A First Date That Brings a Lifetime of Love

Re: A First Date That Brings a Lifetime of Love

There were a lot of things was going to ask her, eventually but for now he would just ask her this one questin. And in the back of his mind, she might not think this was such a personal question, but he kind of did. Ryan cleared his throught, and fianlly began to speak to again. "Jennie, where do you see yourself in the future?" he asked her. "And what I mean by that is, what are are your hopes and dreams?" he asked her, not wanting to be nosey but also trying to get to know Jennie on a more deeper level. Something in the back of his head, he could see Jennie being the mother of his children and his wife, which made him smilel all the more. 

As Ryan waited for Jennie to asnwer his questions, he could see the lights of Vegas coming into veiw. Ryan noticed the time and they were making excellent time. Their reservation to dinner wasn't until 9 pm and it it was only 7:45 pm. Then Ryan went on speaking. "We will be in Vegas in another 30 minutes," he said with a smile on his face. "Then I will take you around before we go to dinner," he told her. "I know you're just gonna fall in love with Vegas," he added with a smile on his face. 

Re: A First Date That Brings a Lifetime of Love

Jennie blinked slowly, caught off-guard by the gentle weight of the question. For once she didn't joke, didn't deflect, didn't pretend she hadn't heard him. Her eyes stayed on the lights blooming ahead of them—Vegas glowing like a whole other universe—but her voice softened in a way she rarely let anyone hear.

"Future..." she echoed, almost tasting the word.

It took her a long beat before she finally turned her head and looked at him. Really looked at him. Ryan wasn't teasing her, wasn't trying to flirt, wasn't pushing too hard. He genuinely wanted to know her. And that... that shook her a little.

"Honestly?" she whispered, her fingers playing with the hem of her dress as if steadying herself. "I've spent so much of my life just surviving whatever the day threw at me. I never really let myself think too far ahead."

She exhaled shakily, then continued.

"But... if you're asking what I want?" She smiled—small, real, fragile. "I want peace. I want to wake up one day and not have to check my back or wonder what's about to go wrong. I want a home that feels... safe. That feels like mine."

Her cheeks warmed, but she didn't look away.

"And I want a family. Kids. The whole messy, loud, crazy thing." She gave a breathy, nervous laugh. "I know that probably sounds stupid coming from someone like me, but I want to love somebody like that... and have them love me back."

Slowly, without fully realizing it, she let her hand drift toward him, her fingers brushing his on the console.

"And I want to do something that matters. Music, maybe. Or helping people. Something that makes me feel like I'm more than everything I've been through."

Then she looked at him—eyes warm, vulnerable, and a little scared of how much he meant to her already.

"And... I want someone I can build all of that with. Someone steady. Someone who looks at me the way you're looking at me right now."

The lights of Vegas grew brighter on the horizon, but in the reflection of the windshield, the glow on her face was unmistakably from him.

Re: A First Date That Brings a Lifetime of Love

Ryan smiled softly as he looked from the road to Jennie and back to the road. He knew where she was coming from, though he had no idea what she's been through. Just then, as there was a silence between them, Ryan couldn't help but think about his own future and what he wanted out of life. He wanted the exact same things as she did, which made him smile. And even though some of the things he knew were going to be hard to get, like peace, but he also knew that it was still obtainable. Finally, as Ryan drove into Las Vegas, letting the lights shine on Jennie's face, he began to speak again. "Been through some rough times huh?" he asked not trying to pry, though he knew that eventually he would ask, since curiosity would get the better of him. "I can relate to that," was all he added as pulled up to a red light and stopped. Then Ryan looked over at Jennie and went on to speak about what she wanted out of life and her hopes and dreams.

"Peace is something that will come with time and a lot of hard work," Ryan said. "I should know, I've been after that myself, but so far, haven't gotten mine yet," he told her honestly as he went on. "And I think one way to keep from checking behind you for something to go wrong is to keep your eyes on the good things in front of you," he told her. "Like, for instance, you want what everybody's looking for a home and a family that's all yours," Ryan went on. "But while you are looking back at the bad things that may or may not happen, you miss out what's in front of you, like getting to know nice people and going on dates," he said. "And before you know it, you done missed out on your dreams," he told her, knowing that he could somewhat relate to this, though he didn't like to think about it as he went on speaking just as the light turned green. "And sometimes, in order to be able to look forward, you have to cut the strings that keep turning you head back to look at the bad stuff," he added as he drove through the light.

Then there was another silence between them as they were getting closer to the restaurant. The silence stayed until Ryan pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and parked his car. After shutting it down and unbuckling, Ryan then turned to Jennie and with a serious and yet warm and loving tone, he began to speak to her again. "Maybe what you are looking for is something you already found and just don't know it yet," he said as he softly touched her face, moving a strand of hair out of her face with a smile on his face. "Oh, and one more little thing," he told her. "And you don't have to do something outrageous to matter," he told her. "Because you matter already. You matter to your family and friends, and you matter to me," he told her, still letting a finger run gently and slowly over her cheek. "And that's the most important thing you can do. But if you wanna do something worthwhile, well, maybe I can help you with that," he said with a smirk. "Now, what do you say, we go get something to eat?" he asked he.

Re: A First Date That Brings a Lifetime of Love

Jennie didn't answer right away.

For a moment, she just sat there, the neon glow from outside the restaurant washing over the inside of the car, Ryan's words settling into places she didn't usually let anyone reach. Her hands were clasped together in her lap, fingers worrying at each other like they always did when she was trying not to cry.

When she finally looked at him, her eyes were a little too shiny.

"Yeah," she said softly. "Rough doesn't even really cover it." She gave a small, almost embarrassed smile and glanced down for a second before looking back up at him. "I guess I got real good at surviving, you know? Always waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's hard to stop doing that... even when things are quiet."

His words about peace made her breathe out slowly, like she hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath the whole drive.

"I like the way you said that," she admitted. "About keeping your eyes on what's in front of you." Her voice wavered just a little. "Most days, I don't even realize I'm looking back until my neck hurts from it."

When he talked about home and family, something in her expression softened—longing, hope, fear, all tangled together.

"That's all I've ever wanted," she said quietly. "Not anything fancy. Just... somewhere I don't have to be on guard all the time. Somewhere I belong." She swallowed. "I'm just scared that if I want it too much, it'll disappear."

Then he touched her face.

Jennie froze for half a heartbeat, not pulling away, just surprised—before she leaned into his hand without even meaning to. His words hit harder than she expected.

"You really think that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "That I already matter... without having to prove it or earn it or mess myself up trying to be enough?"

She reached up slowly and covered his hand with hers, grounding herself in the warmth of it.

"No one's ever said that to me like that before," she confessed. "Not and meant it."

A small, genuine smile finally broke through as she tilted her head slightly, meeting his eyes.

"And yeah," she added softly, a hint of humor returning, "I could probably use some help learning how to do worthwhile things without blowing my life up."

She let out a quiet laugh, then nodded toward the restaurant.

"So... food sounds really good right now," she said. "And Ryan?" She squeezed his hand once before letting go. "Thanks. For seeing me."

With that, she opened her door, stepping out into the glow of the lights feeling—maybe for the first time in a long while—like she wasn't walking alone.

Re: A First Date That Brings a Lifetime of Love

Ryan didn't rush to reply to everything that Jennie had told him. But deep down, he got the feeling that Jennie needed more than just a friend. She needed the love and warmth that somehow was missing in her life, and he made a silent promise to himself that no matter what he had to do, he would always show Jennie the love and warmth that she needed for the rest of her life. Ryan cleared his throat as he closed the driver's door. Then he walked around the car and reached out and took her gently by the hand and then he slowly pulled her close to him, which allowed him to slip that same arm around her waist. And as they were walking into the restaurant, Ryan finally began to speak to her about everything she had just told him. "Well, my beautiful lady," Ryan told her as he opened the door for her to walk through. "I know what it's like to just survive and yes, it is a very hard habit to get out of," he said as Jennie walked into the restaurant with him right behind her.

Ryan gave the host his name and soon they walked to their table. Once there, Ryan pulled Jennie's chair out and soon she was sitting down. Once Jennie was comfortably seated, he took the seat next to her. The host gave them each a menu and then left them to look over their menus. And as they were doing so and was waiting for the waiter, Ryan went on to finish his thought about just surviving. "Anyway, if you spend all your life waiting for the bad stuff to happen, then eventually it will. It's happened to me more times than I really care to count. But the thing I find that helps the most with trying break out of survival mode, is getting up and looking at the sun rise and realizing that I get to live one more day and even though the bad stuff could happen, there's also that chance that the day could go great," he said as the waiter finally came over. Ryan ordered a bottle of their best champagne while they finished looking at the menu.

"I also remind myself that even if it's going to be a lousy day, it will and tomorrow is a new day to not just survive but to actually live," he told her. Ryan chuckled a bit as he continued with his thoughts. "I'm glad you understand and liked the way I put things. I learned everything I'm telling from my experience with not only life but with my boxing career. You would be surprised how much you can learn from just hanging around a gym or boxing ring," he said as the waiter brought the bottle of the best champagne, opened it and began to pour them each a glass as they both went back to looking at the menu. Once the waiter was done pouring the champagne, he began to take their orders. Ryan ordered a crab risotto for his starter and then ribeye steak, medium, with french fries for his entrée, and for dessert he ordered the chocolate molten lava cake. The waiter turned to Jennie and waited for her order. Jennie thought what Ryan ordered sounded pretty good and she said she would have what Ryan was having.

After the waiter left to put in their order, Ryan went on talking more on what Jennie had told him in the car. "Jen, honey, there's nothing wrong with wanting something so badly that you can taste it. In fact, wanting something that badly that there should be a fire in your gut that tells you to keep working harder and harder for the thing you are after," he told her. "And as far as keeping your guard up all the time, well, if you do that, then where's the fun of trying new things? I know it's one of those hard habits to get out of, and that's where the bucket list comes in handy," he told her. "You write a list of things that you want to do but are too afraid to try and the everyday, you force yourself to do one thing off that list," he told her.

"And as for wanting to belong to somewhere, you already do," he told her. "You belong to your family and to a more romantic sense, you belong right here with me," he said just as the waiter was bringing out their crap risottos. And as Ryan was getting some risotto onto his fork, he continued to his thoughts. "And yes, you matter without even having to prove your worth or worrying about messing up," he said and then put a forkful of risotto into his mouth and began to eat it."This is one of the best risottos I have ever had," Ryan told Jennie when his mouth was just about empty. "What do you think?" he asked her as he let himself get off track so that he could just enjoy being with Jennie. But there was one final thought he wanted to tell Jennie. "Babe, I will be here for as long as you need me and I will do my best to help bring out that Jennie that I know that you want to be," he told her. "And that's all I'm going to say about that. Now, let's stop with the serious stuff and get down to having fun," Ryan said with a grin on his face.

Re: A First Date That Brings a Lifetime of Love

Jennie hadn't realized how tightly she'd been holding herself together until Ryan pulled her chair out and spoke to her the way he did — steady, certain, warm.

For a moment, she just watched him over the rim of her champagne glass.

"Ryan..." she said softly, her voice a little breathier than she intended.

When he talked about surviving, about sunrise, about choosing to live instead of just bracing for impact — something in her chest loosened. She reached across the table and lightly brushed her fingers over his wrist.

"I don't think anyone's ever explained it like that to me before," she admitted. "I've been in survival mode so long it feels... normal. Like if I relax for even a second, something's going to fall apart."

She took a small sip of champagne, then smiled faintly.
"But I like the sunrise idea. I like the thought that maybe I don't have to earn the right to enjoy a good day."

When he suggested the bucket list, her brows lifted.
"A list of things I'm too afraid to try?" she teased gently. "That could get dangerous with you around."

But her eyes were shining — not with fear this time, but curiosity.

When he told her she already belonged — with her family, and with him — her breath caught. She hadn't expected that. Not so plainly. Not so confidently.

Her hand tightened around his for just a second.

"I've always felt like I was visiting everywhere," she confessed quietly. "Like I could be useful, or needed, or wanted... but not permanent." She shook her head slightly. "Belonging sounds... nice."

The crab risotto arrived, and she took a bite, letting the creamy, rich flavor settle on her tongue. She hummed softly.

"Okay," she smiled, pointing her fork at him, "you were absolutely right. This is ridiculously good."

She leaned back slightly, studying him now instead of the food.

"And for the record," she added, softer this time, "I don't need you to fix me. But I do like the idea of not doing this alone anymore."

Her foot nudged his gently under the table.

"You make it easier to breathe, Ryan. That counts for something."

Then her expression shifted — lighter, playful again.

"So," she said, lifting her glass toward him, "if we're done with the serious life philosophy for the night... what exactly does 'having fun' look like to you?"

Her eyes sparkled.

"And be careful," she warned with a grin. "You just told me to try new things. I might actually hold you to that."