"Admit it, Erica, you like Coney Island," David teased as they entered her house.
"I went for Bianca," She laughed, and Bianca shook her head.
"You had just as much fun as we did."
They'd taken the first flight into New York that morning, and had just returned on the last one back.
It was the first time the three of them had gone anywhere outside of Pine Valley together. They all knew what a big step it was, and had done everything in their power to ensure nothing interrupted their day.
David had taken them to Coney Island, much to Erica's displeasure. She lamented the entire taxi ride that she'd already been once, and that once was enough for a lifetime. David took it in stride, knowing her well enough to know she'd end up having a ball once they got there. Bianca was amused by the entire thing, enjoying the lightness to the day.
They rode the Cyclone and ate hotdogs. David won them each a stuffed bear from one of the carnival games. They'd even taken photos in an instant photo booth.
They had lunch at a restaurant overlooking Central Park, and went shopping after. Erica joked how they would likely owe David for a long for having to tag along while they shopped, but he took it in stride and offered to take them again next weekend.
Dinner was pizza at a local place near the airport. It was the perfect end to the best day any of them had, had in a very long time.
"Hardly," She laughed, still holding the bear David had won for her. "Shopping was fun."
"Isn't it always?" David asked through a playful smile. "I'm always willing to take you both, but next time I'll come pick you up when you're done."
"I've been on all day shopping trips with Mom," Bianca laughed, "You got lucky we only took three hours."
David nodded, he was lucky and he was never going to forget how lucky he is. "What do you ladies say to a movie before we call it a night?"
It was still early, just after eight and he wasn't in a hurry to let either of them go. Even if it was just for the night.
"Can I choose?" Bianca asked, watching Erica shake her head.
"I won't sit through a horror movie."
David laughed, "I'll protect you."
She shook her head. "I don't want anything with blood and gore either."
"What kind of a movie do you think I'm going to pick?" Bianca laughed. "Though I do have something fun in mind."
"I know that look," Erica mused, watching Bianca's smile widen, "and I don't think I like it."
"Oh anything that makes your mother this nervous is worth seeing." He was ducking the pillow Erica tossed a few seconds later.
"I'll go make the popcorn." Bianca started for the kitchen, "Meet in the den in ten minutes."
"I haven't seen her this happy in a long time," Erica mused, eyes shining up at David as he moved toward her. "This was a lovely day."
"Good, I'm glad she enjoyed it. I could have done without the shopping, but the rest of the day was prefect."
"I don't want you to go," She offered, her smile fading.
David offered her a confused eyebrow. "I thought we're going to watch a movie?"
"I mean after that. I miss you."
His lips tilted into his brightest smile, and he reached out to pull her close. "Let me stay tonight." Bianca had been home for almost two weeks and he'd spent every night at the Valley Inn. He understood her desire to keep their relationship in the background while Bianca was visiting, that didn't make things any easier. Or make him miss her any less.
She opened her mouth to tell him no, that it wasn't appropriate, but the words didn't seem to come.
"Bianca used to come and stay with you Dimitri and you weren't married then, and she was just a little girl."
He had a point. And she did miss him. She would never tell him that she wasn't sleeping well without him. "I don't want her to think that she's not my number one priority while she's here."
"We just spent all day together. How does my staying here tonight make her any less your priority? If anything, I think it shows her how serious we are, and that we are committed to giving her a happy home to come visit."
She shook her head and offered him a playful smile. "You make a very strong argument."
"Of course I do. Besides, you miss me? Probably aren't sleeping well all alone, are you?"
"I'm sleeping just fine…" She tried to protest, but he nodded back at her, as he leaned in to steal her lips.
Bianca cleared her throat from behind them.
They pulled apart quickly, and David spun to face her. David flashed her an amused grin and Erica's cheek pinked a little.
"I'm going to have to work on my timing," She teased, shaking the bowl of popcorn at them. "And just so you know, I'm cool with David staying." She was laughing as she headed for the den.
It was nice of them to do this for her; keep their relationship as a secondary priority, but it was needed. She liked having David around, and the liked who her mother was when David was around. She would do anything in her power to make sure that this lasted, that they actually made it down the aisle.
To be continued