"My table manners couldn't possibly live up to his expectations." Eloise worries. She was being dramatic and searching for excuses to cancel, she knew this, but she didn't want to mess things up. She liked Elijah, she really did and it made her anxious, to say the least. She did not like the tight feeling in her stomach and the nervous giggle that escaped her whenever she thought of the man.

"Eloise the man sent you not one but two bouquets, I can't even get a text back-" Alex objects, before pressing a kiss onto Bowie's head, the dog was happily receiving any affection the woman would give her.

This morning another grand bouquet had been waiting on her doorstep, just when her landlady peeked her head out of her window. When Eloise had looked up the woman had winked at her, under the impression it had been Kol who had sent her those.

Eloise had giddily opened the card, expecting to see Elijah's neat handwriting but her face fell when she saw Kol's name scribbled at the bottom of the card. He wanted to apologize for tearing into her throat. She thought it was a joke at first, not expecting Kol to be the type to send apology flowers but then she realized that this was a reminder of his promise to see her again soon. Eloise hoped dearly he didn't expect anything from her in return for the lush bouquet.

Before Eloise had the chance to even contemplate throwing the flowers out, Alex stood on her doorstep. Eloise had barely managed to hide the card when Alex barged in, gasping dramatically at the sight of the new flowers.

"Perhaps because you ghosted all of your love interests?" Eloise deadpans, trying to get Alex's attention away from the intruding bouquet.

"Not the point." Alex replies airily. "What I meant, I am certain your table manners are the last thing on his mind."

"And what is on his mind?" Eloise teases. Despite Elijah's flowers and his kind words, she had trouble believing she was the only woman he would go on a date with.

"You. Clearly." Alex deadpans.

• • •

"You look enchanting, as always." Elijah compliments as he steps inside Eloise's home. He had greeted the woman with a demure kiss to the cheek, enjoying the feeling of her skin against his lips.

Eloise does her best to keep her face straight, Elijah was a total charmer and a bit of a liar. The first time they saw each other she had run behind a couple of five-year-olds and didn't look charming at all and the second time she had been tired and injured in the supermarket, both occasions she had not exactly looked dazzling.

Eloise takes a second to look Elijah over, he was once again in a pristine-looking suit. Her eyes linger on the small ivory-colored buttons of his dress shirt and she briefly wondered what those would sound like, rolling over her bedroom floor after she ripped his shirt open. Eloise shakes the thought away, perhaps Alex was right, she needed to get laid.

"Thank you. Let me grab my bag real quick." Eloise walks towards her bedroom, hoping to ease her nerves a little. It was just dinner, no big deal. She repeats these words to herself until she somewhat believes them.

"These are... lovely." Elijah remarks as he looks at the considerable bouquet Eloise had stored in her kitchen.

Eloise suppresses a groan, she really should have thrown them out. The last thing she wanted was to make Elijah feel like there were other interested parties. It was just an apologetic vampire, not that she could tell Elijah this. "I got them from someone as an apology."

Elijah wanted to ask more, not fond of the idea of anyone harming this delightful human in any way but decides against it when he sees Eloise's somewhat forceful smile, it must be a sensitive issue. He would be certain to retaliate against the culprit for her if she wishes so.

• • •

"Is this one to your liking?" Elijah asks softly, looking expectantly at Eloise as she takes a small sip of the wine that had been offered to her by the waiter, who smiled down patiently at her.

Elijah had kept his word and had indeed taken her to a lavish restaurant, one she would have never picked herself. They had driven thirty minutes to reach the restaurant but it was worth it. He was quite familiar with the place but had never dined here for his leisure or romantic purposes.

It had been some time since Elijah had last taken a woman on a date, and he wanted it to be perfect for Eloise. In his eyes, the delightful human deserved to be wined and dined like a queen. Perhaps this was his slightly obsessive side speaking, but he truly wanted what was best for the woman, a bleak eatery simply wouldn't do.

Eloise swallows the red liquid, not certain what she was supposed to think of it. It was wine, probably expensive wine but wine nonetheless. She stifles a giggle, she had seen people do this in movies but had never done so herself.

Eloise discreetly licks her lips before looking back up at Elijah. "Yes, it is perfect." She smiles up at the waiter who gives a curt nod before refilling her glass as well as Elijah's.

As soon as the waiter turns around Elijah raises his glass with an easy smile. The candlelit booth made the atmosphere feel more intimate than he had intended and he hoped dearly it wouldn't scare the woman away. "To a wonderful evening."

Eloise grins while clinking her glass to his. "To a wonderful evening."

• • •

"Can I... try it?" Eloise asks carefully, looking longingly at Elijah's dessert, which resembled a masterpiece. She had already finished her dessert, impatient as she was, but Elijah seemed to savor the thing and watching him eat painstakingly slow hurt her.

"Of course." Elijah immediately nudges the plate towards Eloise, happy to share all of it with her. The human had a healthy appetite which he appreciated.

"Wow, this is... marvelous." Eloise's eyes widen slightly in surprise, not thinking chocolate cake could be this magical. She giggles as Elijah pushes the plate in front of her, he was delighted with her blissful expression.

"I wanted to ask you something." Elijah begins after clearing his throat. Eloise's small food-related moans stirred something in him and he'd rather not forsake his decorum this early in their relationship. Upon seeing Eloise's quirked eyebrow he chuckles. "It is not a proposal, I promise."

Eloise nearly chokes on the desert. Elijah goes to pat her back but she waves him off, gesturing for him to continue talking while she gathered herself. Eloise had been receiving wedding-related texts all evening from Alex and she wondered if Elijah had somehow seen them.

"My family is organizing a formal ball next week, I would be delighted if you would do me the honor of escorting you." Elijah offers. He had been opposed to his mother's idea of organizing a ball but could hardly deny her anything. His mother had been egging him and his siblings on to find themselves a date to the event. Although Elijah had made a promise to himself to protect Eloise from his family he would not want anyone else in his arms, but her.

Besides that, he was certain news would travel fast and the woman would hear about the ball sooner or later and he'd rather be the first and only one to ask her. Elijah would be certain to warn his siblings to treat his date with the utmost respect, he was not above threatening them if necessary.

Eloise takes a few seconds to consider his offer. Elijah had avoided the subject of family all evening, for which she was grateful. She would be mad if she turned down Elijah, the chance to play Cinderella for an evening and meet his mysterious family was too good to turn down.

Realizing Elijah was still awaiting her answer she nods. A sly smile makes its way to her face as she thinks of another upcoming event.

"Only if I get to take you to the high school's decade dance in a few weeks." Eloise was certain Alaric would be less worried for her if she brought a strong protector with her.

Elijah playfully narrows his eyes at Eloise before grinning. "It would be my pleasure."