Chapter Twenty-Two
David took a deep breath before he headed into the kitchen. Isabella and Tatum were having breakfast, preparing for the day ahead. One in which he would be left behind again.
"Morning," he said, at which both of them looked up. He hadn't heard what they'd been talking about, but he had a feeling from their expressions that it might have been him.
"Mornin'," Tatum responded, trying not to clear her throat nervously. They had been talking about him, but only in the sense that she was wondering when he was going to start contributing to their household. So far, he hadn't put in any effort to find a job. True there weren't that many around in Little Grove, but they were available if you put in the legwork. On top of that, he wasn't doing anything around the house, just lying about and watching TV. And her sister hadn't had any satisfactory answers to her questions, nor did she seem intent on talking to her boyfriend about it. Her reluctance had started to bug the redhead, which is when the subject of discussion had walked in.
"Look, I was wondering... I know you both need to work, but I was wondering if we could spend a morning or afternoon just the two of us," David started, zoning in on his girlfriend with his most charming expression.
"Oh eh... but we've been quite busy at the bar," Isabella hesitated. She wasn't sure what he was playing at, but it made her nervous.
"Please? We've not had much time together," he asked for a chance. He patiently watched her exchange looks with her sister. He knew she wouldn't ask, so Tatum would need to be one to offer her approval.
"Fine. Sue's already on her way in, she can hold the fort by herself until I get there," the redhead started. "But on one condition," her next response stopped him short in looking relieved and grateful. Both David and Isabella looked at her, wondering what it could be. "You have to start helpin' either around the house or by findin' a job," Tatum broached the topic that her sister wouldn't. Her sister, who glanced at her boyfriend nervously, dreading his response. He sighed and rubbed his face with his hand. He couldn't say he was surprised at the request.
"Yeah... sure. I'll look for something," David agreed. "I want you both to know I do really appreciate you having me here," he added, trying to sound genuinely grateful.
"Sure," his girlfriend's sister nodded now. "Izzy, if you could still come to the bar after dinner, I would appreciate it," she requested, not sure she would last the whole shift with how tired she was feeling today.
"You got it," Isabella agreed, after her boyfriend had nodded.
"What did you have in mind?" Isabella asked once her sister had left the house for work. Her boyfriend gave her a smile that she wasn't sure how to read as he sat down next to her and took hold of her hand.
"I noticed there was a nice park when I went for a walk the other day. How about a picnic?" David suggested. "Thought it might be nice to reconnect a little," he added, taking her by surprise. Her brown eyes examined his expression, trying to figure out if there was a catch. He seemed quite genuine.
"Yeah okay, that sounds nice," she nodded with a small smile, hoping he meant it. Hoping that it could mean that she might finally see the start of the change she'd been sticking around for. The promise of who he had been when they'd first started dating, of becoming that man again.
"Great," he smiled back, leaning in to give her a kiss. "We can get stuff from the shop on the way over. Sound good?" This suggestion got another nod. She was starting to look forward to today now. "Why don't you wear one of your pretty day dresses?" David said now, giving her a promising smile. His girlfriend hesitated for a moment before she nodded. Wearing a dress meant she'd have to wear a cardigan or sleeves with it to hide the marks on her arms. Her legs should be okay, she only had one bruise on her knee which could easily have come from knocking into a table or stool.
Isabella headed upstairs to get changed as he found a blanket they could use to sit on. The girls hadn't gotten around to investing in things like picnic plates or things to do outside of running the bar, but he figured they could buy some paper or plastic plates from the shop while they were there to get lunch. He thought she might make him wait a while, but he heard her bouncing down the stairs after about ten minutes. He smiled when he saw she had chosen one of her prettiest dresses. "You look beautiful," David smiled, seeing her face light up happily. It had been a while since he'd seen her look at him like that. Today was becoming a better idea by the minute.
They walked to the shop and bought way too much food for just the two of them. But Isabella figured that's what normal people did for a picnic, and they could have the leftovers for dinner or Tatum could have it. They found a nice spot under a big tree for shade and David put the blanket out while Isabella started taking the food out of the bag and got plates ready for them. She looked up surprised when she heard the opening notes of their song and saw that David had brought one of those small box speakers and connected it to his phone. "Maybe it'd be nice to dance?" he asked her with a sheepish smile.
"I'd like that," Isabella nodded with a smile back. She couldn't remember the last time they'd danced, let alone spontaneously in public like this. It was nice that he was holding her in a romantic way as he pulled her in his arms and rested one hand on the small of her back and held her hand with the other, instead of painfully grasping her arm or waist. "Today was a good idea," she told him, leaning in to nestle her face in his neck.
"I'm not done yet," he promised her, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Isabella, you know I love you right?" he said softly. She pulled back, giving him another small smile.
"Yeah, I know," she nodded. "And I love you too." He smiled and leaned in to kiss her. These moments were few and far in between, but he knew she needed them. They both did. "So, what else did you have in mind?" Isabella asked when he pulled back.
"You'll have to find out until after we've eaten," he said mysteriously, making her curious as she laughed and gave him a hug. She'd missed this side of him.