Chapter Three : Predate Anxieties and A Late Night Walk
Crowley couldn't help but to feel so lost and so confused as he stood alone in a florists looking over all of his choices. How did so many different types of bouquets even exist ? He was beginning to wonder if buying Elizabeth flowers was such a good idea after-all. Maybe giving girls flowers on dates was too old fashioned ?
He had never really cared enough to buy any other woman flowers before. He had bought Lilith flowers once or twice, but she had reacted by telling him that flowers were a stupid thing to waste their money on. When the truth was that it wasn't their money, it was his money. His inheritance and his paychecks that they had lived off of during their marriage. Lilith had done nothing for a living. She just stayed at home and spent way more money than they had coming in, he had spoiled her giving her whatever she wanted , and she had repaid him by breaking his heart.
He shook his head trying to knock the memories of his ex-wife out of his head. He knew that he couldn't move on if he kept letting her haunt his mind. His memories of her just ruined his self confidence.
Tonight was the big night and he was terribly nervous at the moment. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd felt this nervous about anything.
He had decided to make a quick stop at a florists, before he would go on to pick Elizabeth up at her apartment. He had worn a suit similar to all the other suits he owned, black dress shirt, black slacks, and a black suit jacket. He had decided to go without a tie for the night, a tie just seemed too formal.
Crowley was taking Elizabeth out for dinner. A nice Italian restaurant downtown. Dinner seemed like a safe choice for a first date
The work day had seemed to drag on forever. The entire day had drove him a little up the wall, trying to focus on work all while knowing that Elizabeth was right there, right across from his office. He'd had to fight the urge to open his office door all day. He knew that if he opened the door and saw her then he would spend the entire day obsessing over her.
Oh who was he kidding, that was exactly how he had wound up spending his day. He hadn't been able to get her off of his mind since he had met her. He had spent the day wondering if she was as nervous as he was about tonight, wondering if she liked him as much as he liked her, wondering if he was on her mind too.
He felt ridiculous. He felt like an awkward teenager with his first serious girlfriend. He was forty two years old. At his age he shouldn't be this freaked out over trying to date a woman.
Crowley eyed some yellow button mums for a moment before deciding against them. Button mums were something you gave your mother, not a woman that you were trying to woo.
He had thought about red roses. They were a classic thing to get a women right ? But what if she thought that red roses were cliché ?
He wished he had some idea of what she might like. He tried to remember anything that he may of seen her wearing or may have seen on her desk. Anything that could give him some kind of hint on what to get her.
He let out a frustrated sigh almost ready to give up. Roses, lilies, button mums, daisies, hydrangeas, tulips, and peonies. There were way too many choices and it was all beginning to give him a headache.
He let his eyes scan all the choices one more time before he finally decided on a bouquet of a dozen tulips. Bright pink tulips seemed like a safe choice.
He felt his stomach drop as the saleswomen handed him a note card and a pen, before speaking a cheerful tone to her voice. "You can provide your own message, or I have a few prewritten ones that you can choose from."
Crowley briefly considered choosing a prewritten note card, but quickly decided against it. Giving her a prewritten note would make it seem like he hadn't put any effort into this at all.
He stared down at the blank note card completely clueless on what he should write. I can't get you off my mind, no too creepy sounding, I think you're amazing, no too lame. He finally settled on what he would write scribbling it down on the note card : Thank you for giving me a chance – C. It was short and it got to the point.
He paid for the bouquet before walking out of the florists. He let out a anxious sigh knowing that this was it. He just hoped he didn't screw up anything tonight.
Jo Harvelle leaned against the half wall that blocked the bedroom off from the rest of the apartment as she watched her older cousin check her makeup in the mirror for the up tenth millionth time tonight.
Elizabeth spoke up her voice a little unsure. "Are you sure that this lipstick isn't too dark ?"
Jo rolled her eyes a little considering this was the second time Elizabeth had asked her that question. "No, it's great. The red matches the dress."
Elizabeth ran her hands down the plain red knee length dress she was wearing. She worried that the neckline of the dress may be a little bit too revealing. To be honest she had been unable to find a dress that she felt completely comfortable in. So she had really sort of just settled on this particular dress and it was too late to change now.
She stared down at her feet wondering if she should put on a pair of heels. She had chosen to wear a plain pair of black flats, but she worried that the shoes were too casual for the restaurant he was taking her to.
She only stopped mentally critiquing herself and her outfit, when Jo spoke up curiosity clear in her voice. "So this guy your going out with is like what ? Fortyish ?"
"Forty two." Elizabeth admitted seeing the somewhat grossed out look on Jo's face in the mirror.
Elizabeth turned facing her twenty year old cousin not surprised as Jo spoke. "Seriously that's like an eighteen year age difference. He's almost old enough to be your dad. Uncle Bobby is cool with you going out with someone whose only ten years younger than him ?"
"It's not that bad. I just...I really like him. The age difference really doesn't bother me." Elizabeth argued wanting to defend her decision to date Crowley.
The age difference honestly didn't really bother her at all. Yes it felt a little odd knowing that Crowley had been about eighteen when she was born, but she was trying not to focus on that fact too much.
Who cared how much older he was compared to her ? They liked each other and that should be good enough.
Jo rolled her eyes again realizing that Elizabeth hadn't really answered her question. "And your dad isn't freaking out on you? No calling you an idjit, or threatening to drag you back home and lock you up in your old room until you come to your senses."
"He doesn't know." Elizabeth admitted giving her cousin a sheepish smile.
Jo shook her head slightly as she plopped down on Elizabeth's small queen sized bed. "He's going to kill you when he finds out."
Elizabeth let out an anxious sigh as she sat down beside her cousin. "I know, trust me I know. He hates Crowley. I mean yeah my dad doesn't really like anyone all that much, but he really really does not like Crowley. They work together...against my dad's will. Crowley came from Crossroads Industries in New York. And you know that my dad is freaking out about the whole company merging thing."
"Yeah I know. Let's just say I wouldn't want to even be a fly in the room when your dad finds out about this all." Jo exclaimed feeling a little bad when she noticed the troubled look on Elizabeth's face.
She spoke up again trying to smooth things over and calm her cousin's fears. "Just...you know what, don't pay any attention to me. I'm sure things will work out with your dad and this whole...thing. I'm just pissed off about my mom and I'm taking it out on you."
Elizabeth nodded not believing that everything would turn out just peachy when her dad found out about Crowley and her.
She cleared her throat happy to change the subject. "What's going on with your mom ?"
Jo shrugged frowning. "She doesn't like Castiel. She thinks he's weird...which he is weird, but I like that about him. Mom thinks he's too old for me."
Elizabeth smirked slightly "Castiel Novak right ? Cas ? Our sweet awkward Cas ?, What ever happened to Dean ?"
"Ugh no...just no. I can't believe I even considered him. I mean I cannot believe you even dated him... That's just too...no it's just all too awkward for him to be with me." Jo blurted out laying back on the bed not helping but to roll her eyes.
Elizabeth nodded not wanting to even begin to remember her short lived messy relationship with Dean Winchester. They had only dated a for a month when she was barely eighteen, he had been four years older. Their relationship had been doomed from the start. She had broken up with him. He was too immature for her, too into playing the field, too different from her. Not to mention she had pretty much grown up with him considering that the late John Winchester , and Bobby Singer had been best friends for as long as anyone could remember.. Dean was more like a brother to Elizabeth than a romantic possibility.
Jo sat up as they heard the doorbell ring. She spoke teasing her cousin. "So do you want me to answer the door ? Huh, let your gentlemen caller in ?"
"I think I'll get it." Elizabeth blurted out jumping up from the bed. She defiantly didn't want to give her cousin the chance to say anything too horribly embarrassing to Crowley.
Elizabeth couldn't help but to blush as Crowley handed her the tulip bouquet. She spoke up a little lost at what she could say. No one had ever bought her flowers before. "Thank you. They're beautiful. Let me see if I can find a vase really quick. Come in."
Crowley stepped into the tiny studio apartment. Feeling even more nervous than he had been when he noticed a young blond sitting on the couch. She was looking at him with a funny look, a mix of curiosity and judgment was very evident on the woman's face.
Elizabeth spoke up nodding over to the young woman as she finally retrieved a vase from the top shelf in her pantry. "This is my cousin Jo. She's staying with me for the weekend. Jo this is Crowley."
Jo stood up raising an eyebrow at Crowley before she spoke her voice clearly showing that she wasn't quite sure about him. "Hi."
He nodded his head trying to remain friendly as he returned her hello. He had a feeling that he knew just what Jo was thinking. She thought that he was too old for Elizabeth and she did not trust him at all.
Jo and he stood in an uncomfortable silence until Elizabeth returned to his side. He couldn't help but to be a little amused as Elizabeth shot Jo a slightly scolding look.
He let out a relieved sigh as Elizabeth spoke up. "So are you ready to go ?"
The couple sat across from each other at a round table near the back of the restaurant. Crowley spoke up as he took a sip out of his wine glass. "Are you sure you don't want some wine ? It's actually really good. I usually don't like red wine, but this isn't half bad, not too dry and not too bitter."
He paused becoming worried as he noticed the embarrassed look Elizabeth gave him.
She cleared her throat before taking a sip of her diet coke, she knew that she would have to bring this up eventually. "I don't really drink...I had a problem. I was an alcoholic...or I guess I still am considered an alcoholic. I just...I tend to get myself into a little bit of trouble when I drink."
"Oh...I'm sorry. Really I didn't mean to offend you." He began to apologize before she stopped him shaking her head.
"No no. It's okay really. I mean you didn't know. It's not a big deal. I just had some trouble a year ago...with...well maybe I'll tell you about it another time." She tried to explain not really wanting him to know about that part of her past.
It hadn't been a pretty part of her past and she was ashamed of it. So ashamed of the mistakes she had made, who she had hurt, how she had hurt herself.
She spoke changing the subject. "So what do you think of this town ? I mean how long have you lived here anyway ?"
"I've only been here a month and I still haven't settled into my house. I haven't had much time to really explore anything in town but it seems nice. Quaint." He stated causing her to smile a little bit.
She spoke up teasing him slightly a flirty tone to her voice. "Quaint ? Is that a nice New Yorker way of saying this place sucks ?"
He smiled grateful that she seemed to be relaxing around him. When she relaxed and became playful it calmed him. If she was flirting and smiling then that meant that he hadn't screwed up this date yet.
"No not at all. It's a bigger city than I thought it would be. Not as big as New York or London certainly, but it isn't as tiny as I was afraid it would be. I like what I've seen so far. And it can't be a half bad place if you're here right darling ?" He said trying to flirt with her right as well.
He spoke again not helping but to enjoy the way her cheeks flushed slightly when he called her darling. He made a silent note to himself to call her that more often. "So do you like being a secretary ?"
She couldn't help but to roll her eyes at the thought of her job. "To be honest ...no. Not at all. I kind of hate it actually. I mean it's so repetitive and...working for my dad isn't all that...enjoyable. I mean he's my dad but he drives me crazy. Having to work for him is kind of a nightmare."
"Why do you do it then ? I mean why not get another job ? You said you're good at art right ? You should give that a try." He pointed out noticing that she automatically began to shake her head no.
"It's too risky. I mean I don't know if I'm any good and It's not something that I can make a living off of alone. I mean how many paintings and sculptures can I even try to sell while still being able to manage to make ends meet ? I mean my job right now sucks, but it pays the bills." She reasoned a little surprised when he spoke up again.
"Art is something that you enjoy though. You should have a job that you like. Don't worry if your good enough or not. There has to be some way you can figure out how to make a living with it. I haven't seen your work, but I think that you would be fantastic." He attempted to reassure her.
She couldn't help but to smile at his comments. It was nice to be reassured by someone and to actually believe it. She knew that most of the people in her life would try to talk her out of attempting a career with art.
They would tell her that the risk was too high and that she would starve to death before she sold a damn thing. Crowley was actually the first person who had ever even seriously suggested that she should go for it.
She just wished that she had the amount of confidence in herself that he seemed to have in her.
The couple walked side by side in the dimly lit community park. Elizabeth had been the one to suggest that they stop here and go for a walk after dinner.
To be honest she really didn't want the night to end. The night had been pretty perfect even with a few little awkward moments.
Elizabeth had learned a lot about Crowley tonight. She had learned that Crowley was born in London and had lived there until he was about nineteen. She had learned that he had never really met his real father, his sister Bella was actually his half sister. Bella and he both shared the same mother. His mother had passed away when he was in his mid twenties and she had left him more than enough money to support himself without him having to worry about a job. He chose to work though and he was a hard worker. Elizabeth admired that about him. It would be so easy for him to just sit back and live off his inheritance but he actually wanted to do something more with his life.
The couple sat side by side on a bench before Elizabeth spoke up taking him by surprise. "I wish I had the nerve to quit my job. I just ...my dad would freak out if I took a risk that big. I hate it when he freaks out on me, like I'm still a kid. I wish he didn't treat me like such a baby."
Crowley reached out taking her hand in his. "He means well. I mean I know that your dad isn't exactly a member of my fan club, but from what I can see he seems to really adore you. I do agree that it's not fair that he treats you like a child though. You're an independent, incredible, and amazingly beautiful young woman. If your father can't see that darling, well then he's a fool."
She was grateful that it was a little dark outside because his compliments had caused her cheeks to flush slightly. That was probably the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to her.
"Do you enjoy your job ?" She asked feeling curious. She knew that he worked because he felt that he should, but she didn't know if he actually liked what he did.
"I don't know if I enjoy it. I'm good at it. Sells is what I know. I've managed to secure a pretty good and comfortable position for myself at work. Being able to move here and help run things with your father has been a pretty big promotion for me. I wouldn't mind having something more though. I don't know what yet. I'm probably too old to completely venture out on a brand new career, but who knows maybe in a few years or so I can force myself to leave my work. Find something to take up my time." He admitted.
"If you could have done anything else then what would you have done ?" She questioned him surprised by his answer.
"If I would have chosen to just live off of my inheritance, then I wouldn't have minded being a stay at home father. I mean I didn't even know my own dad. From what my mother said though he was a real bastard. An irresponsible prat, that was what she called him. I would've liked to sort of make up for that though. It would have been nice being able to give my kids the relationship with their dad that I never got the chance to have." He said worried that she would be a little freaked out by his admission.
No it wasn't like he'd just requested that she reproduce with him, but given his past experiences with his ex-wife, when he talked about having kids things didn't go over very well.
Crowley cleared his throat shaking his head. "I'm sorry, that was probably really awkward for me to say..."
He was completely thrown off by her reaction when she spoke up. "That's actually very sweet. I think that you would be a really great dad. Whoever gets to have kids with you is going to be really lucky."
It took him a moment to take in her reaction before he spoke up joking, trying to lighten up the situation. "Just don't let the word that I'm sweet get out at work. I have a nasty reputation to keep up."
He was thankful to hear her laugh at his comment before she responded. "Okay your secrets safe with me don't worry."
"Can I see you again ? I mean soon. Tomorrow ?" He asked a nervous feeling bubbling up in the pit of his stomach.
She nodded her head thrilled by his question. "I would love that."
Somehow even though the only light they had was the street lamp a few feet away from them, the couple managed to lean closer to each other before pressing their lips together in a soft kiss.
He was amazing. That's all Elizabeth could think as his lips brushed against hers before he worked his nerve up to press his lips fully against hers in a deeper kiss.
How could someones lips manage to feel so amazing against hers ?
Crowley couldn't help but to be just as blown away by the kiss as her. Her lips were so soft and they fit perfectly against his. Like their lips were made for each other. The way she happily leaned into him as the kiss intensified made his confidence swell higher than it had been in such a long time.
Crowley knew one thing and one thing only as they kissed. He was hers, there was no turning back now. No one had ever made him feel anything like this before. The way she made him feel was amazing and he didn't want to ever risk losing this feeling.
He knew that he would do everything in his power to make sure she stayed by his side, no matter what it took he was going to make sure that they stayed together.
