Benedict Cumberbatch Imagines

Getting ready with Ella

"Dinners ready!" you yell up the stairs. It was still early but you wanted Ella to eat and get in her pyjamas before your parents got here.

Ben had only been back from filming a week but you still hardly got any time alone with him. Ella was always by his side. The four year old had a great relationship with her dad and was always dragging him off to play with her.

You hear giggling and repeat your call. "Dinners ready!"

No reply.

You go upstairs to investigate. The noise is coming from Ella's room and you peer round the doorway to see Ben in tiny fairy wings, a crown, a tutu and a feather boa admiring his new look in the mirror. Ella is busy trying to choose which handbag he should have, her purple sparkly toy or your fancy black one. So that's where it went. The little girl notices you in the doorway and hastily throws your handbag under the bed. You can't help but laugh. Ben's head whips round and he blushes when he sees you standing there.

"Do I look pretty love?" He winks at you.

"You look gorgeous. Is that your suit underneath?"

"Yeah. I was getting ready when Ella decided she'd give me some help."

The four year old beams with pride and you scoop her up in your arms. She snuggles into your neck and whispers in your ear. "Can I come with you and daddy tonight?"

"Sorry baby but you have to help look after grandma. Maybe you can make her look as beautiful as daddy, eh?"

"Ok."

You carry her downstairs and sit her at the table. As she tucks into her tea you ruffle her hair and head upstairs to get dressed.

You're rustling through your wardrobe and don't hear when Ben walks in behind you.

"Maybe I can help you like Ella did to me?" His voice is even but you can tell he's trying not to smile.

"What did you have in mind? I'm not that fond of feather boa's!"

He bends down and retrieves a bag from under the bed. His blush from earlier returns as he hands it to you.

"I just wanted to get you something when I was away."

Inside the bag is a perfect little black dress. You pull it out and let the bag drop to the bed. Holding it to yourself, you turn to the mirror.

"Oh Ben! It's amazing, thank you!"

"The bag isn't empty yet," his face is getting redder by the second.

You gently drape the dress over a chair and look at the bottom of the bag. It's your turn to blush. Lying there,nestled in tissue paper, is a gorgeous set of lacy black underwear. You look up at his face which is so anxious and vulnerable.

"I wasn't sure if you'd like it. I've never done anything like this before. It was terrifying actually buying it!" He laughs. Even after five years, you can't help but find him irresistible.

"I love it! I think I'll wear it tonight." You both grin at each other but you pause when you hear the clatter of cutlery downstairs.

"But we better find a good hiding place for it when we get home."

He looks puzzled. "Why?"

"Because, if we're not careful it'll end up under Ella's bed with my handbag!"