What am I missing?

I turned around and looked at my two friends who were acting like they were going on a date. "What am I missing?"

Kate looked me over, up and down, and then gasped. "Your watch!"

"Crap," I muttered under my breath as Kate run over to my suitcase.

This date had become a bigger affair than I had intended. Kate, being her stubborn and crazy self, had decided that I wasn't to change with Kevin in the same room -- or in my room at all. So, it had been unanimous -- and I mean unanimous because only Kate and Nick had the right to vote -- that I was to change in her room.

Apparently, as I had caught pieces and pieces of different conversation because those two weren't telling me anything, Kevin was going to pick me up here. It was fine by me, and rather romantic if I had to accept it.

"Here," she said, handing me my watch.

I stared at it for a second before putting it on. It was my great grandfather's watch. Grandma had given it to me on my twelve birthday, saying grandpa had wanted it that way. His father had given it to him on his twelve birthday to represent the fact that he was already a man. I don't know if I was a man at twelve, but the symbolism had been enough to send me to tears. It was for special occasion, as she had said. I had only worn it once so far, until today.

I knew the watch wasn't a match with the clothes I wore -- it was meant to be worn with a vest -- but it would have to do. I knew they would understand. It was an old watch, of those that are to be strapped against the side of the vest and kept in the pocket. It was beautiful. Made of silver, round and perfect Swiss watch. It was in great state actually, always on time as long as I wound it up. I opened it up, lifting the silver cover. A quarter to nine. Kevin said he would be here at nine. Oh boy.

Nick frowned as I clasped it in between the last two buttons of my button-down collar shirt and placed it on my right pocket.

"That's your watch?"

I nodded at him as I took off my wristwatch. "Yep."

He was still frowning, not really understanding this whole deal of the watch. "I don't get it."

Kate shook her head, waving off Nick's question. "We don't have time for this. It's getting late." She turned around and stared at me. "Your hair?"

I took yet another glance at the mirror. I have crew cut hair, so there's not really much I can do with it. I had combed it the way I always do, to my left.

"What about spikes?" Nick asked and I looked at him through his reflection in the mirror. "It works for me."

I had to shake my head. "Nope, no way. This is not the time for experiments. If it doesn't work, then I'll have gel on my hair and I won't be able to take it off until I shower and I don't have time to shower, and if I keep it up, then I'll hate it all through dinner."

Kate eyes danced, clearing, and she grinned wistfully. "You're nervous." She stated.

I didn't say anything, didn't even acknowledge her comment, I just looked at the mirror. Nick was about to say something, probably agree with her, when I asked, "cologne?"

"The usual?"

By that she couldn't mean anything but my Old Spice cologne, but I wasn't really in the mood for it, even if I'm not really a cologne person. So far, I only had on my Old Spice after-shave.

A special night needed a special aroma. I shook my head. "Drakkar."

It had been a present from Lilyan on my last birthday. I had loved it. I knew she had choose it because she had known I would like it, even though I wasn't going to wear it often. She knows I'm allergic to it. It was expensive, a little bit more than what I usually wear, but it was worth it.

Her grin widened and she handed it to me. That girl had guessed it, because she had brought it from my suitcase. The witty of her. I only applied it twice, one on each side of my neck. I didn't need much, and even if I did, I wasn't going to.

I glanced at the mirror one final time. If I was to add something else, it was only going to make it worse. What was in front of me was as good as I was going to get. And what Kevin was going to see.

I smiled to myself. I was ready.

Kate grinned behind me and Nick made his way towards her, placing his arm around her shoulders, sharing our smiles. I looked at those two through their reflections on the mirror.

"You're ready," Kate stated, even though she needn't to.

I was going to say something, I'm not really sure what, when there was a knock on the door. I didn't need to look at my watch to know Kevin was on the clock.

Kate jumped slightly, waving her hands to either side of her, biting back her scream. I knew exactly how she was feeling and she couldn't have expressed it better. I only breathed in, closing my eyes slowly, not being able to erase the grin from my face.

I let out the air as I opened my eyes, turning around and jerking my head towards the door.

Kate understood me and walked over to the door, opening, her eyes dancing and the smile still on her face.

As I had known, as the three of us had known, it was Kevin.

And I gasped; I couldn't help it.

Kevin was standing in the threshold, gazing at me staring at him, looking absolutely beautiful.

He was wearing a dark blue tailored suit. Armani or some other oh so expensive firm. It was so dark it was almost back. His shirt was sky-blue, very clear. His tie, blue, just as dark as the suit. Silver cuff links, squared, smooth. And, to complete the picture of utter perfection, a single red rose in transparent wrapping.

So, I just stood there, gasping at how gorgeous Kevin looked.

"Good evening," Kevin drawled, ever the gentleman, his voice bewitching me. I couldn't help but stare into his shinning emerald eyes. I was in love, and it showed.

I smiled slightly, my happiness radiating from myself and mirroring in my eyes. Gosh, I was in love.

"Good evening," I whispered and his eyes darkened barely visible, beckoning for me to walk over to his side, so I did as silently requested.

I took three steps and was suddenly in front of him. He smiled so... tenderly, my heart seemed to skip a beat and stop altogether. He was intoxicating and I couldn't seem to get enough of him.

"For you," he said so lowly, I believe only I heard him.

I nodded imperceptibly, reaching for the flower and holding it carefully in between my fingertips. I leaned over and let its essence capture me as I closed my eyes slightly. When I opened them, green pools were gazing at me. "Thanks," I answered back just as quietly.

We just stood there, looking at each other and drinking off each other's presence. We didn't need anything else. Right then it felt like... all I needed was him. And that stunned me.

Barely leaning over, Kevin placed a soft kiss on my lips. It was small and gentle but meaningful and lovingly.

When we parted, I took a step back and handed the rose to Kate. She would put it in water and give it back to me tomorrow. She would take could care of it while I didn't know exactly how.

I turned around once again and couldn't help but chuckle, dissolving the romanticism of the situation. "I feel under dressed." And I did. Kevin was in a suit while I was only in drill and jacket.

He shook his head ever so gracefully. "No, not at all. You look lovely."

I didn't try to stop the blush that crept to my cheeks.

"Now," Kevin said slowly, "if you'll excuse me." He offered me his right arm and I took it delightedly. "We shall be leaving. Poppet?"

I felt something shake inside me at the word of endearment. It hadn't taken much of me to get used to it. It was adorable.

"Yes my love," I said, my eyes most certainly shinning.

He smiled back at me, nodding towards Kate and Nick, turning around and letting the way towards our destination for the night.

Kevin had planned it all, every single detail, so I really didn't know what to expect.

"Are you sure I'm not underdressed?" I asked as we walked towards the elevator, my mind going through the probable situations and locations.

The smile still on his lips, Kevin shook his head. "Not darling."

I nodded to myself, trying to absorb every thing about the night.

Taking a card from his pocket, he run it through the elevator slot.

I frowned. "Where are we going?"

Kevin chuckled at my inquisitiveness, his eyes twinkling. "No, no. I'm not telling. It's a surprise."

I bit back my pout. Sure I was eighteen and had practically every right to pout since my boyfriend wasn't telling me a thing, but also, my boyfriend happened to be twenty eight and I wasn't going to make a fool out of myself. So I contended with glaring at him, which, as expected, made him chuckle.

"Just wait a minute," he said as he doors slid open and we entered. "It won't take long."

As the door closed, he turned around and gave me a suited kiss, his lips pressing against mine and all air leaving my lungs. Gosh, how I loved his kisses.

"Just another minute," Kevin whispered, his breathe hot against my ear. "I promise."

I could only nod, not trusting my voice.

I darted my eyes over to the changing numbers above the door. We had been in the sixteen floor; right now the numbers were 17, 18...

How tall was this building? I hadn't really wondered about that before. I didn't say anything, too nervous to speak. The numbers continued changing, 19... Suddenly, and to my surprise, it stopped. It wasn't a number, I realized. It read P.

P? What does P mean?

Kevin grinned from ear to ear as the doors slid open. He motioned for me to walk out, and I did as requested. The room I stepped into was rather small, just something of a Hall. Kevin walked over to the door in front of me, and, the card again in his hand, let it through the slot. There was distinctive click and then he opened the door.

"After you."

I looked at him and then at the door. Oh boy.

I walked pass him and opened the door just a little wider for me to enter.

I stood there, looking at the place, not having the physical ability to move.

It was the Penthouse, I finally acknowledge. That was what the P meant. Kevin had rented the Penthouse for the two of us.

It was beautiful.

To my right, in the middle of the dinning room, a small table set for two stood. Chandelier light and Champagne glasses to the side, a bottle in the small cooler. Rose petals around the table, red and white... oh so many. There were candles gathered all around the room, lighting the place. There was soft music. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto Number Two was playing.

"It's lovely," I muttered under my breath. I could feel moisture in my eyes and I forced myself to get my act together. I would look so silly crying in a situation like this.

I turned around and something told me Kevin saw every single emotion in my eyes, as his cleared and I could see love showing in them.

"I'm glad you like it."

"I love it," I sighed.

Kevin took my arm in his and we walked over to the table. I stopped just as we reached the petals. My eyes darted from the flowers to Kevin. "I don't wanna ruin them."

A ghost of a smile made its way towards his lips. He pulled the chair for me and I realized he had placed them apart from the table enough as not to ruin them when we sat.

I chuckled at the detail. "You thought of everything, did you?"

Kevin only shrugged. I understood him. It was his surprise and he would let me in on the secret when he felt like it.

I sat down and Kevin joined me barely seconds later. The plates were covered with silver lids. Kevin reached over and lifted my cover. My eyes fell to my place and I couldn't help but chuckle.

Filet of sole. He had to have asked Kate, he must have. When I lifted my eyes to Kevin's, he gave me a lopsided grin.

"Kate helped me a little bit."

I chuckled. "It's alright, it's perfect." And it was. Whenever we went to a formal dinner, I always order Filet. Either Sole or Mignon. They were both my favorite.

Picking up the bottle of Champagne and Kevin uncorked it masterly. I was never good at it. He poured in both our long Champagne glasses. I had a fascination for glassware.

He handed me my glass, lifting his own. "I'd like to make a toast."

I nodded, waiting for him to continue.

Kevin gave me one of the most beautiful smiles I had yet seen him sport. "For you. For us. For tonight. May it be the first of so many dates. I love you."

Emotion and love I was sure must have reflected in my eyes and smile. "For us. I love you."

We clinked our glasses together, taking only a sip afterwards.

"I know you're not much of a drinker," Kevin said, eyeing my glass. "But I thought Champagne was only the appropriate for tonight."

"I understand." I shrugged. "Besides, drinking a little bit every once in a while is alright."

When I cut the stake, it was medium rare and I could have laughed. "It's perfect," I said in between chuckles. Kate knew I loved the meat medium rare. The music changed to Tommaso Albinoni's Adagio and I realized it was a compilation. He had put so much thought into this.

We spend the night talking, catching up on each other's days and weeks. It was fun how much we still had to learn about the other. But we had time. We had so much time ahead of us; there was no rush. At some point, he asked about my watch, I had expecting.

"It was a gift," I said as I took another bite of the fries accompanying my meat. "It was my grandfather's and grandma gave it to me when I was twelve." My eyes fell down to my plate for a second, a blush going to my cheeks. "I only wear it in special occasions."

Kevin just smiled at me.

After the delicious main course, Kevin surprised me yet again with Chocolate Musse. I had always had a weakness for chocolate. We fed each other and I chuckled every minute of it.

As the dinner ended, Kevin reached for a small remote he had been hiding in his pocket. He clicked and the music changed. It was searching for another CD, I realized. When the chords started again, I didn't recognize the song.

Kevin stood up, walked over to my side and offered me his hand. "May I have this dance?"

I looked up at him, grinning as I took his hand in mind and stood up.

The very thought of you makes my heart sing
Like an April breeze
On the wings of spring

We reached the living room, already cleared for our dance. He placed his arm around my waist and pressed me against him.

And you appear in all your splendor
My one and only love

It was only then that I recognized Sting's beautiful voice.

The shadows fall and spread their mystic charms
In the hush of night
While you're in my arms

Kevin started leading slowly, from side to side. I leaned against the hollow of his neck, breathing in on his essence, intoxicating myself with it.

I feel your lips so warm and tender
My one and only love

On the piano accords that followed, Kevin swayed me genteelly, and I chuckled as he did so.

The touch of your hand is like heaven
A heaven that I've never known

Kevin sang slowly in my ear, his breath husky against my ear.

The blush on your cheek...

Kevin said lowly, and I couldn't help but blush at his words.

... whenever I speak
Tells me that you are my own
You fill my eager heart with such desire
Every kiss you give sets my soul on fire
I give myself in sweet surrender
My one and only love

Singing every single word with fathomless passion, his drawl thick with love, I felt like melting in his arms.

Piano accords followed once again and Kevin pressed me to him and led me gracefully, knowing every step like he had danced this song every day for the past year. He turned me around as I chuckled at his masterly movements, bringing me back to him for the rest of the song.

The blush on your cheek whenever I speak
Tells me that you are my own

Kevin slowed his movements.

You fill my eagle heart with such desire
Every kiss you give sets my soul on fire

His hold against my waist tightened.

I give myself in sweet surrender

He barely moved, his chest and mine at one rhythm.

My one and only love

Kevin, leaning over, his mouth barely inches from my ear, sang the last verse.

My one and only love

Even after the music stopped, our bodies continued swaying slowly, together, until seconds later, we stopped.

Another song had already started, but I didn't recognize it. And if I could, I think I just wasn't paying enough attention.

This time, I kissed him. I don't know how long the kiss lasted. I really didn't care. I had enjoyed dancing with him so much I couldn't really express it.

"I love you," was all I said. I knew he understood, as his eyes twinkled.

"Love you too, poppet."