Laura sent Robbie down to wait for her in the bar while she dressed before dinner. He looked bemused when she suggested it, as she leant agains the bathroom doorframe, her silk dressing gown wrapped around her. "Seriously?" he asked, fiddling with his tie and Laura came over, stilling his hands and adjusting the knot of his tie to her satisfaction. Robbie allowed his hands to rest idly on her hips and he smiled broadly as she tiptoed up to press a soft kiss against his cheek. "How often do we actually get to go on a proper date?" Laura reminded him "you're all suited and booted. Give me a few minutes and I'll see you in the bar?" Robbie sighed dramatically and Laura stifled a giggle. "Poor put upon man," she chided gently and Robbie kissed her cheek before heading for the door. "Alright," he said "shall I get you a GT?" Laura smiled and nodded. "Lovely, thanks," she replied and he headed off down to the bar. As the door shut behind her, Laura turned to her make up bag and proceeded to apply a little make up. A little concealer, some highlighter dabbed along her cheekbone, and some eyeliner, along with some mascara. Essential for a natural blonde, she mused. And then she turned to her frock. She'd known what she would wear, almost as soon as Robbie had suggested this weekend away and she'd been saving this dress for a special occasion. It was a black velvet devoree dress, with a silk underdress and it fitted her figure nicely. The shift dress skimmed Laura's curves, the underdress hinting at a little cleavage, and the skirt finishing just above her knees. She hadn't mentioned her black stockings to Robbie. He could enjoy discovering that for himself later. And the advantage of being petite meant she could wear decent heels and still be shorter than Robbie. She loved tiptoeing up to kiss him, entwining her arms around his neck and tugging him down to kiss her. Laura considered her reflection in the mirror, and ran her hand through her hair one last time before picking up the room key and heading down to the bar.
As Laura walked through the door into the bar, Robbie eyed her approvingly. She smiled at him demurely, and he slid his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. "Hello you," she murmured and Robbie smiled at her. "You look beautiful, Laura," he told her quietly and Laura smiled again. "Thank you," she said, and he slid her GT across the table to her as she settled herself next to him. She lifted her glass and chinked her glass against his genially. "Happy anniversary, my love," Robbie murmured "and happy birthday." Laura smiled happily, her eyes twinkling. "Happy anniversary," she replied softly and they smiled at each other. The Maitre D' appeared at Robbie's shoulder and Laura glanced up. "Mr and Mrs Lewis? Your table is ready," he said primly and Laura and Robbie exchanged a glance. As Robbie opened his mouth to correct him, Laura placed her hand on his wrist in a placatory way. "Thank you," she said, not in the mood to correct the man, who was simply trying to be polite. As Robbie stood behind Laura for a moment, his hand came to rest on the curve of her waist and she turned and flashed him a smile. After they'd been seated in the dining room and given their menus, Laura allowed her hand to rest on the table, and Robbie rested his hand over hers. "Since when did you tolerate being mistaken for my wife?" he enquired jovially and Laura stifled a smile. "I'm choosing to pick my battles," she replied, still scanning the menu and he squeezed her fingers. "He was just trying to be polite. Yes, he made an assumption, but really, was it worth being churlish about it?" Laura continued and Robbie suppressed a smile. "I assumed you'd be more annoyed about being called Mrs, rather than Dr.," he replied and Laura snorted softly. "Were I married, I'd have no problem with being called Mrs," Laura said and Robbie looked intrigued. "There I was, making assumptions," he remarked "had you down as a signed up member of the Fawcett Society." Laura set her menu down, and looked at him. "Well," she began thoughtfully "I *am* a signed up member of the Fawcett Society, but the thing about feminism is it's rooted in the basis of choice. I can choose to do or say or be whatever I want. Changing my name or not, were I to marry, doesn't make me more or less of a feminist. It's having the freedom to make that choice." Robbie took a sip of his pint and then set it down on the table, before arching an eyebrow at her.
Laura glanced over the menu in a resigned fashion. Whilst the idea of being married appealed far more than it ever had before, she wasn't quite sure why she'd not objected more to the Maitre D's assumptions. She supposed it was mostly because there were plenty worse things than being mistaken for Robbie's wife, at least to her mind. She was more irked by the loss of "Doctor" than the addition of Lewis, though she mused, that would never be an option professionally. She'd published far too much for that to work. And anyway, she mused, it might be their anniversary but she wasn't sure that this was quite the conversation Robbie had intended over dinner. In the meantime, she supposed that she ought to choose what she wanted to eat. Robbie's thoughts too had drifted away from the menu, and he was quietly enjoying the freedom to hold Laura's hand in public without the risk of someone wandering past, making comments or casting aspersions. Being with Laura made him feel light again and he cherished the time he got to spend with her like this. The last year had been wonderful and he was so content, getting to know Laura more, spending time with her, enjoying her company, her good natured teasing. She made him smile, knew how to soothe the worst of days, how to ease the tension from him and he loved her for it. Laura squeezed his fingers and he glanced at her. The expression in his eyes made Laura smile broadly. "Ready?" she enquired as the waiter appeared, and he nodded. "Aye," he said. They ordered their food and then Robbie took Laura's hands into his. "A year, eh?" Laura said and Robbie smiled broadly. "Have we actually agreed a date?" he wondered aloud and Laura giggled. "Nope," she retorted jovially, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "Are we counting that weekend in Dorset?" Robbie continued and Laura smiled fondly. This was a particular source of teasing between them and she enjoyed the lightness of the banter it inevitably lead to. "Oh, I think we both knew by the end of that weekend that we were in this for the long haul," Laura remarked steadily and Robbie nodded, holding her gaze, and they smiled at each other. Robbie rubbed his thumb over Laura's knuckles and she sighed happily.
"So, any exciting plans for your birthday?" Robbie enquired and Laura shrugged easily. "Hoping for a quiet evening in," she replied "Mim's booked some kind of enforced relaxation on the Saturday, which I fully intend to indulge in. Something about a spa and a massage." Robbie wrinkled his nose slightly, making Laura smile. "You don't have to come," she reminded him and he grinned at her. "Though I seem to recall you don't object to the odd evening in a hot tub when the mood takes you," Laura said teasingly and Robbie laughed. "Aye, well," he replied knowingly and she squeezed his hand, her eyes twinkling. "If you fancied a glass of wine and some takeaway," Laura proposed "then I'm sure we can come to a mutually convenient arrangement." Robbie nodded. "That'd be nice, in the run up to Christmas and all," he said. "I'm on call until the 23rd and from the 27th onwards," Laura continued "but I have Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day off. What about you?" Robbie squeezed her hand. "I'll take a day or two, but I'll save the leave I can for when the baby arrives," he replied and Laura nodded. "Not long now," she said warmly "Lynne'll like that, I think," Robbie replied "so I'll probably work whatever shift I need for Christmas Eve and then be off until Boxing Day." Laura considered this quietly and wondered what to make of it. She couldn't actually remember when she'd last spent Christmas with someone who wasn't family. She always spent it with Sam and Mim and the girls, and she wasn't sure how, or indeed, if to reconcile Robbie into all of that. But she also found the idea of him being on his own on Christmas Day verging on painful. She'd need to actually work this out another time, she realised and she squeezed Robbie's hand in return. "We'll work it out, Laur," Robbie reminded her and she smiled. He always seemed to know when something was preying on her mind.
The waiter reappeared at their side with a small dish of olives and Laura took the opportunity to order some wine to go with their meal. After the waiter had brought the bottle to the table, and Laura had tasted it, Robbie took her hands back into his. Since he and Laura had started seeing each other, it had become increasingly important to him to be able to do this, to show her how he felt, to be demonstrably with her when they were together. They might keep their burgeoning relationship discrete in Oxford but he enjoyed evenings like this very much. He was very proud to have Laura on his arm, to know she loved him and tonight she looked particularly beautiful. They chatted easily as they waited for their food, reviewing the staff party the night before and various indiscretions from previous incarnations of the station Christmas do over the years. There were so many stories to be told, and Laura quite enjoyed this moment of reminiscence. Their food arrived, and they tucked in gleefully. Both Laura and Robbie liked their food, though their busy lives prevented any extensive cookery for the most part. Laura would seize and opportunity to cook up a feast when she could, whereas Robbie's interest in food usually only extended to eating it. Robbie could pull together a simple meal, but generally his confidence in the kitchen deserted him, and over the last year he would generally defer to Laura's expertise. And as he'd grown closer to Laura, spent increasing amounts of time in her company, he'd learnt the extent to which Laura marked her life in meals. Her stash of mismatched cookbooks in her kitchen was certainly testament to this, and he'd enjoyed many a meal with her, both at home and out.
"Do you want to try some?" Laura enquired, and Robbie grinned before he nodded. "Ta," he said, forking a portion of Laura's starter before gesturing that she should do the same if she liked. "Mmm, that's very tasty," he said and Laura's eyes twinkled. "That salmon is beautiful," she said, gesturing at his plate and he nodded. "Yes, very nice," he replied, scooping the last of it onto a piece of bread and handing it to her. "Thank you," she said demurely, as Robbie set down his cutlery and then touched his fingertips to hers. Laura smiled at him and they considered each other happily. Laura wondered why it was that she suddenly felt so ridiculously happy. Because she did. She tucked her fringe behind her ear slightly self-consciously, and Robbie flashed her a grin. The waiter appeared and began to clear their plates away, before returning with two tiny dishes of sorbet as a palate cleanser. Laura delicately spooned the sorbet into her mouth and a smile curved across Robbie's lips. "What?" Laura murmured and his smile broadened. "Nothin' pet," he replied happily and they smiled at each other. The rest of their meal passed without incident, and at length, they remained at their table, fingers lazily entwined, gazing at each other in the candlelight. "I'm just going to powder my nose," Laura said decisively, and Robbie nodded. As she passed him, Laura squeezed his shoulder lovingly and Robbie squeezed her fingers before she withdrew them and made her way out of the room. Robbie picked up his wine glass and swirled the dregs of his glass contentedly. This was proving a very relaxing way to spend an evening. Good food. Delightful company. He'd enjoyed their walk earlier. It was always satisfying getting a decent stroll into the countryside, and he knew he was much fitter now than he had been before he and Laura had started seeing each other. Plenty of walks in the countryside, beside the obvious increase in other physical activity. The sex was great, really great, but what Robbie realised he had missed the most in the years since Val's death was the intimacy which came about with being with someone. It was the gentle squeezing of a shoulder, holding hands, resting his hands on the curve of Laura's waist, affectionate kisses on the cheek, cuddling up on the sofa of an evening, waking up with his arm looped over her stomach, his nose pressed against the back of her neck. All of this and more. He hadn't realised how much he'd craved a loving touch until he was forced to go without it for so long. Robbie smiled as he felt Laura's fingertips caress the back of his neck as she returned to the table, and they smiled at each other as she sat down again. She arched an eyebrow at him, clearly amused by something and he considered her for a moment or two. "All well?" he enquired and Laura shrugged easily, before picking up her wine glass and taking a sip.
"Coffee?" Robbie asked and Laura considered this for a moment or two. "Mmm. No, I won't sleep if I do," she replied thoughtfully. "Promises, promises," Robbie replied and Laura grinned. "Night cap?" she enquired, turning slightly so that she could consider the bar. "Alright," Robbie replied, considering his options and Laura smiled. "There's some sloe gin," she mused "or we can always fall back on some brandy." Robbie frowned. "I'd rather have armagnac, I think," he said and Laura considered this for a moment before she shrugged easily. The waiter appeared a few moments later and they ordered their drinks before retiring to the bar. As they made their way through, Robbie kept his hand in the small of Laura's back and she looked up at him, as though perplexed. "You're awfully possessive tonight, Inspector," Laura observed and Robbie snorted softly as though amused. Laura headed for a sofa near to the fire and settled down on the seat, smiling as Robbie sat down next to her and then drew her close. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her temple. Laura interlinked their fingers and rested their entwined hands on her thigh, settling back against him. Robbie stroked his fingers over her thigh and then stilled suddenly. "Dr. Hobson," he murmured against her cheek and Laura smiled broadly. "Hmm," she replied, turning her head so that he could see her profile. He traced his fingers over the top of her thigh and Laura's smile widened. "I told you that you looked beautiful and you absolutely do," Robbie said, his breath warm against her ear "but I hadn't quite banked on you dressing up to this extent…" Laura picked up her wine glass and took a sip, oh so casually. "No?" she replied lightly, as Robbie's fingers traced the top of her stocking through the fabric of her dress. "No," he replied and Laura quirked an eyebrow, feigning disinterest.
"Ah, thanks," Laura said, sitting up slightly as the barman brought them their drinks, setting the glasses down on the table in front of them. Robbie barely moved, keeping Laura tucked into his arm, before he reached for his glass, taking a sip of it and then another. He slid his arm around her waist possessively and Laura smiled to herself. "Good armagnac?" she enquired and Robbie snorted in a derisory fashion. "Oh, my love, my attention is decidedly elsewhere…" he replied and Laura laughed. "May I?" she enquired, gesturing at his glass and he nodded, pressing another kiss against her head. Laura swirled the spirit in the glass and she smiled as she felt Robbie's breath close to her ear. "Easy, boy," she murmured before taking a sip of the armagnac. "Mmm, yes, that's very nice," she observed and Robbie huffed a little as she set the glass down and then picked her own back up again. "You delight in torturing me," Robbie complained and Laura sat up and looked at him. "I am doing no such thing," she retorted, and he laid his hand flat on her thigh. "Can't a girl finish her gin?" Laura enquired, looking at Robbie from under her lashes and he picked up his glass and downed his drink before setting the glass down on the table. "More speed, Hobson," he suggested, fixing her with a knowing look and Laura sipped her drink, maintaining her gaze on him. At length, Laura finished the last of her gin, and she considered her partner. His expression might be neutral but Laura detected a certain degree of lust in the gaze he had fixed on her. "Call it a night?" she enquired lightly and Robbie made a small noise of exasperation. "That's a yes then," Laura murmured and she stood up and held out her hand to Robbie. He laced his fingers firmly into hers, and they made their way up to their bedroom.
Laura had barely allowed the door to close before Robbie had her backed up against it, kissing her with something akin to desperation. He trailed kisses down her jaw and down to her collarbone, whilst bringing his hand to her thigh, rucking her dress up as he cupped her bottom. Laura brought her hand to Robbie's cheek as they kissed, sneaking the other around his waist and deftly untucking his shirt under his jacket and she smiled against his kiss as her fingertips reached his skin. Robbie groaned against her mouth as he felt her hands on him and he spun her round, cradling her within his arms as they continued to kiss. Over his shoulder, Laura's gaze fell momentarily onto the window and she withdrew for a second. "Let me close the curtains," she murmured and he chuckled. "Aye," he replied and Laura walked over and drew the curtains. She kicked off her heels, and returned to Robbie, pressing herself against him in pursuit of a kiss. Robbie had shed his jacket, and Laura continued to untuck his shirt before unbuttoning it and sliding her hands around his waist. In turn, as they kissed, Robbie eased Laura's dress up until it was rucked up around her waist, before Laura took pity on him and eased her dress up so that she was stood before him in her underwear and stockings. Robbie eyed her appreciatively as he discarded his shirt and Laura drew him closer, unbuckling his belt and undoing his trousers before allowing them to drop to the ground and Robbie kicked them away. He sat down on the edge of the bed, removing his shoes, socks and boxers before drawing Laura back into his embrace. Laura linked her arms around his neck and he gazed at her. "Laura, you're so utterly beautiful," he told her and she smiled shyly. "You're not so bad yourself," Laura murmured and he slid his hands around her waist, linking them in the small of her back. They kissed leisurely, closely entwined, until at length, Robbie's attention was diverted and he trailed hot kisses over Laura's collarbone, down to her dècolletage. Laura sighed happily as he feathered kisses over her chest and he eased the strap of her bra down, hungrily nuzzling at her breast as he undid her bra, easing it away before discarding it to one side, then sliding his hand under her knickers and easing them down. Robbie ran his tongue around the nipple and Laura murmured under her breath. Robbie drew his hand from her waist to her hip, before delving between her legs, stroking his fingers into the whorl of hair and probing gently. Laura whimpered as he touched her, closing her eyes in pleasure and biting her lip. "Robbie," she murmured "please." Robbie grinned, pressing kisses up across her skin and nuzzling under her jaw. "Tell me what you want," he coaxed, and Laura sighed happily. "You, inside me, I don't care how," she gasped and Robbie grinned. He pressed another series of kisses under her ear and Laura arched her neck into the sensation before she brought her hand to his groin, stroking him until he mumbled something against her neck. Robbie settled back against the pillows, drawing Laura into his lap and she knelt over him, positioning his length so that she could slide down onto him and they both groaned as she did so. Robbie threw his head back and Laura kissed his neck. "Laura," he muttered and she nipped at his ear. "Yes?" she replied and Robbie ran his hands over her waist appreciatively before running his hands down over the tops of her stockings. "Can I make one change?" he murmured and she grinned, suspecting she knew exactly what he wanted. "You want me to turn around?" Laura queried as he caressed her thighs and he met her gaze hopefully. "God, yes," he replied and Laura smiled. She moved herself, and he held himself so that she could take him within her again. Robbie hissed in pleasure as she enveloped him and then repeated the movement slowly as Robbie shifted himself up more to allow him to hold her close against him. Pressing a kiss between her shoulder blades, he wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her against him, and he groaned loudly as she moved around him. "Slow down, my love," he urged "we have all the time in the world." And Laura smiled to herself.
"I cannot get enough of your beautiful body," Robbie murmured against her ear and Laura closed her eyes as he trailed his fingertips over her arm. She turned her head so that her cheek was resting against his and Robbie kissed her cheek, transferring his fingertips to trail across her collarbone and then gently working his way down across her body. At length, Laura laid her hands over his as he reached her hipbone and she turned her head so that they could kiss as he touched her intimately. It didn't take long before they were both close to the edge and Laura murmured against his mouth. She could feel sensation fizzing through her and just when she thought she might implode, Robbie shifted his hips, thrusting into her again and she cried out as she toppled over the edge. "Aw, hell, Laura," Robbie muttered and she rolled her hips, clenching him tightly invoking a further thrust from him as he came, hard. He gripped her fingers tightly and Laura smiled against his kiss. "Bloody hell," Robbie said, pressing a kiss to her shoulder blade and she sighed in satisfaction, unwilling to move from the embrace in which he held her. "I'd move," Laura murmured "but I think I may actually have temporarily lost the function." And Robbie chuckled. He nuzzled her shoulder affectionately, and Laura nestled back closer to him. She heaved a small sigh and grudgingly shifted herself from his lap and eased herself under the covers. Robbie followed her, swinging his legs under the covers and then drawing Laura back into his arms and cradling her close. Laura settled her cheek against his chest and he dropped a kiss into her hair. He felt her smile before she yawned. "Happy Anniversary," she murmured and he grinned. "You conceded it might be today?" and Laura chuckled. "No, not at all. But let's be honest, this time last year, I'm pretty confident we were in a not dissimilar position," she replied sleepily. Robbie snorted softly and Laura smiled contentedly. "I do love you, lass," Robbie told her and Laura sighed happily. "Oh sweetheart, I love you too," she murmured.
Later that night, Robbie found himself awake, and musing about where he found himself. He was still pinching himself really. To be here with Laura, to have shared the last year with her was quite remarkable. He was so glad that he'd plucked up the courage last November, to take her into his arms and hold her close, to show her how he felt even if he'd not been quite able to find the words to tell her how he felt about her, how she made him feel. As though she could hear his musings, Laura murmured in her sleep and he gently stroked her shoulder as she settled back to sleep, content to be in his arms. Tonight had been fantastic. Excellent dinner, and a very pleasurable end to the night. He smirked. God, a year and he still couldn't get enough of Laura, up close and personal. He wondered how long this honeymoon period might last. Long may it, frankly. Honeymoon. Robbie smiled to himself. Mmm, yes at some point, he and Laura were going to have to have a conversation about their relationship and what their hopes and aspirations for their future together were. He was minded that they both felt this was serious, that they had longevity. And in some ways it felt so strange to be thinking like this. Because he remembered the moments in the aftermath of Val's death when he wondered if he'd ever wake without a physical ache at her absence. He and Val had married young, still bairns themselves and they'd celebrated their Silver wedding anniversary only a few years before her death. And having been married for so long, with its ups and its downs and its age old, well worn, much cherished imperfections, it had never occurred to Robbie that it wasn't Val with whom he'd grow old. And he'd grieved long and hard for that loss. For the loss of Val, for the loss of their marriage, for the loss of something which rooted him. And he'd grieved for the impact it had had on their children. Their son Patrick had taken himself to the other side of the world, and Robbie missed him sorely. Lynne was a regular correspondent - he heard from her every other day, rarely at length, but little and often. Patrick was less diligent, typical boy, and Robbie had resolved lately to work harder on his relationship with his son. Patrick deserved no less. And Laura quietly supported him. He loved that about her. She was as assertive as hell when she wanted to be. But she was different at home. He'd learnt that about her. She was no less confident, but more quietly. Laura knew who she was, liked who she was. She was sure of herself, but quietly so. And when it came to his kids, she'd turned out to be brilliant. She refused point blank to refer to them as her step-children and she'd been furious when a friend of Lynne's had referred to her in passing as Lynne's stepmother. Lynne had been greatly amused by a furious Laura giving the aforementioned friend short shrift. Robbie had been quite surprised at Laura's fury. "It's insulting," she said angrily, wine glass in hand and he and Lynne had considered her curiously. "How do you mean?" Lynne had enquired and Laura bristled. "I'd never dare to presume such a thing," Laura replied "your relationship with your Mum is so personal, and as if anyone could waltz in, and presume to replace her? It's just rude. Lynne, you know I am tremendously fond of you, and I will always be there for you, but I have no desire ever to be referred to as your stepmother. Your mother deserves much more respect than that, for a start." Lynne had given Laura a very tight hug in response to this, and Robbie had found himself surprisingly emotional. Later that night, he'd taken her into his arms and she'd entwined her arms around his neck gently. "You're an extraordinary woman, Laura Hobson," he'd told her and she'd frowned at first before realising what he meant, and then shrugged. "I meant what I said," she'd replied quietly and he'd kissed her forehead affectionately. "I know pet," he'd said simply. Mind you, Robbie considered, it didn't stop them ribbing her mercilessly about becoming a grandmother vicariously. "Well," Laura had rebuked grumpily, eyebrow arched in displeasure. "I suppose in parts of where you hail from, 42 is *quite* elderly for your first grandchild, much less 56, Robbie" causing much mirth amongst the Lewises.