DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE PARADISE! THIS IS PURELY FAN BASED!
Upon approaching the bridge, the place they always meet, Denise found a rather angry looking Moray. His brown eyes were staring deeply into the distance and were clouded with what appeared to be rage. His forehead was wrinkled as if he was thinking deeply and his dimples were no where to be seen. Staring at his feet, he rubbed his hands together.
Sensing his distress, Denise kissed away the frown on his forehead. As soon as he felt her soft lips against his skin he felt calm and at ease. Denise brought out a side in him that no one else could. "John," she said, "what's wrong?" Denise was now the one who was frowning. Her forehead was slightly wrinkled as his was before, so returning the gesture Moray kissed her forehead and smoothed the wrinkles with his thumb. Denise felt warm inside. Moray placed his hands on both of her arms, just below her shoulders. His left hand on her right arm and his right hand on her left arm. "It is nothing for you to worry about, darling. I will explain later," he said. "Anyway, I thought I might treat you today," he continued, changing the subject.
"Oh, and what might this treat be?" Denise replied.
"I thought I might take you out to a restaurant!"
Denise smiled, "And what restaurant might that be?"
"You'll have to wait and see," Moray smiled, his dimples now showing.
"That was delicious," said Denise to the waiter, whilst Moray paid the bill. Denise had insisted she pay, but Moray would not hear of it. It was his treat for her, he had said.
Noticing the way the waiter was looking at Denise he quickly finished paying and walked at a rather fast pace to be beside Denise. The table was clear, yet the waiter still stood staring at Denise. Jealousy set in and Moray gave Denise a quick kiss on the lips, before wrapping his arm around her and leading her out of the restaurant. Denise couldn't help but giggle and Moray turned to look at her. He smiled. He loved to hear the sound of her happiness, even if he wasn't sure what it was she found funny! "What?" he said.
"Nothing!" she replied, trying not to laugh, but dramatically failing and only ending up laughing even louder.
"Tell me," he said, pretending to be cross.
Denise shook her head, still laughing. Moray tried to keep a straight face, but seeing her so happy he couldn't help but smile and join in laughing!
When they finally stopped laughing Denise couldn't even remember why she was laughing in the first place. They always seemed to forget themselves when they are around each other.
Walking arm in arm they remained in silence for a large part of the journey home, but that didn't make a difference to them. It didn't matter if they were talking, laughing or just in silence. It was not awkward. Being with each other just felt right. It was what they both wanted and they would never let anyone come between them again.
Eventually, Denise broke the silence. "John," she said.
"Sweetheart," he replied.
"Why were you so upset earlier?" she asked.
Moray sighed, "Tom Weston is driving me mad. We may own half the shop each but he still has the upper hand. Anything I suggest he immediately dismisses."
"Do not worry," Denise said, trying to comfort him. "Someday everything will be as it should."
"But he is just driving me insane," Moray continued, getting frustrated.
"You just need to make sure he knows you won't stand for being bossed around!"
"I have tried that already!"
"Well..." Denise tried to find the right thing to say to him. Usually she just knew what to say, but today was not one of those days.
"I am sorry Denise," Moray said.
"Whatever for?"
"For ruining what could of been and nearly was, a perfect date, by burdening you with my troubles."
"Any time I'm with you is perfect," Denise said as she opened the door to her shop. He smiled at hearing her say this. When he smiled his dimples appeared and Denise placed her hands on either side of his face and kisses both dimples individually.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you," she replied. Hearing her say this, Moray grabbed her waist and kissed her on the lips.
"I have to go now," he told her.
"Ok, I might pop into The Paradise later."
