First Date Jitters (Drew)

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

Maureen hadn't been on a first date in a long time. Sure she got asked out plenty but she often turned men down, pretending she had a boyfriend or any other gentle excuse she could use to turn men away. It wasn't as though she hadn't wanted to date. In fact she was very interested in settling down with the right man and starting a family, something her parents hoped to see before they passed. It was mostly because the men who approached her weren't the types of guys she was interested in doing that with. They were young and often came off as immature and unable to handle the sort of adult relationship she was interested in having. Or the opposite, older men who saw her as a trophy, someone to settle with after they had already done the marriage and children thing. It wasn't as though she was opposed to being a step-mother but she wanted her own children, or to at least adopt children with her partner so she could experience raising someone who knew only her as mother. Drew seemed to be the exception to all of this, though. He was mature and he wasn't much older than she was and she found that to be a huge selling point with the attractive, kind man. He was the perfect combination of silly and sweet and deep in her heart she knew he would never hurt her. She wasn't even sure he was capable of it. Their demise, if there were one, would likely end on mutual terms she decided. They simply wouldn't work as a couple or maybe their past would get in the way. It was difficult to say but Drew had convinced her to give it a shot, despite her better judgement. But Maureen knew that at her age she really needed to give the whole dating thing another shot. She had a lot to offer, and it was time to give all that to someone who deserved it. The question was, did Drew?

Maxi was, as predicted, ecstatic about the date. Maureen arrived late Friday evening and the girls chit chatted until the wee hours of the morning, drinking wine and giggling. Maureen found she truly loved having a sister, and Maxi was a real catch. They had so much in common and she felt she could be herself in front of the other girl. She genuinely loved her and it was nice making up lost time. Saturday morning was a lazy one, but by afternoon the girls were both dressed and out shopping, trying to find an outfit just right for her date that night with Drew. Maxi picked things out for Maureen that accentuated her delicate features, and also her breasts, but Maureen wanted something a little more modest. She might have been a wily girl, but as an adult she had grown more shy and nervous. Maureen watched Maxi with awe, though. Would she have been more like her sister had they never been separated? Carefree and silly, sweet and good with a flare of mischief? Maureen had become so guarded, but Maxi wasn't. Though Maxi confessed wanting to be more like her as a girl, as an adult it was Maureen who wanted to be more like her sister. In the end it was this desire that made her choose a modest dress but one that Maxi had insisted was sexy considering the shorter length. Her sister even insisted she had the perfect pair of boots to go with it, so Maureen conceded and got the dress.

Maureen allowed her younger sister to treat her like her own personal Barbie doll. Maxi brushed and styled her hair, applied makeup (not too much at Maureen's constant begging), and accessorized her outfit and in the end even Maureen had to admit she looked pretty nice. Her auburn hair accented the gold trim on the bust of the dress and the tan boots Maxi pushed on her feet made the outfit come full circle. Now it was just a matter of waiting for Drew to arrive.

Maureen had no idea where the boy was going to take her, but apparently Maxi did. The girl gave no hints other than she would like the restaurant, and from the way Maxi said it Maureen wondered if there was something extra special about it. Would it be obvious, though? Was there some sort of memory waiting for her there or maybe a surprise by Drew? She didn't know and she knew Maxi wouldn't spill either way. Her stomach was in knots while waiting, though. Her first date in years, and with someone she knew she got along with. Someone she knew was a good kisser, and would likely be kissing her again that evening. The very thought made her anxious and nauseous at the same time. Not because kissing him made her feel ill, but because it excited her and made her incredibly nervous.

Finally the doorbell rang and Maureen thought she heard her heart splat on the floor it dropped so low. Pink faced she let her sister answer it (since she was practically running to the door anyway). And then he was there.. "Hi." She greeted bashfully, her cheeks pink and not just from the blush Maxi powdered on earlier. She pecked her date on the cheek in greeting and then hugged her sister goodbye as they left. She knew it didn't matter how late they were out, Maxi would be waiting up to hear every last detail of the evening.

Once they escaped outside and from the clutches of her sister, Maureen looked up at the handsome Drew. "So.. where we headed tonight?" She asked, her green overcoat wrapped tightly around her, the fluffy mauve knit scarf draped loosely around her shoulders. The cool air hit her knees and she suddenly wished she'd worn tights. "Maxi said wherever it was had good food and she wouldn't let me eat much lunch." She teased with a giggle.

[DREW SOLOMON]

Drew had to remind himself to breathe on the way to Maxi’s house. He had a penchant for being incredibly awkward on first dates because he always psyched himself out. And tonight was no different! In fact, it was probably worse tonight simply because it was Maureen he was going on a date with. If someone told him twenty-five years ago he’d be falling for a girl he’d always considered a little sister, he would have laughed in their face. How could he know then how much everything would change? Maureen was still Maureen McManus but she was also Maureen Aberdeen and they were two different people mashed into one. The wild child he’d known growing up was now a sweet, caring and soft-spoken woman who had captured his heart in many, many ways. In a lot of ways the time and distance between them had also opened him up to this kind of relationship with her. But even if she did remember everything, wouldn’t that only enhance their relationship? It often happened that childhood friends of opposite genders fell for each other in later years or they at least attempted romance. This was no different. But still…what if she thought it was weird? What if she was just going on a date with him to be nice? What if he said something or did something out of line and scared her off? What if she didn’t like seafood? She had loved this restaurant as a girl, but that didn’t mean she would still like seafood. What if his attempt at being sweet and romantic turned into a disaster because she had some kind of aversion to the smell of fish?

Then he took a breath to calm himself. He was being silly—she grew up in two waterfront towns. Of course she wouldn’t mind the smell of fish and she probably enjoyed it. To think they had talked about a million things over the past few months of catching up and yet he didn’t know if she liked fish or not…It would be something new he learned tonight for sure. Why was that suddenly the most important question? He needed to stop sweating the small stuff. That’s what made him so awkward on first dates. It was Maureen! They knew each other so well, he had no reason to try and impress her! She already liked him, she’d said so. He needed to play it cool, damn it! Only a girl he really liked could drive him crazy like this. His fingers reached up to play at his tie gently, suddenly feeling like it was too tight against his throat. He only tugged it a little so that it was looser and he let out a deep breath. Andrew Serge Solomon was a smart, funny, handsome man and he had no reason to be so nervous! His inner pep talk didn’t stop his stomach from twisting, though…

When he came to a stop in Maxi’s driveway he took a moment to comb his fingers through his hair one more time in the mirror. He wasn’t used to wearing it so neat and he didn’t want it to get messy again. Tonight he was dressed to the nines[/u] in a plain white shirt, a red and black striped tie and a black vest with matching slacks to top it off, his brown hair slicked back and to the side. To block out the cold he was wearing his standard leather bomber jacket which he had received as a Christmas present from Maxi several years back. Even though he knew he looked nice, he couldn’t help but be nervous about the impression he would make. This was their first date and he wanted to leave a good impression. Was he wearing too much cologne? He thought he put on his standard amount, but what if he unconsciously put on more? Should he have stuck with his standard messy hair? Again he had to stop and take a breath before he pushed himself out of his Jeep, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked to Maxi’s door.

Almost as soon as he rang the doorbell he could hear the sound of feet rushing to the door and he watched wide-eyed as he waited for whoever was making the racket. Of course it was Max, a big grin on her face as she answered the door. He gave a lopsided one in return, his heart calming momentarily since it was just Maxi and not her sister. “Hello, Mr. Solomon,” she greeted playfully and he shook his head with a chuckle and then leaned forward in a slight bow that made his friend laugh. “Ms. McManus. Is Ms. Aberdeen available?” Maxi opened the door wider for him. “Why, yes she is! Come on in!” With a soft laugh he walked into the house, but as soon as he looked up he saw Maureen at the end of the hall. It felt like the wind was knocked out of him. She was a vision in the stylish outfit she had adorned for the evening. As she walked toward him he swallowed hard and smiled at her, almost as bashful as she looked with the blush on her cheeks. “Hi…” Her soft voice snapped him out of his daze and his smile grew nervously. “Hi,” he greeted back, leaning down as she leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. He pecked her cheek in return and smiled as he waited for the girls to say goodbye. Maxi gave him a furtive smile as he walked by and he shook his head at her with a grin, patting her on the arm as he stepped out.

Now that he was alone with Maureen, smiling down at her as she looked up at him, he felt a little calmer than he had on the way over. Being alone always made the jitters worse, he found. “So…where we headed tonight? Maxi said wherever it was had good food and she wouldn’t let me eat much lunch.” He laughed softly, and shook his head. “I tell her not to tell you anything and she gives you hints. Little sisters…” he teased, not really mad at Max for hinting at where they were going. His eyes fell back to hers with an amused grin as they reached the car and he opened her door for her. “It’s a surprise. Don’t worry, I think you’ll like it.” When she was tucked into the Jeep safely he closed her door behind her and then climbed into the driver’s side and started up the car. His eyes came to her once more, though and he gave a boyish smile. “You look beautiful, by the way.” It was a little out of the blue he realized and he scratched the back of his neck. “I meant to tell you that inside, but then Maxi was there and…well, yeah. You look beautiful.” And then it started—the awkwardness. When would he ever stop being awkward on the first date? He gave a crooked smile, chuckling softly at himself—he often did that when he was nervous. Throwing the car into reverse, they were on their way on that bashful, jittery note.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

“I tell her not to tell you anything and she gives you hints. Little sisters…” Maureen actually laughed a little. She had never known the pleasures of a little sister until recently. Well, she had, only she didn't really remember the joys as a child. Memories had floated back but most of them were vague, half formed memories that felt more like semi vivid dreams than actual memories. "Hey, she just said we were eating, that's all!" Maureen insisted in a sweet, amused voice. “It’s a surprise. Don’t worry, I think you’ll like it.” She climbed in and offered a genuine little smile. "I'm sure I will." She offered gently as he shut her door. She felt like such a lady! Maureen slipped her seat belt on and pushed her knees together hoping to keep them warm, but the Jeep was still warm from Drew's drive over.

When Drew as in the car she looked over and smiled a little shyly, not believing they were actually going on a date. It was so weird, and yet.. so nice. "You look beautiful, by the way.” She smiled wide and looked bashfully at her lap, her cheeks turning bright pink. “I meant to tell you that inside, but then Maxi was there and…well, yeah. You look beautiful.” Could he be any sweeter? "Thank you." She said gently, trying her hardest not to be so shy about it. "Max helped me pick it out. These are actually her boots.: She admitted, knowing Drew really didn't need the extra information though she offered it willingly. "You do too.. but I mean.. well I'm sure you know that. Not beautiful, handsome. Well, I mean, beautiful too in a masculine way." She gushed and then blushed again letting out a nervous laugh. "I haven't dated in a while, forgive me." She teased looking ahead as they started off towards the city.

"I had a lot of fun over thanksgiving." She offered as they turned at a light. "My parents thought you and Maxi were wonderful and talked about you guys non stop, asking how you've been and all. My mom couldn't get over the resemblance between me and Max and she's really excited I found you guys." Maureen explained, relaxing in the seat, the headrest cradling her head which was turned slightly to watch Drew. His face was so well sculpted, like a statue. In fact she was sure all of him was well sculpted like a statue, but she had never seen him without clothes so she couldn't say. Just thinking about Drew without clothes made her blush again gently. "My brother really liked you, too. He was surprised how much in common he had with you. He's a huge history nerd too, not that I need to remind you since you guys talked for like, what.. three hours?" She giggled and looked out the window. "It was nice having you there. It felt.. complete. Like both of my halves could be combined into one. I felt very whole.. it was a truly wonderful feeling." She admitted looking back at him again as they pulled up to their destination. She was surprised at how close it was, but then again most things were pretty close in the city.

There was something strangely familiar about the area. She'd been there before, and not in the last few months. A lot of places in the city gave her that deja vu feeling though. "Where to?" She asked in her sweet, slightly high husky voice.

[DREW SOLOMON]

“Thank you.” Drew glanced over and smiled warmly at the way Maureen’s cheeks were flushed, her head bowed with slight embarrassment. Could she be any cuter? “Max helped me pick it out. There are actually her boots.” He could tell it was nervous chatter, but he nodded anyway. “Yeah, I’ve seen her wearing them at work and stuff.” In actuality, he could only remember seeing her wear them once at the school, but he was certain she wore them more often. “You do too…” Again he glanced over to her, having lost his train of thought. He did what? “…but I mean…well, I’m sure you know that. Not beautiful, handsome. Well, I mean, beautiful too in a masculine way.” Oh! She was saying he looked beautiful…or handsome…or both. He felt his own cheeks burn lightly, but his wide smile hid that. Apparently she did get cuter with the way she nervously fumbled over compliments. Her own laugh indicated that she was aware of how she sounded and he looked over at her to see the color in her pale cheeks. It was then he realized just how hard he was falling for her. “I haven’t dated in a while, forgive me.” His smile was kind as he gently shook his head. “Nothing to forgive. We’re in the same boat here.” At last he could feel his nervousness easing some, knowing that she was nervous too and they were on a level playing field. The point was just to have a good time and that had to be his focus.

“I had a lot of fun over Thanksgiving. My parents thought you and Maxi were wonderful and talked about you guys nonstop, asking how you've been and all. My mom couldn't get over the resemblance between me and Max and she's really excited I found you guys." Drew grinned from ear to ear. At least he had impressed her parents! That was one obstacle down. He was also glad to hear they had loved Maxi too, not that he had ever really been worried about that. The sisters were like two peas in a pod and you couldn’t love one without loving the other. "My brother really liked you, too. He was surprised how much in common he had with you. He's a huge history nerd too, not that I need to remind you since you guys talked for like, what…three hours?" And her brother liked him! He’d liked TJ too. Chuckling lightly at the memory, he looked over at her in the passenger’s seat. “I think it may have been closer to four. And I could have gone on for another four if he didn’t have to get his wife and kids home.” He could remember the teenage daughter making googley eyes at him for the first hour of his conversation with her father which steadily turned to an impatient glower as the conversation dragged on. Drew was used to having that effect on teenage girls—he dealt with it on a daily basis. "It was nice having you there. It felt…complete. Like both of my halves could be combined into one. I felt very whole…it was a truly wonderful feeling." Warmth made Drew’s chest feel tight, but it was sort of bittersweet. It must have been hard for Maureen to have lives in two different places with two different families. She must have felt so fragmented and scattered. He was glad he could be part of making it all come together; he was glad to be such a big part of her rediscovery. Most of all he was glad he had been a part of making her so happy.

When they pulled the car up to the restaurant, as soon as they came to a stop he studied Maureen’s face for any sign of recognition. She seemed to be trying to remember something, her face very slightly changing with her concentration and it was a look he’d seen before. He could tell it was familiar to her and he wondered if she would remember anything by walking into the restaurant. As her eyes came to his once more, the sweet smile on her face, he tried to play off like he wasn’t staring at her. Was it rude to stare when you were on a date? He could watch Maureen all night… “Where to?” she asked and his smile grew, a little mysterious. “Inside of course.” He started to slip out of the car when he saw her hand moving to the handle. “Nope! Don’t touch that handle.” His warning was playful and he grinned from ear to ear before closing his own door, keeping his eyes on her as he did so. There was nothing he liked better than making her laugh. He moved around to her side of the car and opened her door for her, holding his hand out in case she needed it to climb out of the jeep. There was snow on the ground too and he didn’t want her to slip and hurt herself. Once out of the car, he offered his arm to her with a smile, giving a soft and teasing, “My lady.” He escorted her into the restaurant and they were greeted with a sweet server who practically bounced all the way to the table she sat them at. Drew pulled Maureen’s chair out for her and tucked it under her as she started to sit, draping his coat over the back of his chair before he took his seat across from her. When he was settled he looked curiously across the table at his date. “Do you recognize this place?” he asked with a soft smile, ready and willing to let her know who she used to come here with if she couldn’t remember on her own.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

“Inside of course.” She smirked back at him, wrinkling her nose a little at his teasing. "Haa, haa.". She moved to get out but he stopped her. “Nope! Don’t touch that handle.” Her smile only grew, thinking it was sweet how gentlemanly he was being. It was endearing. He came around to her side and opened the door, offering his hand to help her out. Though she didn't really need assistance she thought it would be rude to refuse any, so she slipped her hand gently into his and allowed him to aid her out of his vehicle. Once out he offered his arm instead, offering a soft “My lady.” And making Maureen giggle. She pushed her arm through his and now allowed him to escort her to the restaurant. The Blue Scallop.. There was something familiar about it, but what? Had they come there often when she was a girl? Maybe it was someplace her family went to after church or something. Then again it didn't seem like an after church sort of place.

When Maureen walked inside she was enveloped with familiarity. The memories were coming back more frequently now, but they were so distant and dreamlike that she had a hard time really knowing if those things happened or if they actually were dreams or misinterpretations of things that had happened. Maureen was barely paying attention to Drew or the hostess, trying to let the image come to her mind. She knew it was there, the memory, and it was pushing forward. She felt anxious by it, trying to remember something that was there, but unsure if she could. When they got to the table she pulled out of her mini trance and grinned at Drew as he pulled her chair out for her. She took her coat off and slipped it over the back before taking her seat as Drew slipped her chair back into place, playing the role of gentleman perfectly. "Thank you." She said sweetly to show her gratitude.

Maureen tucked the half formed memories away and looked at her date as he took his seat. “Do you recognize this place?” he asked and she wondered how obvious she had been. She looked around again and tried to put the pieces together, nodding her head. "Yes." She answered softly after a beat. "I've been here and.. it was special. Really special.." Why had it been special? Maureen remembered feeling like a princess in a way. She and Maxi had been so excited to come there. Why had they come? "Daddy took us." She said a little nervously, not used to referring to her birth father as daddy, but in her memory that's who he was. He was her daddy and in reality that's who he was supposed to be. Her one and only. "I don't really remember anything else. Just.. it was the three of us and it was special. It's very vague, I don't know.." She blushed and her head bowed again sheepishly as she peaked up at him with big, blue eyes. "But I'm almost certain you do.."

[DREW SOLOMON]

Drew watched Maureen with secretive satisfaction as her eyes slowly took in their surroundings and gave a soft, “Yes.” His warm smile only grew, waiting for her to continue saying how she knew it. “I’ve been here and…it was special. Really special…Daddy took us.” It was endearing to hear her refer to Sean as Daddy once more—that was exactly what she called him twenty-five years ago and it felt right, like some of the old Maureen was coming back. Then he had a strange thought: did he really want the old Maureen to come back completely? What if she remembered everything and felt their relationship was weird? Would it change everything? Nervousness slipped into his belly all of a sudden as she continued to look around. He’d promised to help her remember her life there in Scriptor Bay before the accident and he would stay true to that promise…but would he be able to let her go if things got weird between them? He didn’t want to think about that on their first date… “I don’t really remember anything else. Just…it was the three of us and it was special. It’s very vague, I don’t know…But I’m almost certain you do…” Once more his smile crept across his face, amused by her statement and he nodded in answer. Was it wrong to be relieved that being here didn’t trigger the catastrophic memory that would bring everything surging back to her? He liked seeing the blush on her cheeks and gazing into those big blue eyes…he didn’t want that to change.

“I do.” He sat back a little in his chair, his eyes looking around the restaurant briefly, trying to picture the girls and their father sitting at a table and being treated like princesses. For Sean, Drew was certain they were his princesses. His green eyes came back to Maureen, his smile firmly in place. “Your father brought you and Maxi here on a mock date when you were about fourteen and Maxi twelve. He wanted to show you two how a lady was meant to be treated. Maxi didn’t tell me this until after the accident, but I thought it was an interesting idea. What you two did tell me about that night, though, was that you felt like princesses. I think your dad set the bar just right: you should always feel like a princess on a proper date.” With a playful smile, he leaned forward some and raised his eyebrows while lowering his chin. “Do you feel like a princess yet?” he asked quietly, a twinkle in his eye by the candle light in the middle of their table. His smile grew with her answer just as the waitress came over with a bright smile to take their drink order. After asking about the wine specials he ordered a bottle of their featured white wine, but only after making sure this was okay with Maureen. Then he looked down at the menu and let his eyes skim over the appetizers. Suddenly he made a face and scrunched up his nose.

“Oysters…I hate oysters.” He looked up at Maureen and felt he had to explain himself. “They’re too slimy. I feel like I’m swallowing snot or slugs.” With a grin, he looked over his eyebrows at her. “I’m sure that’s imagery you want at the dinner table.” He didn’t have a very refined palate and he wouldn’t pretend like he did. Maybe some people liked oysters, he knew Maxi did, but he just could never stomach them. Come to find out, Maureen and her sister weren’t far off in tastes even with oysters. Still, he’d done enough to ruin the oysters for the evening and he grinned, looking back at the appetizers. “Would you like some bruschetta instead? That doesn’t taste or feel like slugs.” He had to chuckle, knowing he was being boyish, but that was his way. It made him laugh to see Maureen’s nose wrinkle and he found he was completely enchanted by her. Even if they didn’t work out, he could already tell he would remember this moment fondly forever.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

“I do.” Maureen bit her bottom lip and held back the little smile that forced her lips to turn upwards slightly at the sides. She genuinely loved having the gaps in her memory filled, allowing her to slip the pieces together and make sense of partially formed memories in her mind. "Your father brought you and Maxi here on a mock date when you were about fourteen and Maxi twelve. He wanted to show you two how a lady was meant to be treated." The smile faltered a little, but not because she was upset, more intrigued and touched by the story. It was hearing things like this that made Maureen wish she remembered more about her family. Her father was a genuinely good man, and it just wasn't fair she couldn't remember more. What she would give to have him back for just one day..

"Maxi didn’t tell me this until after the accident, but I thought it was an interesting idea. What you two did tell me about that night, though, was that you felt like princesses." Maureen remembered the feeling all too well. She'd felt special that night, and now she knew why; Their father had treated them to something special. He wanted them to know what they should expect from a good man. "I think your dad set the bar just right: you should always feel like a princess on a proper date.” Her gaze softened and her smile returned more delicately on her lips. Drew looked so sweet across from her, and a little impish as he leaned forward with raised brows. “Do you feel like a princess yet?” he asked quietly and she could feel her breath catch in her throat. She felt her cheeks warm gently, her lips curling up at the edge once more as she gave a soft nod. "Yes. Very much so." She offered in a voice wavering between playful and bashful.

Luckily for Maureen the waitress showed up then, distracting her from the moment they were sharing. She offered her full attention to the young lady as she rattled off the wine selection at Drew's request, a little surprised he was ordering wine for them, but delightfully so. A drink could take the edge off a little and when he asked she agreed to wanting a glass, especially since he was interested in the white which was her preference.

As Drew looked down at the menu she did the same, unsure of what she wanted to eat. She couldn't remember what she had as a girl, but she did remember walking away full and content with the food. It had been fancy, something she wasn't used to, but in a way that made her appreciate the finer things. “Oysters…I hate oysters.” She looked up to see his face scrunched and she let a soft giggle escape. “They’re too slimy. I feel like I’m swallowing snot or slugs.” She couldn't help but laugh a little, shaking her head. "Iew, gross!" She insisted with amusement in her voice. “I’m sure that’s imagery you want at the dinner table.” She shook her head, still laughing a little. "Definitely not, but thanks anyway." She said lightheartedly.

The simple conversation eased her a little and it felt both comfortable and natural to be sitting there with him. Though she was still worried about what would happen if things didn't work out, she couldn't help but like the idea of them as an item. She liked Drew. Looks aside, he had an amazing personality and he loved children, something important to her. Though he had no family, he remained close to those who had taken him in, and had been remarkably patient with her during her family reunion. Plus he was funny. She knew any time spent with him would be a good time. Could things ever not work? Their biggest downfall would be distance she decided, because they definitely had a strong connection.

"I don't mind them much, but I grew up near the marina with a man who lived to fish, so seafood was very much a part of my life." She offered, her voice still giving away her amusement. "But it's an acquired taste and we certainly don't need oysters." She told him gently, her eyes moving back to the menu. “Would you like some bruschetta instead? That doesn’t taste or feel like slugs.” She shook her head and put her hands to her ears, her grin broad. "Ugh, stop saying that or you're going to ruin them for me forever!" She insisted, her deep blue eyes meeting the green of his. She offered a scolding look, her cheeks taught from trying to hide the smile as though she were attempting to be firm, but failing miserably.

Her eyes went back to the menu and she skimmed over everything. It all looked so good! "Hmm... bruschetta would be nice." She said now that she was focused on her stomach once more. The waitress returned with their wine and Drew went ahead and ordered the appetizer. When she asked about supper she told the woman she wanted the cedar planked salmon and then waited for Drew to place his order before handing off her menu and relaxing in her chair. Maureen reached for her glass of wine and took a sip, watching Drew carefully and never letting her eyes wander off even as she drank. "So what other memory extracting plans do you have for the evening?" She asked in a slightly teasing voice, breaking her gaze to look at the wine glass. "Mmm, this is delicious!"

[DREW SOLOMON]

“Ugh, stop saying that or you’re going to ruin them for me forever!” Drew laughed at the way Maureen covered her ears and grinned as she said the words. He liked this naturally playful banter they had and it made him relax more into his chair. “That’s the plan!” he teased. She tried to give him a scolding look, but the smile on her face gave her away and it only made him smile more. How could they ever go wrong when they amused each other so much? Eventually her beautiful eyes turned back to the menu and he did the same to look at the entrees, his smile fastened gently to his lips. “Hmm…bruschetta would be nice.” He glanced up at her and nodded, smiling just a little more. “Bruschetta it is then.” Again he skimmed the entrees and decided on what he wanted to eat just as the waitress walked up with their wine. He asked for bruschetta for their appetizer but allowed Maureen to order her entrée first, still narrowing down his choices quickly. Once she ordered the cedar planked salmon, he told the waitress he would have the stuffed flounder and passed his menu off to her with a smile. The young lady left them to their wine, leaving the rest of the bottle on the table for them. He reached for his glass just as Maureen reached for hers and he smiled as their eyes met once more. There was something very captivating about how her eyes glittered by the light of the candle on the table that held his gaze. She held his in turn and he slowly brought his glass to his lips, drinking only once she had but still watching those lovely eyes. It made his blood rush the way she gazed at him and it was invigorating. When was the last time he’d gotten lost in a woman’s eyes? It made his lips quirk up as he swallowed the sweet white wine.

“So what other memory extracting plans do you have for the evening?” Her comment made him chuckle and even though she tore her eyes away he continued to watch her, studying her and attempting to memorize her expressions. “Mmm, this is delicious!” He nodded, clasping his hands on the table in front of him. “It is. Apparently I have excellent taste in wine.” He grinned playfully and appreciated her returned smile. “And I don’t have any more memory extracting plans as of yet, but we’ll see what I can come up with before the night is out.” Though his grin grew for a moment, he began to think back to the thoughts he’d had before, the doubts he had about her remembering everything…He took another sip of his wine and let his eyes fall to his hand on the table after that with a pensive yet gentle look on his face. “Actually, I was thinking about that earlier…about you remembering your past. I wondered if maybe it would mean you wouldn’t like me anymore…Well, I mean, I know you would like me as a friend, but maybe...maybe you wouldn’t like me as more than a friend.” He laughed softly at himself and scratched his chin absentmindedly, a sort of nervous habit of his. His eyes lifted to Maureen’s again and he gave her an uncertain and lopsided smile.

“Maybe that’s irrational, I don’t know. It’s just…we had a different relationship as kids. Do you think it would be weird? You know…if you remembered?” He suddenly panicked, wondering if he had come off the wrong way in asking his questions. “I mean, not that I think it’s weird or anything! You know, since I remember…I just didn’t know if you would think it was weird. But I guess you don’t know, huh? Am I being insensitive about you not remembering?” As he paused he realized how much he was babbling and he laughed nervously again and took another sip of wine. “And here I was doing so well with playing it cool…” His eyes came back to hers with his head bowed a little in embarrassment, a boyishly unsure half smile on his lips. Just when he thought his awkward nervousness was wearing off for once, it came back in a flood…

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

"It is. Apparently I have excellent taste in wine.” Maureen met her date's grin with her own. “And I don’t have any more memory extracting plans as of yet, but we’ll see what I can come up with before the night is out.” She giggled, "Well, I'll look forward to hearing your plans." She offered in return, sipping her wine again before placing the glass back on the table for fear of looking like a lush drinking too quickly. Maureen noticed the slight change in Drew and she wondered what he was thinking of over there. Maybe he was trying to think of something they could do, and she was about to tell him they could figure out more plans after supper when he spoke once more.

“Actually, I was thinking about that earlier…about you remembering your past." Her head tilted gently to the side. What about her remembering? She worried briefly that he would be upset if her memory never returned, but sure he would know there was nothing she could do about that! It was coming back in tiny bits and pieces, and she was sure at this point that it wouldn't all come back to her. "I wondered if maybe it would mean you wouldn't like me anymore…" Her brows raised in surprise and she watched him curiously. How on earth would that change her perception of him? "Well, I mean, I know you would like me as a friend, but maybe...maybe you wouldn't like me as more than a friend.” Drew looked so unsure and it was endearing to the woman. How could he think her mind would be changed? Didn't he see they were building something new?

“Maybe that’s irrational, I don’t know. It’s just…we had a different relationship as kids. Do you think it would be weird? You know…if you remembered? I mean, not that I think it’s weird or anything! You know, since I remember…I just didn't know if you would think it was weird. But I guess you don’t know, huh? Am I being insensitive about you not remembering?” Maureen could do little but watch him rant and a smile slowly curled over her lips. She felt a deep, sudden desire to kiss him, but she stayed put looking at him like a silly little boy rather than the kind mad she was on a date with. She listened to his sweet, nervous laughter and watched him take a sip of wine, a kind and patient look on her face. The same as she would look ta a child trying to figure something out. “And here I was doing so well with playing it cool…”

Maureen knew Drew needed reassurance and her head tipped slightly to the side as her hand reached out, resting lightly on top of his. "Remembering our friendship as children wouldn't change how I feel about you now. We may have been like siblings then, but we're rebuilding our relationship. It won't change the fact that we missed out on twenty five years, and remembering won't suddenly change who I am. I'm not saying we're going to make it as a couple because I honestly don't know, but I'm almost certain our demise wouldn't come about because I suddenly got my memory back." She gave his hand a gentle squeeze and then pulled it away, taking her wine glass with it. "Besides, I'm pretty sure my memories won't just pop in my head. If I get them back it won't be all of them and they'll probably all be a little hazy. I just don't think it's going to happen, and honestly? I'm sort of okay with it." She offered, sipping her wine and then looking into her glass. "I want to remember certain things, but.. I guess I'm afraid of it. I'm sort of afraid that the more I remember the more I'll be angry by what I missed out on. I don't want to feel like that.. Is that awful? That I'm afraid to remember?" She peaked up at him, realizing they both had their weird, irrational, quirky fears.

[DREW SOLOMON]

Drew was surprised to feel Maureen’s hand on his and he looked up with slightly widened eyes to feel it. She looked so sweet and patient and so very much like an angel that he felt instantly more at ease. “Remembering our friendship wouldn’t change how I feel about you now. We may have been like siblings then, but we’re rebuilding our relationship. It won’t change the fact that we missed out on twenty-five years, and remembering won’t suddenly change who I am. I’m not saying we’re going to make it as a couple because I honestly don’t know, but I’m almost certain our demise wouldn’t come about because I suddenly got my memory back.” He gave a grateful half smile as she squeezed his hand, wanting to take hers in his, but she pulled it away too quickly. It just reminded him that he hoped they would never find their demise as a couple. Maureen was everything he’d been looking for in a woman and he didn’t want to screw that up. At least he could feel secure in helping her regain her memory though. It was comforting to know that she wouldn’t feel differently towards him if she did remember. “Besides, I’m pretty sure my memories won’t just pop in my head. If I get them back it won’t be all of them and they’ll probably be a little hazy. I just don’t think it’s going to happen, and honestly? I’m sort of okay with it.” Drew cocked his head to the side just slightly, curious as to why she would be okay with not remembering. Didn’t she want to remember everything about her life in Scriptor Bay? Why wouldn’t she?

“I want to remember certain things, but…I guess I’m afraid of it. I’m sort of afraid that the more I remember the more I’ll be angry by what I missed out on. I don’t want to feel like that…Is that awful? That I’m afraid to remember?” And there it was: the heart of the matter. It appeared they were both afraid of her remembering. He smiled and this time he reached out to take her hand, cupping it in both of his. She had such small hands compared to him. He shook his head with his warm smile fixed on the beautiful lady across from him. “No, it’s not awful. Everyone is afraid of the unknown. We’re both afraid of what it could mean for you to remember, but so far what you’ve remembered hasn’t made you angry. And I think you would definitely find a way to reconcile what you missed out on. Sure, you weren’t here and Maxi was left with your grandparents until they passed away, but she was never alone and she turned out great. On top of that you got a wonderful new family and you have so many good memories with them. There’s no need to be angry about things out of your control and I’m sure you would realize that. But it’s okay to be afraid of remembering. I don’t think anyone could fault you for that.” With a wider smile, he held Maureen’s gaze and brought her hand to his lips, watching her over arched eyebrows. There was a flush on her cheeks and he found he liked making her blush. It was cute and he wanted to be able to do that many more times. He continued to hover over her hand for a long moment, just smiling at Maureen before he brought their hands back to the table, holding hers gently. It was nice to hold hands with her in a restaurant where everyone could see this beautiful lady was there with him and they were completely engrossed with one another.

“I’ve brought your bruschetta!” The voice snapped him out of his trance and he suddenly realized the waitress was standing beside their table. “You’re like a ninja, I didn’t even hear you!” he marveled and made the young lady and his date laugh. He was forced to release Maureen’s hand so the girl could place their appetizer on the table. “How is the wine?” Drew smiled at their waitress pleasantly. “It’s great, thank you.” She nodded with a bright smile and said their food would be out in another twenty minutes or so. When she walked away, Drew reached out and prepared a piece of the appetizer for himself before taking a bite. It was delicious and he nodded slowly before swallowing. “Definitely better than oysters.” He grinned wide at Maureen before taking another bite. For a quiet moment he just watched her enjoying her food and he felt so completely content, like this was something he’d been looking for for a long time. “You know something, Maureen? I don’t think I’ve ever liked a woman as much as I like you. You don’t even care when I get awkward, but I don’t get all that awkward around you because I feel so comfortable with you. It’s a nice feeling. I like being like this with you.” He smiled wide, just watching her across the table and admiring this change in their relationship. It just felt like the pieces were all coming together now.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

Drew's large hand reached out taking hers this time and she looked up into his eyes with large, blue ones, surprised at how comforted she suddenly felt at the action. “No, it’s not awful. Everyone is afraid of the unknown. We’re both afraid of what it could mean for you to remember, but so far what you’ve remembered hasn’t made you angry. And I think you would definitely find a way to reconcile what you missed out on." It was true and she knew he had a good point. None of her memories had made her angry though some had certainly hurt and though she was disappointed she'd missed out on more memories, she was still okay with remembering what she had without being too upset by it. "Sure, you weren’t here and Maxi was left with your grandparents until they passed away, but she was never alone and she turned out great." She had turned out great. Better than great even.

"On top of that you got a wonderful new family and you have so many good memories with them. There’s no need to be angry about things out of your control and I’m sure you would realize that. But it’s okay to be afraid of remembering. I don’t think anyone could fault you for that.” Her heart suddenly throbbed and she felt closer to Drew in that moment. He was so genuinely kind to her and comforted her in all the ways she needed. He was a good friend, and she knew he would make a wonderful partner if they could get to that level. If not she was certain that he would always be in her life and she suddenly felt more determined to hold onto him in any way she could.

Drew suddenly pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it, making her cheeks flush as she sucked her bottom lip in slightly. Her stomach squirmed and she watched, captivated by his smile. He kept her hand close to his mouth, and she was sure he could hear her heart beating. Finally he lowered her hand to the table, but kept hers nestled in the palm of his and she didn't move it away this time. His hands were soft but slightly rough; the hands of a man. She stared into his green eyes with looked up like a forest in the dark lighting of the restaurant. They were beautiful..

"I’ve brought your bruschetta!” The voice snapped her from her thoughts and she gasped looking up at the girl. Maureen blushed crimson and looked briefly at the woman before laughing awkwardly as she put the food down. “You’re like a ninja, I didn’t even hear you!” Maureen actually laughed at his little comment, biting her lower lip once more. She took her hand back as Drew unclasped it and spoke to the waitress regarding the wine. She nodded along, suddenly feeling bashful once more. When the girl finally walked away Maureen dug into their appetizer along with her date. “Definitely better than oysters.” He teased and she rolled her eyes dramatically. "You have to not think about the texture. Once you get over that they're not so bad." She offered in high spirits once more.

The food was excellent, some of the ebts she had, and she silently marveled for a moment. “You know something, Maureen? I don’t think I’ve ever liked a woman as much as I like you." The compliment took her by surprise and it showed in her eyes. It was very forward of him to say something like that, especially on a first date. "You don’t even care when I get awkward, but I don’t get all that awkward around you because I feel so comfortable with you. It’s a nice feeling. I like being like this with you.” She reminded herself that their relationship meant something different to him than it did to her. He remembered her from their childhood. He had mourned her death for twenty five years. He was content with her simply being alive and the fact that she was sweet and attractive to him only added to her appeal, but to Maureen she missed most of those twenty some years she'd known him before. Sure she had the occasional memory here or there but for the most part it was still gone in the abyss of her mind. Even with her forward comment, she wasn't nearly as frightened as she though she should be. "You mean you can get more awkward than you've gotten?" She teased, unsure how else to respond just yet. She smiled though, looking down at her plate. "I have to admit I'm a little surprised by what you said, though.." She placed the food on her plate and then chanced a glance back up at him. "You've never found anyone you truly liked before?" She asked, confused by it. He was handsome and looked young for his years. Sure, she knew he ran into the same issues she had over the years with finding someone her own age or who looked her own age who had the right personality. "I dated someone for a long time.. I thought I was going to marry him, and honestly I might have considered marriage still if he came back. I mean, that was of course before I met you." She explained, flushing a little. "I wouldn't marry him now, but.. you seem more open than me. No one's ever struck your fancy before?" She inquired, making conversation now and picking at her food once more.

[DREW SOLOMON]

It was obvious that Drew’s compliment had surprised Maureen, but it didn’t make him self-conscious like it normally would. He trusted that she wouldn’t be judgmental of him opening up to her so early in their budding relationship. A smile came to her lips as she teased him. “You mean you can get more awkward than you’ve gotten?” Drew grinned and nodded as he took a sip of wine. “This is nothing compared to how awkward I normally am,” he teased in return. Her eyes fell to her plate and he reached for another piece of their appetizer. “I have to admit I’m a little surprised by what you said, though…You’ve never found anyone you truly like before?” Drew thought about it, about all of the girls he’d dated and slept with, but only a couple really stuck out to him. Before he could really answer her question, she continued which drew his eye once more. “I dated someone for a long time…I thought I was going to marry him, and honestly I might have considered marriage still if he came back.” For a heart-stopping moment he could feel his stomach hitting the floor. What if he did come back? “I mean, that was of course before I met you.” She flushed and he let the smile creep back onto his face, breathing a sigh of relief. Good, she wasn’t going to leave… “I wouldn’t marry him now, but…you seem more open than me. No one’s ever struck your fancy before?” His eyes looked up to the ceiling in the far distance, clearly thinking hard on her question. Had he ever really felt seriously for a girl? Sure, but he couldn’t remember it being the way it was with Maureen. After a long minute of thinking he gave a shrug and smiled back at her.

“I’ve loved someone before, but I always qualify it in my mind as puppy love. My first few girlfriends I fell head over heels for but the fire burned out quickly and in the end I wasn’t interesting enough for them. I’ve never wanted to leave Scriptor Bay, though I’ve been abroad some, and I always wanted to be a teacher. As I got older it turned out I wasn’t ambitious enough or serious enough and it’s gotten harder and harder to just let myself really fall hard for someone. I get so nervous about them finding a fault with me that I get pretty awkward and stumble over myself and that tends to put the ladies off.” He let out a sigh before looking up at her again and giving a kind smile. “It’s different with you, though. I think because I knew you before I’ve been able to relax around you and just be myself. You’re also so kind that I don’t feel like you’ll judge me if I say or do something strange. And you laugh at my jokes.” With a shrug and a big smile, he held his hands up as if to indicate there was nothing else he needed. His eyes held hers as he truly felt how at ease he was around her. Tense at times when he wanted to be closer and unsure how she would react, but for the most part he didn’t feel like he had to try around her. “You make it easy to care about you, Maureen. It’s no wonder you’ve been close to marriage before.” He grinned softly and he was silently grateful she hadn’t gone off and married the other guy. There would have been no chance for him then and that was a depressing thought.

He took another sip of his wine before sitting forward some and gazing at her across the table curiously. “What happened there anyway? I can’t imagine anyone being able to justify letting you go.” Though his smile was warm and verging on flirtatious, he genuinely believed she had to have been the one to break it off. No way could anyone let someone this close to perfect go! But she’d said she would have still married him, so the guy must have broken it off. Why though? He must have been pretty stupid to not see what he had. Then again, he didn’t know the whole story yet, but he was hoping she would be willing to tell him.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

“I’ve loved someone before, but I always qualify it in my mind as puppy love." Would he ever qualify his feelings towards her as puppy love? She supposed if they didn't work out he might. For a moment she tried to understand his feelings towards her. How differently he must see her from how she saw him, having remembered all those memories from their youth. To Maureen he was just a handsome man who understood her plight and was kind and gentle and extraordinarily patient, but to Drew Maureen was something much more. Maybe she would never be just puppy love to him.. "My first few girlfriends I fell head over heels for but the fire burned out quickly and in the end I wasn’t interesting enough for them. I’ve never wanted to leave Scriptor Bay, though I’ve been abroad some, and I always wanted to be a teacher. As I got older it turned out I wasn’t ambitious enough or serious enough and it’s gotten harder and harder to just let myself really fall hard for someone. I get so nervous about them finding a fault with me that I get pretty awkward and stumble over myself and that tends to put the ladies off.” He had been awkward at times, but she didn't think it was that bad. If anything it was endearing. How is it she would be the only one to feel so?

His eyes eyes were on hers and she offered a kind smile in return to his. “It’s different with you, though. I think because I knew you before I’ve been able to relax around you and just be myself. You’re also so kind that I don’t feel like you’ll judge me if I say or do something strange. And you laugh at my jokes.” She smiled more and gave a soft nod of understanding. Drew was funny which was why she laughed at his jokes. He was all around delightful and again she wondered if that had anything to do with his memory of her as a girl. The accident and her life leading up to that moment had humbled her in many ways. She followed the word of Jesus and was grateful for the life she had been given, and her second chance. She had grown with fear in her heart of the world surrounding Friday Harbor which was why she was always skeptical of leaving its safety. She had learned never to judge her fellow man, but to help him when he was down and those morals had stuck with her over the years, making her the gentle, nonjudgmental woman she had become, which was probably a little different than the woman she had been on a path to becoming. Not that Maxine was a bad person. Quite the contrary, but she had gathered that she had been more wild than her younger sister in their youths and she wondered if Drew would find those qualities he so admired in her today had she never been lost at sea. "Your jokes are funny, and I try not to judge people." She explained so as to show him he wasn't receiving special treatment for any reason.

“You make it easy to care about you, Maureen. It’s no wonder you’ve been close to marriage before.” The color rose in her cheeks and she bit her lower lip. It was a sweet comment, one that made her stomach squirm with want for Drew. "Thank you." She said bashfully, her fingers picking at a loose tomato on her plate. She liked his compliments, and they were said sincerely without any agendas attached. “What happened there anyway? I can’t imagine anyone being able to justify letting you go.” She blushed once more and thought of the handsome doctor who was currently in Cambodia, her shoulders lifting in a light shrug. "There was a doctor at the hospital I work in and we dated for a while. Simon was a good man, wonderful with children and so smart. He had always dreamed of traveling and helping children around the country, making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. It was too noble a dream for me to keep him here. He asked me to go with him but.." She shrugged once more. "Friday Harbor was my home. I have older parents I care for and I help my brother at their store on the weekends and evenings. They relied on me too much to just disappear for who knew how long and the thought of traveling frightened me anyway. I figured when he came home in four months we could just pick up where we left off, but Simon's passion only grew once he was in Papua New Guinea and not even his love for me would make him return. We decided it would be best for us to just end things and remain friends instead, and when he did come home, if we were both single, we would give it all another shot." She explained and then took a sip of her wine. "He was glad for me when I told him I had a date and teased he might have to skype you if things got serious to give you a once over." She smiled and a light giggle escaped her lips. "He's dated a little since he's been gone. It's only been a couple years. You'd probably like him, actually.. though I know that might be weird. He's not the jealous type or anything, he would never want to hold me back." She bit her lips once more and picked at her food again. "I feel like this conversation got weird." She teased in good humor, her eyes peaking up at her date though her head was bowed. "I don't make a habit of bringing Simon up on dates."

[DREW SOLOMON]

Drew could see Maureen flush and he wondered if maybe he shouldn’t have asked about the man. Even so, she gave a shrug and began to talk about him about this previous love of hers. “There was a doctor at the hospital I work in and we dated for a while. Simon was a good man, wonderful with children and so smart. He had always dreamed of traveling and helping children around the country, making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. It was too noble a dream for me to keep him here. He asked me to go but…Friday Harbor was my home. I have older parents I care for and I help my brother at their store on the weekends and evenings. They relied on me too much to just disappear for who knew how long and the thought of traveling frightened me anyway. I figured when he came home in four months we could just pick up where we left off, but Simon’s passion only grew once he was in Papua New Guinea and not even his love for me would make him return. We decided it would be best for us to just end things and remain friends instead, and when he did come home, if we were both single, we would give it all another shot.” Drew felt a little self-conscious now about how plain he was in comparison. He was just a high school history teacher with no aspirations as noble. He felt a little better that he believed truly loving a person meant never leaving them behind, but he wondered if he was boring to Maureen in comparison to this past lover. Would this guy ever come back to the States and try to take Maureen back? That thought made him nervous… “He was glad for me when I told him I had a date and teased he might have to Skype you if things got serious to give you a once over.” Drew smiled as a light giggle left her and he felt much more as ease knowing the guy was happy he and Maureen were becoming an item—that meant he wouldn’t have to worry about the guy trying to steal her back. “He’s dated a little since he’s been gone. It’s only been a couple years. You’d probably like him, actually…though I know that might be weird. He’s not the jealous type or anything; he would never want to hold me back.” Maybe he wasn’t but Drew was starting to feel like maybe he was. Sure he’d talk to the guy, but he wondered if Maureen was still in love with him.

She seemed to be able to read his mind and she suddenly looked bashful. “I feel like this conversation got weird. I don’t make a habit of bringing Simon up on dates.” Drew let out the breath he’d been holding in his chest and gave a genuine smile, shaking his head. “No, it’s alright, I asked. Just as long as he doesn’t try to steal you back, him and I can…how do the kids put it? Be cool. We can be cool.” He gave a big smile, trying to bring back the lighthearted tone to their dinner by exaggerating his age slightly. Deep down, though, he worried that maybe this Simon outshone him in Maureen’s mind. If that was the case, Drew wasn’t going to let it get him down for long. He was going to make sure he outshone Simon! With this mental pep talk he shook off the fear of Simon’s continued presence in Maureen’s life and moved on, comfortable in the fact that Simon was across the sea and he was right there across the table from the lovely lady they shared in common. “I’d be interested to hear his stories from the East. It must be an interesting line of work and the things he’s probably seen…I’ve only been to European countries and they’re not all that different from the States…but Asia is a different story. That’s a whole new world over there.” He smiled pleasantly and Maureen told him a little of what she knew about what life was like over there even once their food came. She herself hadn’t traveled a lot and she asked him questions about Europe as they enjoyed a delicious meal. He was more than happy to talk about it and discuss some of the differences in culture that he noted during his brief time there. Soon Simon was off the table again and for now Drew preferred it that way. His food was filling, but they both managed to eat a good amount of their meals from having small meals throughout the day.

With a sigh he sat back from the table a little and smiled across the table at Maureen. “I think I might bust open.” His smile grew and he took a sip of his wine. He hadn’t drunk enough to even have a buzz, but he was relaxed and feeling just good having so far made it swimmingly through their date, just with a couple minor hiccups. “Would you like dessert?” he asked a teasing sort of voice, knowing she would probably decline. It didn’t hurt to ask, but he was positive if she did get dessert he wasn’t going to be able to help her finish it.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

Drew looked almost anxious for a second, but finally he let out a breath, and Maureen let out hers as well, not realizing she had been holding one at all. "No, it’s alright, I asked. Just as long as he doesn’t try to steal you back, him and I can…how do the kids put it? Be cool. We can be cool.” She smiled and shook her head in short, quick jerks giving her the appearance of a young girl. "He wouldn't do that, and I wouldn't let him even if he did." She soothed, not wanting Drew to worry about something so silly. Maureen still cared deeply for Simon, but she had never pined for him. In a way she knew that though she loved him dearly, there was a large part of her that did so because of who he was. He was good and kind, he saved lives and she loved his morals. They had different religious views, something she knew would be difficult if they were to marry since her religion was very important to her, and though they got along tremendously, he didn't really make her laugh much. She adored him because it was hard not to, and she loved him for the wonderful things he did and the way he treated her, but was he her true love? Maureen never felt so, but he was the closest to a good match she had come across. Until now.

“I’d be interested to hear his stories from the East. It must be an interesting line of work and the things he’s probably seen…" This time Maureen nodded enthusiastically. Simon had such wonderful stories to share! "I’ve only been to European countries and they’re not all that different from the States…but Asia is a different story. That’s a whole new world over there.” "It is!" She insisted. "The culture there is so different, and even the countries that are side by side have such drastic differences!" She told him of what Simon had relayed to her, even telling him stories her ex had rattled off over the two years he'd been traveling. Their food came and she continued to talk, explaining how she herself would like to maybe travel one day, though maybe not as far.

The conversation had been pleasant while they ate, and Drew seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say, something she truly liked. She wasn't boring to him, and he seemed to like the stories she told that weren't even hers. She wondered if this was how things had been when they were children. Had she talked his ear off then as well? Had he listened so patiently even in his youth? How was it that she felt more deeply for Drew than Simon even if she didn't love him yet? Did her heart remember him after all? Maureen thought briefly of it all as they finished up, her stomach full of fish and vegetables. “I think I might bust open.” She giggled and leaned back with a heavy nod. "Me too." She offered playfully, her eyes meeting his and lingering her gaze. She was suddenly glad she had said yes. The distance thing would work itself out in time, she was sure of it. “Would you like dessert?” And for a moment she thought he was being serious, but the smile he wore and the teasing undertone she finally caught made her narrow her lips playfully. "You just said you were fit to burst!" She shot at him and then let a soft chuckle escape her lips. "No, as wonderful as the desserts are here I think I need a break. But.. if it's alright I'd like very much to treat you to dessert once our stomachs have settled." She suggested, meaning it. "There has to be a good place somewhere, other than the cupcake place." She smiled again at the memory of spending time with Drew under false pretenses due to her scheming sister, who was over the moon about the pair finally going out. Before Drew could answer the waitress came by with the check and Drew had his money all ready for her, which meant they could leave. "Are there any other places we used to go that I haven't seen yet?" She asked as he helped her into her coat and escorted her from the restaurant.