Chapter 36

Laura was focused, head down, desperate to finish this one last report. She wanted to be out of the office early, wanted to have time to dress, make sure she looked her best. This report was all that stood in her way.

Her phone chimed, an alarm she had set many years before. Once a week, at exactly the same time, it sounded. It was a reminder to do something. Looking up from the report, she silenced the alarm. A smile she wasn't even aware of lit her face as she stood.

Quietly, she lifted the bottle she kept on her desk for just this task. She stood and moved to the small table across from her desk. Twisting the cap on the bottle, she tipped a small amount of water into the pot. Pausing for a moment, she watched the water soak into the soil.

One finger reached out lightly caressing a single waxy leaf. It had drawn her attention because at the end of the leaf was something new, something she hadn't seen in the four years she'd owned the plant. A single bud, the beginning of a bloom, had formed at the end of the leaf.

The smile she was unaware of broadened. It had taken four years but the moment she'd waited for was finally here. The report could wait, it would be there in the morning. Now it was time to start her life, to let a relationship bloom.

He'd stopped his car a block short of her house. He wasn't second guessing the date, he was just nervous. This was his last first date. The thought should scare him, a few months ago, even a few weeks ago it might have. But, now, it didn't. Shifting the car into gear, he made his way to her drive.

He parked and practically bounced out of his car making his way to her door. A single deep breath and then he knocked. She answered the door quickly, a shy smile lighting her face. "You're prompt."

He held out the flowers he'd purchased on the way over, "I couldn't be late. Not for something I've been this eager to do."

"Eager?"

He smiled as she took the flowers, "Yes, Laura, eager." A pretty blush crept across her cheeks, "Put the flowers in water, Laura. We don't want to be late for our reservation."

She nodded then turned to go back into her house. "Come in while I take care of these."

He watched her walk away, smiling to himself. She moved easily around her kitchen, humming to herself. He'd never actually heard her hum. He wondered if she was aware she was doing it. It made him smile, learning new things about her. The adventure of getting to know more.

She finished with the flowers then turned to Robbie. "Do we have time for a drink?"

He looked down at his watch, "Probably, but we can have a drink there before dinner."

Nodding, she placed the vase on her kitchen table. "Where are we going?"

"The Randolph."

Her eyes widened, "Nice."

"I said fancy."

"Yes, you did. Let me get my jacket."

They'd been quiet in the car, nerves finally getting the better of each of them. Robbie's hand found the small of her back as they entered the hotel. He guided her to the restaurant desperately searching for something to say.

They found seats at the bar and ordered drinks. While they waited, Laura broke the silence. "It was weird not seeing you today. How was your day?"

Robbie breathed a sigh of relief. With only the briefest of pauses, he launched into the story of his day and what he'd done to James.

Laura laughed as he regaled her with the story. "And he didn't tell you to get stuffed?"

Finally relaxing into the moment, he laughed with her. "Oh it was there in the subtext."

Robbie took a long drink as Laura stared at him. As relaxed as he suddenly felt, she seemed to be equally tense. He met her nervous gaze, almost holding his breath as she asked him a question. "Are you OK?"

He took another sip, tried to pretend he didn't know what she was asking. "Hmm. They gave me a once over at the hospital."

She shook her head, "No, not that Robbie." She took a deep breath and looked at him seriously. "You?"

He nodded and shrugged, wanted this moment to pass quickly. "Yeah, you know me. I'm always alright."

She tilted her head at him. "Would you tell me if you weren't?" He looked at her knowing she knew the answer to that. "If all of this funeral stuff were getting to you?"

He shook his head and answered as honestly as he could, "It's not."

Laura continued on not feeling the honesty in his words. "Reminding you of…" She stuttered not wanting to say it. "Val?" Robbie looked away for a moment and Laura was heartbroken. "It doesn't seem to get any easier does it?"

"Well that's it. It does." Laura looked up at him trying to mask the hopeful look on her face. "I was stood outside the crem the other day watching that poor family in pieces waiting for the pain." He shrugged. "Val's slipping away."

Laura took a deep breath and shook her head. "Time's passing, there's nothing you can do about that. It doesn't mean that you can't…"

He touched her arm, needed her to know he was OK. "Yeah, I know. At first it felt like a betrayal but no…" He shook his head. "I'm just turning over the page on a new chapter."

Laura smiled, one he wasn't familiar with. It made his heart race. "Right."

All of the nervousness disappeared, no further words seemed necessary. He reached out and took her hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world.