Worth Every Penny

Breathe!

I could barely sleep last night, now I don't know who I am, where I'm going, or what I'm doing. Elise is still asleep. Right, come on, routine, clothes, shower, get on it. I gently pull myself out from under Elise's arm and open my drawers, I'm going to get changed again before tonight, so for now the clothes don't matter, just something comfortable, I'd washed and stowed away my fancy underwear for safe keeping, but I don't want to put that on yet, just something plain for now. Bathroom. Now.

Where's my toothbrush? Why is the shower so cold? Why are my knickers on backwards? Are my roots noticeable? I've shaved my legs again to be safe but why do I still feel like a bear?

Exiting the bathroom after a minor breakdown, I head back to my room, surprisingly Elise is missing. I guess she went downstairs for breakfast? What's the time? Eight? Limo's coming at six for our reservation at seven, it's only a half hour drive, but it'll give me chance to sign in at the hotel and get the room key... Which will probably only take ten minutes, but hey, a twenty minute buffer is pretty good, right?

I put my clothes in the wash basket, what now? Make-up? No, no point applying it twice, and I'll need to make it special later. What is there to do? There must be something. Something I've overlooked, not thought about, not prepared for. I have to think of everything. Every detail, every possibility, every worry. I have to make sure everything's right. Everything.

"You need to eat." A voice rings from behind me. I turn to see Rouge standing in the doorway. "I can see your brain whirring away, you need to have breakfast, come downstairs." She adds.

"I'm going to eat tonight." I blurt out.

"Yeah, in eleven hours, I'm sure some toast won't ruin your appetite." She points out, rolling her eyes at the idiocy of my statement.

Food, I can't say I'm not hungry... But there's too much going on. "I'll eat in a bit, I need to think, anything I've overlooked?" I think aloud. "Any angles not covered? I have to-" I'm cut off by Rouge grabbing my with both hands by the face, as if to tug my cheeks.

"Hey! Idiot! You missed something! Passing out from hunger is bad date etiquette! You're coming to eat! Understood?" She orders, shaking my head roughly to snap me out of my fugue state. I owe Rouge too damn much already, now she's coaching me through the day itself... How did I function before we patched things up? Oh, right, I didn't. Forgot that part.

Rouge takes me by the shoulders and guides me downstairs to the table, where Elise is happily snacking away on a cheese toastie. She looks so damn cute, it makes me feel relaxed, seeing her so calm. I take a seat next to her at Rouge's insistence as she goes to fetch us both some food.

"I didn't think you drank that much last night, you look pale." Elise states worriedly, placing the back of her hand against my forehead. That feels nice, fear seems to melt away when she touches me.

"I didn't, I just need to eat, getting too worked up about things." I admit, enjoying the attention.

Elise's expression turns to curiosity. "Whatever you've got cooked up is gonna have to live up to a lot of expectations with how you keep talking about it." She smiles. That's the plan. Just have to make sure it all goes according to that plan. Rouge sets down a plate in front of me, toast, eggs, bacon, she knows me too well. She looks at me with a glare that tells me I'm to eat all of it or I'm never leaving this table.

Okay, I guess.

*

Make-up, check, lingerie, check, red and black dress I sneakily picked up to ensure Elise hasn't seen it before, check.

My sister had decided that I would change in her room, so neither me or Elise could see each other before we were completely ready. Once I was finished she'd headed to check on Elise... She'd knock, right? She wouldn't just walk in on Elise changing? It's not like I don't trust them or anything, but I'd rather Rouge didn't know what my girlfriend looked like naked... Even though I know what her former fuck buddy looks like naked. And orgasming. Sometimes I worry we're all too close.

The door swings open, Rouge beckons for me to exit the room. Damn it, did she have to build up the tension this much? Did I have to? I feel like I'm going to crack under the unending pressure. I walk out into the hallway, where I meet a sight that causes me to stop breathing, my heart to skip a beat, my skin to erupt in goose bumps.

It's my girlfriend. And... There just aren't words to describe her.

She's wearing a black high-low dress that flows and tapers to match her body. Her make-up makes it look like the world is moving in black and white. Her usual pin in her hair has been replaced by a single red rose, held in place seemingly out of adoration for her. She smiles at me, and I feel like I might pass out. I don't know why I'm shocked, I always knew she was flawless... I just... I never got hit so full-force by it before.

"Well, say something, it's getting embarrassing." Elise blushes, turning from me to try and hide how red her cheeks are getting. Don't hide that face. I don't ever want to see anything except that face.

I open my mouth to say something but... There's nothing. I can't put words to these feelings... Not yet anyway.

"I'd say it was a success." Rouge giggles, pushing me towards my partner. We're still a couple of feet apart but I swear, I can feel her warmth, it melts the ice I felt creeping up my spine before. I'm so distracted I almost miss the knock at the door.

I turn to look down the staircase, and only now see Mum lurking down there, with something in her hand... Was she recording us? I'll worry about the invasion of privacy later, as she opens the door to reveal a man clad in a driver's uniform, hat in hand.

"Car for Miss Scarlet Cray?" Comes a well spoken voice. Elise looks to the door and then back to me with shock, as if to confirm that I've done this. I smile and manage a shrug, resulting in an expression of amazement. I manage to wake myself up enough to take her hand and lead her down the stairs, following the driver's dutiful gesture towards the car.

I think Rouge and Mum are saying stuff behind us, I can't tell, I'm more focused on the limo. I was expecting run-down, hen night party bus, this? This looks like something a President would ride in. I'm almost worried it's too ostentatious, but Elise's gob-smacked reaction puts me at ease. The driver opens the door for us as we wave goodbye to my family.

The inside is just as fancy, leather seats, a couple of small TV screens on the side, and a control terminal with a bunch of options I probably won't get the chance to try, but the most glaring item is a piece of paper with my name on it. I unfold the paper and read the note.

'Dear Scarlet,

Like you asked, I set up all the details personally, in the fridge you'll find champagne, as well as chocolate and strawberries. The audio button on the console will put on a mix I put together, songs I thought you guys might enjoy. The driver is the one I told you about, he physically can't see into the back without winding down the shield. Just thought you'd want to know.

From Gabriel.

P.S. I spent a month's wages setting this up, so please come to the party!'

Kid pulled through, really can't fault his efforts. Elise is still awestruck by the car, I point to the fridge door next to her, which she enthusiastically opens, revealing our goodies.

"You... How did you do all of this?" She asks shakily, there's a couple of glasses attached to the top of the fridge, she hands one to me and shuts the door with our bounty between us.

"A lot of planning, and a lot of help." I admit. "Do you like it?"

Elise looks shocked at the question as she pops the cork from the champagne and pours us each a glass. "Like it? This is the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me." She coos, staring into my eyes.

"This is just the beginning." I reveal, feeling content at my achievement, and clinking my glass to hers. "Don't fill up on strawberries." I add with a wink. Elise seems tantalised by my enigmatic suggestion as the car begins to move.

This champagne tastes good. I've never really had it before. It's like a thousand little kisses. Elise seems to enjoy the strawberries, her eyes widening as she takes a bite.

I swear, I'll give her a thousand kisses too.