Ch.3
June 11th, 2008
It had been exactly a week since they first met, and he couldn't stop thinking about her. He had seen her several times during the week coming and going from work, and he had waved to her or exchanged a simple 'hello'. Tonight, however, he would get to spend the entire evening with her. He took one last look in his bathroom mirror to make sure he looked all right.
I'm nervous. Why am I so nervous? I've never been anxious about a first date before. Why is she so different? Why am I so drawn to her?
They were questions that would have to remain unanswered for the time being. He quickly grabbed his phone and keys and locked his door behind him.
She heard the swift knock on her door, and she glanced over at the clock. It was 5:30, and he was right on time. She, however, was running a little late. She had a difficult time deciding what to wear, and had changed three times before settling on a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and a black top.
"Hi, do you want to come in for a minute?" she asked as she opened the door.
"Sure," he replied still a bit nervous.
"Sorry, just looking for my phone, and then I'll be all set," she explained.
"No, you're fine. Take your time. We've got all night," he replied with a smile.
She began rifling through the room, lifting pillows and looking under chairs. He smiled thinking about how cute she looked as she continued her frantic search.
"Do you want me to call it for you?" he asked wanting to help.
"Thanks, but no need. I just found in under the kitchen table," she replied.
"Great. Ready to go?" he wondered.
"Yeah," she said with a smile. He loved that beautiful ear-to-ear grin that so often graced her face.
"Well I've got to tell you that you look absolutely amazing," he spoke as he looked into her sparkling eyes.
"Thank you," she replied as a small blush emerged on her face. "So, where are we going?" she questioned as they descended the stairs.
"It's a surprise," he answered simply.
"A surprise, huh?" she answered back.
"Yeah. I like to keep people guessin'. It's what makes life interesting," he said with a smile now dancing across his face.
"I would agree with that. However, I'm not always the most patient person in the world," she said with a small giggle.
He laughed as he opened her door to his convertible.
Wow, this is a really nice car. I should probably comment on it. Guys like to hear that sort of thing. "I love you car," she stated trying to sound completely genuine and not too conventional.
"Oh, thanks. It was a present from my father. I just like the fact that I can put the top down and feel the wind in my hair. Like I'm more a part of nature that way instead of fighting against it. Don't know if that makes any sense," he responded.
"Yes, actually it does," she answered simply.
"Similar to riding a horse it a way. Least that's what I've always kind of thought," he explained already feeling at ease around her.
"Yeah, I would agree with that. So, I'm guessing you enjoy the outdoors?"
"What makes you say that?" he wondered as he winked at her.
"Well, I saw you come home with a surfboard a few times this week. I now know you have been horseback riding, and that tan of yours speaks for itself," she reasoned.
"Sounds like you are quite the detective. And you've been checkin' out my tan have you?" he said with a laugh.
"Guess you caught me," she said with a blush.
"But to answer your question, I do love the outdoors. Love camping, fishing, surfing, you name it. If it was up ta me I would probably live in a tent in the woods," he said with a smirk.
She had to laugh at that one. "A tent really?"
"Yes, really. As I said I love the outdoors. And what about you?" he wondered.
"Well, I guess I'm relatively new to many of these activities you just described. My mother is the exact opposite of an outdoors type, and she pretty much dictated all of our family trips growing up. I've ridden horses for years, and I've always wanted to learn to surf," she answered.
"That's good to know. We may have to arrange that," he said with a smile as they continued down the coast towards their destination.
As they pulled up in front of the small restaurant on the beach, he couldn't stop thinking about how amazing the night had been already. They had only talked on the drive down to the restaurant, but he already felt an intimate connection to her that he seldom felt with others. Sure she was beautiful, and he couldn't deny that he was definitely attracted to her looks, but it was so much more than that. He felt a connection between them that went so much deeper.
"Well this is it," he spoke as he turned off his car and walked over to open her door.
"This place is charming," she said with a smile. "I'm assuming you have eaten here before?"
"Oh, yeah several times. You didn't think I would bring ya to a place I knew nothing about did you?" he answered.
"I suppose that wouldn't make much sense," she said with a laugh. She loved his teasing tone, how easily he could make her laugh, and how smoothly their conversations always seemed to flow.
He took her hand in his leading her inside. As they stepped through the wooden doors, Sully immediately felt at home. He had been eating here for eleven years. Although it seemed a little off beat with Christmas lights across the ceiling, waiters with tie-dye t-shirts, and metal buckets with silverware on the tables, he knew the food was wonderful and when he was here he always felt like he belonged.
As they made their way towards the hostess stand, a man with long curly brown hair and a tie-dyed shirt approached the couple.
"Sully!" he exclaimed. "Been a while since I've seen ya in here. Hope ya got a reservation though, the place is filled up tonight."
"As a matter of fact I do. But even if I didn't, I know ya would get me the best table in the house," Sully spoke as he grinned at the man.
"Yeah, you know it," he replied.
"Hank, I would like you to meet Michaela. Michaela this is my friend Hank, he owns this place," Sully explained.
"So nice to meet you, Hank. I have to say I love what you've done with the place," she elegantly replied.
"Really? Glad ta hear it. Well just so ya know, I don't know what Sully has told ya about my place, but the food is great. Definitely not as crazy as the décor," Hank stated.
"I don't think it's crazy. I think it's unique," Michaela responded.
"Unique. I like that. Good to see ya Sully. Glad ya still come back here to see me," Hank spoke.
"Oh, you bet. I always have and I always will," he answered.
"Preston," he shouted to a young male server. "Show this fine couple to their table," Hank exclaimed.
"Yes, sir." he replied. "Right this way," he spoke gesturing for them to follow him.
As Michaela and Sully followed Preston to their table, Hank followed closely behind Sully, pulling him back a little so that Michaela was out of ear shot.
"Man, Sully that is one fine lookin' woman," he whispered as he stared at her from behind. "If you two don't work out, ya definitely have ta give me that number."
"Hey, stop lookin' at her like that like," Sully spoke with genuine concern.
"Like what?" Hank retorted.
"Like she's a piece of meat. And I wouldn't count on getting that number Hank. I think this one is going ta last," he said with a schoolboy smile.
"Okay, then loverboy. I'll let ya get back ta your date," he said once again glancing back towards Michaela. "Whew," he said with a whistle.
Sully just glared back at him with a cold stare.
"Sorry, man couldn't help it," he said with a smirk.
"What are you two talking about back there?" she said with a laugh.
"Oh, nothin'. Just thinkin' back to old times," Sully answered hoping she was convinced.
"Okay, then," she replied as they sat down at their table and began looking through the menus.
"I know this place is on the unusual side, but trust me the food is amazin'. Best seafood I've ever had," he explained.
"Oh, I think it's great. You really feel the local atmosphere here. I love that. It doesn't seem like you find that too much these days," she replied.
"No, you really don't." He loved that she seemed to be as enchanted with this small restaurant as he had always been. It was just one more thing he already loved about her.
"So, how do you know Hank? It seems like you two have known each other for a long time," she questioned.
"Yeah, we have. I actually used ta work here a long time ago. Hank really helped me out when I was down on my luck big time. He gave me a job on the spot when I came in here beggin' 'cause he knew I really needed it. Even after I quit workin' here, I came back all of the time for dinner. I've just always felt at home here. So, did your sisters and parents get back home okay?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah they got back late Monday night. No problems," she answered loving the fact that he had cared enough to ask.
"So, do ya just have the two sisters?"
"Oh, no. I actually have four. My sisters Maureen and Claudette were unable to take time off of work, which I completely understand. Traveling across the country is somewhat time consuming," she answered.
"Yeah, that's definitely true. So four sisters, wow. Your poor pa, he really was surrounded by girls," he said with a laugh.
"Yes, I suppose he was. I don't think he minded too much though. My father and I have always been incredibly close. I was somewhat of a tomboy growing up, so he was able to share some of those father and son bonding activities with me," she said with a shy smile.
"Really, a tomboy? I don't think I woulda ever guessed that. Did you play catch with him in the backyard?" he asked loving that image of her playing catch as a child dancing in his head.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I did. We had matching baseball caps," she said with a laugh. "And what about you? Do you have any siblings?"
"Yeah, I have a younger brother. But after my dad died, we sort of fell out of touch. We still talk some, but not like we used to," he spoke with sadness evident in his voice.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about you dad. How long ago did you loose him, if you don't mind me asking?" she replied with genuine sympathy.
"Oh, no I don't mind. It's been a long long time. I was in high school, so that would have been twelve years ago," he answered.
"I'm sure the pain is still there though."
"Yeah, it is sometimes. I like havin' reminders of him, though. He knew he was sick and dyin', so he left a really detailed will. He left my brother and I all the money he had with detailed instructions on how and when he wanted us to spend it. Told me to buy that car on my 27th birthday," he said with a smile.
"Wow, that's really amazing. I can't imagine what time it took him to do something like that. It must have meant a lot to him that you both used the money the way he would have if he were alive..."
"Yeah and I think he wanted ta feel that he was still with us even though he wasn't here, ya know? Writin' up that will was one of the smartest things he ever did. Well, my brother didn't want ta listen to what my father wrote out for him. He said my father was trying to control his life even after he was gone. So, he took his money and blew it all in about three years. After that I didn't care much for speakin' with him," he finished sadly.
"I completely understand, and I'm so sorry to hear that. Maybe one day he will come around and at least realize the poor decision he made," she replied with empathy.
"Yeah, maybe. You never know do ya?"
"No, you really don't. What about your mom?" she asked almost afraid of his answer.
"She died a year after my brother was born," he said with despair shining in his eyes.
"You haven't had an easy time in life have you? But what I find amazing is the fact that you are still such a positive person," she said as she reached out to take his hand in hers.
"Well, thanks I try," he said with a grin. "So, you said you were a doctor, where are you working?" he questioned trying to change the subject to something less upsetting.
"The Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. I'm a pediatric surgeon," she replied with a proud smile.
"Wow, you've sure got me impressed. Must be hard though, seein' all those kids in pain."
"Yes, it definitely is at times. I try to focus on the fact that in most cases surgery will help save their lives. It will give them a second chance to live the life they were meant to have. And how do you spend your days?" she questioned.
"Well, didn't you read the card I gave you? You must have that's where ya got my number," he teased.
She laughed and smiled replying, "Yeah, but I thought I would give you the benefit of telling me."
"Okay, well that's actually a complicated question. I'm a contractor most of the time, but in between jobs I work down at the local aquarium. Gives me a chance to give back to nature a little. Sometimes I feel like I take too much with all the construction my company does. Half the time we are tearing down trees to make room for more buildings. It's nice to help out by working with the animals," he explained.
"I would love to see this aquarium sometime," she responded.
"Alright. I will keep that in mind as well," he said as their conversation continued to guide them through the evening.
As they walked hand in hand back to his car Michaela turned to him, "Sully, I can honestly say without a doubt that you were right. That was the best seafood I've ever had."
"Glad to hear you say that," he said with a smile.
"Where to now?" she wanted to know.
"Hey, I told ya earlier that tonight's plans were a surprise. Don't think you can convince me to tell ya any of them."
"Nothing at all, huh? Not even a hint?" she teased.
"Nope."
"You are just going to keep me in the dark then?"
"Yep. I will tell ya though, that we are walkin' down to the next stop," he answered.
"Walking?" she said with a laugh.
"Yeah, walkin' on the beach though, so ya can't complain too much," he said teasingly.
"I wasn't planning on it," she said with a smirk.
As they walked hand in hand across the beach, he wrapped his arm around her pulling her close. She laid her head down on his chest, and he couldn't help but think how right this felt. With her in his arms, his heart beat faster with each step they took moving closer and closer to their next stop of the evening.
"Here we are," he said with a smile.
"Oh my god!" she said genuinely surprised.
"Hey, I know you've never been here. And ya can't go around telling people that you live in Santa Monica, but you've never been to the Santa Monica Pier," he said with a laugh.
"I can't believe you brought me here," she replied gently shaking her head.
"You are goin' to ride some rides with me aren't ya?" he wondered aloud.
"Of course I am."
"Alright, then I'm makin' ya ride the roller coaster first."
"Roller coaster? I don't know…" she said with a nervous laugh.
"Oh, it's a kiddy roller coaster. You've got nothin' to worry about. Besides, I'll hold your hand the whole time," he stated.
"Okay," she said with a smile. "If you hold my hand."
He bought a book of tickets, and they began walking towards the roller coaster entrance, but something to his right caught his eye.
"Hey, before we ride this ya got to come here," he said.
"What?" she responded and before she knew it he had pulled her into a booth and closed the curtain.
"Sully, what?" she said still trying to figure out what he had just pulled her into.
"It's a photo booth," he said with a laugh. "Always thought it would be fun ta take pictures in one of these."
"Me too." she answered back. "I feel like I'm seven years old again," she said with a giggle.
"And what's wrong with that?" he questioned as he winked at her.
"Absolutely nothing," she answered.
"Okay, well if we are seven then in one picture ya have to make a silly face with me," he teased.
"All right, only if you will take a real adult one with me," she retorted.
"Well, I don't know how to be adult in a photo booth, but I'll see what I can do," he said holding back his laughter.
After they received their printed pictures to remember their childish photo booth adventure, they entered the line for the roller coaster. While waiting their turn, Sully turned towards her and asked, "What made ya want to move out to Santa Monica?"
"Well, to be honest with you I have always felt like I was living under my father's shadow. To almost everyone at Boston Memorial I was Joseph Quinn's daughter. I wanted to start a life for myself away from all of that. I wanted to be known for something more than being Dr. Quinn's daughter," she explained.
"That I can understand. How did you end up in Santa Monica though? I'm sure ya had your choice of hospitals."
"Well as a matter of fact I did have several choices. After I came out here for the weekend to interview with the Children's Hospital, it just seemed to be the right fit. I felt drawn here for some reason. It's hard to explain exactly…"
"No, I completely understand. I've had that very same feeling before. It's like you feel your destiny pulling you in a certain direction…" he answered.
"Yes, that's exactly the feeling," she replied. At that moment their eyes met, and they both felt as if they were seeing a side of the other that no one else had ever seen.
"Did you grow up here?" she spoke breaking their silent bond.
"No, I'm originally from New York. When my ma died my father decided we needed to move, and we headed out ta San Francisco. I guess I'm more like my father than I've ever admitted 'cause after he died I had to move. So, I ended up in Santa Monica. Lived out here for eleven years now," he answered.
"Eleven years… That's quite a long time. So, where is your favorite place in the city?"
"Well, I promise to show you before the night is over. It's something I've never shared with anyone else."
"Will I know this is the place when we arrive there?"
"Oh, I think you will know. And if ya don't I'll put my arm around you like this," he spoke as he placed his arm around her bringing her close to him.
"… and then whisper in your ear, 'this is it'," he spoke softly against the side of her face. She couldn't help but smile, as she felt his warm breath caresses her cheek. It sent sparks flying through her.
"Oh my god that was amazing! I'm so glad you made me ride that!" she exclaimed in excitement.
"Told ya it would be fun. And it wasn't scary was it?" he teased.
"No, you were right. I guess the seven-year-old inside of me has always been scared of roller coasters."
"Well, is your seven-year-old self also scared of heights?" he teasingly questioned.
"No, why?" she wondered.
"Cause that's what we are ridin' next," he said as he pointed to the brightly lit Ferris Wheel. "Lets go," he exclaimed as he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the entrance to the ride.
As he sat next to her in the small cart, he couldn't help but smile at how much fun he was having. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so alive. He wrapped his arm around her, and she leaned against him, resting her head and hand against his chest. It was the perfect time to ride the Ferris Wheel, as the sun was descending over the horizon.
"This view is amazing," she spoke softly. "So, I can't help but ask. Did you plan all of this?"
"All of what?" he smiled mischievously.
"Plan to ride this with me as the sun set?" she spoke.
"You bet," he said with a smirk. "Course I did."
"This is one of those moments," she whispered to him.
"Hmm?"
"One of those moments when everything is right with the world, and you can't imagine things getting any better," she explained further.
"Couldn't agree with you more," he replied.
"Michaela," he whispered.
"What?"
"This is it…" he whispered in her ear as their car arrived at the very top and stopped.
He knew in his heart that this sentence was laced with a double meaning. He wasn't just referring to the place they had talked of earlier. No, he was talking about the moment between the two of them as well. The moment was it, and he knew she felt it too. He stared down into her sparkling eyes, and she gazed up into his as his face slowly closed the distance between them. As his lips gently caressed hers in a soft embrace, he knew then that this was it. This wasn't just any girl. She was the one. He knew it as soon as their lips touched for the first time. As his hand caressed her cheek, he saw fireworks behind his eyelids and felt sparks in his heart. He was falling and falling hard. Falling for her.
Authors Note: Can't thank everyone enough for all of your comments and feedback. I'll try not to make you wait too long for the next chapter...
