Chapter 36

Wednesday evening after a more restful day and so that Horatio and Aileen could have their evening out at their favourite Italian restaurant, which Horatio had booked in advance, Maeve came across to their apartment at 7.30 pm to look after the children, though Madison obviously didn't need looking after, but she was company for Maeve. Michael would have come with her but was staying at home because he had some paperwork to catch up on so was taking the opportunity to do this while Maeve was helping their friends.

Because it had been another hot day, Horatio was undecided what to wear, he didn't fancy wearing a suit and knowing casual dress code was acceptable at the restaurant he finally opted for wearing just a cool cotton cream shirt, open at the neck, with lightweight dark brown slacks. Aileen wore the red dress she had bought originally for this trip to New York, but had given in and worn at Horatio's birthday back in April, and knowing he liked it she chose to wear tonight, and she knew it was the right choice when she saw the look in his eyes when he eyed her up and down with a glint in his eyes when she walked into the lounge to let him know she was ready. With Madison being there they were less vocal with each other, but eloquent looks can tell the whole story and she gave him a soft smile in acknowledgement. But once the cab arrived and they left the apartment Horatio placed an arm around her shoulders and whispered in her ear. "You look sensational Sweetheart."

When they arrived at the restaurant they were shown to their table on the outside upper deck, not the one they had on previous visits, but in an equally nice secluded corner, and with good views over the waterfront. Horatio pulled her chair out for her and as she sat down Aileen said, "I love it here Horatio. How more romantic can you get than this place, other than our favorite at Matheson Park in Miami?" Then looking at him seductively as he sat down opposite her she continued, "And I love my husband for being such a romantic soul." Horatio grinned with pleasure, he was happy she was happy, because he loved being alone with his wife in a romantic setting. He took hold of her hands in his for a minute, and whispered, "I love you."

Then they ordered their meals, and within seconds of ordering, the wine waiter took their order. Horatio ordered one bottle of red wine, and when the wine waiter returned he had three red roses with him, which Horatio had asked for when he booked the table. Horatio nodded his head; took all three roses and with a gentle smile handed them to Aileen, saying, "For my gorgeous wife."

Then the waiter uncorked the wine and filled two glasses for them Horatio having indicating he didn't need to taste first, and then the waiter left telling them to enjoy their evening.

Once he had gone Aileen said, "Thank you Horatio, these roses are beautiful, spoiling me as always." Then giving him a gentle loving smile, she asked. "Am I going to get an extra rose every time we come here? This is the third time now, and three roses seem to be saying something to me. "

Horatio chuckled, "We will see...I just felt like giving you three roses tonight. The first for our first year of marriage, the second for giving me Hannah and the third for our second wedding anniversary, which is next month."

Aileen choked, and not caring who might be watching stood up; leant across the table and gave Horatio a full kiss on the lips. He laughed and said, "That was nice, but have I got lipstick all over my mouth now?"

Aileen laughing responded, "Not even a tiny smudge."

A few minutes later their meals arrived, steak with trimmings for Horatio and Salmon with trimmings for Aileen. A couple of minutes after they started eating the manager came over and placed an ice bucket on the table saying, "Mr Caine, I have a bottle of best champagne for you."

"I didn't order one."

"I know sir; this is with the compliments of a Mr Daniel Conlon who phoned up about an hour ago to pass this to you wishing you and your wife a very good evening together."

"How nice of your Father to think of us," Horatio said as the manager walked away. Then he added, "Seems like he is a romantic as well."

"How did he know we would be here Horatio?"

"I happened to mention it to him yesterday afternoon, when we were talking generally."

"Mmm – from what I am learning about him, I think he may be a romantic at heart, but I think he is also saying thank you for your help yesterday Horatio."

An hour later, meals finished and taking their time sitting there sipping champagne as they looked out over the waterfront with lights now glistening on the water, they were thoroughly relaxed and at peace with the world. Music had been playing softly in the back ground all evening, and seeing other couples now getting up to dance slowly to the music, Horatio stood up, held his hand out asking,"Will my beautiful wife do me the honor of dancing with me?"

"I'll have to think about that darling," Aileen said teasing him, but she stood up immediately and he pulled her in close to him, right where he wanted her to be and they slowly smooched to the music. They sat down in between sessions of dancing, not in a hurry for the evening to pass; they knew Maeve was good for the looking after the kids the whole evening. However at 11.30 pm they decided they would dance just once more, and call it a night. Aileen placing her arms up around Horatio's neck and resting her head against the front of his right shoulder, eyes shut, their bodies swaying to the music, she almost went to sleep in a state of bliss, and all she could think of was how nice it was to feel her husbands beautiful hands wandering over her back and then she suddenly came to with a start when she felt him pull her in even closer, and Horatio feeling her sudden movement asked, "Is something wrong Sweetheart, did I just tread on your foot or something?"

"God no Horatio I think I fell asleep for a moment and imagined your hands running all over my body and wanting more."

Horatio placed his hands both sides of her face and said," Well I never Mrs Caine, such wanton thoughts."

Then giving a chuckle he wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear, "Do you know how much I want you ...and believe me I am not dreaming?" Then he kissed her on the lips hard, with clear intent of letting her know just how he was feeling right now.

Aileen chuckled as she responded, "Think we had better sit down and order coffees, before you forget where you are Horatio."

Grinning as he pursed his lips , Horatio took her back to their table, ordered coffees, and thirty minutes later settled the bill, and jumping in the first cab in a row of cabs lining up outside the restaurant they were on their way home.

Hearing the cab arrive, Maeve opened the door for them and she had to smile, her two friends were clearly happy as they kept stopping to kiss each other.

She couldn't resist and called out quietly, "Hey you two, you do know you live here don't you? Or am I holding this door open for nothing?"

Horatio looked at her sheepishly, and focusing on her completely, as he walked towards her, he said, "Hello Maeve, have the children been any problem tonight?"

"No problem at all Horatio. Hannah only woke up once, Tommy was in bed by 9.00pm and Madison went about an hour ago, she wanted to stay up, but tiredness got the better of her."

Then as he stepped inside the apartment, he kissed her on the cheek and muttered, "I don't know what we would do without you; we have had the most wonderful evening." Then he rushed to the bathroom; needing to answer a call of nature.

While he was gone Maeve with a smile of amusement said, "Horatio looks more than happy."

"Yes, he is, we both are, he was really relaxed tonight Maeve, probably helped a little by the bottle of champagne my dad had ordered over the phone for us as a surprise. He rarely drinks much, as you know, but just what he needed tonight and a joy to see him very relaxed."

Then Horatio returned and said, "Sorry about that."Then he thanked Maeve again for being there for them, kissed her on the cheek again and said, "Come on let me walk you home."

"Horatio don't be daft it's only a few steps."

"I insist Maeve, Michael would never forgive me if I didn't deliver you home safely."

So she gave in and he walked her across the two driveways, and Michael opened the door for her, before she could ring the bell. He had been on alert since he had also heard the cab arrive.

"Thanks for bringing Maeve home Horatio, did you have a good evening?"

"Yes we did Michael, a really lovely evening thanks to Maeve. I love my family to bits, but it's nice to have an evening to ourselves now and again."

Then as Horatio turned to go back to his own apartment he said, "Good night my friends, see you both tomorrow morning around 11: OO am, Daniel is sending a cab."

"Horatio, I will use my car."

"Michael can you just go along with it? It's Daniel's way of saying thank you to all of us."

"Okay Horatio fair enough."

TBC