August 23, 1994

**Iolani POV**

With our decision made to go out for a nice dinner, there was just one thing left to do. Find someone who could recommend somewhere to go.

After all, we were pretty much in the middle of nowhere, and our last attempt at finding a decent place to eat brought us to the sorry excuse for a diner a few days ago.

Tonight would be our first actual date, and we needed to do better than that. After attempting to stop several carnival goers with no success, I thought it probably would be a better idea to ask someone running the concessions.

We spend several minutes whittling down our options, bypassing a burly guy covered in tattoos, a teenaged girl with green hair, and a gangly, pimply faced teenaged boy with braces, before finally settling on a woman who looks to be about my age smartly dressed in a business suit. A little well-dressed for a carnival...other than that though...Bingo!

I walk up to her booth, waving to grab her attention before she meets my gaze. "Yes...how can I help you?" she inquires with a friendly tone.

"Hello," I say by way of greeting. "My boyfriend and I are visiting here from out of town and thought you might be able to recommend some nice restaurants in the area," I inquire with an inviting smile, hoping to entice a decent response. Come on...I'm sure you'll be able to recommend something...

"Hmmm...let me think..." she replies as a look of concentration overtakes her youthful features. "I'm afraid there's nothing right in town...except for Bucksnort Café," she continues with a look of dismay. "But someone I was dating a few months ago took me to this quaint little Italian restaurant about an hour away from here, near Duluth, that was perfect. Now what was it called....?" she asks, seemingly talking to herself. Please...

"....Luigi's!" she exclaims with a grin. "They served all kinds of great dishes there. I think it's just the sort of place you guys are looking for," she finishes with a knowing grin and a wink, as she starts writing something on a slip of paper. "Here are some directions for how to get there," she adds, handing it over.

I eagerly grab for the paper in her outstretched hand. "Thanks a lot. You have no idea how much we appreciate this," I reply with a sigh of relief, before turning my gaze over to my e ipo with a smile. "What do you think?" I ask hesitantly with a smile.

"It sounds perfect," he replies with a grin, before taking my hand in his as he starts to pull me away. "Come on, mama. Let's go."

I look back over my shoulder to meet the gaze of our saviour, "Thanks again!" I call with a smile.

"Have fun, you two. I know I did," she tosses back with her eyes twinkling, before turning her attention to her next customer.

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**The Artist POV**

Other than a few wrong turns here and there, we actually got pretty lucky with the directions this time around and managed to make it to the restaurant in about an hour and a half.

When we pulled into the parking lot, it was obvious immediately that this place was everything we hoped it would be. It looked quaint and cozy even from the outside, but once we got inside it was even better. And it's all thanks to a well-dressed concession lady...go figure.

Maybe it was the fact that it was the middle of the week, but other than a few older couples the place was pretty much deserted. The small dining area was illuminated with soft lighting which made for a nice ambience, while the tables were done up in elegant tablecloths, complete with wine goblets and napkins folded into little fans. By the look on Lani's face, it's obvious she already loves this place.

It only took a few moments before the maître d' came over to escort us to a booth near the back. As we're getting settled into the booth he gives us the standard greeting, "Welcome to Luigi's. My name is Sergio, I'll be your server for the evening. May I start you off with anything to drink?"

"Just some water for me thanks," I reply with a smile.

"And for the lady?" he asks courteously, glancing at Lani with pen poised to take our order.

"I'll have the same," Lani confirms softly.

"No problem. I'll be right back," Sergio continues, handing us the menus. "I'll just give you a few moments with those," he finishes, walking away to retrieve our drinks.

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We only take a few minutes with the menu, and are now nursing our individual soups before our dinner arrives.

"So..." Lani starts reluctantly, looking down at her soup. Uh oh...it seems something's on her mind...

"What is it mama?" I ask softly, my hand finding her knee underneath the table.

Still looking unsure, her gaze slowly meets mine. "I'm a little reluctant to bring this up...but I was just wondering if you've had any more glimpses of memory since we last talked. I know it's been on your mind quite a bit since we've been up here," she trails off, eyes once again down on her soup.

A soft smile comes over my features as I take her hand in mine, rubbing the back of it with my thumb. "Lani, look at me," I implore her gently.

Her cerulean gaze gradually meets mine. "You don't have to be afraid to ask me anything, mama...and to answer your question, no I haven't..." I continue quietly as a bemused look creeps onto my face. ...though I wish I had...

Determined to keep the atmosphere lighthearted...at least for tonight, I continue with a seductive grin. "But I've been a little too busy to think about it..."

Sergio of course chooses this moment to display his sense of impeccable timing, showing up with our order and effectively ending the conversation.

He places our plates on the table courteously; three cheese cappelletti for me and the house recipe of lasagna for Lani. We settle into our respective dishes with gusto as Sergio refills our glasses before making a quick exit.

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**Iolani POV**

Once our food arrived, we settled back into small talk about our day at the carnival and what we planned to do with the rest of the week here at the cabin. Before we knew it our dessert plates were empty and we were getting ready to head out the door, but not without leaving a sizeable tip on the table. My compliments to the chef...

As we're heading out of the restaurant, my e ipo gently captures my hand as we make our way out to the car for the long drive back to the cabin.

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We'd been on the road for several minutes before we decided to turn on the radio...trying to break up the monotony of a day filled with long boring drives.

He fiddled with the radio for a few minutes, trying to get reception and eventually lands on an easy listening station. He meets my gaze at this to ask, "Is this alright with you?"

"Sounds good to me," I reply softly, my eyes locked on what's turning into a pitch black night on the road.

In a matter of moments a song comes on we both recognize as Marvin Gaye. Our eyes meet with memories of last night filling our minds. A look of delight envelopes our features as his hand slowly makes its way toward my thigh. Who said road trips can't be fun?

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**The Artist POV**

A sense of comfort and peace becomes almost overwhelming as our ride back continues. In the last few minutes Lani and I have settled into a companionable silence with my hand slowly inching up her thigh as the radio drones on.

"Lani..." I murmur tenderly, deciding to finally break the silence. My lips traverse the distance to the nape of her neck, teeth nibbling gently. If only we were back at the cabin...

The radio however, chooses that moment to cut out suddenly blaring. "We interrupt our regularly scheduled program, 'The Night Shift' to bring you a special news bulletin. A 32 car pileup on U.S. highway 65 has been reported near Minneapolis leaving dozens trapped, and hundreds stranded as emergency personnel attempt to make their way to the scene to assess the wounded. Preliminary reports indicate a transport driver accidentally drove onto the exit ramp directly into oncoming traffic...

Lani and I lock eyes at this, and I can tell she looks nervous with this turn of events. Damn...this can't be good...

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**Iolani POV**

I get increasingly concerned as more details continue trickling in during the rest of our drive back to the cabin. Dozens injured...many critically. Several people are being extricated with the Jaws of Life and air lifted to hospitals all over Minneapolis. Good lord...

Eventually we pull up to the cabin hoping to continue with what started out as a peaceful evening, coupled with an amazing first date.

Meeting my eyes with his own soft amber ones, he squeezes my hand reassuringly and we both leave the car hand in hand. Please don't turn into what I'm thinking...

We find ourselves on the porch of the cabin, his hand gently cupping my cheek, his lips moving towards mine as I hear a shrill noise coming from inside the cabin. Brrring brrring...brrring brrring!

Shit!

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**Author's Note:  A surprise second update this week. :)  I figured you guys deserved it, and I didn't really want to leave the chapter unfinished for an entire week.  #lol**

Will close with this tonight to give y'all something to look at...