"You should take Kate out for the evening," suggested Steve's mother later that day when she was alone with her son in the kitchen. The party was winding down and Steve was helping in the big clear up. Mrs Arnott was looking out her kitchen window, watching Kate sat on the lawn with her granddaughter showing her how to make daisy crowns. Brian was keeping watch beside them. "Show her the city," she prompted.
Steve joined his mother in watching Kate and his daughter. Mia was observing Kate avidly as the crown was completed and put on Mia's head. Steve smiled as much as Mia did. The two girls had quickly developed an almost mother-daughter relationship just like he always had hoped his daughter would experience.
Mrs Arnott glanced at her son. She could see with her own eyes how much her son seemed to like the police officer and was pleased someone had caught his eye again. Although she wouldn't tell her son, she was worried about him. He deserved to find someone after Anna and maybe he had found the one. Kate seemed a lovely girl. It was time to play matchmaker and push him a little in the right direction.
"You'd be ok with babysitting Mia?" Steve asked. He was really keen on doing as his mum had suggested after getting the full endorsement from his friends. Kate was a real belter according to them and he'd be mad to let her slip through his fingers.
"Of course, darling," his mother replied. "And Brian too," she added seeing how Mia and Brian were sort of a pair now.
"Daddy look!" said Mia as she ran excitedly in to the kitchen. "Kate made me a crown. Isn't it pretty!".
Steve lifted her up in to his arms to examine her new hair piece as Kate entered the room behind Mia. "It's very nice," Steve said as he kissed her forehead. "I hope you said thank you to Kate," he prompted.
"I did Daddy," Mia replied.
Steve looked to Kate briefly to check his daughter was telling the truth. "She did," Kate confirmed.
"Well done baby," Steve praised Mia. He was trying his hardest to make sure his daughter was well mannered and it looked like they were making progress.
Mia smiled proudly at her father's praise as Steve caught sight of his mum encouraging him to do something about what they had just been talking about. Gathering up his courage he took a chance. "Hey Mia, how would you like an evening with Grandma, Pop and Brian whilst I take Kate out to say thank you for coming down to see us?" he asked his daughter whilst looking at Kate. He knew he was putting her in a difficult position by asking her out via his daughter, but thought it the best way of getting a yes from her. He thought he had detected a bit of mild annoyance from her earlier when she had found out he'd lied to her about Mia requesting her presence at her party.
"Can Brian sleep on my bed with me?" Mia asked her father and grandmother hopefully.
"If it's ok with Kate we'll see," Mrs Arnott replied.
"Yes Daddy take Kate out!" Said Mia happily, clapping her hands together. Grandma and Pop always spoilt her rotten.
Steve looked expectantly at Kate for her answer now that they had Mia's blessing to go out for the evening.
Although she'd been a little mad at him for getting her down to London on false pretences, Kate had forgiven Steve when he'd said he thought she wouldn't accept his invitation if he alone had suggested it. If she was honest with herself he couldn't be further from the truth. She'd found herself accepting just to see the man who she was starting to really like. Her answer to this surprise date was therefore very easy. "I'd like that,".
Steve did as his mother suggested and took Kate in to London for the evening. They went on the bus sitting at the front on the upper deck, Steve pointing out various places of interest to Kate along the way whilst his other arm casually rested along the top of the seat, behind Kate.
Reaching the South Bank of the Thames river, Steve took Kate on the London Eye to see London by night. The vast city stretched out below them in a host of twinkling lights as they travelled the complete circuit. Deciding to enjoy a fairly relaxed evening together they got some fish and chips and sat and ate them whilst entertained by a street artist before taking a walk along the river bank. They chatted freely, realising it was easy to open up to the other. Kate talked about her difficult childhood whilst Steve talked about Anna and how he came to be a single father.
Before they turned back to Steve's parents home, Kate paused to gaze out over the river. The moon was shining brightly and reflecting in the fast flowing water beside them. "You ready to head back?" Steve asked.
"Yeah," Kate replied as they turned to look at each other.
It was quite a romantic moment and Kate thought for a moment that Steve was going to kiss her. But it didn't happen and instead Kate found herself disappointed as they began to retrace their steps.
Steve realised he'd fucked up when he saw the disappointed look flit briefly over Kate's face. He'd wanted to kiss her but his courage had left him right at the worst moment.
"Thanks for a nice night," Kate said as they reached Steve's parent's house again. They would all be staying the night there as the house was bigger than Steve's flat.
The house was in darkness when they entered quietly and the dog bed in the kitchen was empty when they made a brief stop for a glass of water. Mia had obviously persuaded her grandparents to let the dog on her bed. "See you in the morning," Kate said as they said good night on the landing before they went in to their separate bed rooms.
Steve stripped to his boxer briefs before climbing in to bed. He lay there going over the date in his head cursing himself for his cowardice over not taking the chance to kiss Kate when he had been able to. It had spoilt the evening as Kate had been a little quiet and distant on their return journey.
He heard a sound on the landing and realised that it was Kate taking a late night trip to the bathroom. He should apologise and explain what had happened he thought as he too got out of bed and headed to the landing.
The toilet flushed and shortly after Kate was unlocking the bathroom door as quietly as she could. Steve felt his pulse quicken when he caught site of the small pair of shorts and tight top she was wearing to bed, the latter not hiding the fact she wasn't wearing a bra. Maybe this hadn't been such a great idea.
"Sorry, did I wake you?" Kate whispered when she saw Steve waiting for her on the landing. She tried to ignore the fact he was only wearing tight boxer shorts which didn't hide his sizeable 'package'.
"No," replied Steve just as quietly, "I was awake," he continued. "I just wanted to apologise for earlier,".
"Apologise?".
"Yeah," Steve said. "I really wanted to kiss you by the river," he admitted shyly, "but I chickened out,".
Kate smiled to herself. She had been right. "Is that so?".
"I'm just really cautious after Anna," Steve said. "I don't think I could cope with that amount of hurt again, and… well… yeah….I didn't kiss you and now I'm really kicking myself that I didn't,".
"It's still the same night," Kate pointed out. "The moon is still shining," she continued. Steve's parents landing had a Velux window that was currently allowing the landing to be bathed in moonlight. "If you wanted to…maybe …try again," she encouraged.
Steve didn't need to be asked twice before he leant forward and gently touched his lips to Kate's. They were soft with a taste of strawberry he discovered, and quite delectable. He nipped at them a few times before tugging on her bottom lip.
Growing in confidence and buoyed by the fact that Kate seemed to be enjoying herself, Steve reached for Kate's waist and tugged her closer to him. She reciprocated by wrapping her arms around his neck and melding their upper bodies together. Steve could feel Kate's erect nipples against his skin and felt his body start to respond.
He felt Kate's tongue run against his lips, seeking entrance to his mouth which he gladly permitted. He could taste the mint of her toothpaste as their tongues danced over each other. At the time, he had thought that Anna was the person for him, but maybe he'd been wrong. He hadn't thought it possible, but kissing Kate was so much better than his ex-partner.