'Come on Willemijn, you can do this!' They were standing backstage about to go on stage in their regular jazz bar. He was trying to convince her that she so could do this. Her voice was like the chirping of a nightingale but she was so nervous.
'There's no need to be nervous, Miss Verkaik. The rehearsal all went so amazingly well, why get nervous now?' He asked her. She was peeking through the curtains looking out at the audience. All week there had been advertisements about this performance and everyone was excited and curious. No one had ever seen him perform with anyone else than his usual pianist.
'But Bart, there are so many people out there! It's too crowded.' She exclaimed and turned away from the curtain about to walk away.
He grabbed her by her elbow and held her into his embrace. 'It's gonna be fine Mijntje, just focus on me and the music okay? Like we did at my place and in the rehearsals. No need to be scared.' He kissed her on her forehead and she lend into his embrace. 'And besides you look positively emerald in that dress of yours!' She was wearing a dress of the latest fashion. Sweetheart neckline, form hugging waistline and a floating skirt from down the waist. It was dark green and went so beautifully with her ginger red hair which was held back at the top with a matching clip. On her feet shined midnight black heels.
She sighed, 'Okay let's do this.'
He let go of her, winked and went through the curtains to announce her.
'Ladies and Gentlemen, as you all know we have a very special guest tonight. Please give her a warm welcome.. and not only because she's my girlfriend.' Laughing could be heard from the audience. She started to calm down a little by the sound of their laughter. It was going to be okay, totally fine.
He continued, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, Willemijn Verkaik!'
The curtain opened and a spotlight was placed on her. Even though it wasn't such a big bar they had their ways. The pianist started playing. The audiences was going wild when she took place behind the microphone.
This song meant so much to her and when it was her cue to start singing she made up her own world. The bar became her fantasy and her dreams were coming true. When he played his sax solo it felt like magic had found its way into the bar.
When the song was finished the audience first went really quiet before they went wild once again. Their applause was overwhelming. She couldn't believe her eyes and ears, for that matter.
Only a week ago this was all she had ever dreamed of and now it was coming true. He kissed her on her forehead once again and she thanked the audience.
'This next song Bart and me wrote just this week..' They looked at each other and started their song.

A few hours later...

'Can you believe we actually did that?' She asked him after they had finished their set list. They were sat at the bar having a few drinks to celebrate the success of their first performance together.
'I believed in you from the beginning Miss Verkaik.' He told her and gave her a peck on the cheek.
She giggled, gulped down the rest of her drink and burped afterwards. 'Whoopsie, that wasn't very ladylike.'
'Absolutely not honey, I think you have had enough and I think it is time I bring you home.' He paid for their drinks like a real gentlemen and held out her coat. It had started to snow in the past few hours which made it look like a fairy tale outside but also really cold. He dragged her out of the bar and put his arm around her shoulder. They walked like that for a while by the riverside.

Slowly she started to give into the tipsy feeling she had. It felt like she was floating on air but it made her feel warm as well and it felt magical. She still couldn't believe everything that had happened tonight. She laid down her head on his shoulder and stared out across the river.
'Remember the first time we walked here?' She said but because she was slightly tipsy it sounded a little odd, 'Rwmembr tha ferst tiem we welked hir?'
Nevertheless he was able to figure out what she was saying. 'Yes I do, and I also recall a certain kiss.' She giggled but sobered a little by instant.
'Oh do you now?' She asked a bit more sober already.
'Yes I do Miss Verkaik.' He teased her and pulled her closer.
She stopped and looked at him, 'Why the Miss Verkaik all the time? You asked me to call you "Just Bart" so why not call me just Willemijn?' She stood in front of him, hands on her hips like a stubborn child.
'You know you're adorable when you do that.' He said and laughed.
'Pffttt.' She said and pouted.
He took her bottom lip between his thump and index finger, 'No need to pout Willemijn, I'm just teasing you.'
'Nfot tfunne!' She tried to say but because he was still holding her bottom lip it came out funnier than meant.
He laughed, let go of her lip and kissed her. A breathtaking, slow burning, sweet kiss. Which left them both breathless afterwards but into each other's arms. A beautiful couple. She in her green dress with a long black coat and he in his suit, bow tie hanging loosely around his neck.
He put his arm around her shoulder again and they made their way over to her apartment.
When they reached her front door he kissed her goodnight and was about to leave when she called him back.
'Bart?' She said in doubt.
'Yes Willemijn?' He asked her in response. He knew what she was going to ask but it had to come from her lips or otherwise he would not do it.
'Would you.. I mean if it is not too much of a burden.. Maybe you could..' She trailed off, unsure of how to form her question. All this time he waited patiently only a few steps away from her.
'Would you like to stay here for the night?' She said eventually, 'Not with me in the bed of course, how inappropriate that would be, oh my! But on the couch maybe?' She was staring at her feet trying to avoid his look.
He closed the distance between them and made sure they were on same eye level before he took her chin into his hand and made her look up. 'That would be nice Willemijn and of course I will sleep on your couch if you feel better by that.' He said kindly.
'You don't mind?' She asked surprised.
'Of course not! Every single moment that I can spend in your heart warming presence I will take even if I have to sleep on the floor!' He smiled and she could not believe her ears. She kissed him and then they went inside.

Their first night together. Although nothing happened. It was the first time they actually felt like they might be in love.