Who: John and Isabelle What: Home again on Valentine's Day Where: John's apartment When: Evening, 14th Feb Warnings: schnoogles
John sighed as he took off his jacket and hung it on the back of a chair. He was glad to be home at long last, and he closed his eyes to take a moment to take in the feeling of being home. Everything was tidier than he'd left it, and he smiled slightly. His mother's doing, he didn't doubt. He went out onto the balcony to look across the city. Everything had kept moving in his absence, of course, but he fully intended to dive back into the flow. He needed to shower and wash off the smell of that place before he could settle in again, though.
He also needed to have a single red rose delivered to the house of his girlfriend with an invitation for dinner. And to order someone to get dinner.
Isabelle had hardly seen John the week before. There was some family drama emerging with her parents and she kept her distance. It was exactly as they wanted it, John as they saw it, was much too old for her. They could only see this ending up in heartache for their darling girl.
The rose John had sent was a sweet gesture, and she was sure to dress nicely when she arrived at his door.
"Look at you, a sight for sore eyes," John smiled as he opened the door. He was genuinely happy to see her. He'd dressed in grey slacks and a white shirt, glad to be out of those hideous retreat pants, and he was impressed that Isabelle had dressed up for him. He drew her into his arms and shut the door, kissing her firmly.
"My dear. You are stunning."
"It's only been a few days," she said running a hand over the collar of his shirt. "It's good to see you home." She couldn't help but smile wide at his compliments. He looked so much better than the first time she'd seen him. Clean shaven, showered and in his own clothes.
"How are you feeling?" She'd rather focus on him for a minute and forget the way she'd left home this evening.
"Much better. Ready to get on with things." John gave her a smile and another kiss, then took her hand and lead her into the dining area. The table was lit with candles, and the scent of something delicious was wafting from the kitchen. "Happy Valentine's Day, darling. For you."
As she laid her eyes on the scene before them she nudged him lightly with her elbow. "I have a mind to think you're trying to seduce me Mr. Haveland." She blushed. Maybe she wanted him to. She wouldn't deny it hadn't crossed her mind since their last encounter.
Now they were in his territory. She wasn't so sure she would say no or that he would reject the idea.
Dinner with candles, then wine on the sofa, and then... John just smiled and held her chair out for her, not confirming or denying his intent. "I wanted to do something special for you," he said, pouring her a glass of wine. "And it's a celebration also of my return to the world. Things will be better from now on." He kissed her shoulder, then went to fetch the first course. He had hired someone to cook it, of course, but he wanted them to be alone while they ate, to put Isabelle at her ease. Plus, serving it himself made him more personable.
With a polite grin she took her seat as he offered continuously being surprised by his charm. That kiss to her skin sent a soft shudder up her spine as she did her best to keep her composure during dinner.
"It's lovely," she commented taking a sip of the wine while he served her. It all smelled wonderful!
John beamed at her across the table. "Only the best for you. Now you must fill me in on what's happening. You've been so busy the last few days," he said, tucking into his dinner. It was unbelievably better to eat in his own home again.
He was warm and bright, it was a side of him she liked. Not the nearly insufferable git he'd been. She understood his anger but she in no way wanted to see him so distraught again. She'd hoped she'd been every bit of a good influence on him as she hoped.
The meal was delicious as was the wine. She once again was very impressed. At his question her face turned a little annoyed with the smallest grunt in her throat. "Just a bit of family drama," she smiled with the shake of her head. No need to get into that now. She didn't want it to ruin the perfect evening.
"I know a little about family drama," John said with a little laugh. He was just happy to be home and on his own again. He wasn't going to let his family get him down. The pills must be working.
"Well if you want to talk about it, you're welcome to," he said, the raised his glass. "In the mean time, a toast to just being us, for one evening at least."
"It's just my mother and father being defensive," she waved her hand as if were little to nothing of consequence. It wasn't as big of a deal as it would be later, but their opinions of John were really starting to weigh in on her mind. "They usually give me my independence, but lately it's felt a little stifled."
She raised her glass to his, the clink initiated from the meeting of the crystal. "Thank you," she said again having picked at her food. It was very good, she'd just lost her appetite.
John reached out to cover Isabelle's hand with his sympathetically. "Isabelle, you're a grown woman. Don't let anybody stifle you." He stood up and drew her with him, having noticed she was kinda done eating. "Come sit on the sofa." He fetched the bottle of wine and the glasses, taking them with him to set on the coffee table.
"They seem to forget that fact," Isabelle said with the slight hint of disdain in her voice. John was right. They were starting to crowd her either because they were afraid to lose her or they knew felt they could. She'd been a good girl all these years, what were they afraid of. "I don't really know what they are afraid of." She sat down comfortably, snuggling against him. She was attracted to the warmth. Part of her really wanted to be rebellious. Her heart was aching for her to act on her feelings right now. With John.
After a few sips of wine she sat her glass on the table, running her hand along his neck and pulling him into her kiss.