Sorry it took so long. RL, you know how it goes.

-OMA

Amita's POV

I don't think I should be this nervous. It's not like it's my first date with Charlie, but it's my first…I wanted this to be good, perfect even. After the disaster that was our first date, I can't have that happen again. We decided that he'll pick me up, an attempt at "normalcy" (whatever that is) and it'll just be different than they way things have been. Although I'll admit, I was a little nervous riding with someone who has only had his license for a little less than a year. That's the funny thing about being a genius or gifted in some way. You spend so much time working in your field and gaining new accomplishments that normal things like getting your driver's license kind of fall by the wayside. I didn't get my license until I was 20. Way below average for the everyday Californian.

When Charlie came to my door, he was wearing a tan jacket, a nice button-down and black slacks. He smelled good too, not over-bearing, but just enough to be pleasant. I kind of hoped to see him in his blue π shirt, but you never know who you might run into at these things so have you to at least appear slightly professional. As I looked at Charlie, I just knew. Something had changed, had balanced out. It was finally the right time and we were doing the right thing.

"Miss Ramanajan, May I escort you this evening?" Charlie asked in a horrible English accent. He held out his hand in a slightly bowed position. I took a second to stifle my laughter and placed my hand in his.

"Yes, you may," I replied and we gracefully walked out of my apartment. We held our properly poised act until we got to the stairs and I started laughing hysterically. Charlie laughed along with me at our silliness. I looked at the pure enjoyment on his face and smiled.

"You're such a nerd," I giggled out.

Charlie smiled and shrugged, "How I make my living."

I nodded, "And how I make mine. Shall we?"

Charlie took my hand and walked me to the car, "Let's go."

"That was fun," I commented as Charlie drove me home.

"It was, wasn't it?" he replied.

"Although, what was the deal with that guy who volunteered me to help the technicians when the equipment broke down?"

"Hey," Charlie started defensively, "I was only trying to help. They needed you. And we got a free dinner out of it."

I reclined back into the passenger seat.

"It is hard to say no to free food," I mused.

"So that's why you keep coming over to my house," Charlie joked.

"That and the occasional jigsaw puzzle and/or chess game," I replied.

"By the way, have I played you yet?" Charlie asked.

"No."

"I'll have to put that on our "things to do" list."

I turned toward him, intrigued, "We have a list?"

He looked at me and smiled, "Yeah."

"Oh, and what does this list include?"

"Hiking, Surfing, Museum-Going, Cooking…"

"Cooking? Me or you?" I questioned.

Charlie shrugged, "Me."

I let out a slow smile, "Cool. But at my place, I wouldn't want your dad or Don walking in on us."

"Yeah, that would be an… embarrassing situation. So, you don't cook?" he asked carefully.

"It's one of those things I have yet to master according to my grandmother," I replied.

"You're grandmother?"

"Yeah, ever since we got back from Chennai, my grandmother's been 'training' me. Cooking, cleaning, all things I should be good at before I get married," I said off-handedly.

Charlie scratched his head, "I, a, thought you weren't going to go through with that whole banker in Goa thing."

"I'm not," I replied, "It's more like an excuse to hang out with my grandmother. Catch up on lost time."

Charlie smiled at me, "That's pretty awesome."

"How do you figure?"

"I know how important is to reconnect to with family," he said and pulled into a parking space near my apartment. I put my head on the headrest and smiled.

"I guess you do."

Charlie turned off the car.

He got out of the car and opened my door for me. We walked in silence up to my door holding hands. When we got to my apartment, I turned and faced him.

"I had a great time, Charlie," I said, not really wanting the night to end, but I couldn't invite him in, at least not now.

"Me too," he replied and started shifting his feet. He looked down and looked back up at me, "Are you okay with this?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm… I'm not perfect. Whatever expectations you have, I don't know if I'll be able to meet them."

I sighed, "Charlie, I only expect one thing from you, be yourself. I want to know and love everything about you from the way you touch me to the freckle behind your ear. And you should expect the same from me. No more, no less."

"And that's enough."

I smiled and kissed him lightly on the lips, "What do you think?"

I turned around and unlocked my door. Suddenly I felt a soft hand on my waist.

"I think we made the right choice," he whispered in me ear.

I turned my head to look at him over my shoulder, "Me too."

He kissed me and held me tighter as we made out in the hallway. Pulling away, I smiled, "I have to go."

"I know," he stated softly and released me. I walked inside my apartment, turned and closed my door until he could see my head poke out.

"Good night."

"Good night, Amita," Charlie said.

I smiled and shut the door. A perfect night if there ever was one.