ENTERTAINMENT FOR TWO.
Kate and Leopold got out for their ride. First they were to take a walk throughout Central Park. It was winter, and so all the snow could be seen on a now beautiful white New York. New York seemed like a white palace, like white paradise, like white perfection, this time of year.
They walked some more, and saw that there were people ice-skating, which was perfectly normal to Kate, but this was an activity totally unknown to Leopold, so he stood there amazed by this activity, or sport it seemed to him.
Kate liked ice-skating, she always went with her parents and Charlie when she was little. She still did it as a grown up with Stuart and Charlie, and the three of them always had so much fun that they always came back each winter She figured it would be fun to skate, and suddenly it hit her: she could skate today, with Leopold. "Leo, sweetheart. Would you like to give it a try?". "Sure, Kate. I find it very interesting as it is".
They talked to a man who rented the skates for people that wanted to skate there, and got each other a pair. Soon they were on the skate track.
Lots of people were ice-skating, and Kate, being a pretty good skater, knew that there would be no trouble in giving the track a go. Leopold from his part, didn't know how to do it. He realized that people fell off their feet quite often, and was beginning to feel nervous about the whole situation: what he had just gotten himself into?. Kate noticed this. She took a hold on Leopold's hand "Come on honey, is not as bad as it looks" reassured Kate. "Kate, I'm not sure how these people still have the luxury of possessing a backside after this number of falls. I'm not sure about this, dear. As a matter of fact, I can say that I'm contempt to have a rather healthy backside, thank you very much" said Leopold, who was very serious. Kate couldn't help herself, so she started laughing. "Sweetheart, you are being awfully negative about this, and it's not like you to be. Come on, I won't let you loose until you tell me so, I promise. And if you fall what do you do? You get back on your feet, to go on, just like you have to do in life. Besides, you know I'll take care of you if your butt ends up swollen and three times it's original size" said Kate, trying to add humor to the situation. Leopold's lips curled up in a smile "Ok, darling, let's go then."
They were both now on the track, and Kate held Leopold with both her hands. He was really looking frightened at first. Kate was skating slowly, she didn't want Leo to be more scared than he was already. All was going fine, until Leopold suddenly started staggering in his spot, and fell completely on his back. Since Kate had been holding him, she fell too. "Leo, are you ok?" asked Kate as she got up "I'm fine Kate." said Leopold as he also got up "My backside will survive. I'm not sure about my pride though". Then, like an explosion, they both erupted with laugher. The situation was truly funny.
After a short while Leopold managed to actually give a few laps. He found out that skating could be very liberating and pleasant, specially when done in good company. Kate watched him skate. He had improved considerably, and he was a fast learner. She was feeling very happy, and all this, this love, was perfect, perfect for her. Maybe fairly tales were possible after all.
Once they finished their ride and their skating adventure, Kate got an idea. She wanted to go somewhere, somewhere where Leopold could feel almost like a child again. Today was a day to have fun. But what kind of place would make Leo feel that way? What kind?. She started asking herself, and when they came around the street where the best known science museum in New York was located, Kate knew she had her answer.
At this point Leopold didn't know where they were going. "Close your eyes, please" requested Kate "I beg your pardon?" asked Leopold, who was confused. "I have a surprise for you, please close your eyes". Leopold smiled, as he closed his eyes. After a while they were still walking as Leopold was getting curious. "Where are we headed, Kate?" asked Leopold, trying to make some sense out of the entire situation. "I told you Leo, it's a surprise". The walking continued until they finally were at the museum's entrance. Kate and Leopold (still with his eyes closed ) walked in the museum. "Ok, honey, you can open you eyes now" said Kate. At this, Leopold opened his eyes, and what he saw fascinated him beyond possibilities "My God, Kate. What is this place?" asked Leopold. "This is only the largest, biggest, and most known art and science museum in New York, honey. I thought you might like to see it".
Leopold started looking at everything, not leaving the place he was standing on. His face lit up as if he was a child. He loved science, and art. It was his profession. He was a scientist, an engineer.
Kate knew she had done right in bringing him here. They walked around the museum. Leo was enchanted by all he was seeing. This was a technological paradise for him.
Soon after the museum's tour ended. Leopold was still very happy that Kate had brought him here, so happy, that when they got out of the door he lifted her up in the air, and started swirling in circles. "Darling that was fabulous!" He said smiling as he put her down and took her in his arms and leaned over to kiss her, completely disregarding the people that were watching them as they kissed.
They broke the kiss. "Wow, Leo. If that's what I get, I think I should bring you here more often" said Kate, who was thrilled by this kind of kiss and also trying to tease him for his excitement. Leo knew she was teasing him for his evident excitement, so he smiled and hugged her "I love you Kate". "I love you too" said Kate in a childish voice as she began ruffling his hair. "Oh Miss Mc, Kay. I think you made a mistake here. That hair, is first class hair. You mustn't ruffle first class hair" scolded Leopold playfully "I see" said Kate "and why is that, your highness?" asked Kate. "Because people that do so are severely punished, Miss.Mc Kay, and you wouldn't want to be punished now, would you ?" ."Ohh...but your highness, there's something you don't see. And that's that if you want to punish me" started Kate "you have to catch me first!" finished Kate, ruffling his hair once more and running immediately after doing so. Leopold followed after her, and being the tall man he was, he ended up catching up with her, and once he did, he grabbed her by the waist and took her into the air, swirling around in circles once again. Kate was laughing. "Leo put me down, you're gonna make me dizzy!" yelled Kate. Leo finally put her down. Kate was panting, and gasping for air. Leopold gave her a smile. "That should teach you not to mess with royal hair, Miss Mc. Kay" said Leopold jokingly. "That was my punishment? " asked Kate "Well, I don't think you know about punishments, Mr. I-have-a-cactus-for-a-head" continued Kate, also knowing the joke was not about to be over. "Yes, I might look like a cactus" smiled Leopold "And you happen to be the first woman romanced by a cactus, Katherine Mc. Kay" said Leopold laughing. Hearing this Kate started to crack up with laughter too. "And you, your highness. You happen to be the first cactus ever romanced" said Kate, who was still laughing furiously.
Once their laughter subsided, Kate began to stroke the side of his head "You are a cactus, but you are a cute cactus. The cutest I've ever seen" said Kate. Leopold took her hand and kissed it. "And you are the cutest hair-ruffling girl I've ever seen". Kate smiled and gave him a light kiss on the lips. "Come on sweetheart, let's get some lunch. Mind you, late-lunch" suggested Kate looking at her watch "I'm famished, so I agree" said Leopold, as he took Kate's arm.
They had lunch, and walked back to Kate's apartment. It was almost sunset. They had to get ready to jump of the Brooklyn Bridge that day.
Stuart and Charlie were back from the game by the time Kate and Leopold arrived to Kate's apartment. Charlie was there, waiting for them to get ready. As soon as they got ready, they went up to Stuart's apartment to say goodbye.
Stuart and Charlie decided to go with Kate and Leopold. Stuart was thankful. Thankful that he had been able to help Kate, to find the man she really deserved.
They all were ready, and headed to the Bridge. Once they got there, Charlie started to feel melancholic. "I'm gonna miss you guys" said a saddened Charlie. "I'm gonna miss you too Charlie" said Kate hugging her brother tightly "Please take care you two" continued Kate as the hug broke. "Kate, I know you will be happy. Leo here will take good care of you." began Stuart, as he brought himself to say the words he had needed to say a long time ago "I know I really screwed up before, and I'm sorry. I really never meant to hurt you". Kate knew he was being honest, so she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I know Stu. I really hope things get better and I really hope you find someone that really loves you. I also hope that you always remember, that no matter how much you screw up, you'll always be my friend". Stuart smiled and gave her a small hug. "Gentleman, it was, as always, a pleasure to see you. Please do take care, and rest assured, I will take care of Kate" said Leopold. "Yeah, we know Leo" said Charlie, still amazed to see how much in love her sister and Leopold were. "Bye guys" said Kate. With that last goodbye, Kate and Leopold, hand in hand, jumped of the Brooklyn Bridge"