Chapter 36
Getting all dressed up for a date.
Because that's what is it.
What people call it.
What they label it.
All the time and effort that goes into it.
The preparation.
The decisions.
The time.
The indecisions.
The fine details.
Wondering what the other person thinks.
If they'll like it?
If they'll not?
Just a few of the many thoughts that had been making their way around Joan's head as she'd got ready for Vera taking her out tonight, her attention being diverted every so often at the sight of the smaller woman across the bedroom in her body fitting, low cut, sky blue dress, which she dressed up with matching heels and accessories, her hair loose on her shoulders and her makeup natural, every inch of her being wandered over by the dark eyes of the older woman, unable it seemed to help herself.
Who could blame me, look at her.
Look how beautiful she is.
She's the most perfect, beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life.
She's perfect.
"You look...you look so stunning Joan" Vera said looking up from the foot of the stairs as the older woman came down them, her long legs wearing loose fitting black trousers and a v neck, cap sleeved, loose fitting grey blouse that plunged at her chest to show a hint of that fine cleavage she had, her dark hair flowing down and framing her face, the silver streaks outlining her handsome features, a long necklace draping down her front, smokey makeup, and peep toe heels finishing the carefully chosen and put together outfit, it being obvious she wanted to look her best to go out with her girlfriend.
"T..Thank you Vera" dipping her eyes shyly to the clutch bag in her hand and then back to the other woman. "You look beautiful yourself, that blue shade really brings the blue out in your eyes".
Vera smiled at this. "Thank you Joan" she thought Joan might like the shade of the dress and it might suit her too. "Taxi's here, right on time" on hearing the beep of a car horn outside.
"Where are we going again?" Joan asked when they'd gotten into the car, still having not been told by Vera.
"I told you, it's a surprise, you'll have to wait and see won't you" she smiled, Joan had tried a few times to find out but she was determined not to tell her anything, wanting it to be a surprise, even if Joan didn't like surprises, well certain surprises anyway, she wanted this to be a nice surprise she did like.
Making their way through the city to their destination, Joan frowned as she looked out the window, trying to find any clue as to where they could be going, seen as it was the city it could be anywhere, actually anywhere.
"Here we are" Vera announced, handing the money over to the driver and saying he could keep the change, getting out of the taxi and closing the door, Joan following suit.
"Here where, we've not gone anywhere, just into the city?" the older woman frowned, puzzled as she stood on the pavement, the taxi pulling away.
"Here" Vera repeated, turning the both of them to the view of the building next to them, the small entrance into the tall skyscraper type building squashed between the buildings at either side of it. "In there, come on" taking the larger hand in hers and walking to the door.
Once in the building they walked across the shiny tiled floor of the reception and entered the lift, Vera pressing the buttons so they were heading all the way to the top floor, a puzzled Joan still none the wiser as to where exactly they were going.
After a few minutes ride the lift doors opened and they stepped out, Vera leading the way to the double doors a few metres away.
"This way, it's right here".
"What is, I don't understand..." cutting her own sentence off as she stepped inside the restaurant Vera had chosen, her eyes immediately taking in her lush surroundings.
Red spotlights were flashed across the ceiling, a red band of lights around the edge of the ceiling itself, an edging of lights of sorts. A flurry of tables with black table cloths, plush black fabric cushioned chairs, sparkling silver cutlery and white china plates, with the addition of a cream candle in the middle were across the floor to ceiling windowed dining room that overlooked the entire city, some set out for couples, some for bigger parties, the massive windows giving you a 360 view all around you from every angle of the restaurant, the city lit up in every colour your eyes could see, the carpet a charcoal colour with a light yellow line graphic pattern on it finishing the modern and boutique style look.
With Joan still taking her surroundings in, Vera gave her name to the head waiter and walked with the older woman through the other diners and tables, to the table she'd booked, one right next to the window, for just the two of them, overlooking the city, being seated by him and offering them each a wine and drinks menu to look over for a few minutes.
"What do you think?" she asked, putting the menu down to be able to see Joan's reaction.
Well that was a question to ask considering the place they were in.
And what a place.
An expensive one from looking at the menu.
But what a place.
Not too noisy or busy.
The atmosphere bustling but friendly.
The view was just amazing and the fact it was night time added to this view.
And the company sat across from her.
Well.
It was definitely the best.
The best woman to walk this earth.
Vera Bennett.
"It's...it's wonderful, truly wonderful, I've never been to a place like it before" she smiled, the fact Vera had picked such an ideal and outstanding restaurant for them to come didn't surprise her, not at all, she knew Joan so well and what she liked and didn't like, this place was ideal for them both and the views from their seats were spectacular, talk about a lit up cityscape at night, it's nothing that either of them had ever seen before, especially not Joan, it was more than the older woman could have imagined.
Vera smiled happily at the answer, the kind of reaction she was hoping for, something she'd missed seeing on Joan's face, especially when it was she who'd helped put it there.
"I'm glad you like it, you can have anything you like tonight, it's my treat, so don't be worrying or looking at prices or anything, just pick whatever you like, I've got the bill" wanting them to have a good night together and for her to treat Joan, the older woman had done a lot for her over the past couple of months and she'd missed spending this time with her, going on dates and having fun, things they'd done before she'd started the new treatment and felt poorly, wanting to get things back to how they'd been.
With drinks ordered not long after and then both women deciding on the food they wanted, Vera pushed her chair back from the table, starting to get up, Joan's eyes following her as she did so, Vera looking back at her.
"I'm just nipping to the toilet, be right back" she smiled, moving from the table and disappearing in the opposite direction to the toilets, Joan watching her go and then looking back to gaze at the city from the window, sipping her wine.
"I want you to close your eyes for me" the sudden whisper in Joan's ear five or so minutes later from behind, causing Joan to jump having not expected it, it being the voice of Vera. "Are they closed?" seeing a nod from the woman in front of her, and checking that they were in the windows reflection.
This was followed by a slight bit of rustling and then it ceased, Joan frowning at just what was happening and what to expect when she eventually opened her eyes.
"Ok, you can open them now" seeing brown eyes slowly be revealed to her, as she now stood beside the older woman.
With her lashes parted, her eyes widened that bit more on the vision in front of her, Vera stood holding a generous size bouquet of white roses, not dissimilar to the ones she'd been given by the other woman all those months ago when she'd gone around for dinner at her house, the first 'clue' she'd given to Joan about her feelings.
"I...I wanted to get you something, something with meaning, and these seem to fit so well into that and for tonight too. Only this time things are different, a good different, a happy different, the most happy I've ever been, thanks to you, and I'm now able to express these feelings to you and know that you feel them back to me, also to show you physically how I feel and that, being able to do that, with you, is so wonderful" handing the bouquet over to Joan, the older woman taken aback by the thoughtful gesture, biting down on her tongue on feeling herself tear up."I love you" she whispered, gently touching her lips to Joan's, stroking her cheek with her thumb on exchanging a soft kiss and then sitting back down.
"Thank you Vera, thank you, this is such a thoughtful gift, they're wonderful flowers, wonderful" smiling across at her companion as she put the flowers down carefully beside her chair in their water bag, totally surprised by the gift she'd been given, not expecting anything at all, thinking they were just coming out for a dinner date together.
The waiter joined them a short time later to serve them their food, Joan taken aback by how professional and high end it was presented, not ever having had a place of food served to her like this before, most of her life she'd eaten at home, alone, her own pre prepared meals being her go to option and never one for going out to places for food, this changing when she started spending time with the younger woman, Vera slowly starting to open her world up to going out to places for food and drinks, wanting to spend time with Joan and take her out, memories of their first ever time of going out for food together and this being followed by their first kiss, Vera admitting she wanted to kiss her and then actually doing it, what a first kiss it was, the best kiss Joan could say she'd ever had, by the most wonderful woman she'd ever known too, the way Vera held her and threaded her fingers through her hair, being gentle and tender with her, just the way she continued to be with her patience and understanding, something Joan hadn't been used to before, the opposite in fact.
The woman that now sat across from her, steadily eating the food she'd ordered, blue eyes focused on cutting up the different items on the plate, but every so often they looked up and across to her, her face breaking into a smile, a smile for Joan, and only for Joan, one that Joan returned in earnest, trying to convey all kinds of emotions that she was feeling right at that very moment, these emotions that her girlfriend had brought out of her, brought to the surface and given life too, given her the chance to reconnect with after decades of being stuffed down, never acted upon, never given the chance to express and definitely not with another human being, because no other human being had taken the chance to look past the armour she wore, look deep into her eyes and see the person underneath, see all the facets in her, give her a chance, take the chance with her, no one until Vera.
Easily clearing their plates of food and then desserts, wine and a couple of other drinks in between, both women left the restaurant hand in hand, Joan using her free hand to carry her bouquet of flowers, thanking Vera numerous times for the dinner they'd just shared and the flowers as they now walked along the side of the river that ran through the business district of the city, literally next to where they'd just eaten, the pavement lit up by the tall, round street lamps that lit the walkway right alongside the river, the high rise offices and apartment towers lined up at the side of where they walked, dark and light windows littering the buildings, adding to the atmosphere of the pleasantly mild evening, ideal for a walk alongside the water.
Vera paused at a particular part of their walk, the river opening that little bit wider to capture a perfect screenshot of the main body of the city and all the lights from the various buildings, the suspension bridge over into the city in the background, Joan looking down at her pause.
"Vera?" she frowned, thinking there was something wrong with the younger woman, that she didn't feel well or something.
"Come here" tugging Joan over to lean against the railings, standing close to her, nervously swallowing at something in her throat and then releasing Joan's hand from hers, causing Joan to frown deeper, watching her open her bag and start a little rummage around for something.
What's going on?
Is she ok?
Why isn't she saying anything.
Why isn't she saying anything to me.
Why have we stopped here?
I thought we were having a nice time together?
I thought she was enjoying it too?
Is she not wanting me or us anymore?
Is that it, is that what's going on here?
The older woman's mind suddenly going into overdrive at the silence and uncertainty of what was happening at the present moment, at Vera's silence.
"W...What's going on? Have I...have I done something? Is...is something wrong, something wrong between us?" Vera's head snapping up at the questions, her eyes widening a little at Joan's worries, cupping the taller woman's cheek in reassurance.
"No, no, no, there's nothing wrong, nothing at all, everything is so right, so very right, I just...I wanted to come here, to...erm...to well, I've had a lot of thinking time since I've been poorly, it's made me think of so many things, so many things about us and about you and how you've been with me, looking after me and taking care of me despite how hard it must have been for you and sometimes still is now if I have a bad day and am not in a good mood. Despite all this you're still here, still being your wonderful self, looking after me, making me not want for anything, anything at all, loving me, and loving all of me" her eyes welling up with emotion. "Which is....which is why I wanted to bring you out tonight for our meal, but also here where we are now.." pausing to gather what Joan sensed as some courage, courage to start speaking again, the hand at her side lifting up to reveal a small black box, this box which she placed in Joan's hand, waiting another moment before she opened it, opened it to reveal a white gold band ring, with a generous square cut white diamond at the top, small black diamonds around it and then white diamonds to either side of the top of the band, the rest of the band plain white gold, simple but elegant, the stones shining like beacons when the lights around them caught the stones, Joan's brown eyes widening on seeing it, looking to Vera for an explanation to what she was trying to say.
"To give you this...it's erm....it's a promise ring, a promise ring I got for you to show you how much I love you, and that I don't ever want to be without you, my life would have such a massive hole in it, one I couldn't ever fill, and certainly my heart wouldn't be complete without you, these last few months haven't been easy I know but, but I think they've made us stronger, and I couldn't ever be without you, ever, I love you so much and just wanted to give you a small token to show how much and to show that I'd never leave you, that you've got my heart and I promise to love you always" her blue eyes shining with tears she was trying to hold back as she spoke her words to Joan, words she'd never said to anyone before, never been able to because she'd never felt them before.
Listening to the other woman speak about her like no one ever had before, Joan's eyes overflowed with held back tears and emotions, emotions that had started the minute she'd seen where Vera had taken her for their date and the flowers she'd bought for her at the restaurant, then to see what she'd bought her whilst they stood in here in what could only be described as one of the most perfect parts of the river, it all became too much, even for Joan, leaning down she buried her face into Vera's neck, the smaller woman holding her close, stroking a hand through her hair as she felt her weeping, her own tears escaping on hearing and seeing Joan cry.
"Shhhh, it's ok. I take it these are good tears, happy tears, I hope?" Vera whispered, her fears subsiding on feeling Joan nod on her shoulder, relief washing over her at confirmation that they were happy tears.
Raising her head after managing to gather herself and being soothed by Vera, Joan looked again at the ring and then Vera.
"N...No one has ever...for me before, no...no one, I...I'm sorry..." apologising for getting upset. "Y...You..you mean everything to me and I love you like nothing or anyone in my life before, you bring so much to...to my life, and I...I...I couldn't bear to be without you, this ring...it's..it's overwhelming, overwhelming but in a good way, t...thank you so much" getting choked up again as she spoke, which Vera recognised in an instant, taking the box from Joan's hand and removing the ring, taking Joan's left hand and slipping it down her ring finger, holding her breath a little hoping it fit and she'd guessed the right size, relief washing over her as it slid down and sat perfectly on the older woman's hand, smiling to herself at how it looked and suited Joan.
"That suits you so nicely Joan, do you like it?" this being the main question, she wanted Joan herself to like it like she did when she'd chosen it for her, it seemed that the time off work she'd had had actually come in handy in these circumstances, being able to get this gift for the other woman.
Joan nodded and smiled widely at her, having never had a ring to wear before and definitely not one as nice and meaningful as this and having it on her left ring finger to add to all the other feelings and emotions currently racing around her mind and body at this present moment.
The bouquet of flowers on the floor beside them, Joan wrapped her arms around Vera, holding her flush against her body as they kissed deeply and passionately, tongues moving against each others, Vera's arms snaking around her neck, fingers in her hair, consumed with each other in their own bubble, not concerned with who might come past and see them together, all their focus was on the woman they loved, and holding each other close, a certain ring sparkling brightly on the left hand of Joan in the various lights that were surrounding them, what could easily be described by them both as a perfect date night.