( cadi ) what i did for love,

[FRANKLIN ANTONIO JONES]

Franklin had managed to stall effectively enough to put off his first real date with Arcadia until they reached California. This state was his home base. Although he had never lived there for very long, his parents (and in turn, he) knew a lot of powerful people. Movie actors, directors, producers. People behind awards shows. His parents were loved and that put the Jones family in a position to get just about whatever they wanted in the city to which they contributed so much. Normally, Frank didn't like to take advantage of this- sure, he loved to get together with people he'd once met, trade some war stories. But he was independent and therefore not a huge fan of asking for favors.

But this? Well, this was an exception. The night he and Cadi first kissed was the night where the gears in his noggin' started to churn out ideas left and right. He knew the perfect night wouldn't be able to happen in Texas- at least not the way he wanted to do it. So while they had nights out (and in), he hadn't whipped out the big guns and spoiled her like he was so desperate to do. She deserved the world and he had every intention to show her that. He knew that didn't mean he had to go out and do something flashy every night, but this was a night of exceptions.

Because as far as he was concerned, he was pretty damn brilliant, if he did say so himself.

He'd taken her out to one of those nice, hard to get into restaurants in Los Angeles. He'd made reservations a week in advance and the food had been just as excellent as anticipated. Frankie made her wait outside of the restaurant while he paid the bill (both so she didn't see the price and so he had time to shoot a call to the necessary personnel to make sure everything was ready for them). Once he'd taken care of everything, he pocketed his wallet and cell phone in the pocket of his slacks, loosening his tie and grabbing his suit jacket from the back of his chair. He slipped outside, beaming as he quietly crept up on Cadi. How could he have gotten so lucky? He was so excited to give her that star treatment. He knew things like this would become more subtle when they moved on from California (just as special, just... Less expensive) but for tonight, he was going to make her feel like she was the only girl in the world.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her back against him. "Hope you enjoyed dinner," he murmured, dropping his head to press a few tender kisses up her neck, tugging on her earlobe with his teeth gently. Frankie's lips remained against her ear as he whispered, "And allow me to tell you again just how... Breathtaking you look tonight. Every time I look at you, my heart skips a beat." Franklin circled around, then, so he was standing in front of her and he held her close, grinning. "Part three of tonight's date is that I got us a rather nice hotel room for the night- or the next two nights, if you so please. I thought it would be nice to have some privacy. And no-" he paused, chuckling. "I didn't do it for the sex factor, although I wouldn't be opposed." He smirked, catching her lips for a kiss.

When he pulled away, he grabbed her hand, starting to tug her down the street. "First, though, we need part two. And part two is an absolute surprise. I refuse to answer questions." He winked, giving her hand another tug.

[ARCADIA PENN MCCARTHY]

Dinner had been fantastic. Everything tasted amazing! The place he had chosen was high class and the people around them looked dressed in their best. The waiter had been on top of everything from the moment he seated them and the tip Frankie left was rather extensive. Cadi felt like a princess, being treated to a royal feast. As they walked out of the restaurant he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her back against him.She could feel the heat in her cheeks as they turned pink in a blush. "Hope you enjoyed dinner," he murmured, dropping his head to press a few tender kisses up her neck, tugging on her earlobe with his teeth gently. She giggled as he affectionately pecked the skin on her neck. "It was amazing, you never cease to impress me." She nodded. Letting him kiss away. Frankie's lips remained against her ear as he whispered,

"And allow me to tell you again just how... Breathtaking you look tonight. Every time I look at you, my heart skips a beat." Franklin circled around, then, so he was standing in front of her and he held her close, grinning. She tried to hide the fact that the pink in her cheeks was now flaing red, "Thank you Frankie..."She looked down, smiling as she accepted his compliment. How the hell had this guy just waltzed in, taken her by surprise and now...was actually her boyfriend? "Part three of tonight's date is- She cut him off mid sentence. "Part THREE? FRANKIE!" she softly punched his shoulder. "This date has been AMAZING, but you don't have to do al-" this time he cut her off. "that I got us a rather nice hotel room for the night- or the next two nights, if you so please. I thought it would be nice to have some privacy. And no-" he paused, chuckling. "I didn't do it for the sex factor, although I wouldn't be opposed." He smirked, catching her lips for a kiss."Frankie, if there's a god, I have no idea why he dropped you out of the sky.Cuz you're absolutely perfect. You sure you're not God's right hand Angel?" She chuckled poking him between the ribs.

When he pulled away, he grabbed her hand, starting to tug her down the street. "First, though, we need part two. And part two is an absolute surprise. I refuse to answer questions." He winked, giving her hand another tug, she willingly followed the boy to whereever the heck he was taking her, excited and confused as he lead her down the street. "Fraaankiieee" she cooed. "No hints? no nothing!?" She crinkled her nose, looking at him playfully "angry" but when he didn't budge she grinned again and nodded. "Fine fine! You win," the twinkle in her eye remained as the boy dazzled her with his charm. She adjusted the strap of her soft blue bag on her shoulder and brushed off the front of her floral bandeau dress, smoothing it down as she walked. Frankie had already taken her blue blazer and draped it over his arm when she'd gotten too warm, and the two were now walking down the sidewalk to a destination unknown to miss Arcadia.

OUTFIT

[FRANKLIN ANTONIO JONES]

Frankie laughed as she punched his arm, figuring she’d protest it. He was, indeed, going all out, but he thought she deserved it. After everything that David Douche had put her through, if there was one thing she needed, it was to know that she was worth so much more. So for one night, he’d put all his shame to rest and called in whatever favors he could to show her that she was perfect to him. Perfect for him. And he could be perfect for her as well, if he just gave her the opportunity. He grinned as she made a comment about being God’s right hand angel, and he scrunched his nose up playfully at her. ”I’m quite sure. I applied for the job but God informed me that you had already gotten it. He put me on a waiting list, though, so just watch out. I may dethrone you.” He chuckled, kissing her cheek and pulling her down the street.

They turned a corner and found themselves on Hollywood Boulevard. He shot her a mischievous grin and pulled her along to a building that read ‘Kodak Theater’ on the exterior. He circled around so she was standing on his left side, threading his arm through hers, and lead them up to a man standing out front. Silently, Franklin pulled out his wallet and showed the man his ID, then smiled. ”You’re Larry, I take it?” The man nodded and after Frankie pocketed his wallet, they shook hands and made a bit of small talk. After a minute or so, he grinned boyishly, tugging Cadi a little closer. ”And this here’s my date, the lovely Arcadia. Cadi, Darling, this is Larry. He’s orchestrating everything for us tonight.”

Larry nodded his head. ”Pleasure to meet you, Arcadia. I’ll go set things up, then?”

Franklin thanked him and the three of them walked inside. When Larry left them alone, Frankie released Cadi’s arm and zipped into fun facts mode, also playfully acting the role of a tour guide. ”Welcome to the Kodak Theater. It is ours for the night because my parents know the man who built the place and so I got his number and called in a favor. He graciously lent this to us for the night. Now! This was built in 2001 and has been home to the Academy Awards since 2002. It can hold 3,401 people in the theater. It’s also been home to the American Idol finale, as well as the finale of So You Think You Can Dance since 2009. The stage is one of the largest in America, measuring roughly thirty four meters wide and eighteen meters deep. On the columns here in the entrance, the names of the winners of the awards for Best Picture since 1927 are on display.” Beaming, Franklin moved to the doors of the actual theater, holding it open. ”After you.”

[ARCADIA PENN MCCARTHY]

”I’m quite sure. I applied for the job but God informed me that you had already gotten it. He put me on a waiting list, though, so just watch out. I may dethrone you.” He chuckled, kissing her cheek and pulling her down the street.She gasped in fake shock. "You?! Dethrone...ME? Well I never! What blasphemy!" She threw an overly dramatic hand to her head and fluttered downward, making him catch her. She winked, as the two walked onward towards who the heck knew where. As they journeyed Cadi got a bit confused. A man approached them, Frankie paid him,the man greeted her and just like that he was gone. She hadn't even the time to thank this "Larry" for whatever it was he was arranging for the young couple.

Frankie took her into a building that from the back didn't look like much..but as they stepped inside the lights came on and Frankie, being himself took on the role of tour guide, pointing out things here, explaining that there's purpose. her eyes must've been as wide as car tires as she marveled. Kodak theater? Would've that have cost like...tons to even step inside?? She stared in amazement, literally speechless. She took his hand and gave it a supportive, "good job" squeeze as he lead her past another set of doors.
As they came into the main staging she planted a kiss on Frankie's lips. "Franklin. You have no Idea how amazing you are." She squeezed his hand once more, staring at everything the building had to offer. "I'm afraid to touch anything." she giggled, gazing up to the tall ceiling, lit up with rows of theatrical lights.

"how the heck did you know?" she muttered under her breath. When she was little, all she wanted to do was act, and sing on Broadway. When it turned out she was too damn shy to sing in front of a live audience she kind of gave up her dream and found herself as a stylist on tour...none other than Harlem's bus. As she got the feel for tour life, she finally found the courage to play, and opened up Glow-Worm."Frankie.." the girl was still just utterly speechless. "I-I don't even know what to say"

OUTFIT

[FRANKLIN ANTONIO JONES]

Franklin sat back, beaming as Arcadia took in the whole situation. He knew it was a lot, and that’s what he wanted, but he figured he’d let her adjust to the scene before laying down the reason why they were there. It wasn’t for a great reason, he supposed- she’d probably expect some huge thing and be disappointed when he told her his intentions. But he hoped she’d eventually see it as sweet and cuddle up to him. All he really wanted was to make her happy- the fact that she was smiling now warmed his heart. He adored her. Just seeing how much she was enjoying this was enough to make his heart race and itch to pull her closer. But the stage was not their destination. Not now, at any rate. He kissed her softly, holding the embrace for a moment before pulling back.

He grabbed her hand, dragging her down to the floor. He started up the middle aisle, obviously looking for a certain row. Upon finding it, he dragged her down a quarter of the way of the seats, looping an arm around her waist when they stopped. ”Cadi,” he began, gesturing to the seats. ”You know my parents’ profession, so you know how… How this happened. But. The first Academy Awards held here were in 2002. That was also the first year I got to come to one of these. I was old enough and both of my parents won awards, so they could bring me as a plus one. And that was also the first year the movie they worked on won ‘Best Picture’ which… Is the best award. And, well. I can remember that moment perfectly. I was still young. And they announced the title of the movie and my parents stood up and my father kissed my mother and said, ‘Here’s lookin’ at you, kid’. Which, you know, is a really romantic line from Casablanca. And I can remember thinking that one day, I’d find someone that makes me that happy. That I can look at the way my dad looked at my mom then. And, you know.” Frankie paused, looking up at her with an almost nervous smile. ”I don’t want to tell you that I’m in love with you, at least not right now, because it’s too soon. But I do want to tell you that you’re the person that’s made me that happy.” He nodded, looking down at her for a few silent moments.

He let out an awkward chuckle, then, taking a step back and gesturing up to the stage, where a white screen dwarfed the front. ”So! Tonight’s double feature gets the best of both worlds. We’re starting with Casablanca, then watching Princess Bride. And after that, you have free reign of the stage and then we’ll be off to the hotel. But I want to sit in these two seats.”

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[ARCADIA PENN MCCARTHY]

”Cadi,” he began, gesturing to the seats. ”You know my parents’ profession, so you know how… How this happened. But. The first Academy Awards held here were in 2002. That was also the first year I got to come to one of these. I was old enough and both of my parents won awards, so they could bring me as a plus one. And that was also the first year the movie they worked on won ‘Best Picture’ which… Is the best award. And, well. I can remember that moment perfectly. I was still young. And they announced the title of the movie and my parents stood up and my father kissed my mother and said, ‘Here’s lookin’ at you, kid’. Which, you know, is a really romantic line from Casablanca. And I can remember thinking that one day, I’d find someone that makes me that happy. That I can look at the way my dad looked at my mom then. And, you know.” Cadi felt the breath in her throat lock up and for a moment she couldn't breath. She watched Frankie's eyes as he looked down and back up to meet her eye to eye. The man paused and smiled at her nervously ”I don’t want to tell you that I’m in love with you, at least not right now, because it’s too soon. But I do want to tell you that you’re the person that’s made me that happy.” He nodded, looking down at her for a few silent moments. She let out the breath she'd been holding and took him into a hug. Holding her arms around his neck and just lingering. "Frankie, you're too good to be true."

”So! Tonight’s double feature gets the best of both worlds. We’re starting with Casablanca, then watching Princess Bride. And after that, you have free reign of the stage and then we’ll be off to the hotel. But I want to sit in these two seats.” They sat in the seats his parents had sat in years ago and a surge of warmth coursed through her body. This man..he was too much. So goddamn perfect. When he spoke the titles of the films she bit her lip, the most romantic movie ever...and then her alltime favorite. The lights went down as the screen began to brighten and the beginning of the movie began. It was absolutely amazing to see something like this. Brand new experience and complete and utter shock, she had no words, just smiles as the two sat there watching the actors come on screen. She tilted her head onto his shoulder, watching the screen as the rest of the empty room disappeared.

OUTFIT