Fallout

Chapter Twelve

Belle paced around the livingroom waiting for Shawn to arrive.  She constantly glanced at the clock to check the time. 

< 6:20, ten minutes Shawn… >  she thought.

She had pretty much taken up most of her day preparing for the second date.  Chloe had helped her pick out her clothes before she went home, and Belle had made sure that she would be ready *early*, because she knew that Shawn hated waiting for her.  <Geez, Belle…why are you so nervous?  It’s not like it’s the first date.  Calm yourself…>

Belle sighed and checked the clock again… 6:24.  < Not bad, not bad at all. >  She started to bite nervously on a fingernail but thought twice when she realized that they were freshly painted and manicured.  About a minute later, the doorbell finally rang and it startled her so much she almost jumped out of her skin.  Belle made her way to the door, took a deep breath and opened it.

“Shawn….”

Shawn smiled shyly, “Belle…you look great.”  < Great, that was the understatement of the year. She looks perfect.  She always looks perfect. >  Belle had chosen a pretty, but casual, blue sundress with spaghetti straps.  The blue in the dress matched her strappy sandals, and the tiny blue earrings perfectly.  All of it worked together to show off her amazing blue eyes.  < That’s my Belle.  Can’t leave the house without being color coordinated.  But, I wouldn’t have her any other way, would I? >

Belle threw a smile back at him, “Thank you, Shawn.  You aren’t looking too bad yourself.”

“Thank you.  And, Belle…I am surprised.  You’re ready on time.  Must have started the hairstyling last night or something.”

Belle wrinkled her forehead, “Hey.  Don’t insult me at the beginning of our date.  Wait until the end.  After I have a full stomach.”

“Alright then, grab your purse so we can get outta here and go to dinner.”  Shawn grinned at her, and Belle snatched up her purse, walked out and locked the door behind her.

Once they reached the car, Belle made sure she messed around with the radio stations before Shawn could even back out of his parking space.  Of course, she did that in everyone’s car, and she knew it drove her mother insane.

“Shawn…listen.”  Belle reached over to the volume button and punched it up a bit louder.

I’ll be your crying shoulder…
I’ll be love suicide…
I’ll be, better when I’m older
I’ll be the greatest fan of your life…

Shawn paused for a moment, remembering how a little over a week ago he had requested this song just for Belle, then held her in his arms and danced.  He stopped from buckling his seatbelt, and grabbed Belle’s hand. 

“Belle…I know that usually you’re supposed to do this at the end of the date, and not at the beginning.  But, well, this song on the radio has to be fate telling me something…right?”

Belle looked up into his eyes as if she was trying to read his mind.  “You want to dance with me or something?”

Shawn chuckled softly, and shook his head.  “No, Belle.  That’s not what I want.  Just look at me and listen to the music for a second.”

Belle looked at him closer, and listened to the words being sung on the radio.

You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together


Dress it up with the trappings of love


I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips


Instead of the gallows of heartache, that hang from above

Shawn leaned further in and placed his other hand on her face, and pulled her closer to him.  He moved in and put his lips on hers.  It was amazing.  Shawn felt as if every inch of his body was feeling this one kiss, and every sense was intensified.  He had never known that one kiss could feel this way.  Belle leaned further into his kiss to show him that she was feeling the same things he was.  Belle ran one hand up his shoulder, behind his neck and into his dark brown hair.

And I’ll be the greatest fan of your life…

As the song ended, they broke off the kiss, and Belle leaned back in her seat and sighed deeply. 

“Shawn…wow.”

Shawn grinned at her, almost as if he was proud of himself.  “It was perfect.”

Belle smiled contentedly, “If that was the beginning, I can’t wait to see what you have planned for the rest of the date.”

Shawn smiled again, buckled his seatbelt and headed off to the restaurant.

***

The rest of the date went just as planned.  Dinner at a local Salem establishment, a walk through the park together, and an outdoor concert by a local jazz band.  Belle and Shawn didn’t let go of each other the whole night, walking hand in hand and even dancing together once at the concert.

When they arrived back at the Black penthouse, Shawn made sure not to disappoint his date.  After a couple of awkward goodbyes, and promises to talk on the phone tomorrow, Shawn leaned in and gave her another kiss.  This time he made it more intense, slowly but assertively, and Belle responded matching his intensity with her own.  The two finally came up for air, when Belle could hear shuffling inside the penthouse.

“That’s probably my dad, Shawn.  Waiting up for me and all…I uhhh, I had a really great time tonight.  Really really great.  Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Belle.  I had a great time too.  I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Belle nodded and smiled, “Of course.  Just give me a call.”

“Good night, Belle.”  Shawn leaned forward and gave her another quick kiss on the lips.

Belle sighed, “Night Shawn…”

Belle watched him leave before unlocking the door and stepping inside the penthouse.  She saw her dad sitting on the couch going over some paperwork.

“Hey Daddy… You’re not waiting up for me, are you?”

“Nooo, of course not, Belle.  I had some work to do, and I just happen to be doing it here.  Besides, I know that you’re safe with Shawn Brady.”

Belle smiled at the thought, “Yeah, I am.  So, what’s up with you?”

“Just going over some stuff for the new company.  By the way, Mimi Lockhart’s mom called while you were gone.  She wants you and Brady to come to Mickey Horton’s offices on Monday at 3 o’clock.”

Belle frowned in confusion, “She does?  I wonder what for.”

John shrugged his shoulders, “ I don’t know. She said it was important though, and if you can’t make it to call her so she can reschedule.”

“Hmm.  Okay.  I’ll call her in the morning and tell her I’ll be there.  I’m gonna go to bed now, Dad, it’s getting late.”

Belle went over and gave her dad a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.  “Good night, Daddy.”

“Good night, Izzy.  Sleep tight.”

Belle ran up the stairs and bounded into her room.  The first order of business wasn’t to get ready for sleep.  Nope, she picked up her phone and dialed Chloe’s to give her all the wonderful details.  < Poor Chloe, the last thing she probably wants to hear about is someone else’s love life.  But, hey, she told me if I didn’t call her as soon as I got home, she’d come over and drag it out of me. >

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