~ Chapter Three ~
Date Night
"Gooood Evening, Arcadia Oaks! It's been two weeks since that night. You know the one. The one we never talk about, but I'm talking about it now? Yeah…"
Barbara tuned out the quiet local radio host's voice from a nearby boombox, not wanting to hear about the events in Arcadia two weeks ago. Instead, she focused on the nice classical music playing quietly over the speakers in the restaurant.
It was an eighteenth-century French composition piece if she had to guess—a beautiful piano mixed with a gentle cello melody.
Barbara smiled to herself and gently mixed her Earl Grey tea with her spoon. She didn't want to think about what happened two weeks ago, and only wanted to focus on who was sitting directly across the table from her, the romantic atmosphere from the soft lighting overhead, and the beautiful classical music.
Two weeks, though.
Barbara couldn't help but think about some of the things that occurred two weeks ago, as they were always on her mind.
First, the war, then her son, Jim, left with his girlfriend, Claire, Merlin, and his troll friends to find a new home and heart stone for all of Trollmarket.
Jim had been true to his word and texted her twice a day while on his journey. Once in the morning and then once at night. He'd occasionally sent pictures, letting her know that he was alive and well. However, these last few days, she was lucky if she received a text from him at all.
The most recent text he'd sent was three days ago and only consisted of a few words-
We're fine. Talk to u soon. Love u.
Barbara tried not to think about how that text had made her feel. She was relieved to hear from her son at all, but it was so brief and so vague and informal, her anxiety took over.
Something was wrong, but Jim wasn't saying anything out of trying to protect her feelings.
Jim always did that to her, trying to spare her feelings, and while it frustrated her to no end, she was more frustrated with herself and the fact that he felt the need to spare her from the truth when things were complicated.
A familiar clench of anxiety pulled at her stomach, and tears filled her eyes. Then, suddenly, a hand touched hers.
"Barbara? Are you alright, darling?"
"Hmm?" Barbara glanced up in surprise and didn't realize that she had zoned out while stirring her tea. Then, blinking, she came back to reality.
She was sitting in Mr. Benoits French Bistro, drinking tea and having a quick bite to eat with her boyfriend, Walter Stricklander.
Walter was sitting across from her, dressed in his usual troll outfit- which consisted of a brown cape that hid his wings, with a collar full of knives, bare stone chest, and brown shorts around his lower half.
He had one leg crossed over the other casually and was looking up at her from the menu. The look in his eyes told her he knew exactly where her mind had been.
She smiled weakly, placed the spoon down on a napkin, and raised the teacup to her lips to drink- hoping that would deter him.
"Barbara?" He tried again when she didn't answer him.
"I'm fine," she replied after taking a sip. The hot tea settled her stomach and offered the cold fear within her heart some warmth and comfort.
"Barbara." Walter raised an eyebrow at her. The gentle but firm way he said her name meant that she wasn't fooling him. Nor should she try. If anyone understood her predicament, he did.
Sighing, Barbara put down her teacup. This wasn't how she wanted to act on their quick date night. She then glanced down at the dark blue medical scrubs she was wearing and remembered how little time they had together before she had to go back to work.
"I'm sorry," Barbara said softly, offering him an apologetic smile. Walter only smiled warmly back and squeezed her hand more gently in his.
"There's nothing you have to apologize for." He paused, and both flinched slightly at the sounds of the construction crews outside fixing the streets from the battle. Then, leaning back, he let her hand go and took a few sips of his tea. "You haven't heard from Jim today. Have you?"
Barbara smiled sadly and was hyper-aware of the silent cell phone in her pocket. "No. Not since that vague text I showed you the other day."
"He'll be alright," Walter said gently, observing her. "He and the others might be busy, or they've lost cell service. Unfortunately, modern technology can't always follow them in some of the more magical places they will most likely venture to."
"I know," Barbara said, sighing and leaning back in her chair. "I am such a worry-wart. It's part of the reason Jim always tried to protect me by lying to me." She looked out the window towards the dark street. "I'd much rather take the truth, no matter how much it hurts or makes me worry than be lied to or have information withheld from me."
"I know."
Walter's tone was sad, and when she glanced over at him, he looked remorseful. That was what he and Jim did to her for some time before she figured out the truth.
Barbara cleared her throat and offered him a sincere smile.
"It's fine. You're right, Walt. I'm sure they are doing well. I'm sorry. I have to learn to not stew in my anxieties and focus on the here and now." She raised her teacup in a toast. "So, here's to you and me, Walt, and the wonderful two weeks we've had together."
Walter smiled, raised his teacup, and gently clicked it against hers. "To our new chapter, Barbara." They both drank, never leaving each other's gazes.
While the two weeks had been difficult with Barbara missing Jim, things with Walter had blossomed, and she couldn't remember a time where she'd felt happier, especially in a romantic relationship.
Walter was present, helpful, and active in helping her with the Changeling familiar babies. On top of that, he made dinner and had a fresh pot of hot coffee ready for her each morning.
Walter also made her smile, laugh, and her heart fluttered whenever she saw him in her home.
Most times, when the babies awakened her, she was shocked to always find him already in Jim's old room, caring for them, so she could continue to sleep.
It meant a lot to her, knowing that he slept in the basement and would trek up two flights of stairs to get to them, well before she could. He was always doing thoughtful and kind things for her.
Ophelia Nunez, the council-woman for Arcadia, and Claire's mother had helped them distribute the rest of the Changeling familiar babies to either their original homes. If they were born much earlier, other nice families fostered them.
As for Barbara and Walter, they kept the child familiar to Nomura and Walter, with whom they referred fondly to as Walter Strickler, Jr.
She and Walter took turns in watching the children since she often got stuck working graveyard shifts at the hospital, or her regular twelve-hour shift turned into a twenty-four-hour one.
Despite her crazy work schedule, Walter never complained and seemed to like being the father figure in the home and even the husband figure to her, though they were taking their relationship slowly. Their routine felt natural, easy, and both were blissfully happy together.
Nights like this one, where they had to sneak in a date night during her work breaks, even if they consisted at ten o'clock at night, were frequent. But, again, they never complained. Any moment she got to spend with him, where it was just him and her, was precious.
"So," Barbara said casually, stirring her tea again, "who is watching the children tonight?"
Walter took a sip and rested his tea on his lap. "NotEnrique and Aaarrrggghhhamont. They were gracious enough to let us have this wonderful hour together."
"I wish it could be longer," Barbara said, checked her watch, and sighed. Time was going by too quickly. "I wish I didn't have to go back to the hospital, but Doctor Johnson is on vacation, and Doctor Rodriguez is still sick, so I'll most likely be pulling another all-nighter." She sighed heavily. "I won't be home until tomorrow morning."
"I completely understand, darling," Walter said softly. "It's alright. I'm simply happy to be here with you."
"Me too."
Barbara reached across the table and retook his hand, wanting to experience some closeness with him.
They had been taking their relationship slowly- as if starting over again. They often hugged and held hands, and Walter would kiss her on the cheek or her hand, but they haven't shared a proper kiss yet. Not since he permanently took on his troll form.
But, she wanted to kiss him, and she could tell that he wanted to kiss her, as well. But, they haven't, out of respect for each other, and wanted to take things slow. However, with each passing day of being with each other, that desire to kiss was only growing hotter and more intense between them.
Soon, they wouldn't be able to suppress that desire any longer.
"Will you be alright with the children while I'm gone?" Barbara asked him, trying to push her thoughts away and focus on him. "I hate leaving you with them all night."
"Why? Because I cannot handle the two familiar infants?" Walter asked, teasing her, but she shook her head.
"No. You know I don't think that way about you. You are a wonderful caretaker. Much better than me, in some regards."
"Oh, no," Walter said, shaking his head, "that's not true, dear, and you know it. You have the touch of a mother that I could never have." He paused and smiled endearingly at her. "Besides, I see you with the children, and I think that it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen before in my life."
Barbara blushed and looked shyly away from him.
"Ah, thank you, Walter. That's sweet of you to say. Well, if it weren't for you being with me, I wouldn't have such amazing brews of coffee when I wake up for work, the house wouldn't be as clean, and I wouldn't have such a handsome partner to snuggle and watch movies with when they go down for the night."
"Touché," Walter said, grinning. "Well, all that, and if it weren't for me staying with you at the house while Jim's away, you would be shamefully emancipated and starving for food. Which, the very idea of that displeases me greatly."
Barbara nearly spit her tea out, laughing. "Hey, I wouldn't be starving. Just because I cannot cook a decent meal doesn't mean that I wouldn't know how to survive. I know how to fend for myself."
"A cup of noodles, a box of macaroni and cheese, or a can of spaghetti-o's doesn't count as proper nutrition, my darling. I was a human long enough to know that."
Barbara laughed, and Walter's face melted at the sound.
Just then, a tall, skinny, college-aged kid walked up to them. He was dressed in all black, with some goth-influence, had long black hair with blue ends, and a friendly face.
"Hello, folks, welcome to Benoit's. My name is Douxie, and I'll be your server tonight." He had a Welsh-English accent, which had a bit more slang than Walter's former accent.
The waiter turned to Barbara and had his pen and notebook at the ready.
"Can I take your order, Luv?"
"Yes, please," Barbara replied, looking at her menu again. "Could I please have the chicken fricassee with steamed vegetables?" She shut her menu and handed it to him. "And keep the fresh bread coming."
Douxie nodded and grinned at her. "Absolutely. Great choice." He turned to Walter and didn't flinch at his troll form. "How about for you, sir? What can I get you?"
"Make that two of the same order," Walter said, handing him the menu.
"You got it," Douxie said, taking both their menus. "I'll go place that order right now."
"Thank you," Walter said while still staring at Barbara, who raised her eyebrows at him and rested her chin in her hands.
They talked amicably about various things as they waited for their food to arrive, and Barbara loved talking to Walter. He was so sophisticated, intelligent, thoughtful, romantic, and cultured; all personality traits that made her swoon even more for him.
Changelings lived for hundreds of years, and Walter had seen many places, people, and historical events. She could listen to him talk about his experiences forever.
Time was going by too quickly, for in no time, their food arrived, and both continued to talk and laugh while eating.
On occasion, Barbara would spot passersby's outside the restaurant window gape in at the sight of her on a dinner date with him, a troll, but she didn't care about what they thought.
If Walter noticed, he also paid no heed to them and only focused on her, as if she were the only one in the room.
Barbara finished eating her smothered chicken meal and vegetables and hummed happily.
"That was delicious."
Barbara loved the cafe for their fine wines, coffees, and teas- but their food was just as exquisite. She then reluctantly checked her watch. It was nearing ten-thirty, meaning her break was almost up.
"Thank you so much for meeting me for dinner, Walt," she said kindly. "It's not very often that you and I get some formal quality time together, and for that, I apologize. I wish I didn't have to work as much. But, hey, there are only so many doctors employed in Arcadia, so I suppose I have to grin and bear it on busier times."
Walter held up a clawed hand. "No need to apologize. I completely understand, dear. I only feel bad that you are so sleep-deprived and stretched-thin. I hope the other doctors return soon so that you can have a break, yourself."
Barbara smiled. "Thank you. I will be alright." She paused, stared at her plate, then sighed. "Well, I…"
"Barbara! Stricklander!"
At their names being called and the loud sound of rock trying to push through the back door of the cafe, Barbara and Walter whirled around to find AAARRRGGGHHH approaching them.
"Aaarrggghhamont," Walter greeted formally, though his voice was forced calm. "What are you doing here?"
"Is everything alright?" Barbara asked, seeing the panic in the giant troll's eyes.
"I come to see if NotEnrique is here."
Barbara and Walter stared at him, not blinking, then Barbara slowly glanced at Walter.
"What do you mean?" Walter asked him slowly. "He's back at the house with the children, watching them, as you should be."
Aaarrrgggghhhh played with his large, stone fingers nervously and cleared his throat.
"We were, but NotEnrique wanted to take babies out for walk. He said he would bring them here to you." Aaarrrggghhh then looked around the cafe, where most occupants were trying desperately hard to act like he wasn't there. He blinked. "He's not here yet?"
"No, he's not," Walter said a bit sharply, wiping his mouth with his napkin and sitting up, looking irritated that his date with Barbara had been interrupted. "Aaarrrggghhhamont, are you telling me that NotEnrique has the children in the stroller, well past their bedtime, and now, you cannot find them?"
"Uhh…" Aaarrrggghhh began, getting more nervous by the passing minute, then finally admitted, "yes?"
"Darn him," Walter snapped angrily, getting to his feet. "Why can't that little pest ever listen to me for one blasted moment?"
Barbara stood as well and crossed over to Walter. What was nice about their personalities was when one person was upset, the other was calm, and things didn't ever escalate out of control.
"I'm sure he's on his way," Barbara said calmly, resting a hand upon his rock-hard chest. "Besides-" she rechecked her watch and sighed, "my break is almost up. I have to get going anyway."
Walter glanced down into her face and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into a hug.
"I know, dear." He then took a few twenties out of his shorts and placed them on the table to pay for the food, plus a tip for the waiter. Walter then turned to look at Aaarrrggghhh.
"Let's go outside. I'll accompany Barbara to the crosswalk, and then we'll go and find him. NotEnrique can't be far, plus, he's not tall enough to steer the stroller, so let's just pray that the children are safe."
Aaarrrggghhh nodded and grunted in agreement, then followed after Walter, who guided Barbara outside with his arm still wrapped around her waist. The cool summer air hit them pleasantly in the faces, and together, they walked down the sidewalk towards the crosswalk.
"I'll call you when I find the children," Walter told her quietly, keeping her close to his side. "I would offer to fly you back to the hospital, but," he gritted his teeth, "circumstances now being what they are-"
Barbara laughed. They stopped outside of the crosswalk, and she turned in his arms and cupped either side of his face with her hands.
"Hey, it's okay. Go and find the children, I'm sure they are fine. NotEnrique won't let anything bad happen to them. As for me, the hospital is two blocks away and isn't that terrible of a walk, especially when I use the park as a shortcut. It's a ten-minute walk if that." She grinned and held her arms out. "Plus, it is a beautiful summer night, and I enjoy the fresh air."
Walter's stern facial expression faded at the sight of her beautiful smile and carefree attitude. He pulled her in for a hug, and Barbara wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
"Thank you for dinner, Walt," she whispered in his ears. "I love spending time with you."
"I love-" Walter began but stopped and rubbed her back slowly. "I love… spending time with you, as well, Barbara, dear."
They pulled away at the same time but remained in each other's arms. Barbara stared up into Walter's cat-like yellow and red eyes with a smile. He looked a bit downcast, as if he wanted to say something different to her, but didn't.
She wished he would, though.
Being in each other's arms, she hoped that he would finally kiss her. Her heart was pounding in anticipation, and she swore he could feel it as he pressed their chests together.
"I'll see you in the morning, Walter," Barbara breathed, still staring into his eyes, but he didn't respond. Instead, he brought a hand and cupped her jaw. His thumb caressed over her cheek, then slid down and touched her lip.
"Till morning then, my darling," Walter breathed back, inching his face towards hers.
Barbara's eyes widened in anticipation, her lips parted, and she inched her face towards his, eager for this moment when another familiar voice suddenly interrupted them.
"Oi, there you guys are! Doc, bossman, I've been searching all over this town for ya!"
Walter froze, and when he realized just how close they were to kissing, he growled, straightened up, and looked over at the small changeling, NotEnrique, with great agitation.
The olive-green, skinned changeling was riding up on top of the double stroller, with two whining babies inside.
"Where were you?" Walter instantly demanded when he approached them. "Aaarrrggghhh said you left on a walk with the children and then disappeared. We were just about to come and search for you. Why aren't you at the house?"
"Wha'? Can't a troll find himself some peace and quiet sometimes?" NotEnrique asked as he and the stroller came to a stop at Walter and Barbara's feet. "The kiddos ain't happy and are fussin', so I took 'em for a walk to come and get you. You said you'd return at ten-thirty, anyway, when the doc had to go back to work."
Walter sighed out in exasperation. "You had us worried! Next time you decide to take the children out, late at night, call one of us first! Instead of disappearing without a trace."
"I would if yeh would buy me a cell phone."
"The landline works perfectly fine-"
Barbara shook her head and chuckled as he and NotEnrique continued to argue with one another. She was used to their bickering.
NotEnrique was stubborn and often fought with Walter. But, since the Nunez family kicked him out of their home, she and Walter took him in as part of their half-human, Changeling troll family. He was a slight pain to put up with, but he was helpful and protective of them all at the end of the day.
Barbara pulled out of Walter's arms and leaned over to coo and smile at the crying baby's. Both Walter Strickler, Jr. and Nomura Jr. reached up for her upon seeing her face, both fussing still.
"Shh, it's okay," she cooed softly, rocking the stroller back and forth on its wheels. "I know you're sleepy."
"Enough," Walter snapped, holding a hand up to silence NotEnrique, and sighed heavily. He turned and faced Barbara, and when he saw her cooing and making the fussy baby's smile, his anger melted away.
"I'll bring them home." He then turned to NotEnrique and Aaarrrggghhh. "You two can go and enjoy the rest of your evening. Thank you for babysitting the familiars. I'll take over their care from here."
"Sweet!" NotEnrique said, clapping Aaarrrggghhh's hand. "Thanks, Bossman! Sorry for interrupting your… uh… special moment with doc."
Walter snarled, about to argue with him again, when Barbara suddenly straightened up and kissed him gently on the cheek—again, halting all thoughts he almost had for NotEnrique.
"I've got to go. I'll see you all tomorrow morning." She then leaned down and gave the cooing babies kisses on their foreheads.
Walter smiled warmly at her, and when she looked up at him, she smiled back.
Turning away, she wished she and Walter could have shared an actual kiss, but that would have to wait, yet again, for the right moment.
Barbara pressed the crosswalk button, and when the opposite intersection light turned red and green for her, she looked both ways down the near-deserted road. Then, when clear of cars, she crossed.
Walter watched Barbara cross the street, wishing he could have kissed and told her that he loved her.
Because he did love her. With all of his heart. So much so, he thought his heart would burst with love every time he saw her.
"So, what do yeh say, Aaarrrggghhh?" Walter heard NotEnrique ask the giant troll as he continued to watch Barbara walk across the street- admiring how beautiful she was and how lucky he was to have her in his life.
He then had a crazy and impulsive thought to swallow his pride and fear; follow after her, dip her low in his arms, and kiss her anyway. But then, he decided to wait for another opportune moment to do so.
"Wanna head over to Toby's for some rounds of Go-Go Sushi?" NotEnrique asked.
"Yes! Go-Go-Sushi at Wingman's," Aaarrrggghhh replied in his slow and deep voice. "Sounds fun!"
Walter rested his hands on the stroller, about to turn and walk away when a sudden screeching sound turning the corner of the street alerted him.
What happened next seemed to happen in slow motion.
A white, small box truck turned the street corner at remarkable speed, skidding so erratically the truck nearly tilted on its side. It ran past the red light and was barrelling right for Barbara. In a matter of seconds, it was going to hit her.
Walter's heart dropped into his stomach, and his blood ran cold.
"WHOA, DOC! WATCH OUT!" NotEnrique suddenly shouted, alerting everyone.
Then, chaos ensued.
The truck's gears slammed and shrieked, the brakes locked, but the entire truck still barrelled towards Barbara. Aaarrrggghhh roared out Barbara's name and geared up to jump across the road to protect her from getting run over, but Walter was already moving.