Chapter 43

A/N First date/crush

Cuteness overload in this chapter. Benjamin is so caring in this chapter.

"Do you think he really likes me?" Lizzie asked Izzy as they talked on the phone.

Christopher Smith, a sophmore that Lizzie went to school with, had started talking to her and showing interest in her recently. She had noticed him watching her and he had even stopped by her locker the day before and engaged her in a conversation. Isabelle had noticed and they were talking about it.

"I do, he suddenly comes up and talks to you out of the blue. I guess we will see tomorrow if he talks to you again," Izzy said.

The next day, they were standing by her locker about to go to lunch. Christopher walked up and asked Izzy if he could talk to Lizzie alone.

"I wanted to ask if you wanted to go to the movies with me Saturday night?" Christopher asked.

Lizzie not wanting to look too excited, schooled her emotions and remained emotionless. A smile creeped upon her face and she told him, "I will have to ask my parents. Can I let you know tomorrow?"

Christopher smiled a huge smile and said, "That will be great. I hope the answer is yes. I will talk to you later, I have to get to football practice."

He walked away and she turned back to her locker where no one could see her. She put her hand over her heart which was beating wildly. She was excited at the idea of going on her first date and with Christopher Smith no less. He was very handsome and one of the most popular guys in her school. Now she just had to convince her parents.

She walked outside to wait on her Daddy to pick her up and got ambushed by Izzy.

"Ok, I can tell by that dopey smile on your face that something happened. Spill it, what did he say?" Izzy asked.

Lizzie ducked her head trying to hide her blushing red cheeks. "He asked me to go to the movies with him on Saturday night. Don't get too excited, I still have to convince my parents. They told me I could not go on dates until I was 15, but since that is only a month away I hope I can convince them to let me go on Saturday. Christopher is so cute and dreamy."

"What are you going to say to them to try and convince them?" Izzy asked.

"I am not sure yet, I am going to think about it and ask after dinner. They are friends with his parents so maybe that will help convince them also," Lizzie told her.

Benjamin pulled up and both of the girls loaded into his car. Lizzie leaned over and kissed her Dad on the cheek. "Hi Dad, how was work today?"

"It was good, I picked up a new client today. I was going to see if you wanted to go with me on Saturday and look at his ranch. He has about 40 horses. He has a big stud business and has several thoroughbreds in his stables.

Lizzie turned back and looked at Izzy. They smiled at each other. Benjamin saw the look exchanged between the girls and wondered what they were up to.

"What time are you going to go?" Lizzie asked him.

"Probably mid morning, it will take us about an hour to get there. I will probably want to spend a couple hours looking around then back home," he explained.

"Sounds good Dad, I would love to go with you," she said excitedly.

At the dinner table that night, Lizzie told her parents she wanted to talk to them after dinner.

Dinner was completed and the kitchen cleaned up. Suzanne and Benjamin were sitting on the sofa enjoying an after dinner Scotch. Lizzie walked in and sat across from them.

"Christopher Smith asked me on a date for Saturday. He wants to take me to the movies. I know the rule is I have to wait until I am 15, but I thought that since his parents were friends of yours, you would make an exception. Also it is only a month until my birthday," she said pleadingly.

Suzanne and Benjamin both looked at each other and then back to Lizzie.

"Let your Mom and I talk about this, you go up to your room. We will call you down when we have a decision," Benjamin told her.

Benjamin looked at Suzanne after Lizzie left the room. "What do you think? Should we change our minds and let her go? I am in a mind to tell her no and stick to the deal of waiting until she is 15."

Suzanne listened to his argument and thought about what both of them had said. "I am not sure about what to do. She is a responsible, smart and very trustworthy child. I know that as a 14 year old girl, I would have been happy if my parents had let me date. I agreed on the age 15 limit we placed. We both know Christopher and he is a good, responsible young man and was raised respectful by good people. I have said my peace, but I am leaving the decision up to you," Suzanne told him. She stood up and kissed him and walked upstairs.

Benjamin stayed sitting on the couch drinking his scotch. He was not sure what he was going to do. He was not ready for Lizzie to start dating. He remembered being a sophomore in high school and being a teenage boy. He was very respectful of girls, but he also remembers peer pressure from other guys to do things he didn't want to do. He would call Jeff Smith in the morning and talk it over with him. He really wished his Dad or Joe was there so he could talk to either of them about how they handled their daughter's first dates. He finished his drink and locked up the house and turned off all the lights.

He walked up the stairs and knocked on Lizzie's door. She told him to come in. "Lizzie, I know you want an answer tonight, but I have decided to sleep on it. I am also going to talk to Christopher's Dad tomorrow and I will give you my decision tomorrow evening. It is just Monday so you can tell Christopher tomorrow that you will let him know on Wednesday," he told her.

She got up from her desk and walked over and hugged him goodnight. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "I want you to know this is not an easy decision for me. You are my Baby Girl and I don't want you to grow up, but I realize that you will and are. I hope you understand my point of view in this situation."

"I do Daddy. I just ask that you not base your decision on me being your Baby Girl and not wanting me to grow up too soon," she said.

He nodded his head and walked out of the room shutting the door behind him. He rubbed his hands over his face and walked into his and Suzanne's bedroom.

Suzanne was sitting in bed reading a book when he walked in. "Did you make a decision?"

"Not yet, I want to sleep on it and talk to Jeff tomorrow. I told Lizzie I will give her a decision tomorrow. Man I wish my Dad or yours were here to give me some guidance in this situation. I know it is different for boys and girls. It shouldn't be and I am trying to keep an open mind about this, but Honey she is my Baby Girl and the idea of her dating scares the hell out of me. It means she is growing up and I am not ready for that. It seems like only yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital and today she wants to go on her first date. Where has the time gone?" He sat on the side of the bed looking defeated.

Suzanne pulled up on her knees and crawled over to him. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight pulling his body into her chest. She placed a soft kiss on his neck. She knew the decision was a hard one for him. Lizzie was their first born and she too was not ready for her to grow up, but she realized that she is and they have to let her.

She lowered him back to lay on his back and scooted around to face him. She took his head in her hands and pulled him into her. She lowered her head and gently kissed his lips.

He pulled her down, deepening the kiss. She tried to pull back from him but he had wrapped his hand around her head keeping her lips attached to his. He was not ready to let her go either. Soon their kisses turned into a full blown make out session and clothes were discarded.

The next day, Benjamin placed a call to Jeff Smith. "Jeff, how are you and the family?"

"Benjamin, we are all good. I think I know what this call is about. Christopher told me last night that he asked Lizzie on a date to go to the movies on Saturday night," Jeff told him.

"That is why I am calling. What do you think of it? I know the rules and social norms are different for boys and girls, but they shouldn't be. If I say yes, I will insist on driving them and picking them up. I know Christopher has his license, but I am not ready to see my daughter drive off with a boy to go on a date. Also he hasn't been driving that long and with them going to an evening movie it would be after dark before they got out," Benjamin said.

Jeff laughed on the other end of the line. "I hear you Benjamin. I don't have a daughter, but I can imagine what a stressful situation that would be for me. I understand your side and why you would want the parameters that you set."

"Thanks for your input Jeff. I haven't totally made up my mind. I have a few more hours to make my decision. Talk to you soon. My regards to you and your family," he said and hung up.

Benjamin leaned back in his chair and placed his hands on top of his head. This was an impossible situation and he felt like it was a no win situation for him. He decided to close up for the day and go home. Maybe spending some time with Suzanne and Benji would give him some answers.

He arrived home and changed into riding clothes. Since moving her office to their home office, Suzanne could be either there or in the barn. She told him she would be working today and not going into town.

He found her in their shared office. She looked up when he entered, not realizing he was home. She stood and walked over to him. She raised up and kissed him and placed her arms around him.

"What are you doing at home? Did something happen?" she leaned back and asked him. She then noticed he was wearing riding clothes.

"I wanted to spend some alone time with you. Want to go riding?" he asked.

She took his hand and led him upstairs to their room. She walked him over and sat him down on the side of the bed. She then backed away from him and slowly started removing her clothes. She was looking into his eyes and watching his reaction as piece by piece of clothing was removed. Once she was down to her lacy red panties and bra, she slowly walked over to him.

He reached out and ran his hand over her tight stomach and pulled her into him. He started kissing her tummy and moving upwards until he reached just under her breast. He reached around and unclipped her bra. She dropped her arms and let it fall to the ground. He placed a gentle kiss on the underside of her right breast.

She arched her back and leaned her torso into him. He peppered kisses up and down her torso. She leaned forward and started unbuttoning his shirt. She pushed it off and then pulled him to his feet.

He started kissing her neck and moving down over her collarbone and upper chest. He placed soft kisses on each breast.

She moved down and loosened his belt and unbuttoned his pants. She slid her hands inside and lowered his pants and boxers.

She leaned her head back as he continued to rain kisses up and down her body. She let her hands wander downward and ran her fingers over his manhood.

He could not wait any longer and turned her and laid her down on the bed. He kicked off his boxers and pants and laid down over her. His love for her was everlasting and would never get old to him. He would never take her for granted and would love her until he took his last breath. He wanted to convey that to her as he made love to her.

He made love to her slowly and tenderly. He kissed her deeply and she moaned into it. Her moans turned him into jelly.

They were snuggled up to each other in tangled sheets an hour later. He was placing kisses on her head. She was laid across his chest with her ear to his heart. It was still racing and the sound of it was lulling her to sleep.

He looked down at her and saw that she had fallen asleep. He pulled the bed covers over them to warm their cooling bodies.

She woke up a few hours later snuggled into Benjamin. Their legs intertwined and her head on his chest. He had his arms around her keeping her pulled tightly to his body.

She raised her head and saw he was asleep too. He had a soft look on his face and was totally relaxed. She had seen him struggling the last day and a half and seeing him sleep made her heart race. She ran her finger tips up and down his chest. Leaning up she placed a soft kiss on his lips trying to rouse him. She continued to kiss him until he started kissing her back.

Opening his eyes slowly, he looked down at her and smiled on her lips. "Hello, Beautiful. A man could get spoiled waking up to you wrapped in his arms and kissing him."

"Handsome, kissing you and being wrapped in your arms is the best way to wake up," she said as she kissed down his chin and lower.

"If you still want to get that ride in, we need to get up and get dressed. I think I already got a ride, but spending the day on a horse in the sunshine is the second best way," he said as he smiled at her.

She smacked him on the chest and rolled out of bed. She went to take a quick rinse off shower. He rolled out and joined her in the shower. "No funny stuff mister. We only have 2 hours before we need to get the kids from school."

"You are wrong there missy, late day for them both. Lizzie has a math club session and Will has tutoring. Sam is picking them up since Izzy has volleyball practice. We have until around 7 before they make it home. But I hear you, let's get dressed and go for a ride," he said as he stepped out of the shower. He dried off and handed her a towel to dry off too.

They rode enjoying the beautiful day and each other's company. They both loved the feeling of being out in the sunshine and fresh air. Spending time with each other was their favorite way to spend time.

Benjamin and Suzanne told Lizzie to meet them in their office after dinner. She entered with butterflies in her stomach. She knew after this conversation she was either going to be really happy or sad, depending on her Daddy's decision.

"Lizzie, I have made my decision. I spoke to Mr. Smith today and we came to an agreement. We will allow you to go on a date with Christopher."

Benjamin saw a huge smile form on her face. She started to jump up out of her chair. He raised his hand and told her to sit back down. "Before you get too excited, you will have to hear my stipulations. I will drive you both to the movies and pick you up when it is over. I am not prepared yet to watch you drive off with a boy on a date. The other reason is that Christopher hasn't had his license long enough for me to be comfortable with him driving you just yet. If you agree with my stipulations? Then you can go," he told her.

Even though she was a little deflated with her Daddy basically chaperoning her first date, she wanted to go out with Christopher so she agreed. She stood up and walked over and hugged both of them. Her heart was so happy and she couldn't wait to tell Christopher the next day. She hoped he wouldn't be mad that her Dad would be driving them. She ran up the stairs to call Izzy and tell her.

The next day, Christopher caught up with her at her locker before lunch period. She told him the answer was yes she could go to the movie with him. She also told him that her Dad had only agreed if he drove them and picked them up. He wanted to be disappointed, but he understood.

"I am excited about going out with you. What do you want to see? ET is out and so is An Officer and a Gentleman. I am good with either one. Why don't you choose," he told her. He secretly wanted to see An Officer and a Gentleman because it was romantic, but he would be happy if she chose ET too.

She and Izzy had already talked about it and they had decided if he let her choose she would pick An Officer and A Gentleman. It was romantic and she hoped he would hold her hand or put his arm around her.

"I think I want to see An Officer and A Gentleman. It seems like it would be a good movie," she said, ducking her head trying to hide her blushing cheeks.

"Sounds like a plan, let's go grab some lunch and make our plans," he said.

Lizzie was walking on air the rest of the day. She was ecstatic and had a goofy smile on her face.

Saturday came around and she begged off going with her Dad to visit his new client farm. She talked her Mom into taking her to town to buy some new clothes for her date.

She found a pair of stonewashed jeans that fit her just right. It was hard for her to find jeans that hugged her butt and fit her snuggly. She was tall for her age and was kinda skinny, so when she found a pair that fit like a glove she was ecstatic.

She had barely slept at all last night due to her nerves about her date. After shopping with her Mom, she laid down and tried to take a nap. She kept flipping and flopping and finally gave up. She left her room and went in search of her Mom.

She wanted to pick her brain about her first date. Her nerves were starting to get the best of her and she needed to take her mind off of her date.

She found her Mom in the barn. Suzanne was brushing down Benji. She didn't really know how to broach the subject with her Mom so she just grabbed a brush and worked on Benji on the opposite side of her Mom.

Suzanne saw Lizzie's face when she walked into the barn. She expected her to say something to her, but when she didn't and just grabbed a brush she decided to let Lizzie get her thoughts together. She had been waiting for Lizzie to come to her and ask questions. She had wanted to go to her, but decided that if she pushed her she would possibly close up and not ask her advice.

They brushed him down in silence for about 20 minutes. Lizzie finally laid her brush down and went and sat on a bale of hay sitting nearby. Lizzie was a very contemplative child and her brain ran non stop most of the time. She was trying to form her thoughts when Suzanne sat down beside her and took her hand in hers.

Lizzie looked up at her Mom's soft caring eyes and decided that now was the time. "Mom, can you tell me about your first date and what to expect?"

Suzanne placed her arm around her shoulders and pulled her into her. "First dates are exciting and nerve racking at the same time. You are excited because you are doing something new and the freedom that comes with it. Nerve racking because you don't want to mess up or do something to make the guy feel like you are a child or an idiot. The most important thing is to be yourself. He will be nervous also. Make sure that you only do what you are comfortable with. If he wants to hold your hand and you want that too then convey that to him. With that being said, make sure if he does anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or you don't want it, that you let him know that too. Do you understand what I am trying to tell you?"

"I think so, I just don't want to be uncomfortable or seem too nervous and jumpy," Lizzie said.

"Just be yourself and you will be fine. You are a smart, caring and intelligent person. Your Dad and I have always tried to teach you what is right and what is wrong, remember those lessons and you will do fine," Suzanne told her. She pulled her in for a tighter hug and Lizzie hugged her back.

"Thanks Mom, I hear what you are telling me. I am going to go wash up and try and take a nap before I get ready," Lizzie said. She stood up and walked out of the barn and headed to her room. Her Mom had settled her nerves and after cleaning up she was able to sleep for about an hour.

Suzanne didn't want to seem overbearing, but wanted to help her get ready for her date. Lizzie let her off the hook when she walked into their bedroom and asked her advice on which blouse looked better with her jeans.

They walked back to Lizzie's room to choose a blouse. Lizzie was not allowed to wear makeup yet, but Suzanne wanted to give her the earrings she had bought for her earlier in the day.

Lizzie was sitting at her dressing table trying to decide exactly how to wear her hair, when Suzanne walked up behind her.

"Baby Girl, I wanted to give you something that I got for you earlier today. I saw these and knew they would be perfect for you." She handed her the earrings. Simple gold hoops. They were not large and were perfect for the outfit she had chosen.

Lizzie slipped them into her ear holes and this helped her decide how she wanted to wear her hair. The earrings were beautiful and she wanted to show them off. She decided on a simple style of just pulling up the sides and clipping them back with a clip. She finished and stood up facing her Mom.

"You look beautiful sweetheart and Christopher is a lucky young man. Your Dad's heart is going to stop when he sees you," Suzanne said as she laughed and wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. Her baby was going on her first date.

They walked down the stairs together and Benjamin was at the bottom of the stairs waiting on them.

He looked up at them both with a huge smile on his face. He walked over and pulled Lizzie into a tight hug and kissed the top of her head. "You look so beautiful sweetheart. I love you so much," he told her. Benjamin looked over the top of her head at Suzanne. She was wiping silent tears off of her face. He was trying his best to hold his back, but a couple slid down. He smiled up at her and she smiled back.

Suzanne wanted to take a few photos so she grabbed her camera. She took a picture of Lizzie and Benjamin and then he took one of her and Lizzie. She would bring her camera with her and secretly take a few more without embarrassing Lizzie.

Will was spending the night with a friend so it was decided that since they would be in town anyway, they were going to have dinner and wait on the kids to get out of the movies.

Benjamin drove them to the theater after he picked up Christopher. He and Suzanne had decided on A`ime for dinner. It was where they went on their first date and thought it only fitting to dine there. The movie the kids were seeing was 2 hours, so they lingered over dinner. Jacques joined them when they were enjoying and after dinner coffee.

They told him about Lizzie being on her first date. He raised an eyebrow at Benjamin and asked him how he was so calm. Benjamin assured him it was all an act and was a bundle of nerves just good at hiding it.

This brought a round of laughter to the whole table. He insisted that they come back next weekend and bring the kids with them. They agreed and left to make the drive across town back to the theater.

Suzanne and Sam had cooked up a scheme earlier in the week to let Izzy spend the night at the farm. Suzanne knew from experience that Lizzie would need to talk to her and tell her all about her date. If it had gone bad, Izzie would be there to comfort her and if it went good Lizzie would want to tell her every detail. They were going to swing by and pick her up on the way to the farm.

Lizzie was sitting in the back seat of the car, but was very fidgety. Lizzie didn't know the plan and was sad because she wouldn't be able to talk to Izzy until the next day. It would be after 9 when they got back to the farm and phone calls after 9 were not permitted.

Suzanne looked into the back seat and saw the look of surprise and joy cross Lizzie's face when Benjamin made the turn off to the Barnes's house. She asked her Mom, "Where are we going? Aren't we going home?"

"Well I figured you would want to tell Izzy all about tonight so she is going to spend the night. We are going to pick her up," Suzanne told her with a slight sly grin on her face.

Lizzie was overjoyed. Benjamin didn't know about the plan until Suzanne told him at dinner. He looked in the rearview mirror and saw the smile on his daughter's face and laughed quietly to himself. He reached over for Suzanne's hand and brought it to his lips and placed a kiss on it. She continued to amaze him everyday.

They picked Izzy up and drove to the farm. The girls laughed and giggled all the way.

Will wanting to spend the night with a friend had been a godsend. He would have teased and taunted his sister and it would have probably ended up in a fight between the two. Will was a typical nearly teenage boy and grating on his sister's nerves was a full time sport for him.

The girls bolted out of the car and straight to Lizzie's room as soon as Benjamin put the car in park. He and Suzanne sat in the car for a minute after he parked.

They sat there and were just relieved that they had survived their daughter's first date. She was all smiles so they both surmised that it had gone well. He decided that they needed to take a walk and work off some nervous energy. That would also give the girls a bit more privacy to talk without them possibly over hearing anything. Knowing Lizzie like he did, she would come to Suzanne in a day or two and tell her all about it. Suzanne would tell him if Lizzie didn't swear her to secrecy.

They strolled through the barn and down a well worn riding path that led up to the top of the hill. It was dark, so they wouldn't go far. It was a beautiful star filled night and perfect for a stroll.

Lizzie and Izzy were sitting in the middle of her bed. Izzy was trying her best to wait on Lizzie to tell her. She had been pacing in front of the windows at her house for over an hour waiting on them to pick her up. Her Mom had told her the plan the day before, but had sworn her to secrecy. Suzanne wanted to be the one to tell Lizzie, but not until they were on the way to pick Izzy up.

"Okay, I have waited long enough. Spill, tell me everything that happened and don't leave out any details," Izzy said excitedly.

"Ok, ok, settle down. It was so wonderful. He was a perfect gentleman. He paid for the tickets and snacks. He opened my door for me and treated me so special. The movie was so romantic. During one of the special scenes, he put his arm around my shoulders. I couldn't help it. I looked up at him and he had a smile on his face to match mine," Lizzie told her.

She laid back on her bed and put her hand on her stomach. She had butterflies churning in them all night. She thought the night was perfect. She had walked with him to his door to say goodnight. Since they walked through the garage, they were out of eye sight of her parents. Once they turned the corner, he took her hand and led her to his door.

He turned to her and said, "I had a wonderful time tonight with you. Do you think you would want to do it again?"

She could not form any words and just nodded her head. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "I will see you on Monday in school," he said as he walked in the door.

Lizzie walked back to the car in a teenage crush daze. Suzanne recognized the look immediately and smiled at Benjamin. Benjamin was not as impressed and started the car and headed towards the farm.

Lizzie and Izzy stayed up for a while longer dissecting every minute of Lizzie's date. Occasionally giggling like young girls do.

Suzanne and Benjamin were in their room and would hear them laughing. Benjamin was thinking, this is just beginning and I am not sure how I am going to handle Boys and my Baby Girl. Suzanne was thinking, Lizzie is about to start a wonderful journey.

Finally everyone settled down and went to sleep.