Strings Attached

Part 2.4: Moonlit Whispers

Edmund woke up in his hotel room, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. He lay still for a moment, the remnants of a vivid dream lingering in his mind. In the dream, he and Belle had gone on a date, laughing and holding hands as they strolled through a sunlit park, sharing secrets over a candlelit dinner, and dancing under the stars. As he shook off the last remnants of sleep, Edmund knew it was time to turn that dream into reality. He couldn't ignore the growing feelings he had for Belle, and he wanted to show her how much she meant to him. With a determined smile, he got out of bed and began planning their date.

Later that morning, Edmund arrived at Sloane's Skeins and Stitches. Belle greeted him with a bright smile as he walked in, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of him. His recent occurrence in her life had become something she looked forward to every day. Even if she was too shy to confess her feelings to him, the least she could do was to keep him in her life as long as possible.

"Good morning, Edmund!" She said, her eyes twinkling.

"Morning, Belle," he replied, his voice warm. "I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me today. I have a date planned, if you're up for it."

"I'd love that! What's the plan?" Belle's smile widened, and she felt a flutter of excitement. This was the moment she'd been waiting and imagining about.

"It's a surprise. But I promise you'll enjoy it," he said with a wink.

Gathering her belongings and closing up the store Edmund couldn't help but stare, her diligence was attractive. She was so detail-oriented, so meticulous, so grounded. He loved that about her.

Their first stop was a charming little bistro tucked away in a quiet corner of town. The restaurant had a cosy, intimate atmosphere, perfect for a romantic lunch. They sat by the window, where sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow over their table. The waitress handed them menus, and they both took a moment to browse the offerings. Edmund looked up and caught Belle's eye.

"Anything catches your fancy?" He asked, hoping for an idea of what he wanted.

"Everything looks so good. I'm thinking about trying the grilled chicken salad. What about you?" Belle smiled, her eyes scanning the menu.

"I'm leaning towards the Bucatini all'Amatriciana," he said, setting his menu down. "But honestly, I think I'd be happy with anything as long as I'm sharing it with you."

"You always know what to say to make me smile," her cheeks flushed slightly.

As they enjoyed their meal, their conversation flowed effortlessly. They shared stories about their childhoods, their dreams for the future, and the little things that made them happy.

"Do you remember your first crochet project?" Edmund asked, taking a sip of his wine.

"Oh, it was terrible! I tried to make a scarf, but it ended up looking more like a very holey dishcloth." Belle laughed, the sound light and musical. "But my grandmother kept it and told me it was beautiful. That's when I knew I wanted to keep trying."

"Sounds like you had a wonderful grandmother," he said, his eyes softening.

The waitress returned to take their orders, and once she left, Belle and Edmund settled into easy conversation.

"So, tell me more about your crochet projects," he said, leaning forward with genuine interest.

"Well, my last finished project was a baby blanket for a friend. It's a combination of different stitch patterns, and I used a really soft, pastel-coloured yarn. It turned out beautifully." Her eyes lit up as she spoke.