Cab ride to the restaurant, and dinner.

Acting with a decorum that you have never experienced from a taxi driver before the driver gets out of the car, and opens one of the rear doors for Rachel and yourself.

"Here you go Miss." The driver announces, confirming what you already suspected. That this level of 'customer service' is not the norm.

"Thanks." Rachel replies, flashing him a dazzling smile as she climbs into the vehicle.

As you follow her into the car, you notice the silly grin he has on his face. "He's smitten." You mutter to yourself.

Once you're on your way, Rachel and yourself engage in small talk, asking about each other's day, and what has been going on. Rachel talks about her studies, and that she has just been assigned some coursework.

This pricks your conscience slightly, and prompts you to ask her a question."Rachel, do you need some time for your coursework? I'd hate for your studies to be affected by our er, 'activities' this weekend." You ask with concern.

Rachel smiles at your concern, and gently squeezes your hand in assurance. "Don't worry John, I'm more than just a pretty face you know. I'm well on top of it ". She assures you. You notice that the driver's eyes linger over Rachel's form in his rearview mirror, before returning them to the road ahead. "If I haven't been with you, or at work I've been down at the library." She continues, before she drops her voice into a low conspiratorial tone. "I'm intending to let my hair, and my panties down this weekend." She whispers in your ear.

"Sounds like you deserve a rest, Rachel." You reply, feeling genuinely relieved. The last thing you want is for your lovely girlfriend to fall behind in her studies on account of you bonking her every free moment she has. Your lips contort into a naughty smile, before continuing in a low tone. "Shame you're not going to get any over the weekend!"

"Said like the stud that you are, John". Rachel whispers in your ear, before pressing her soft lips against yours.

The pair of you make-out for an indeterminate amount of time, before the taxi slowly comes to a halt.

"Break it up, love birds! We are here!" The taxi driver announces loudly.

"Excellent. Right on time." You state, glancing at your watch after reluctantly parting lips with the lovely woman sitting next to you. You reach for your wallet in your back trouser pocket, pay the driver, and open the door next to you.

Rachel smiles, and accepts your offered hand helping her out of the taxi. As Rachel checks her dress for any signs of 'excitement' caused by your make-out session, you shut the door to the taxi, and wave to the driver.

"John, are we eating here?" Rachel asks after she's finished checking her dress, satisfied that there aren't any tell tale bulges on show. You nod in reply, pleased with her surprised reaction."This is swankiest place in town. How have you got a reservation on such short notice?"

"I know the owner through some business consultation meetings we had at work." You reply. "I popped in to see him, and he was more than happy to help out, and get us a table. Shall we go inside?"

Rachel smiles, and slips her hand in yours as the pair of you walk up the steps, and through the front door.

"Ah hello, Mr John, sir. How are you doing?" The owner asks warmly in heavily accented English.

"Very good Francesco, thank you". You reply, and accept his offered hand. After a very vigorous handshake which turned into a hug, you look around the packed restaurant, and take it the luxurious surroundings. "Looks like business is good Francesco. Thanks again for getting me a table at short notice."

"Yes, business is very good. No problem John anything for you! Luckily I had a cancellation." Francesco replies exuberantly, before switching his gaze to your companion. "Who is this lovely creature?" He asks, his voice dropping into a low friendly tone, and offering his hand.

"Rachel." Your girlfriend replies with a smile, offering her hand in return. Rachel's smile widens when Francesco takes her delicate hand in his, and kisses it gently.

"Charmed". He says in that annoyingly sexy Italian accent. "Francesco is my name, and welcome to my abode! Have you been here before?"

"Well, you're in for a treat!" Francesco promises, after Rachel shakes her head. He indicates to a young waiter. "Manuel will be your waiter tonight. Please follow him to your table."

Rachel thanks him, and follows the waiter to your table. However you pause, and regard the owner. "Do you still have the box?" You enquire.

Francesco smiles, and indicates to his desk. "Of course I have, John!" He replies. "I'll bring it to your table after you have finished your main meal, along with two glasses of champagne on the house."

"You don't have to do that..." You begin before Francesco cuts you off.

"Nonsense, my boy". He interrupts you. "You saved me a lot of money during those consultations. It's the very least I can do! I just wish you didn't leave it all these months before coming in. Your lady seems like a delight". He comments.

You feel your cheeks warming slightly. "Indeed, she is." You reply before giving the man another handshake, and making your way to your table.

"You're up to something John, aren't you?" Rachel says once you take your seat opposite her.

"Me? Never!" You exclaim, picking up the menu in front of you, and trying to act innocent.

"Come on John." Rachel presses. "I saw you talking with Francesco, and shaking his hand. What are you up to?"

Luckily her interrogation is put on hold by the appearance of the waiter , carrying a tray of drinks. "One white wine for the lady, and one Peroni for yourself, sir. Courtesy of the house. Do you need any more time with deciding on starters?" Manuel asks.

..........................................................................................................................

"How are you enjoying your lamb shank, Rachel?" You ask, halfway through your main course. Both of you had ordered smoked salmon for your starters, and enjoyed it immensely. For your main meal you went for a steak, while she opted for lamb. The pair of you sat there making chit chat, and taking in the wonderful surroundings around you. It was wonderful just spending time getting to know more about your new girlfriend.

"Yeah, it's wonderful John. The lamb is so tender. Do you want a piece?" Rachel asks, offering up her fork to you.

"If you don't mind. Put a piece aside on your plate for me will you, please?" You say in reply.

"If I keep it on my plate, it's not likely to stay there very long!" Rachel declares with a smile, and takes a small sip of her wine. "Oh by the way my mum rung today. She was asking if we are both still going to Amy's bash next weekend. I said that we are, if that is alright."

"Of course it is. I can't wait to meet them." You assure her, but a little apprehensive about the matter. "It occurs to me that I don't know much about them, or what is the plan for the weekend." You point out, hoping that Rachel will enlighten you.

"Well mum said for us to get there for late afternoon, so we can meet everyone, settle in and change. Later in the evening there is a big dinner, and party held at the 'local watering hole'. Her words not mine." Rachel states with a smile. "Mum says that Dad has organised something for Sunday morning. Knowing him it is probably Paintball or something. We used to do that quite often."

"You playing paintball? That's something I'd like to see. That can get pretty brutal sometimes!" You state with a smile. "I hope that you're better at it than you are at Halo!" You add with a cheeky grin.

"I guess you will find out next week, John!" Rachel promises, a predatory grin is spreading across her face.

"I can't wait. I play every now and again." You state, and flash a smile mirroring your girlfriend's, before dropping it. You have a delicate question to ask, and don't know how to ask it. "Er Rachel?" You begin awkwardly.

"Hmm?" Rachel replies inbetween a mouthful of food.

"Your sister Amy. Is she.... is she?" You stammer, already regretting bringing up this line of enquiry.

"Is she like me, and Katie?" Rachel finishes your question for you.

"Yeah." You say, bowing your head, and feeling like a jerk.

Surprisingly Rachel reaches across the table, and gives your hand a reassuring squeeze. "Hey John, it's fine." She assures you. "Thanks to you I finally feel happy with my body. Yeah, Amy is like Katie, and myself".

"Do you know why?" You ask still feeling foolish, but curious in equal measure.

"That part is easy to explain." Rachel replies. "My parents for years tried unsuccessfully for a child. Doctors couldn't explain why my mother couldn't get pregnant. One day, the doctors told my parents about this new experimental fertility **** that had been developed. It was unproven, but the early tests showed great promise in helping women conceive. My parents agreed to undergo the trial. After a week of being on the **** my mother was pregnant, with me." Rachel says with a smile, and takes a sip from her wine glass.

"However." Rachel continues. "The **** had an unexpected side effect: all children that were born from women who had taken these fertility **** were born with both male and female sex organs. Making them-like me-hermaphrodites."

"Rachel." You say softly, shaking your head slightly. "I have to admit that this is the first I have heard of this. How many women was this treatment used on?"

"Twelve in this country." Rachel replies. "All in the clinic in my home-town. The foundation quickly stopped the treatment once they saw what we were, once we started being born." Rachel said bitterly. "All the families were given money to keep quiet, and besides the parents had got what they had always wanted. A child."

"I'm grateful for the ****, Rachel." You say earnestly, drawing a confused look from Rachel. "I love you, and if it weren't from them, I wouldn't have ever met you."

Rachel's face forms a loving smile, leans across the table, and she gives you a quick kiss on the lips."

........................................................................................................................

"So how did you enjoy your meal?" The waiter asks as he picks up the empty plates.

"Wonderful, thank you." Rachel replies.

"I'll give the chef your compliments then!" Francesco says, appearing out of nowhere with a tray holding two glasses of champagne , and a very familiar gift wrapped box. "For you." He announces, placing a glass in front of both of you, before placing the box in front of Rachel. "It's diamonds, no?!" He asks with a laugh, before turning to leave. "Oh, I hope that you try our desserts. Our cheesecake is famous around here!"
He adds before leaving the two of you alone.

"I knew you were up to something, John." Rachel says, regarding the box with a smile.

"Busted." You exclaim, with a wink. "Aren't you going to open it?" You ask, after she makes no move to do so.

Your girlfriend smiles lovingly at you. "You really are the best." She says, before removing the wrapping paper. She takes a deep breath before taking off the lid of the box, and looking inside. The expression on her face is priceless