The dinner (Deyse)

The set was ready for the final scene of that episode. It was Friday afternoon and the week had been a tiring but happy one, cause Charles was back at the studio and it had been a long time since Roma, John and Della had met him.

"I wish there were more episodes like these! It was nice meeting you guys again!", he said, holding the paper with his text in his hand, while the cast waited for the director’s orders.

"Yes, it was really a nice week, when Johnny and I knew you were coming we were so happy!", Roma said, wrapping her arms around John’s.

"Yeah. And it was a great episode too, the first time Andrew and Adam work together!", John remembered, squeezing the actress’ hand.

"I thought they would fight for Monica’s love until the end of the show!", Charles joked, causing Roma and John to look at each other and laugh. "But after this eppy I guess Adam’s chances were reduced to zero!", Charles had hardly said, when the director told them to get their positions. John and Roma were doing a final rehearsal for the final scene in the episode "The sign of the dove" and, hearing the director’s order, the couple was guided by the sound of the soft music that played in the air and started to dance.

John took her hand in his, twirled her around, then placed his hand on her waist, looking straight into her sparkling brown eyes and meeting her gaze:

"I do agree with Charles, you’re so beautiful that Andrew would fall in love with you immediately!"

Giggling, Roma shook her head and stared at him, "Well, I guess Monica would also be dazzled by how charming you are!"

Although they were far too used to each other’s presence and to spend so much time together, at that moment the couple of actors felt a sudden contentment inside their hearts and, almost unconsciously, wished that it could last forever.

But the rehearsal was soon over and the cast started to take their positions to film. Hours later, it was time for the dance scene again and, after hearing John, now performing Andrew, whisper in her ear "May I have this dance?", Roma felt the same sensation of contentment as before, and both started to dance beautifully.

Not even when the director said "Cut!", did the couple stop dancing, much on the contrary, John and Roma continued the dance even when the music was over and, when they finally finished, they could hear the cast applauding that unexpected performance.

"Thank you, sweetie!", he whispered, after kissing her hand and placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"It was lovely!", she replied back, gazing at him like before.

*

When the cast left the set, Roma was a little late, as Reilly was going to arrive from the nursery school at any moment and she wanted to be at home before the school bus delivered the little girl at her door. But after phoning the mechanic and being informed that her car wouldn’t be ready on that day, decided to take a taxi. When she was waiting for it, a familiar car stopped right in front of her and the window pane opened:

"Hey, what are you still doing here?", John asked, with a questioning face.

"My car broke down last week and I thought it would be ready today, but the mechanic just told me it would take one or two days more!"

He was already opening the door of his car for her before she could finish talking and the actress got inside with a thankful expression on her face:

"Why didn’t you tell me? You didn’t have to wait for a taxi!"

"I thought you and Della had gone already! And I was in such a hurry because of Reilly!"

"Well, we can’t leave her waiting!"

In nearly 20 minutes they arrived at Roma’s house at exactly the same time the school bus was delivering little Reilly. And as soon as she saw her mother, the girl rushed towards her with her arms wide open:

"Mommy!," she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Roma’s neck.

"Hey, honey! How was school today?"

"It was great! I learned how to plant beans! I can have a forest of beans in my bedroom now!"

While Roma laughed at her daughter’s idea, John finished to park the car and when he got out of it the little girl’s eyes widened in surprise: "Uncle Johnny!". She immediately changed her mother’s arms for his, giving him a tight hug.

"Hey little one! I was already missing tickling you like this!," he said, causing her to squeal and laugh helplessly as his fingers ran on her stomach.

"Are you having dinner with mommy and me?," she asked, when he finally placed her on the ground.

"Well, actually, I gave you mom a ride...", he hadn’t planned to stay for dinner, but Roma looked at him with the same pleading look as her daughter’s:

"I guess the invitation was already made!"

"Well... in that case, I’d be happy to!", he agreed, with a pleased smile.

"Now can somebody give me a piggy back?", the little girl anxiously raised her arms.

"She’s all yours!", Roma said, with an amused tone in her voice.

"Hum... I should’ve guessed!", he spoke, with mock seriousness, and took little Reilly once more, "On board, little one!"

*

On that night, dinner lasted more than the usual, as there was laugher filling the air and the three of them chatted until late. Only when Rilley started to yawl did they realise it was over 10:00 PM:

"I guess it’s high time someone here should be gone to bed!...", John said, not missing the little girl’s sleepy eyes.

"Oh no! I don’t want to now...", she protested. But Roma stood up and reached out for her little hand:

"Oh yes, young lady, you’ve had enough fun for today! It’s too late and you should be in bed one hour ago!"

"Ok... Can uncle Johnny have dinner with us everyday?"

Both Roma and John looked at each other and laughed at her words, "Honey, we took advantage from uncle Johnny’s company way too much for today! Let’s leave him rest a little!", the actress gently admonished her.

"Well, I wouldn’t mind that, but I guess you’d be tired of seeing me everyday, wouldn’t you little one?", he said.

"Oh no, I love you, uncle Johnny!", Rilley replied, causing him to laugh even more.

"Hey, I love you too, sweetie!," he said, ruffling her hair.

She stretched her arms and shot him another pleading look, "So can you give me another piggy back to my bedroom?"

"Ok, come up!", while he gathered the little girl in his arms, Roma remained in silence, with a content smile upon her face, watching that sweet interaction between her daughter and her dearest friend and clearly enjoying that moment.

When they finally tucked a sleeping Rilley in bed, the couple went downstairs:

"She’s worn out! Fell asleep as soon as she hit the bed!", he said, placing his arm around Roma’s shoulder. She nodded her head in agreement:

"Yes, it was a busy day for her – she gets so happy when you and Della come here!" the actress glanced at him with a warm expression on her face, "Besides, you’ve heard her, she loves you!"

For a reason unknown to him, he blushed deeply when he heard those words and lowered his eyes for a moment, "Well, I’d say it’s not difficult to love her back; she’s adorable!," John raised his head again and his green eyes met Roma’s. For some seconds, the couple held this gaze and remained in silence. It was Roma who spoke again:

"Well, I really meant it when I said that I took advantage from you today far too much. Thank you so much, Johnny!"

He reached out and stroked her cheek, "And I really meant it when I said it was a pleasure. You’re more than welcome, sweetie!," feeling somewhat sad that the day had finally come to an end, he sighed, "But I should be going by now; it was a busy day and you too should be in bed, Ms!"

The mock serious tone in his voice, as if he was again talking to little Rilley, caused her to laugh, "Ok, Mr! I promise I’ll obey to your orders!"

She walked with him until the door, "Bye, sweetie, have a nice weekend!", as he always did, John leaned over and placed a kiss on Roma’s cheek.

"Bye, Johnny, you too."

He gave some steps but she called him back, "Johnny..."

"Yes?"

Roma walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, "Thank you. For everything," she said, burying her face on his chest and with emotion evident in her sparkling brown eyes. Surprised with that sudden attitude, and visibly content with that, he held her tightly:

"I’m always here for you, Roma," John spoke, gently running his fingers through her hair.

She nodded her head, with some tears in her eyes, "I know."

Only a minute later, they pulled away and, standing on the tip of her toes, Roma placed a tender kiss on his cheek, "Bye."

"Bye, honey."

She remained by the door until he had left, after waving at her one last time. Then, the actress closed the door and went to check on Rilley one last time. She straightened the blanket around the little girl’s tiny form and caressed her hair. Then, she stood by her daughter’s bed, with a pensive expression on her face. Although there were some tears on the corner of Roma’s eyes, a content smile appeared on her lips, and she gave a content sigh.