As I exit the base, I ring my sister. She answers on the second ring.
“Hey,” she says.
“Hey. Did the flowers arrive?” I ask as I unlock my car and get in.
“They did. The jewellery is here, too. I have to say you have great taste. Your suit is dry-cleaned and ready to go, now get over here.”
“Little Miss Bossy, aren’t you?”
“You know it.” A beep tells me she’s gone.
I turn on my car engine and begin the drive to my sister’s house. Lucky for me, I’m only on base in Trentham, so her house is over Wallaceville Hill, just a short drive away. I can’t get my mind off tonight. I’m a bundle of nerves. I shouldn’t be, but I am. I’m hoping Aria will have some words of advice for me.
I park the car outside Simon and Aria’s front entrance. The door opens, and Aria is standing there eating something. She smiles as she sees me.
I get out of the car and walk towards her.
“How are you?” I ask as I hug her.
“Craving chocolate. I cannot wait to have this baby. I want my damn body back. How are you? Are you nervous?” she asks.
She knows my secret as well as Toby; they’re the only two I trust with it.
“A little. What if I fuck it up? What if it’s not the romantic dream she wants?”
“J, it’ll be great. You’ve got her favourite flowers, chocolate, sparkling grape juice, and you bought her a necklace. It’ll be perfect. Just be yourself.”
“Be myself? That’s the worst advice you’ve ever given me. I’m usually a dick.”
“To other people sure, but you’re not to her. Besides, I never said my advice was good. Now, I’ll show you to the spare room where all your stuff is.”
“Thanks, sis,” I say as we get to the room’s door.
I walk through the entryway and close the door behind me.
I strip out of my clothes and hit the shower. Stephanie loves my uniform, of that I’m sure. I’ve caught her staring at me as I wore it over the years. I’d never thought anything to her staring, but I know now I should have.
The water is warm when I step beneath it. I notice Aria has placed some shampoo, conditioner and shower gel in the stall for me.
I wash myself down, get out, and brush my teeth. On the bathroom sink, I find Aria has included deodorant, hair gel and my favourite cologne.
My dear sister always thinks of everything.
I owe her a huge thank you gift if tonight goes as planned. I spray on a little of the cologne.
Not too bad. I just hope that Steph loves it.
I walk into the bedroom and find my suit bag hanging on the back of the bedroom door.
Unzipping it, I find a freshly pressed shirt, waistcoat, jacket, suit pants and underwear.
Aria, you are a godsend! She obviously wants the date to go well as I do, but she’s gone above and beyond.
I dress but struggle to get the waistcoat on properly. Heading out to the kitchen, I find Aria and Simon in the kitchen. The flowers I bought for Stephanie are on the table.
“Need help?” Aria asks.
“Yeah. I can’t get it right nor get the tie straight.”
“Come here.” I walk over, and Aria stands up. She fixes my waistcoat and tie, so I look perfect. She then raises her hand to my head, but I pull back. “You have a little bit sticking up.”
“Don’t mess it up.”
“I won’t.” She fixes it, and I feel a little better.
“Mate, why are you so nervous? You’re like a high school boy going on his first date,” Simon says.
I look at him, then Aria. “You haven’t told him?”
She looks at Simon. “It’s his first date.”
Simon scoffs. “Whatever.”
“She’s serious. I’ve never been on a first date. Ever. Steph is my first.”
His gaze widens on me. “I’m shocked. How is it someone like you hasn’t gone on a real date?”
I shrug. “Never wanted to before now.”
“Do you want me to ring James and he can play driver for the evening so it’s romantic and you can have a whiskey?”
“No, but thank you for the offer.”
“You look great, Jake. Stephanie is not going to be able to keep her hands off you; not that I want to think about that since you’re my brother, and she’s my best friend.”
“Says the woman who was desperate for us to get together.” I chuckle, picking up the flowers. “Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it, bro,” Simon says.
“I’ll come back for the uniform tomorrow.”
“We’ll drop it off when we come by for dinner on Sunday.”
“Thanks, sis.”
I exit the house and get into my car. The closer I drive towards the house, the more my nerves set in. My stomach aches, my heart is pounding hard within my chest, and palms are sweating over the steering wheel.
As I park the car outside, I spot a figure standing in the lounge window. It’s Stephanie holding Lemon as if she were a baby. The dog laps up all the attention she can get from her, too. One day very soon, she’ll be holding a real baby—our little girl.
I simply stare at the vision she makes. She’s breath-taking. I can’t take my eyes off her, let alone breathe as my heart swells with love for her. She glances out the window, a sad look washing over her face. Best I go inside and replace that expression by putting the biggest smile I’ve ever seen in its place.
She disappears to do whatever last-minute thing she needs to do.
Time to make my grand entrance.
Stephanie
I’m standing in the bathroom, applying what feels like the millionth layer of lipstick while I wait for Jake to arrive. I’ve licked the other applications off. I’m so nervous, and I don’t understand why. It’s not like I don’t know him and we’ve shared some very intimate moments already. Okay, so a lot of intimate moments.
I’ve seen the man naked. This is silly.
A cough from the doorway behind me catches my attention, and I spin around to find Sasha standing there. “Your date has arrived, and you are one very lucky lady.”
“I feel silly,” I say.
“Don’t. He wants to make this special for you.”
I make my way downstairs and find Jake standing in the lounge, looking as nervous as I feel. He’s wearing a black tailored suit, white shirt, emerald green waistcoat and matching tie. His suit jacket is open, and one hand is tucked into his pocket, and in the other, he holds of a bouquet of flowers. He really is spoiling me.
With each step down the stairs, my blood pressure climbs higher and higher, and my pulse races; my vagina joins the tune, too.
I get downstairs and finally get a good look at him. I find myself resisting the urge to rip the suit off him. Don’t get me wrong, he looks fantastic in it, but it would certainly look better on the floor with us naked in bed together. He stares at me completely bewildered as to what to say—a soft ‘o’ forms on his lips as I walk towards him.
“Hi,” I say as my entire body flushes with heat.
“You look incredible. The picture of you in the dress certainly didn’t do you justice. It’s stunning. I’ll admit, I’m late because I sat outside in the car staring at you not quite believing you’re coming out with me tonight.”