SPOV
This morning started out fabulous. I awoke once again to the delicious aroma of coffee, and bacon cooking. Bobby is too good to me sometimes. Who am I trying to kid, he's good to me all of the time. And I love him for it. Whoa! What the heck was that?! I need to keep those feelings under wraps for just a bit more. Don't want to scare Bobby away or freak him out by being too clingy and needy.
I slowly made my way to the kitchen, following my nose the entire way. We sat down at the bar and started to make the delicious food disappear at an alarming rate.
It didn't take us long to work our way through the wonderful breakfast Bobby had conjured up and an hour later we were finally on our way for that first date. Bobby wouldn't tell me where we were going but when he turned the truck towards Point Pleasant I got excited.
"So your plan for our date is Point Pleasant? And why so early? I thought we would be doing a normal night time date." I asked.
"Nope. You're special, so you deserve a very special first date. It's going to be an all day event." Bobby grinned mischievously.
"What all do you have planned to take up an entire day?" I laughed.
"A little bit of everything Tiger, rides, games, shopping, and a couple of special surprises for later." He remarked with a hint of teasing in his smooth voice.
"Wow, I can hardly wait!" I exclaimed.
"Well just sit back and relax for a while. It will take us almost an hour to get there." He told me.
I reached over and turned on the radio, to my favorite 80's station of course. Bobby just grinned and winked at me before I turned to look out the window and let him concentrate on his driving. He quickly took on the Rangeman driving zone.
I must have dozed off for a few minutes because I startled when Bobby lightly touched and shook my shoulder. I jerked and opened my eyes to see his gorgeous brown eyes staring back at me. "We're here." He said.
I smiled up at him sleepily. His answering beautiful grin was waking me up fast. I started to feel like a kid again, looking forward to a day full of adventure at the beach. My Bobby knew me so well.
We both climb out of the vehicle and after locking it up tight, we were on our way for some fun in the sun. Bobby took my hand in his and lead me to the boardwalk area. Our first stop was the rides.
First up was the 'Bob-Sled'. It was such a fun ride. It's like a small roller coaster that goes around in a loop with little hills and valleys. They start the ride off slow, then speed up to a really fast tempo. Then after going around like that for a while, they slow it back down before doing it all again in reverse. It was a blast.
Then we passed by something I would never do, or at least I don't think I would. Bungee jumping. Bobby's face lit up like a kid at Christmas, then he started to give me these adorable puppy dog eyes while trying to talk me into trying it.
"Please, it's so much fun. I just know you would love it if you would only get over your fears and give it a shot." He begged.
"Geez, you had to go and use the 'P' word didn't you? You know with me that's emotional blackmail. I can never say 'no' to you guys when you use please. Okay. All right. I'll give it a try."
The goofy grin on Bobby's face quadrupled in size in a second. He took my hand and led me over to the tower. After climbing to the top and telling the operator my weight (really what the heck was that about?); we got geared up with all sorts of straps and strong metal clips. My nerves came back more vicious than ever.
I felt Bobby step up behind me and rest his hand on my lower back. His soothing voice in my ear calmed me down immediately, although I was still just a bit jittery.
"It will be okay sweetheart. These bands are incredibly strong. They can take your weight, as long as you were honest about it. That's why they ask for an honest weight. If you lie about it, even a few pounds off could be disasterous. Splat." He laughed to lighten the mood. "But seriously, do you trust me? I have never steered you wrong before, have I?"
"No, you haven't." I told him. "Okay let's do this." I said, eager now to get under way.
I took a deep breath, prayed to whatever deity was watching, let go of the railing, and plummeted head first toward the ground at break-neck speed; screaming at the top of my lungs the entire way down.
I bounced around for several minutes once I hit the end of my band. Kinetic energy is a bitch! The other attendant waiting at the bottom unhooked me and let me watch as Bobby took his free fall, looking like he was having the time of his life. After two more trips for me, fine so it was three more; we decided to find another ride to do.
What we found next was the bumper cars. One thing a Jersey native knows is how to drive defensively ... and just exactly how whiplash feels. These bumper cars are fun but hell on your neck and back. The good thing was that Bobby promised to give my sore muscles a rub down later. He also promised to keep it platonic. Drat! I know, I know, I'm not ready for that yet.
"I think I need to give my poor back a rest for a little bit. We can go for more rides later on though." I suggested.
"Whatever you want Tiger, this is your day. So what do you want to do now?" He asked.
It just so happened that we were passing by a quaint little gift shop at the time. I looked into the window, a cute pair of heeled sandals catching my attention. "How about some retail therapy?" He added.
"Now you're talking my language. Shopping is a great idea." I commented.
We strolled through several shops along the boardwalk. I walked away with bags upon bags of stuff, most of which Bobby insisted on treating me to, starting with the cute sandals that first caught my attention in that first shop. We took the bags back to the truck and locked it back up tight. While I was dropping the last couple of bags in the rear cargo hold I noticed Bobby was furiously texting.
"What was that about? Who were you texting?" I asked.
"You'll find out soon. It's a surprise." He taunted back with a tender smile.
It was well after lunch time by now and the beast that resides in my stomach made it's presence known with a ferocious growl. "Just in time too." He muttered under his breath. I wonder what that was about? Must be about his so-called surprise, so I let it slide.
BPOV
I know it was killing Steph not to know who I was texting and why, but I love to surprise her and this will do just that.
I was texting Santos to make sure everything was set to go for the picnic lunch on the beach I had planned. He informed me that it was all set to go. He had help from Hal, Cal, Woody, Vince, and of course Ella. Everything was in place and ready to go.
I took Steph's hand in mine and we walked back towards the boardwalk, past the shops and rides and to the beach itself. I can hardly wait to see her face when we get there.
"Are you ready for your surprise?" I asked with a bit of trepidation present in my tone.
"Maybe we should listen to my stomach and ..." She drifts off mid-sentence as we come up on the site I had chosen. Set up there was a cozy blanket spread with food (still safe in the basket), a bottle of wine that was chilling in a bucket of ice, plates, cutlery, and glasses; all surrounded by potted flowers except for the one red rose that was lying on one of the plates.
Steph was just standing there speechless with shock evident on her lovely face. "Well?" I said anxiously. "Do you like your surprise?"
She turned to me with the shine of tears glinting in her blue eyes. "It's beautiful. I don't know what else to say but thank-you." She smiled shyly. "That and let's eat!" She added with a giggle trying to assure me with humor that she would be okay.
I smiled as I took her hand to help her to sit down before I sat down myself and started to unpack the food from the basket. Ella had furnished us with roast beef sandwiches, pasta salad, bite sized veggies with ranch dip for Steph, and mixed fruit for dessert. I filled up a plate for her and gave it to her, doing the same for myself after. Then I uncorked the wine and poured us each a glass. "To us." I toasted. "And the beginning of something special." I added as we clinked our glasses together.
Lunch was light and the time passed by in a blur of good conversation, learning a little more about each other along the way. I loosened my tongue and told her of my family and some of my past, the parts that were not classified. She in return told me stories of her childhood, what she dreamed of being, and her desires for the future.
When most of the food and wine was gone and we were both satisfied or at least her beast was caged temporarily, we talked a bit more and enjoyed the soft breeze and ocean side ambience. But we couldn't stay her for too long. I had more plans for the rest of the day.
"Now that the beast is tamed for the moment, what else would you like to do?" I inquired of her.
"How about some arcade games?" She suggested.
"Sounds fun." I said as I stood. I held out my hand to assist her to her feet. "Let's get going."
"But what about the rest of the food and everything? Are we just going to leave it here?" She cries with alarm.
"No." I chuckled. "I already arranged with Les and the guys to do clean up. They'll take care of it." I commented. "Now come on, time's a wasting!"
She laughed and took my hand in hers dragging me in the direction of the arcade.
SPOV
Another favorite past time of mine at the beach is the arcade games. I love all the noise and lights and the thrill of pressing your luck. First was one of my all time favorites, Skee-ball, two games which Bobby of course kicked my butt. Is there anything that these guys can't do well?
Then we played the pinball machines and a couple of video games. Rounding off our arcade time with the claw machine. I always thought those things were rigged; the prizes too big and heavy looking for those skimpy looking metal claws. But Bobby once again proved me wrong in my assumptions by winning me the cutest black and white striped tiger. Fitting don't ya think, since he calls me 'Tiger' all the time lately.
I squeezed my newest fluffy little friend closer to my chest as we exited the arcade area. I looked to Bobby and asked him.
"Where to next Doctor Brown?"
He chuckled lightly before responding. "How about a few more rides? By then it will be dinner time."
"Sure. But first let's drop 'Rajah' here off at the car first. I don't want anything to happen to him." I explained to him.
"As you wish." He replied gently.
We made our way to the boardwalk rides again after dropping my stuffed friend off and leaving him safely tucked away in the SUV.
A/N: Sorry folks I had to stop here, this chapter was over 5,000 words so I decided to split it up into two. You'll get more of their first date and a little bit of a surpise next time. Please contiune to tell me what you think by way of reviews and such. Thank-you as always for your support. (Jackie)