The Back Up Benefit

Loved Up Lunch

I spent the morning getting ready for our date. I wanted to really make an effort for Ricky so it was more than just our usual lunch and chat as friends.

I washed and straightened my hair, shaved my legs, painted my nails and toes in the same soft pink nail varnish and did my make up. I kept my make up light for the daytime. I was just putting her dress on when the door bell rang.

"Just a second!" I called.

I put some sandals on and headed to answer the door. I opened it to find Ricky wearing a grey suit and blue shirt that matched his eyes.

"Oooh, you look good enough to eat!" I grinned.

"That's called canniblisum and I'm sure it's illegal in most countries." he pointed out with a smile. "Besides, you're a vegetarian."

"True." I nodded. "But I can still kiss you like I'm going to eat your face off!"

I grabbed him by the shoulders and kissed him passionately. He kissed me back for a moment then pulled away.

"As much as I want to there'll be non of this funny business on the first date." he said.

I looked at him with a little surprise. "Well that's a turn around since this morning."

"Well, I never said no to sex later!" he grinned and gave me a cheeky wink. "Come on beautiful, let's go for some lunch."

He took my hand and lead me to a dark car and opened the door for me. It wasn't until I got in the back seat that I realised there was a driver. We headed into the West End and passed the glittering theatres. Although I worked here it still made me smile and spending the time with my best friend was even more magical.

"Do you want to see a show after lunch?" he asked.

"Yes please!" I gasped with excitement and pulled my goofy face away from the window.

He laughed at my excitement and gave my hand a squeeze. "I love it when you go like a kid in a sweet shop!"

I stuck my tongue out at him then tried to play it cool. "I mean, sure. If you want to." I shrugged.

"That was awful acting!" he laughed and took an envelope out of the inside pocket of his jacket. "I hoped you want to cose I kind of already booked for Les Miserable. I know you've been wanting to see it for ages."

"Ages? More like my whole life! Thank you!" I squeaked and grabbed the envelope from him. "A private box for us? This must have cost a fortune!" I gasped as I read the tickets.

"You're worth it." he grinned.

"No I'm not! Let me at least pay half." I protested.

"Nope!" he told me firmly. "Let me treat you to this. Let me look after you. It's what guys do for the woman they love."

"You love me?" I asked.

"Yes! I thought we talked about this. I love you so much." he grinned.

"I love you too." I smiled.

When the car stopped I realised we were outside The Savoy hotel. A man in a top hat opened my door and greeted me with:

"Good afternoon ma'am."

I turned to Ricky, grinning like a Cheshire Cat and squeaked with excitement.

"Proper posh dude!" I giggled and gave him a little fist bump after we got out the taxi.

"Yeah, so posh I'm surprised they let people like me in!" he joked and offered me his arm.

"Don't say it like that. You're a very nice gentleman!" I told him.

When we got to the restaurant we were eating in, one of many others in the hotel, Ricky gave his name to the maitre d and we were lead to a table. A man pulled a chair out for me to sit in.

"Can I get you a drink Mr and Mrs Wilson?" the waiter asked softly.

We were both taken aback for a moment then looked at each other trying not to laugh. Should we correct him? Being Mrs Wilson for lunch could be fun though!

"Umm... I'll just have water for the moment thank you." I smiled to the waiter.

"Me too." Ricky nodded.

"Should we tell him we're not married?" I asked when the waiter was out of earshot.

"It's up to you. Although I quite like you being my wife. I could get used to it!" he chuckled.

"Don't expect me to stay at home all day making cakes and looking after our kids though." I told him, sounding just like my mum.

He smirked at me. "So kids are part of the back up plan too?" he asked.

"I totally didn't just say anything vaguely relating to having children with you." I replied flatly.

"Yeah you did!" he laughed. "It's ok to want kids and to talk about our future."

"Not on our first date it isn't." I sighed. "I'm not talking about it."

"Ok, we'll pretend we're on a real first date. So Lizzie, you said you work in a pub. How's that going?" he asked airily.

"It's so so. The pay's good but the customers sometimes get a bit rude." I replied. "You're a singer aren't you? Will I know your stuff?"

"Nah, just a little band with a few guys. They're not very nice. They're all pretty stupid and really boring." he replied sarcastically which made me snort with laughter.

"Oh god! I snorted in a posh restaurant!" I giggled and hung my head in shame. "I'm so unladylike!"

"Ah but you're a pretty sexy lady!" he grinned and gave me a cute wink. "I love it when you snort with laughter. You're like a cute little piglet."

"No! I'm not a piggy!" I giggled.

We continued in this silliness and laughter for most of the meal. This was why I loved Ricky so much. He could always make me laugh with his sarcastic sense of humour and not always at the right time.

"This is so good I never want to stop eating it." I told him as we ate.

"I want to marry this meal." he nodded.

"You're so funny!" I grinned but then realised I had food in my teeth.

After we'd stuffed ourselves like pigs we decided to walk to the theatre. It was a lovely day and we had plenty of time to walk slowly.

"I'm so full even my bra's digging in." I sighed, mainly to myself.

"You can take that off later!" Ricky laughed and kissed me on the cheek.

"You're saucy!" I laughed and swatted his chest.

At the theatre we were shown to a little room that lead to our box. In the centre of the room was a little table covered in goodies like canapés and champagne. We both grinned with excitement as the usher explained that the auditorium wasn't open yet but we were free to use the 'facilities' until then.

"How are we going to top this for our second date?" I asked as I sank into a soft chair. "You've outdone pretty much every man in the world. All I need now is chocolate and I'm all yours!"

"I didn't organise all this." he gestured around the room then shoved a little canapé in his mouth. "It just happened."

"How can you possibly have room for more?" I asked.

"Don't want to waste good food." he shrugged.

"I'll have the ones with cream cheese on so you don't get the runs." I told him which made him almost choke on his mouthful with laughter.

"I love it when you talk lactose intolerant to me." he said with a wink when he'd swallowed his mouthful and recovered from coughing.

"I know you do!" I laughed.