"We shouldn't have gone so far," Audrey said as she watched the pouring rain form puddles on the pavement. They had taken a walk at the nearby park after their dinner date. Neither had expected the rain when moments ago she was sure she had seen some stars shining up the sky. So now here they are, hands clasped together as they stood under the shed waiting for the rain to stop.
"Or maybe I should have brought an umbrella," Neil thought of the one he kept in his car for emergencies.
Audrey only hummed in agreement. They remained in comfortable silence watching the rain shower before them when Neil let out a small smile. He thought of something as he glanced at Audrey.
She could feel his eyes on her and immediately knew what he was thinking. "Oh shut up," she said with a smile.
"What? I haven't said anything yet"
"You're thinking about some cheesy cliches that happen in movies. I know your moves mister romantic," she teased.
"You guessed it right miss. But for the record I haven't done this thing that I'm about to do with anyone I had dated before. You're the first…" he paused and lightly tugged her hand to have her face him. He looked straight into her eyes "... and my only love."
Her heart skipped a beat from his last words. She could tell that he was serious and going with this relationship for the long run. All of this overwhelms her as she hadn't been in a serious relationship for a long time. But at the same time this excites her as she never thought a chance for them to be together would come. The stars indeed miraculously aligned together for them. There might be some clouds and rains along the journey like for example their new situation at work. But she hopes that the sky will clear out in the end for the stars to shine again.
She broke out from her thoughts when he let go of her hand and started to take off his coat. "Neil what are you doing?"
He just grinned at her and brought out his phone. He browsed at his playlist and pushed the play button before placing the phone together with his coat on the bench.
"I will only do cheesy with you because I'm the most comfortable when I'm with you," he said before stepping out into the rain. Immediately his shirt was drenched by the cold droplets of rain but he didn't care. Instead he faced Audrey and held out his hand for her to take.
Under the starlight
We'll find our way, I know
This is the start of something beautiful
With you by my side
There's no place that we can't go
This is the start of something beautiful
She knew he was asking her for a dance but she hesitated. She looked around looking for anyone who might see them.
"It's fine. Nobody from work will see us here and if they do so what? We're far from the hospital and I'm allowed to dance with my girlfriend," he said.
When the wind
Moves along your face
It captures everything
I long to say
Audrey looked at his hand and remembered Laura's words before her "you never understand love...because you've never allowed yourself to be vulnerable". Those words might hurt but her best friend knew her really well. And it might indeed be one of the reasons why her marriage failed. But that was all in the past. A lesson learned. Now she would like to make things right with Neil. And she would really like to prove to her friend that she could overcome her flaw, that she can also see the best in herself… it all only matters in finding the right kind of love.
So don't look back, love
And don't you wait
Just say you'll run with me
Come what may
And Audrey thinks this is it so smiling softly she took his hand and joined him under the pouring rain. The rain was cold against her skin which was a contrast to the warmth of Neil's hand holding her.
He held her close as they began swaying to the music playing on his phone. She doesn't recognize the song nor the singer and even though it wasn't the type of song she usually listens to, she admits that she liked it.
At first they swayed softly following the beat of the music. He twirled her under his arm and found themselves grinning at each other. He guided her into a simple waltz and as the music progressed he decided to make something fun.
With that boyish grin that Audrey loved to see in him, he took her hands and maneuvered them into a slightly ridiculous dance. This made Audrey laugh as she had never seen this side of him before. She had seen him dance in the numerous galas they had both attended at work. But he was always formal and serious unlike tonight where he was all smiles and comfortable.
Neil spun her around again and Audrey jokingly spun him around in return as they giggled at each other. They were both enjoying this and if someone from a distance passed by and saw them they would only shake their heads and smile at these two idiots laughing while dancing in the rain.
Under the starlight
We'll find our way, I know
This is the start of something beautiful
With you by my side
There's no place that we can't go
This is the start of something beautiful
Something beautiful
(Ohh's)
They continued to circle each other as the chorus played once again. And when the song was nearing its end the two stopped circling and simply swayed back and forth in an embrace. Audrey leaned forward to rest her chin on Neil's shoulder, and then turned her head so it was pillowed there, rather like a hug, as they swayed.
Here we stand
The world awaits
It's your love, I know
That gives me strength
Under the starlight
We'll find our way, I know
This is the start of something beautiful
With you by my side
There's no place that we can't go
This is the start of something beautiful
When the song finally came to an end, they did not immediately move away. Audrey admits to herself that she liked the feeling of being embraced by Neil's warm and comfy hug. It felt like home.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"For what?"
"For this date? Work had been really stressful these past few days trying to settle being Chief of Surgery. I had fun tonight…. and every moment when I'm with you." the last few words she spoke so softly that she thought Neil didn't hear.
But he did. He smiled and dropped a soft kiss on her shoulder before hugging her tight.