Joe's pov
(A/N: the play mentioned actually was Will Hochman's Broadway debut role in 2019)
I was driving over to Grandpa and Pop's house with Laurie, CJ, Star, Dusty and Stacy. They were keeping the kids for us while Laurie and I went out to spend some time together. Throughout our relationship, we had dates we planned together, dates she chose but gave me the details, dates I crafted and gave her the details, and dates in which one of us would plan something and keep the other in the dark. Kept things interesting, and different than our movie nights, not that we didn't love those. Holding my girl's hand on the car console, I fake-pouted
"Not even a tiny little hint?"
She laughed
"The only hint is that you'll love it, and our date will start at 1800 hours and end at 1200 hours the next day."
That sounded great to me, as much as we would miss the kids. But I was beyond excited to spend some time with my Laurie. We dropped the kids off and then my wife started driving again, a nightclub coming into view. She smirked
"A little dine and dance to start us off."
I laughed
"Says the accomplished dancer to the guy with two left feet"
She kissed me, giggling
"Oh, stop. I've seen you dance, you're good."
We both laughed and sat down at a booth, deciding to take down the famed chocolate shakes served there before taking our places on the dance floor. It was a blast-from-the-past type of place kind of celebrating the 1950's, but with the music from more recent years for the dance floor. After eating our fill and dancing like no one was watching, we left the club, making a note to go back sooner than later. When she turned the car to stop at a theater, I looked at the marquee
"The Sound Inside, a two-person play. Awesome."
She squeezed my arm lovingly and excitedly
"All my friends say this is a great one, and that they cried at the end. Even my DAD."
That took me a bit by surprise, and we went in, my arm around her waist
"Then this really seems like a force to be reckoned with."
By the end of the 90-miinute production, we were, in fact, both rendered to tears. That had been a powerful tragedy, beautifully portrayed. As we left, she squeezed my hand
"Now we leave our stuff at our hotel room and head over to the Garden, where we're watching the basketball game."
A game we won, much to our happiness. After the game, I spoke, curiosity taking over
"What next, Love?"
She smiled
"Film photography workshop, I love vintage photography as much as you do."
I kissed her
"Only if you'll be my muse."
She nodded
'Took the words right out of my mouth"
The workshop was so fun, and the photos turned out beautifully. Both sufficiently tired, we got back to our hotel room and got ready for bed, immediately followed by her curling up in my arms, whispering
"I love you, Joey."
Kissing the side of her head, I whispered back
"And I love you, Laurie."
Exhausted in the best way possible, we both fell right asleep.