AN: I didn't mean for this to be in two parts but it's gonna have to be, because I have been so busy this week with work. I would have written more but I have a show in an hour and a half and I wanted to bring you guys something, so here you go. Thank you for the extremely positive feedback I got on the last chapter, I'm very pleased y'all liked it! In the meantime, enjoy this romantic little romp.


The day of Mortcia and Gomez's 14th anniversary has come, and the two of them have decided to have a romantic night out in a fancy restaurant they used to frequent, called the Raven's Perch. It is in the city, and so, a large operation involving lurch chauffeuring has taken place to get Gomez out of the house and ready for the city. Additionally, Gomez has requested that the slings be brought so he can try feeding himself his own anniversary dinner. Hence, in addition to transporting Gomez, Lurch has also had to go through a whole rigamarole of getting the stand and the slings into the car too.

We pick up just as Morticia and Lurch have finished transferring Gomez out of the wheelchair accessible van they've rented, wheelchair and all. Morticia and Gomez are now on the sidewalk, a few yards from the restaurant. Morticia waves goodbye to Lurch, holding the stand in her hand, the slings swinging off of it.

Both Morticia and Gomez are dressed as they normally are, except Morticia has put on some fancy silk gloves, and Gomez is wearing a bow-tie. As The Raven's Perch is only a few yards away, they don't have a long walk to endure attracting the public's curious stares. Nonetheless, the sight of the two of them, and especially Morticia wheeling a large stand across the sidewalk, does catch some people's eyes.

They approach the entrance to the restaurant, which Morticia steps right up to.

Morticia

There we are, Gomez, darling.

She opens the door, and with her foot, she slides a handy doorstop under it.

Gomez

Thank you, my dear!

As before, Gomez's hand has been carefully placed by Morticia to lie on top of the joystick at the end of his armrest. Despite a lot of physiotherapy, Gomez has not regained much movement in his arms in general, but as before, has seen marked improvements on a daily basis in hands – especially his fingers – and his wrists. Gomez only has to put some very light pressure on the joystick to drive his chair, which he does with aplomb. He drives himself into the waiting area of the restaurant. Morticia smiles lovingly, moving the doorstop away and closing the door behind them. Then, she takes the stand again, and wheels it in behind her husband.

Morticia approaches the front desk, and is greeted by a surprised looking waiter.

Waiter

Ah, Mrs Addams! Hello. Thanks for the advance notice on your reservation.

Morticia

Oh, good. I had thought it might be a tad too late, booking this day last year.

Gomez

Remarkable foresight, cara mia!

Waiter

And who is this?

Morticia

That's just dear Gomez. We haven't been able to get out much lately.

Waiter

Gomez is your husband, yes? The one who usually calls us to reserve tables?

Gomez

Got it in one, my boy!

Waiter

What happened to you? We haven't seen you in months. You used to come in every day.

Morticia

My darling husband was previously suffering from a dreadful infirmity, but he is recovering beautifully. Next year, you can expect to see him much improved!

Gomez

If not better!

Waiter

Oh, okay. Uh. Well, you know this place is like… notoriously not accessible, right?

Morticia

It is?

Waiter

This place is in an underground vault. You eat here all the time, you do know this, yes?

Morticia

I suppose we hadn't considered that.

Morticia seems flustered.

Morticia

Gomez, darling, would you prefer if we went elsewhere?

Gomez shakes his head, still zen about this.

Gomez

Don't worry, querida mia. A slight hiccup, that's all!

Waiter

We could have you use the old lift, but it's a little decrepit.

Morticia and Gomez look at each other, thrilled.

Gomez

Decrepit?

Morticia

My, that sounds absolutely darling.

Gomez

Dim lights? Cold, rusted metal? A dark, dripping elevator shaft?

Waiter

Yep. All of the above.

Gomez

By George, old man! Decrepit? You must be mad!

The waiter shrugs, not knowing what to do.

Waiter

I guess I must be, risking letting a guy like you using the lift.

Morticia tries to get the waiter on-side.

Morticia

It sounds ever so romantic, sir. And it's Gomez and I's anniversary.

Waiter

I don't know why I'm seriously considering letting you use this. Even if you are regulars. It goes against every single customer safety violation in the book.

Gomez gives the waiter a look.

Gomez

And those aren't just a novelty to gawk at, old boy! The man in Starbucks refused to serve me hot coffee!

Waiter

Well, that does seem a bit unfair. Alright. Fine. Because you're valued customers.

Morticia and Gomez look ever so pleased with themselves as the waiter gestures for them to follow him over to the old, rusty lift. Morticia wheels the stand with her, and Gomez drives himself. Both of their faces light up when they see the lift, totally enamoured with it.

Morticia

Oh, Gomez, it's splendid!

Gomez smiles wickedly, feeling romantic.

Gomez

Reminds me of that abandoned mineshaft we picnicked in.

Morticia

Our second honeymoon in Nairobi. We caught so many bats that day.

Gomez

It was breathtaking, cara mia – to wrangle bats with you, in such a romantic place.

Morticia

You looked so handsome, net in hand.

Gomez gets a little embarrassed but obviously flattered. He smiles, humbly, as Morticia places her hand on his shoulder, leans down beside him, and kisses his cheek.

Gomez

Thank you, cara.

Morticia

You looked almost as handsome as you do now.

Waiter

Hello?

Both Gomez and Morticia return from their romantic sidetrack and stare at the waiter.

Gomez

Ah yes. Where were we?

Waiter

The lift. I gather it's to your liking, then?

Morticia

Without question, sir. Allow us.

Morticia presses the button on the wall beside the lift. When she presses it, she pulls away her finger to reveal she's just displaced a substantial layer of dust. Morticia shivers – the night is getting more romantic by the moment.

Morticia

Gomez, look.

She shows Gomez her finger. Then, she wipes the dust into her eyeshadow without a moment's thought, freaking out the waiter. She turns to look at Gomez after blinking her eyes a few times, and Gomez's eyes widen.

Gomez

Darling, you look exquisite.

The distant sound of a squeaky, rusty rumble becomes faintly audible. The squeaking of metal on metal gets louder and louder as the lift ascends from within the elevator shaft, and comes to a deafening screen after a few seconds. The doors on the lift finally jerk open, looking incredibly unstable. The entire inside of the lift is covered in dust and cobwebs. There's some mystery substances on the floor, and something wet dripping from the top of it. Some creature has left its dried droppings on the floor. One of the lights has gone out, and the other one flickers on and off, as in a horror movie. In other words, it's even better than Morticia and Gomez had hoped.

Both of them are enchanted by it, much to the waiter's very obvious confusion.

Morticia

Oh, Gomez.

Gomez

Young man, you've outdone yourself. Expect a substantial tip.

Waiter

Oh. Uh. Great?

Gomez

How does a thousand dollars sound?

Waiter

Wait, what did you say, was that a typo, or/

Gomez

/Forget it! I'll buy the company and make you a manager!

The waiter doesn't believe Gomez, even though Gomez himself is completely serious. Still, the waiter politely shrugs.

Waiter

Uh. Sure. Okay. Both would be nice.

Gomez

Ask and you'll receive, old sport!

Morticia

Oh, he's generous to a fault.

Morticia places a hand gently on Gomez's head and strokes his hair lovingly, before remembering why they've come here in the first place.

Morticia

But enough talk. Gomez, it's time to get some food in your stomach!

The waiter steps back.

Waiter

Don't die!

Gomez grins, smiling chirpily.

Gomez

No guarantees!

Morticia

That's the fun of it!

Gomez laughs, making an audible wheeze-groan as he does, and his signature laughing-jerking motion. The waiter seems a little perturbed.

Morticia

After you, my darling.

The waiter shakes his head, and steps back further. Gomez drives his wheelchair into the lift, and as soon as the majority of the wheelchair's weight is on the lift's floor, everyone sees it groan under its weight, and Gomez even feels the floor sink a bit. Gomez smiles wickedly at this. Morticia sighs happily and moves into the lift too, wheeling the stand inside the already cramped space.

Waiter

Well, thanks. Hope you, uh. Enjoy your meal. Catch me with a life sentence you die.

Gomez

Nonsense! We'll call it an accident! Get you 20 years max!

This does nothing to assuage the waiter's fears as the lift doors close. The waiter yells.

Waiter

Floor -1!

Gomez

Thanks for your help, old man!

The lift doors close completely, making a dull thud as the two doors finally join together. With a huge, unsettling creak, the lift begins to descend, scraping against the wall of the elevator shaft. The lift moves extremely slowly. Morticia and Gomez both smile, contented and completely enraptured.

Gomez

You look beguiling, cara mia.

Morticia

And you, breathtakingly handsome.

Gomez is feeling playful and self-deprecating.

Gomez

Querida. I have no breath left to take!

Morticia

Oh, angel. You're so resilient.

Gomez

And you, so enchanting.

Morticia

Happy anniversary, my darling. Here.

Morticia leans down, and takes Gomez's hand. Gomez curls his fingers around Morticia's hand, showing off his current range of motion in his fingers. Morticia strokes his hand, and raises it up, lifting his arm in the process. She kisses his hand, before moving their joined hands over to Gomez's mouth, allowing him to kiss her hand as well. Then, she leans in to Gomez, and the two of them kiss, passionately, on the lips. Once – twice – three times, the two get lost in the romance of the moment, taking in the "magical" surroundings.

Morticia

Oh, Gomez. I can feel the passion radiating from your body. How do you stand it?

Gomez shakes his head, seemingly beginning to sweat.

Gomez

I don't, querida mia. Kiss me again!

So, Morticia leans back down, and the two of them return to kissing. Gomez is feeling incredibly frustrated, wanting to be able to hold her and take her in his arms, and wrap his arms around her. Instead, most of the instigating has been left up to Morticia, who is extremely gentle and loving in the way she moves her husband when they're both in this heightened state of passion.

Morticia is so engulfed by passion, she even slips in a little bit of tongue as they continue to kiss. In response to this, Morticia opens her eyes briefly enough to see that Gomez's eyes have opened too, and have widened. Gomez can barely move his tongue, doing range of motion exercises with it on the daily in order to get his speech back. He manages to move his tongue a tiny bit in each direction as Morticia kisses him. Though small, the movements are no longer negligible as they were at the beginning of the speaking valve being inserted. She feels him move his tongue, and is taken aback by his cute effort. She pulls away, beaming.

Morticia

Gomez, I felt that! You moved your tongue!

Gomez can't tell when he moves something enough for someone else to notice. He's pleasantly surprised.

Gomez

Really?

Morticia

Yes, dear.

Morticia playfully pets his cheek.

Morticia

I ought to have expected it, you showing off like that. Your tongue has been working so hard lately.

Gomez wheeze-groans audibly in response, a little embarrassed but overall, happy to know his progress is noticeable.

Morticia

You incurable romantic.

She goes back down to kiss his forehead. When she pulls away after doing so, the two of them just look into each other's eyes. They don't need to say anything for these brief moments, just totally swept away by the other.

Morticia

The way this light hits you, Gomez. It's so becoming. You look the picture of class.

Gomez

And you, cara. You are bewitching.

Right as Gomez says this, the lift grinds to a violent halt, and the doors jerk open. As soon as they do, the busy restaurant's noises can be heard. Morticia and Gomez exchange excited glances.

Morticia

Oh, my. Over already? That's a shame. Well, no matter.

Gomez

I'm so hungry, I could eat a liquefied elephant!

Morticia

You may not have to eat liquefied for much longer, the way your mouth movement has been going, dear.

Morticia hears Gomez's stomach growl.

Morticia

Oh dear, you are hungry. Let's get you some food, my sweet.

Gomez drives himself out of the lift. The lift leads out to a short passageway that feeds right into the dining room, which is filled with tables. Not many are occupied though, making this a perfect, intimate choice for an anniversary dinner. As Gomez's wheelchair moves out of the lift, Morticia feels the lift's floor seem to suddenly lighten. Morticia pays it no mind, and wheels the stand out as well. When the lift doors close, the two of them make their way down the short passage and into the dining room, where a waitress greets them. She seems prepared to deal with them.

Waitress

Mr and Mrs Addams?

Morticia

Booking for two, for 8 o'clock, yes.

Waitress

Right this way, Mr and Mrs Addams.

The waitress leads them to a quiet table in the corner – Morticia specifically requested a quiet table away from the busy area, so she can hear the voice from her husband's computer. Gomez still expertly drives himself around, able to use the current amount of strength he has in his fingers to pretty much move the joystick in any direction. Eventually, he parks himself at the table as the waitress takes away one of the chairs to make space for him. Morticia takes a seat not opposite him, but at the next place at the square table, perpendicular to him. This is so she can feed him if needs be, though Gomez is hoping to be feeding himself tonight for the most part. Morticia then remembers the stand, and returns to her feet briefly, placing the stand behind Gomez's wheelchair, and lowering the slings to the position Harvey told her was best.

Waitress

Would you like to see the menu? Soup of the day is cream of yak.

Gomez

Superb! I'll take one!

Morticia

As will I. I simply must know what it's like.

Gomez

You have exquisite taste, my dear.

Waitress

And for the main course?

Gomez

I'll just have my usual!

Waitress

Eye of newt brisket with blood sausage and mashed hornet larva?

Gomez

Capital!

Morticia

And I think I'll have the hemlock and belladonna salad, myself. But do remember to let the chefs know to run my husband's main course order through the blender a few times, merely to soften it. It need not be entirely liquefied at this point, but my husband can still only take soft foods.

Waitress

Got it. Anything else?

Morticia

I believe that's everything for now. Anything more and we shall let you know.

The waitress nods, and goes into the kitchen. Morticia and Gomez are left alone, to be romantic together.