For Wilke: New York Christmas date

[happy_dsign]

Daphne wasn't going to waste the chance to have an awesome 'Christmas in New York City' type date with no expense spared, even if any shopping would probably not survive the change back to the island. She was okay with that, it would still be fun shopping without a budget.

She also wasn't going to sit around and wait for Wilke to come up with the idea. She had a feeling the island wouldn't stay like this long enough for that to bear fruit, after all. Which is why she bundled up in a cute mint green and cream striped sweater, jeans, and a warm coat, and marched up to Wilke's apartment, knocking firmly.

"Get your coat, you're taking me on a date," she announced as soon as he opened the door.

Comments

[happy_dsign]

"What, big old lacrosse boy can't ice skate?" she teased as they started walking down 49th toward the Rockefeller rink. "I don't know if I can respect you enough for a goodnight kiss, now that I know that." Of course, she had bigger plans than a kiss, but she was trying not to get hung up on thinking about it and chicken out.

[more_than_that]

"Nope, I've never been on ice skates before. Because of my back, my parents put a big 'oh Hell no' on that one," Wilke said then turned his attention to flagging down a cab for them.

[happy_dsign]

"Your back?" Daphne slowed her steps, frowning as she looked at him in concern. "What's wrong with your back?" And how was lacrosse okay, but ice skating off limits?

[more_than_that]

"Yeah, you know...," Wilke blinked, then laughed a little, holding the door to the cab for her. "That's right, you don't know. I told you back home, the night of our first date. I had to have back surgery when I was a kid. Scoliosis."

[happy_dsign]

Daphne arched an eyebrow and climbed into the cab. "Boys don't get that," she said with confusion as she slid over to make room for him.

[more_than_that]

"A fact brought home by just about everyone in my class, believe me, but that's not entirely true. It's mostly girls that get it, but it's not unheard of for guys. And I've got the zipper scar on my back to prove it," Wilke smiled ruefully.

[happy_dsign]

Daphne fell silent then, not sure what to say--especially since she was supposed to already know about it, but the timelines had screwed that up. "...Are you okay now?" she finally asked, biting her lip.

[more_than_that]

Wilke brushed his thumb under her lip, pulling it free of her teeth. "I'm fine now. The surgery was years ago and I'm fully recovered. But anything that jars it - a fall, a punch, car accident, whatever, can spark a little back pain now and then. That's from the surgery itself, though, not the scoliosis."

[happy_dsign]

Daphne nodded and gave him a small smile. "Still up for skating? If you've never done it, I can about guarantee at least a few falls."

[more_than_that]

"We'll give it a try anyway," Wilke responded with a kiss to her temple. "If it starts to look like I'll be completely useless on skates, I'll find a nice spot to stand in and appreciate your skills."

[happy_dsign]

"Or we'll finish up early and head to dinner," Daphne countered, taking his hand and lacing her fingers with his. "It won't be as much fun if you're not enjoying it, anyway."

[more_than_that]

"Hey, I'll be standing around with a perfect excuse to stare at your legs and butt, and not be considered creepy for it. That counts as fun in my book," Wilke teased, dropping a wink on her at the same time.

[happy_dsign]

Daphne rolled her eyes. "Okay, so it won't be as much fun if you're not next to me," she amended, smiling up at him. "It's a date, after all."

[more_than_that]

"Then we'll see what happens and go from there?" Wilke concluded, raising an eyebrow at the end to make it a question.

[happy_dsign]

Daphne nodded and kissed him softly. "Sounds good," she murmured, as the cab pulled to a stop in front of the Rockefeller center. Daphne just stared out the window at it for a moment, comparing the sight with the mental image she had from television shows. "Wow." The tree seemed even bigger in person, somehow.

[more_than_that]

Wilke laughed softly at her response and reached over to touch her shoulder. "Impressed, huh?" he spoke and signed, knowing it was a losing battle before she looked back at the tree again. "Want to get out for a closer look?"

[happy_dsign]

Daphne smiled sheepishly and nodded, then opened the door. "Yeah, I guess we probably should." She climbed out of the car and waited for him to follow, staring at the sight of Rockefeller Center all done up for Christmas.

[more_than_that]

Because of the wide-eyed wonder in the cab, Wilke walked with her towards the big tree and kept quiet since she'd have to look away from it all to "hear" him. Instead, he kept his hand in hers and let her lead the way around the Center, smiling at the continued awed expressions.

[happy_dsign]

After she'd spent a few minutes just taking in the whole thing, the atmosphere and the view, she turned to him and smiled. "Should we get some skates?"

[more_than_that]

"Yes," he signed and led them over to the rental booth, giving his size then asking hers. "I should probably know that, huh? Points off my total score?" he teased, dropping a wink.

[happy_dsign]

"My shoe size? I think I can give you a pass on that one." Daphne laughed and gave her shoe size, accepting the rental skates and heading over to sit on a bench by the rink to lace them on, grinning excitedly the whole time.

[more_than_that]

Wilke made a show of wiping nervous sweat off his forehead. "That's a relief. I was afraid the whole night would go straight to hell." He winked again and followed her, lacing on the unfamiliar boots and eyed the thin strip of metal.

Then he turned to her with a very wicked smile on his face. "So. If I fall, will you kiss my boo boo and make it better?"

[happy_dsign]

Daphne arched an eyebrow as she finished lacing her skates and gave him a wry look. "Depends on where the boo boo is." Then she rose to her feet, getting used to focusing her balance on the blades. "Ready?"

[more_than_that]

"Damn. I was hoping you wouldn't add the qualifier," Wilke grinned and got unsteadily onto his skates, ankles wobbling on the thin blade. "As ready as I'll ever be."

He went to reach for her hand then thought better of it. "I was going to hold your hand, but chances are I'd just end up pulling you down with me."

[happy_dsign]

Daphne snorted and took his hand. "If you do, I can handle a few falls. It's all part of learning." She carefully made her way to the entrance onto the ice, going slowly so he could keep up.

She stepped onto the ice first and then turned back to grin at him. "Ready?"