Fashionably Late

No new messages. Nanoha placed her cellphone back on the table and let out a disappointed sigh. A quick glance around the restaurant showed other people enjoying their evenings. At the booth directly across from her a family of 4 was having dinner and not far from her at another circular table a couple was enjoying a romantic evening complete with candles. Growing more and more impatient, Nanoha grabbed her cellphone again and checked her messages. No new messages. She continued to read the same sentence over and over again in her mind. Almost out of habit at this point she sent her 12th text to her girlfriend Fate who was now over 45 minutes late. Dropping her phone on the table again, she downed what was left in her glass of wine and leaned back in her chair. She was wearing a very pretty white dress that she had bought just for the occasion. It was modest but at the same very sexy. She folded her arms in front of her and glanced over to the entrance of the restaurant to the busy city street outside hoping to catch a glimpse of Fate as she walked in. Spotting nothing that resembled the young blonde woman, she turned her attention back to the scenery of the restaurant in a futile attempt to let the soft violin music calm her down.

"She better have a damn good explanation for this!" Nanoha cried out not caring who around her heard. As a few people turned their heads and gave her odd looks, the waiter approached her table.

"Excuse me ma'am but are you ready to order yet?" the young man asked.

"I'm sorry but just a little while longer. I'm sure she's on her way. She should be here any second," said Nanoha doing her best to still be cheerful in front of others despite how upset she was inside.

"Ma'am it's been almost an hour since you arrived and we have a lot of other people with reservations. I'm afraid it you're not going to order anything then I have to ask you to give up your table."

"Alright then I guess I'll go ahead and order the special. I don't care what it is," she said handing him the menu.

"A-alright and for your date?"

Despite the strong urge to say nothing and let Fate starve once she did show up, Nanoha wasn't the type to hold a grudge. "Make that two orders of the special please."

"Right away ma'am." Taking her menu and the one left on the table for Fate he hurried off to the kitchen.

Sometimes it drives me nuts that I love her so much! Had this been anyone else I would have walked out after the first 20 minutes but with Fate I just can't bring myself to do anything that might upset her. Nanoha was almost startled by the chime of her cellphone. She quickly grabbed it, flipped it open and saw the new text message from Fate.

"Nanoha honey I'm on my way. I'm so, so sorry! Please don't leave yet!" it read.

"You just made it," whispered Nanoha closing her cellphone and letting out a sigh of relief. A few more moments of waiting and sure enough, a young blonde woman entered the restaurant dressed in a very elegant looking, short, black dress. Her long, blonde hair was tied in the usual low ponytail with her trademark black ribbon at the end holding it together. Nanoha watched Fate scan the restaurant before finally catching sight of her and hurriedly walking over.

"Nanoha…I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to be late really it's just that something came up at work!"

Nanoha pointed to the chair across from her. "Sit down."

"Alright," said Fate hanging her head in defeat. She pulled the chair out and sat down placing her hands in her lap.

Nanoha leaned forward with her elbows resting on the table. She clasped her hands beneath her chin and stared at Fate. "For almost ONE WHOLE HOUR…I sat here waiting. If you were going to be this late because something came up like you say, why didn't you call or text?"

"I'm sorry Nanoha I really am. There was an accident at work and I had to attend to it. It was nothing serious but it caught everyone by surprise and on top of that my cellphone battery died. Luckily I managed to use the car charger on the way here so I could text you," answered Fate.

Nanoha stared at her for a moment then finally sighed and smiled. "You are so lucky that I can't stay mad at you. Now I already ordered so we may as well stay and enjoy dinner."

Fate smiled back at her. "You're sure you're not mad at me? I would understand if you still were."

"I'm fine," said Nanoha. "I was more worried than angry really just read my messages. You scared me. I was much more concerned about your safety than the fact that you were late for dinner."

"Well that fact was not lost on me so I thought I'd bring a peace offering just to cushion the blow so to speak." Fate reached into her purse and pulled out a small, black, gift wrapped box. "Here I hope you like it."

Hesitant but at the same time excited, Nanoha took the small box and slowly untied the little bow around it. Opening the box and removing some of the packaging paper Nanoha's eyes widened. "F-Fate…oh my god I can't believe you did this!"

The young blonde smiled. "I take it you like it?"

Nanoha removed the small bracelet from the box. It was silver with little charms attached to it. Holding in the palm of her hand, Nanoha gently brushed her fingers across it. Then examining one of the charms closely, she noticed that it was her first name spelled out in a small, shiny little charm. Being at a loss for words she simply looked up at Fate and nodded while smiling brightly.

"I'm glad. I was worried you'd be too angry to accept it," said Fate.

Just then the waiter returned with the order that Nanoha had made. He put two plates in front of Nanoha and Fate, asked them if they needed anything else, then walked away.

"You ordered for me?" said Fate looking down at her meal.

"You were late so you get to eat what I picked for you. Besides I knew you wouldn't mind."

"Alright, alright you win. I deserve this. But I've never tried this before so it may turn out good," said Fate taking her first bite. "Oh yes it IS good!"

"Glad you like it. Happy anniversary Fate," said Nanoha smiling.

"Happy anniversary to you too Nanoha. Did you order this just for me?"

"Oh no I just asked the waiter to give me the special without even reading the menu. I had no idea what it was," answered Nanoha as she started to eat herself.

Fate looked up as Nanoha continued to causally eat her food. "Wait what?"

This was an idea that I carried around for some time actually. I wanted it to be romantic but at the same time funny. I could picture the whole thing in my mind as I was writing it.

Anyways, enjoy and please comment!