Hey guys, thank you for reading this story. I never know what to put in these things; sometimes I don't want to put anything here but I have fallen into the habit of doing it. #sorryforthewaffle. Much love RSD xoxoxoxoxo.

The next day I went to university for a couple of hours to start completing my early release; as I was doing this Ben was in my flat working. I did warn Ben before I left in the morning that I did have a shift at work tonight as well but he said that was fine as he would spend time with Sam. So after a long day I walked into the flat and I noticed that there was low lighting and music on.

"Erm...hello" I said nervously.

"Hello" I heard Ben say. I turned around and noticed that Ben was stood in the kitchen with candles on the dining room table and a meal in front of him.

"What is all this?" I asked as I threw my bag onto the couch.

"Well I thought that it was time we started to get to know each other again" he said.

"Ok, so is this like a date?" I asked nervously.

"Yes" he said as he stepped towards me.

"Ben I look a mess" I stated as he stood in front of me.

"No you don't" he stated as he looked down at me.

"You look beautiful. You always do" he purred as he stared into my eyes.

"Oh Ben" I said as I got lost in his eyes. My face gravitated towards his and I sighed as my lips met his for a brief kiss; as I pulled away I felt my stomach flutter and I smiled to myself. I then looked away and looked at the meal and pulled one brow up - since when could Ben cook?

"Erm Ben" I said as I looked up at him.

"Yeah" he replied.

"I didn't know that you could cook" I noted.

"Well I couldn't last time we were together" he advised.

"Right" I answered slowly.

"And you can now?" I probed.

"Yeah" he repeated.

"I've had a lot of free time in the last year" he advised sadly.

"Oh" I said and I started to smile at him.

"My boyfriend is a cutie and a gourmet chef" I flirted as I brushed my nose against his. Ben smiled at me and I felt his hands start to stroke the bottom of my back.

"I wouldn't go that far" he laughed.

"Ben you've made me a meal, that's amazing" I stated.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"You don't sound so confident" I noted.

"I guess I'm just trying to impress you" he said nervously.

"Consider me impressed" I said as I pulled him into a hug.

"Really?" he asked over my shoulder.

"Yeah" I said as I pulled away. I then looked at the table and smiled at the scene that was before me.

"So what are we having?" I said as I looked back at him.

"Spaghetti bolognaise" he stated proudly.

"So your signature dish just happens to be my favourite?" I teased.

"Erm" he said nervously.

"Someone was preparing themselves weren't we?" I laughed.

"Erm" he repeated.

"Ben come here" I said as I pulled his face closer to mine. I quickly kissed his lips; Ben seemed nervous; in all honesty I was as well but Ben was showing his nerves more than me. I knew that both of us wanted to make sure that neither of us put our foot in it and ruined it; I also knew that this was going to take some time but I knew that we would get there. Neither of us wanted to lose each other and nothing or no one was going to split us up this time.

"What's that for?" Ben asked as he pulled away.

"For being you" I said as a smile started to spread across my face.

"I see" he said happily.

"Yeah" I replied.

"Come on then" I said stepping out of his arms.

"Let's try and not have an awkward first date" I added as I slid my hand into his.

"Well we can try" Ben laughed as he guided me to the table so we could start to eat our meal.

"Mal" I heard Ben say into my hair. Me and Ben were now snuggling on my couch still in the candlelight with low music playing in the background.

"Yeah" I said as I looked up at him.

"I just wondered how much has changed since we last saw each other, because not a lot seems to have changed" he noted as he cupped the right hand side of my face.

"Well I guess not much has really changed with me I just don't want to rush things" I admitted.

"Same" he agreed.

"However" he stated.

"However?" I asked as I pulled one brow up.

"Things seem to be rushing aren't they?" he said nervously.

"Yeah" I admitted.

"Are you happy with that?" he questioned.

"Yeah" I said with a smile.

"Are you?" I asked as I started to think that there must be something on his mind to prompt this conversation.

"Yeah" he said nervously.

"You don't sound too confident. If you want to slow things down we can" I suggested.

"No it's ok. I'm just scared" he admitted after a few seconds of silence.

"Of?" I asked.

"Ruining things" he admitted as I felt his hand start to fidget on my side.

"I don't want to lose you again" he admitted sadly as he started to get lost in my eyes.

"Ben calm down" I said as I cupped his face in both of my hands.

"I'm not going anywhere" I said trying to reassure him.

"I love you" I said proudly and clearly.

"I only want to be with you" I said with conviction.

"Oh Mal" he breathed.

"Come here" he muttered.

"Wha?" I managed to get out before Ben's lips captured mine as we both fell into a heated make out session that ended in me and Ben unwillingly breaking apart to go to my room. There was no way that I was going to let Sam catch me and Ben asleep on the couch because there was also no way that he would let me live that down and neither would Evie when she found out.

I spent the next couple of days with Ben in between work and university; it was now Friday morning and me, Ben and Sam were now waiting in arrivals for Evie to arrive.

"The plane hasn't been delayed, I wonder where she is" Sam noted as he looked at the boards again.

"It will be due to the fact that Evie has brought thousands and thousands of bags" I laughed.

"Probably" Ben laughed. We stood in silence for a few minutes more before we all heard a familiar scream. We all turned around and saw an excited Evie start to quickly walk towards us dragging her suitcases behind her. People around us watched as Evie walked up to us before they returned to doing what they were before Evie's loud scream filled the busy airport.

"Come here" Sam said happily as he quickly pulled Evie into a hug.

"Hello" I heard Evie say to Sam as she pulled away.

"As you can tell Sam has been practically bursting with excitement to see you" I teased as she stepped towards me and I let go of Ben's hand to give her a hug.

"I've been the same" she admitted as she pulled away.

"Ever since you've asked me I've practically been bouncing off the walls" she said as she quickly hugged Ben.

"Well let's get you home; Sam is desperate to take you on a shopping trip tomorrow" I teased as Sam took one of Evie's suitcases from her as Ben took the other and we started to walk away.

"Ha ha!" he said sarcastically as Evie linked my arm.

"I can't wait" Evie giggled.

"Neither can I" Sam said.

"Happy to have us both here?" Ben teased as he slid his free hand into mine.

"Yes" I admitted as I smiled at him as he led me out of the busy airport.