopeful grin, hoping her husband would approve of all of this.