I figured that infamous "dinner party" scene might be a reasonable approximation to what Ben and Juliet's first date would be like. Here you go, StalkingRory. :)
…
She had nothing to wear.
If it weren't so pathetically clichéd, she would have laughed, but as it stood, Ben was expecting her in twenty minutes, and she was still in her bathrobe, half of her wardrobe strewn across her bed.
Knowing she was down to the wire, she grabbed the pair of chocolate brown khakis and a warm, plum-colored top, both of which she'd considered and rejected three times already. She yanked them on and began the final touches. She'd blown her hair out straight, making it soft and silky with just a hit of the curl it normally carried. She clipped back a few strands on the top and let the rest hang loose. She'd done most of her make-up already, but needed lipstick. Scurrying to the bathroom, she managed to locate said lipstick and apply it without smearing.
She glanced at the clock again: 6:25. If she didn't run, she was going to be late.
She grabbed the bottle of wine she'd planned to take to Ben's and bolted for the door. Fortunately, his house was a quick walk from hers, and she had a moment to collect herself on his porch before knocking.
The door was open before she could land a third knock.
"Hi, come on in!" Ben greeted her enthusiastically, turning and practically running back into the kitchen. "I'm sorry!" He called to her. "I have to get this ham out of the oven, or it will dry out!"
"Please," she said, coming in carefully and closing the door behind her. "Don't mind me."
She took a moment to look around. The table was carefully laid with two settings, but the most noticeable features of the room were the candles: candles on the table, candles lining certain parts of the room, and Wagner playing softly in the background. Ben was obviously trying very hard to make this a romantic dinner. Juliet smiled to herself as she watched him go to the oven and pull out a truly spectacular ham, still sizzling in it's roasting pan.
"That smells wonderful," she told him as he set it on the sideboard. "You do realize there are only two of us."
"I can do wonderful things with leftovers," he smiled. "Don't you worry."
"Ooh," she sighed. "Do I foresee ham sandwiches in my future?"
"Perhaps."
He looked up at her, his expression full of promise and mirth. She grinned back at him, liking that she didn't have to look away if she didn't want to... this was a date after all. She studied his face openly, taking in the finer nuances of his expression. His hair was sticking up in funny directions, like he'd run his hands through it before she'd arrived. She smiled at that, marveling at how Ben could simultaneously be both a little boy and a man. His shirt was forest green, and Juliet realized there was something about seeing Ben with his sleeves rolled up and his collar unbuttoned that attracted her. For the first time, she was seeing casual Ben.
Ben was blushing under her gaze, but Juliet realized he was looking back at her in the same frank manner. She felt her face grow warm, suddenly feeling self-conscious, wondering what he saw in her.
"I hope you like Merlot," she said, realizing she was still holding the bottle. Ben smiled and approached her eagerly.
"I do indeed," he said, taking the bottle from her and looking over the label. His eyes flicked up to meet hers for just a moment longer than was necessary before he turned back to the kitchen. "I hope you don't mind if I don't open it right away," he set the bottle on the sideboard and gestured to the dinning table. "I've opened some already. Mind pouring us both a glass?"
"Sure," she said, glad for something to do. She poured them each a generous glass of wine from the lovely carafe on the table, taking a moment to admire Ben's attention to detail. The table was beautifully set, the linen napkins matching the tablecloth, and the glassware gleaming in the candlelight.
"You set a beautiful table," she complimented him, bringing his glass of wine into the kitchen, where he was lifting the ham from the roasting tray and setting it on a platter of roasted asparagus and potatoes. "It's almost a shame to eat on it."
Ben scoffed and turned to take his wineglass from her hand.
"You flatter me," he said, grinning. He held up his glass. "A toast, Juliet…to a lovely evening."
She smiled and clinked her glass against his lightly in agreement. They each sipped, both watching the other as they did so.
"Did I tell you that you look stunning tonight?" Ben asked her casually as he turned and set his wineglass down on the counter. "Because you do."
"Thank you," she breathed, then took another sip of her wine when Ben wasn't looking, attempting to calm her nerves. She watched him pick up the platter of food and turn back to her.
"Hungry?"
"Yes. Maybe even starved," she chuckled.
"Come on then," He nodded to the table and proceeded to carry the food over. She grabbed his wineglass and followed. "Thank you," he said, taking the glass from her once he'd set down the food. She nodded and went to take a seat, but Ben moved with her and quickly pulled out her chair for her.
"Such a gentleman," she smiled up at him. He stared down at her for a moment, unsure of what to say, before moving back to the ham.
"I try to be, " he said, almost to himself as he picked up a pair of carving utensils. He began slicing into the ham, delicately loading thin layers onto the carving fork, juices and steam liberating themselves from his incisions.
"That is the most delicious thing I have ever seen," Juliet said, taking another sip of wine.
"Thank you. Hand me your plate," Ben chuckled. She complied eagerly, watching as Ben carefully arranged ham, potatoes and asparagus onto it. When he handed it back to her, she made sure her fingers brushed against his on the plate's underside on purpose. Ben raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Juliet handed Ben his plate next, and Ben was sure to slide his own fingers against hers as he took the proffered item. He looked up and gave her a knowing smile. She grinned down at her plate.
This is fun, she thought, taking another sip of wine, enjoying the warmth it gave her, appreciating the ambiance around her and anticipating the good meal ahead. This is really fun.
She grinned up at Ben as he sat down, a corner of the table between them making it seem as though he were sitting next to her and across from her at the same time. Ben picked up his wineglass and saluted her with it.
"Bon appetite!"
They both sipped.
"Oh my," Juliet sighed, looking down at her plate wondrously. "I'm almost afraid to start!"
"Why?" Ben asked, already working on his first mouthful.
"I might not be able to stop," she laughed.
"There's dessert too," Ben laughed. "Pace yourself."
Juliet speared a piece of ham, popped it into her mouth, and sighed blissfully.
"Too late. I'm gone. You may be required to roll me back to my cabin." She dug into her potatoes.
"Gladly, I'll take it as a compliment," Ben replied dryly.
They ate in silence for a few moments, music playing in the background. Ever attentive, Ben refilled her wineglass when she wasn't looking. She smiled her thanks at him.
"So," she said eventually. "Where did you learn to cook like this?"
"Oh, I picked it up along the way. I couldn't have Alex eating nothing but cereal and canned goods," he shuddered delicately at the thought, and Juliet smirked.
"I'll bet she appreciates it."
"She used to…it was always an adventure when she was growing up, making things for her, getting her to try new foods, cooking her favorites on special occasions..."
"You're a good dad," Juliet smiled. "Once my parents divorced, all of our meals started coming out of boxes and packets." She frowned at her asparagus for a moment, reliving the unpleasant memory. She was surprised when Ben suddenly covered one of her hands with his.
"My kitchen is always open," he squeezed her hand lightly. "I'd be happy to cook for you whenever you like."
"You'll spoil me," she smiled at him wryly. She linked her fingers with his and squeezed back.
"It would be my pleasure," he replied seriously, his thumb almost absentmindedly tracing patterns on the palm of her hand.
"I might get very fat," she teased, trying to ignore the sparks that were shooting through her.
"Then we'll have to take many walks together after we eat," he smiled, his eyes crinkling. She found she had no words at the sight, so she simply nodded in acceptance.
"Okay," she said softly.
"Okay," he nodded in confirmation.
They went back to eating, each basking in the glow of the other's presence. He really likes me Juliet thought with new found joy. He really likes me, and I really like him back. It was a simple realization, but a profound one. She looked back over at Ben, and found he was watching her, his expression pleased.
"What?" she asked, embarrassed.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked as though he already knew the answer, but she humored him with a nod. "Good," he said blithely. "Would you like some more ham?"
"Yes, please…and these potatoes are amazing. How did you make them?"
Juliet handed her plate over for seconds while Ben elaborated on the delicate art of roasting a potato. Apparently it required a great amount of olive oil, the perfect seasonings, and potatoes of an exact size. Juliet shook her head.
"You didn't have to go to all this trouble for me, Ben," she said humbly. "I'd have been satisfied with a frozen pizza."
Ben looked comically appalled for a moment, and Juliet had to laugh.
"Believe me though," she added, putting her hands up in a placating gesture. "I'm grateful that you did!"
"Well, believe me Juliet, it was my pleasure to do it," he said, cocking his head to study her in the candlelight, his eyes warm.
She blushed and had to look away. She took a moment to glance around the room.
"Have you read all of those books?" she asked nodding towards his bookshelf.
"Of course," he snorted, sounding offended. "Do you think I'd have them just for show?"
"How about the piano? Do you play, or is it Alex's?"
"We both play, though I'm the more frequent user."
"I'd like to hear you sometime," she smiled.
"You say that now…" he grimaced comically.
"Where is Alex tonight?"
"Alex is at Danny and Colleen's. They're sort of her godparents, and she seems to prefer their company to mine as of late. However," he smirked. "When I told her that I'd asked you over for dinner this evening, she seemed positively delighted to make herself scarce…and not just to get away from me."
"Do you think she approves of us?" Juliet asked, giving Ben a conspiratorial glance.
"I daresay she does," he replied, returning her gaze thoughtfully.
"Good."
The eating continued in companionable silence. Eventually, Juliet finished the last few bites on her plate and leaned back in her chair, satisfied.
"More?" Ben asked.
"No, thank you," she held up her hands in surrender. "I can barely move."
Ben topped both of their wine glasses from what remained in the carafe, and then began clearing the table. Juliet jumped up to help, suddenly aware that she was slightly tipsy in the progress.
"Juliet, please," Ben protested as she began to pile her used utensils on her plate in order to take them to the sink. "Let me do this. You should sit."
"No way," she shook her head in response. "You did all the cooking. The least I can do is help you clean up." She grabbed her plate (and managed to snag his before he could stop her) as well as the empty wine carafe and took them to the sink. "Should I scrape these plates into the trash, or do you do something different?"
"The trash is fine," Ben sighed, bringing the platter of leftover ham and vegetables to the counter. "Though I really wish you would let me take care of this…I asked you here; this is supposed to be a date after all," Ben lingered on the word "date" as though it were unfamiliar to him, and he looked up at her with a hint of uncertainty.
"Just because this is a date," Juliet put the slightest emphasis on the "is" in response to his unspoken question. "Doesn't mean that you have to do all the work."
She scraped the few scraps left on their plates into the trashcan underneath Ben's sink. Next to her, Ben sighed again in exasperation, but began to take out containers from the cupboards above to store the leftovers in. Juliet moved back to the table and grabbed the last of the dirty dishes. She began to rinse them all in the sink, watching Ben out of the corner of her eye, noting how he meticulously separated the leftover asparagus spears from the roasted potatoes, storing each vegetable in a container that was exactly the right size to hold those remainders. The leftover ham he sliced into smaller pieces, which he then put into another appropriately sized container.
"Excuse me," he murmured, and his hand brushed against her hip as he reached for the drawer that held the tinfoil. She stepped out of his way and moved back into place when he'd procured the stuff. She watched him carefully wrap the ham bone.
"What will you do with that?" she asked as she rinsed out the ham's baking dish.
"Pea soup, probably," he replied. "Although Alex hates it. She says it stinks up the whole house."
Juliet laughed.
"Come make it at my place," she said casually. "Alex never has to know."
Ben laughed.
"Okay," he nodded. "Sometime later this week?" His eyes were hopeful.
It was Juliet's turn to nod…and blush. They were barely through their first date, and already, they had plans for another. Ben moved to put the tinfoil back in its drawer. Juliet stepped to the side without missing a beat.
Stacking all three containers and the wrapped ham bone, Ben picked them up simultaneously, walked over to the fridge, and put them inside.
"Do you think you'll be ready for dessert soon?" He asked her, his head still inside the refrigerator. Juliet looked back over her shoulder at him, inadvertently admiring the view of Ben's backside in his pressed khakis. "Juliet?" he turned slightly and caught her staring, his eyes following the path of her gaze before looking back at her with a knowingly raised eyebrow. Mortified, she turned back to the sink and began to rinse her fork furiously under the faucet
"Probably," she called back to him, relieved that her voice didn't crack or otherwise betray her embarrassment. Kill me now. "Why do you ask?"
"Because it needs to bake for a bit." He said, coming over to stand next to her again. She did not look at him, continuing to rinse the same utensil.
"What needs to bake for a bit?" she asked, feeling his eyes on her, wishing the tell-tale heat in her cheeks would dissipate.
"Oh for heaven's sake, Juliet! Look!" he huffed. She turned.
He was holding a Pecan Pie. And it looked good. She grinned and clasped her wet hands in delight.
"That's my favorite…how do you know these things?" she sighed, embarrassment forgotten. Ben chuckled.
"It wasn't hard. You had a piece of one with your lunch in the cafeteria one day. I saw the look on your face when you ate it," he explained, turning to open the over door.
"And you…what? Filed that away for future reference?" she shot him a dubious look, unsure if she was flattered by his attention to detail or made uneasy by his scrutiny. She'd eaten that piece of pie months ago. How long had Ben had his eye on her?
"Yes, I did," he replied simply as he placed the pie inside, shut the door, and set it to bake. "It was a very memorable expression," he looked up at her cheekily.
Juliet snorted and turned back to the sink, but he caught her wet hands in his dry ones, holding her in place.
"Why don't you let those soak a bit, hmm?" he suggested, grabbing a clean dishtowel and patting her hands to dry them. "Come on…I'll play for you if you like."
She smiled and nodded in acquiescence. Wiping her hands and leaving the towel on the counter, she followed him into the living room. He stopped to pick up their wine glasses along the way, handing hers to her.
Ben sat down on the piano bench with the air of a maestro, casually placing his wine on the top of the piano, next to the sheet music. Juliet stood awkwardly for a moment, unsure of where to sit until he patted the remaining bench space on his right invitingly. She sat, noting that the bench was just big enough for two people to sit on, provided they didn't mind touching all along one side. She was intensely aware of the warmth radiating from the man next to her.
"So Juliet," Ben began conversationally as he leaned forward and began to flip through some sheet music. "Do you play at all?" Juliet groaned.
"I took four years worth of lessons in middle school and high school," she sighed and sipped at her wine. "And all I can remember how to play is Chopsticks, the first six bars of Fur Elise, and the top part to Heart and Soul," she grinned at him. "I'm afraid I was a very poor music student."
Ben smiled over at her.
"Play Chopsticks for me," he requested.
"What?" she shook her head. "No, I can't. I'm terrible, really. Besides, I thought you were going to play for me."
"Oh come now, Juliet-it's just Chopsticks. Besides, I'll accompany you." His hands moved automatically to the correct positions on the slick ivory keys, and he looked over at her expectantly.
"Fine, but remember, you asked for this," she grumbled under her breath and set her wine down atop the piano. She hesitantly placed her index finger and the middle finger of her right hand on the "F" and "G" keys.
"One-two-three, one-two-three…" Ben counted them off.
She started off terribly, missing notes, slightly buzzed off her third glass of wine, and riddled with performance anxiety in front of Ben. By the second time around, with Ben playing just the base notes along with her, Juliet started to feel it come back to her. How many times had she played this relatively simple piece back in the day? And with both hands! By the third time around, she nailed it and looked over at Ben triumphantly.
"Very good," he nodded, sounding like a proud instructor. "Now let's have some fun."
He started them off again, only this time, instead of simply playing the base notes to accompany her melody, Ben's clever fingers flew over the keys, producing rhythms and harmonies that, combined with her simple single note tune, made them both sound amazing together. Over and over again, Juliet repeated the melody while Ben found new ways to play around it. She laughed delightedly as his hands danced around arpeggios and produced genius bouts of syncopation. Sometimes his fingers stretched widely to hit an impossible array of notes at the same time, sometimes his harmonies were a simple, sweet counterpoint to her sparsely plucked tune, and when he finally signaled to her to play the final chords, their fingers met the keys together in perfect time.
"Wow," she gasped, turning to look at him as the last notes faded away. "That was amazing. Where did you learn to play like that?"
"I've been on this island for a long, long time, Juliet," Ben said with a touch of irony. "I had to find something else to occupy my time besides reading," he tilted his head towards the over-laden bookshelves. She smirked and looked back at the piano.
"Can we play something else? I mean, I don't know what..."
"Of course," Ben smiled. "Do you like Strauss?" She nodded. He flipped through the stand of sheet music and produced a copy of The Blue Danube Waltz. "You only have to play these top notes here…" He showed her the melody to the famous waltz, playing himself, allowing her to mimic him until she had it. "Ready?" he asked, and they were off.
She played with him through the first movement, the most famous movement, but after that, the piece got increasingly complicated, too complicated for her to keep up. Ben silently took over the piece without a break in the product, and Juliet gratefully leaned back, content simply to listen.
Ben played fluidly, beautifully, while Juliet sipped at her wine, eyes closed in appreciation. After awhile, she leaned her head lightly on Ben's shoulder, careful not to impede the movement of his hands, though she heard a sudden fluctuation in the tempo in response. She smiled. Ben smelled like soap, with a hint of aftershave, and he'd starched his shirt. She wondered if that was something he did regularly, or if it was just for this evening. She suspected it was something he did regularly—Ben didn't wrinkle easily.
He played on, adding his own flourishes to the piece, and when he was done. She sat up and clapped for him.
"More?" he asked softly.
"Please," she said back, just as softly. He smiled at her, unspeakably pleased, and began to play the first few notes of Claire de Lune.
"Mmm...I love this one," she sighed, settling her head back on his shoulder.
"You know, Claire de Lune means 'moonlight' in French," Ben murmured over his playing.
"Does it?" she grinned into his shoulder.
He played, drawing out each sweet note, his fingers fluidly layering the chords. It was a shorter piece, though slower than The Blue Danube, and when he was done, Ben sat quietly for a moment, carefully not to disturb their physical contact. Eventually he reached down and covered her hand on the bench space between them.
"Have I put you to sleep?" he leaned down to whisper in her ear. She smiled and sighed.
"Not at all. It was wonderful. I'm…flattered."
"Flattered?" his tone was disbelieving.
His eyes were too blue, too close. She could see his mind whirring behind them.
"Well Juliet," he paused and considered her for a moment. "You're easy to please," he said finally, matter-of-factly, and she could hear the sentiment beneath his tone. His gaze flickered down to her mouth, and her heart began to race.
"Ben…" she sighed. That was all it took. He learned in, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face and cupping her cheek in one smooth motion.
"Juliet…" he whispered, and began to pull her towards him, even as he moved forward to meet her…
The timer on the stove began to beep. Incessantly.