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Amelia is frantic.
Kai had asked her out on a date, and after contemplating for no more than 5 seconds, she willingly agreed. Except now she is frantic because what would be a suitable outfit for the night when she had no idea what the plans were? She flips through her closet, hangers scraping against the metal bar while Maggie watches from her seat on the bed.
Amelia continues floundering, her makeup half done and her outfit not yet chosen.
“Amelia, you need to really relax. Kai would believe you look utterly gorgeous in sweatpants and bed-hair. I say pick the black dress, they’re going to be here in 10 minutes.” Maggie remarked.
Amelia holds the black dress to her body, examining herself in front of the mirror. She finally settles, trusting Maggie’s advice.
“Aunt Maggie! Can you help me with my homework!” Ellis calls from downstairs, bursting Amelia’s bubble.
Maggie ensures Amelia will be able to get ready on her own before going downstairs to fulfil her aunt duties, while Meredith is on shift at the hospital. She reminds Amelia to be herself during the date, receiving a low grumble in reply.
Amelia finishes her eyeliner (with great difficulty) before painting her lips with the only lipstick she could find - a matte dark red.
With her back to the door, and the unzipped dress hanging loosely off her body, Amelia contemplates her outfit choice once more. The V-line plunges deeper than she thought and the sparkles might be a bit much, but she knows she looks really good.
3 knocks on the door distract Amelia from her thoughts.
“Oh good, Maggie come in please! I need help zipping this dress. Also, are you really sure it’s appropriate?”
Amelia calls out, checking herself in the mirror from different angles.
“Amelia? It’s me, Kai. Maggie said I could come up,” A pause. “May I come in?”
Amelia freezes at the sound of Kai’s muffled voice, chiding herself for taking too long to get ready.
She stammers out permission, her gaze still fixed on her reflection as Kai walks in.
Kai steps across the threshold shyly, immediately standing behind Amelia, they’re fingers picking up the zip. She sees their reflection behind her through her eyelashes.
“May I?”
“Yeah,” She breathes.
Kai’s fingers are gentle and warm, deftly zipping up her dress as their fingers lightly graze her back. Amelia shivers.
Their eyes meet through the mirror as the zip is closed, and it is only then that Amelia realises Kai is wearing a suit. White shirt unbuttoned at the collar, thumb rings, a black blazer and black pants. Their hair is fluffed and flipped to one side, exactly like the first time they met.
Amelia embarrassingly gasps at the sight, how was she so lucky to score someone that attractive and kind?
Kai brings out a red rose from their shirt pocket, reaching over Amelia’s shoulder to place it in her palms.
“You look stunning tonight, as always.” They whisper against the shell of her ear, leaving a kiss on her cheek.
Wordlessly, Amelia takes the rose and steps to the side, looking down to avoid Kai noticing her blush. She goes to the bathroom, filling a mason jar with water before placing it in. As she does, she notices Kai had cut off the thorns. No one she had ever dated got her flowers, let alone was thoughtful enough to cut off the thorns.
Stepping out of the bathroom, she sees Kai seated on the edge of her bed, looking around the room. It’s the first time they’ve been in here, but some part of Amelia feels like they belong in this space with her.
“Hi… Um… Thanks for the rose. It’s really thoughtful. Also, you look really … elegant.”
Kai fiddles with their sleeve, and Amelia almost notices them blushing in the dimly lit room.
“Of course. And thank you. Are you ready to leave? I have some plans for us tonight, if you’re feeling up for it.”
Kai stands up, reaching for Amelia’s hand as she clasps it in theirs. They walk down the stairs together, hearing Maggie yell out an excited “have fun!” as they shut the front door.
Kai opens the car door, letting Amelia in before going round to the drivers’ seat. The air is thick with tension, both of them aware of how intimate the night has been thus far.
Amelia asks Kai where they’re headed to, but Kai merely says it’s a surprise. Amelia loves surprises, but rolls her eyes in faux annoyance.
The drive is 30 minutes long, but feels shorter. They make light conversation about work, family, and plans for the week. Kai drives skilfully with one hand, the other resting on Amelia’s thigh.
“So,” Kai starts, opening Amelia’s door once they park, “there’s this beautiful pier overlooking the waters. I figured we could take away some pizza from this amazing restaurant and eat it by the pier. The stars are beautiful tonight too. Only if you want.”
Amelia marvels at how Kai knows her so well - aware that she’s had a long week and doesn’t desire sitting in a crowded restaurant. She nods at them.
“Great! I’ve called ahead and ordered your favourite pepperoni pizza. The restaurant is New-Yorkan. It should be ready by now.”
They pick up the food together and walk over to the bench by the pier. To Amelia’s surprise, the pizza is really, really good.
Amelia’s cheek rests on Kai’s shoulder, as they both watch the waves crash on shore, quiet and utterly peaceful. Amelia thinks she should be scared of how easy this relationship has been, how easily they fit together. Yet, she is content and calm, a feeling she hardly gets the luxury of experiencing.
“I think I'm falling for you. In a deep, irrevocable way.” Amelia doesn’t realise what she had just whispered until she hears herself. To her surprise, she doesn’t pull to take it back or cover it up. She lets it be.
“Who wouldn’t?”
She smirks up at them, ogles at their profile before returning to her previous position.
A few minutes go by.
“Amelia, I’m about to tell you something painfully embarrassing. So. You aren’t allowed to react until I'm done. I keep a journal for the progress we make on the Parkinson's research. Data, dates, lessons, etcetera. Recently, most of the pages are filled with writings about you. Poems that remind me of you, my favourite outfits of yours. There’s even little hearts I draw everywhere on the page. I reread it every night when I can't fall asleep or when I miss you too much. You’re not the only one falling.”
Kai kisses her forehead, punctuating their weighted speech.
Amelia completely crumbles at how sweet they are. Her heart melts to goo and blood rushes to her cheeks. She moves to straddle Kai, their faces inches apart. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind their ear, she kisses their forehead.
“Let’s go back to your hotel.”