Milkshake Hearts

Chapter 49: Predictable

"I was joking to Ian earlier, but damn you look good," Courtney comments, eyes running shamelessly down his body as they prepare to head out, an hour or so after work. They'd spent the intervening time having pre-date cuddles on their living room couch, lying in silence against each other as they scrolled through their phones.

"So do you, baby," Shayne answers, with a grin, "but you gotta stop ogling me so we can go out, yeah?"

"If I must," she over-emphasises her sigh, turning around briefly to pick up the necklace she set on the kitchen bench a moment earlier, "could you do this up for me?"

"Of course," he answers, stepping close behind her and taking each end of the chain that she holds up for him. He does it up, gently shifting her hair to the side as he lets it fall back against her neck. He can't resist leaning forward to place a light kiss against the side of her neck, and it causes her to lean back against him.

"If you kiss my neck enough, we won't make it to dinner," she jokes. He doesn't respond for a moment, simply wrapping his arms around her to hold her close.

"Come on, we need to head out," he murmurs, "I love you so much. Forever."

"Love you forever too, baby," she replies, twisting around in his arms to place a gentle kiss against his lips. "Come on. Let's go."

The restaurant is small but lively, the mostly full tables and other patrons providing just the right amount of noise to insulate their conversation in a veil of privacy without impinging their ability to talk. They order a few small plates to share, and each order a single glass of wine, neither particularly wanting alcohol to come into their night.

"Do you know when we might see Chris and Julie again, hand over those things for the kids?" Courtney asks, after they have received their wine but are still waiting on their food, light conversation flowing constantly.

"I'm not sure, honestly, but maybe sometime over summer we can try and work something out? I kind of love spending time with them even more now it's both of us spending time with them," Shayne answers, with a soft smile, and she nods.

"I like your family – I like being part of your family. Not to say there's anything wrong with mine, but it's just... the calmness and there just being the two kids makes it easier to feel a lot closer to them," she admits, hand extending sideways to take his when he upturns his palm in a silent offering.

"I get what you mean. You know, you're going to be so important to Rosie as she grows up if she keeps up this attachment to you – she has her parents, of course, but other than that she doesn't have any close adult role models, as Julie put it," Shayne comments, and Courtney nods.

"I'd like to be that for her. She's bringing out a tiny bit of my maternal instinct, I guess," Courtney shrugs, "stillll not feeling the direct maternal stuff, though. Just... I want to be the best aunt ever."

"And I want to be the best uncle," Shayne confirms, "but not a Dad."

"The only stress dreams I've had since we got together are about getting pregnant," Courtney admits, her voice lowering slightly, "I know the possibility is remote, but it's still... not what I want. And mostly those are stress dreams about losing you over it."

"If it did happen, I'd be by your side to deal with it however we decide to at the time," Shayne murmurs, lifting her hand up to place a kiss against her knuckles, "I'm in this with you no matter what happens in our lives. But at the same time – yeah, I don't want that to happen, but I'm comfortable we're taking the right precautions."

"You really are the most perfect boyfriend," Courtney replies, gaze shifting up to meet his eyes, "I never thought I could trust someone as much as I do you, but I absolutely trust you with everything. I feel so safe and supported and loved with you. I love you so much."