Valentine, Part Three

"Not too late either, she has work tomorrow, you know," Connor was saying to Becker. "I expect you to be a gentleman, obviously, and pay for everything."

Becker rolled his eyes, and was taking deep breaths, trying not to lose his composure.

Until he saw Jess. He almost lost both his composure, and his eyes, as they nearly rolled out of his head. His breath literally stopped.

"Wow," he whispered.

She blushed.

"You look...gorgeous," he said, awe-struck.

She giggled. "Thank you. And thank you for not wearing your uniform."

He smiled. "Your welcome, not even the tac vest."

She giggled again. "I appreciate that. You look...dashing." She smiled at him. He wore a dark brown suit, a crisp light tan dress shirt, and burgundy tie. It confirmed her suspicion. It wasn't the uniform she was in love with.

"Now you two kids have fun, but behave," said Connor.

Jess rolled her eyes, and walked to get her coat. Becker deftly intercepted it, and held it out for her.

"Nice," said Connor. Abby pulled at his arm.

"Let's leave them alone."

"No way! I'm the chaperone!"

"I didn't ask for you to chaperone," said Jess.

"I know. I volunteered," he said.

"Connor!" cried Abby.

"It's OK, Abby. We're leaving," said Becker.

"Goodnight. Have fun!" cried Abby.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't..." cried Connor.

Becker quickly shut the door. "That wasn't as embarrassing as I expected."

"Maybe not for you," said Jess. "I'm sorry."

Becker laughed. "Don't be. I'd put up with far worse than Connor Temple to be with you."

"Aw..."

Becker smiled, and offered her his arm. She beamed with pleasure as he escorted her down the stairs and to his truck.

The restaurant was very nice. It even had valet parking.

"Becker! This place is...It's too much!"

He smiled, clearly pleased at her reaction. "No. Tonight is special."

She blushed. "Thank you."

He nodded.

It was a ritzy seafood restaurant, complete with a small band playing light, romantic music. The waitresses wore classy black dresses almost to the floor.

"I...I'm speechless," she said, as they were seated. There table overlooked the city, it was beautiful at night, even romantic. That may just been because of who she was with, though.

"I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself," said Becker. "Making you speechless is quite an accomplishment."

"I know!"

He laughed. A waitress brought menus, and Becker whispered something to her. She smiled, nodded, and left.

"What was that?" she asked. Then, playfully, "You better not be getting her number."

He smiled. "No. She's cute, but not as brilliant as you."

She blushed. "I like debonair, suave Becker," she said.

"Don't get too comfortable. I'm a sausage and beer guy, I promise."

"Good. I'm a chocolate and diet soft drink girl. I think we compliment each other."

"We do."

They stared at each other across the gold linens of the table, each thinking how good the other looked by candlelight.

The waitress was hardly noticed when she came back. It wasn't until she popped the cork that Jess was brought to earth.

"Champagne? Becker!"

He smiled again, smirking, and held out his glass. "To you, Jess," he said.

She blushed the color of her dress. "To us, Becker," she said.

He nodded, and they lightly clinked glasses.

Jess took a sip. "It's delicious."

Becker smiled.

"I...Becker, I can't believe all of this. You really didn't need to go to this much trouble."

"I wanted to Jess. You are enjoying yourself, right?"

"Yes! I am, bunches, and loads, and gobs, and...I'm so incredibly happy."

Becker laughed. "You're adorable. You know that, right?"

"I do."

He laughed harder. "Good. You're more though. You're beautiful and brilliant."

Jess blushed. "Thank you. I think you know that I...I'm insanely crazy about you."

He smiled. "Good, then we feel the same way about each other."

She beamed brighter than a whole store full of red dresses. She turned to her menu, trying to quiet her rapidly beating heart. "I don't know what to choose."

"How about lobster, then?"

She opened her mouth, and nothing came out.

He laughed. "Lobster it is."

"I...I... Becker!"

He laughed more, and said again, "You're adorable."

The waitress came over, and Becker ordered the lobster meal for two special.

Jess took several sips of champagne. She was flustered and warm, but having the best night of her life.

"I am," she said aloud.

"What?"

She smiled as she looked into his chocolate brown eyes and glanced at the perfect, lovely hair. "I was just thinking. I'm having the best night of my life."

Becker blushed. "Me too, definitely," he said.

They spent the time til dinner arrived, staring at each other and sipping champagne. When the lobster arrived, neither one could believe how quickly the wait had passed.

"Oh, wow," said Jess. "This looks unbelievable."

"It does."

Jess decimated her lobster, and all the side dishes. She sat back in her chair. "I...am...so...full," she said.

The waitress had been nearby. "Oh, so no dessert, then?"

Becker laughed. "Are you kidding?"

Jess frowned slightly.

Becker continued. "Do you have anything chocolate?"

"Of course, in honor of Valentine's Day, we have "Cupid's Arrows: homemade pastry shells in the shape of arrows filled with a chocolate ganache and fresh rapsberries, then drizzled with melted bittersweet chocolate, topped with fresh whipped cream, and served with homemade vanilla ice cream and two large handmade milk chocolate hearts."

Jess' mouth was watering. "We'll take it," she said eagerly.

Becker laughed as the waitress nodded.

"Good choice. How about some house blend coffee to go with it."

"Sound great," said Becker. Jess nodded.

"I thought you were full," he said, teasing.

"Oh...hush."

He laughed.

The waitress set the dessert in front of the two of them.

"It's huge!" cried Becker.

The waitress smiled. "The idea was to make couples share," she said, setting a fork beside each of them. "Enjoy."

Jess actually quivered as she looked at it. "Becker, hold my hand."

He laughed, and readily took it. "Are you going to be OK?"

Her eyes were huge as she nodded, and dug in. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she stomped her foot. She covered her mouth with the hand Becker had been holding. Despite covering it, muffled squeals still escaped.

Becker laughed.

Eventually, she calmed down, breathing hard. "Oh...my...God!"

"That good?"

"Becker, you ate some!"

"Apparently it doesn't affect me the same way. Too bad. You looked like you were having fun."

She scowled at him. "I can't help it. I have never in my life tasted anything that...there is no word!"

He laughed. "I'm glad. It's was a pleasure to be here for that experience."

"I bet," she said, blushing. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head, laughing. "Don't be. You're adorable."

"Still?"

"Always, Jess."

She smiled, lovingly and soft. "This really has been the best night of my life."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh."

Becker smiled. "That's a coincidence. I've never had a better night either."

Jess smiled. "I'm eating the rest of this, you know."

"I know."

Jess hummed, hanging onto Becker's arm as they walked back to his truck. She saw a pink box tied up in a red ribbon with a pink fake rose attached.

"What's this? I didn't see that before."

Becker smiled. "I'll tell you after you get in."

She complied, and as soon as he joined her, she said, "Is it for me?"

Becker sighed. "Jess, I want this, you and me, to continue."

She smiled.

"I'd like to keep seeing you, outside of work, I mean."

"You mean, like a relationship?"

He nodded.

She squealed. Becker jumped, and grabbed his ears.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean...did I break your ear-drums?"

He laughed. "Uh, almost. I can still hear, though. Was that dolphineeze for yes?"

She giggled. "Yes, yes, yes, yes," she said, throwing herself into his arms. "Yes," she said, lying sideways, looking up into his eyes.

"Good," he said, pulling her up for a breath taking kiss. "I love you," he said.

She took in a breath, and he could tell what was coming. He grabbed his ears, and yelled, "Jess!"

"Sorry," she said, beaming with excitement. "I won't squeal. I promise. I'll do this instead," and she grabbed his neck and forcefully kissed him. She relaxed and the kiss turned smooth and loving.

She pulled away, and buried her face in his neck. "I love you," she said.

He smiled. "Thanks for not damaging my hearing, again."

She laughed. "You're welcome. So, what's in the box?"

He chuckled, gently pushed her off him, and reached into the back seat. He held it before giving it to her. "Now that we've agreed on our relationship status," he said, "this would not be inappropriate, but I don't expect a modeling tonight."

She blushed. She took the box and smiled. "Thank you," she said. She opened the box, and gasped. It was a delicate pink garment. As she touched it, she was reminded of a rose petal. She pulled it out of the box to see that it was a short baby-doll style negligee.

The main part of the negligee was the soft, petal-like fabric, but over the breast area, was a slightly darker pink in lace. It was adorned with tiny white bows and white pearls. The rest of the negligee was plain, but beautiful

"It's gorgeous," she said. Then she smiled. "It's so me!"

He laughed. "I'm very glad. It made me think you: sweet but incredibly sexy, and soft."

"Oh, I love you so much," she said, leaning over to kiss him. "You're perfect."

"Not really, but around you, I want to be."

"Aw..." she was quickly cut off with several more kisses. "Becker, I didn't get you anything."

He smiled. "I got a brand new girlfriend, didn't I?"

She took a breath, but before she could squeal, he plastered her mouth with his. She broke away, breathless.

"You really need to stop that squealing," he said.

She laughed. "Girlfriend," she said. "You said it. I heard you. Girlfriend, you actually said I'm your girlfriend."

"I did. Don't you want to be?"

"Hm-mm, I don't know."

He smirked. "Oh, OK."

She laughed. "Come here, boyfriend," she said, pulling into a smoldering kiss. "I have something else I want to give you. I want to model this for you. I...I want to pick it to use, tonight."

"Jess...I want to, very much. I don't think that's a good idea."

"Becker..."

"I promise I won't change my mind, or back away. I'll still want you tomorrow. I swear."

She smiled. "I know. I believe you. I want to be with you, now."

"Jess..."

"Please, Becker. We're in a relationship, right? Well, this girlfriend wants to go to bed with her boyfriend, on Valentine's Day."

Becker looked at her. "I don't want you to regret it."

"I won't. Will you?"

He smiled. "No chance of that."

She smiled, and kissed him. "Take me home with you. Let me show you this lovely gift you bought me, and then let me spend the night with you, the first of many."

He looked into her eyes. His pulse was beating fast and he felt excited. He knew he couldn't refuse her.

"Put your seat belt on," he said.

She smiled, and scooted back to her seat.

"I'm not exactly ready for a girlfriend, at home, you know," he said.

"Good, then I won't be scared off later, when you stop trying to impress me with your housekeeping skills," she said.

He laughed. "OK," he said, and drove to them to his flat.

End of Part Three