Continued from here

It was fortunate Stephanie had spent the afternoon testing Wendy out as a babysitter, because her services were needed almost immediately. Their little walk in the park ended with Stephanie scheduled a date. She planned it for the same night because planning further came with scheduling challenges and also meant she was putting too much thought into a date.

That was, of course, against the rules. A fun, romantic date was totally acceptable as long as it was impromptu and led to nothing serious. At some point in the night, she would have to clarify her intentions, but no one wanted to have that talk at the beginning of the date. Heck, that could end the date right there and that would just be a shame.

After putting a responsible amount of time into her makeup and pick out a white number held together by the string around her neck looping into a golden hoop. She wore a white leather jacket over the dress because it was still cold and she was not about to suffer to look sexy standing outside a restaurant. April could get the whole effect when they were in the warm confines of Antonio's.

It was a cozy upscale Italian place, with dim lighting and amazing reviews. She was lucky to snag a reservation last minute, but the woman she spoke with let her know someone canceled and a spot did open up. Honestly, Steph was not used to upscale dates, as much as she talked a big game. She was an eighteen-year-old who lucked into not having to change her date plans.

Steph stood to the side of the wooden door to the restaurant, holding her arms for warmth. She checked her cell phone to keep an eye on the time. Things went well with April, but she had to be prepared to get stood up, just to be safe. If that happened, she'd just cope by ordering two servings of tiramisu and bringing some lasagna home to wallow with.

April couldn't remember the last time she'd been on an actual date, even before the whole de-aging thing she had no idea. It was kind of exciting, with the excitement being tempered by the underlying thought she'd have to make clear to Steph that she was strictly casual in terms of relationships, she didn't progress beyond that. Period.

The excitement, other than the fact she was going out on a date with a beautiful woman, was largely due to her being able to try out more of her magically expanded wardrobe. Some of her old favourites were still in there, which was cool. But there were also so many new and fancy articles that old April had evidently bought for herself in here.

One of the few factors about her older self April was truly pleased with was that she'd stayed so well in shape, sizes had barely changed. Tonight was a perfect time to take out a gorgeous black dress which would, unfortunately only be visible fully when they got to the venue, due to the warm trench coat and scarf she wore to help stave off the relentless chill of the winter air.

The cab ride over was quiet, taking not quite as much time as she expected, the blonde glancing out of the window and just staring at the insane city she lived in. She was still in awe of it, it was like magic.

Stepping out of the cab gently onto the curb she glanced around before she saw the sign of the restaurant and began taking steps towards it, quickly spotting a white jacket worn by a beautiful woman. "Why hello there, beautiful. What're you doing out here all on your own?" April grinned brilliantly.

Stephanie would vehemently deny being a romantic, but she could acknowledge that the date she planned was cliche and romantic. It had been a long time since she went on a real date, so why not enjoy an excuse like this? Hopefully April understood not to read too far into this.

The city was busy as it ever was, even as the evening was fading to night. The reputation as the city that never sleeps appeared to be well earned, because there was never a time when nothing happened in New York City. Smaller towns had that time; when restaurants all started closing and the streets were abandoned. Steph liked the buzz of the city as she waited for someone to find her buzzing in the right frequency.

A taxi pulled up and Stephanie stood a little straighter. Her good posture was rewarded by a stunning blonde approaching. Steph smiled broadly. ”I was waiting for someone hot to save me from the cold. Looks like she found me.” Despite her smirk, Stephanie did glance into the warm restaurant and added, ”Really though, it’s cold as all get out so why don’t we head in?”

Leading April into the cozy restaurant, Stephanie let the warmth and delicious scents hit her and relax her from the Winter chill she escaped from. A hostess asked for her name and offered to take their coats as she walked the new party of two to a table nestled in the back corner. Steph pulled her jacket off her shoulders, leaving her less concealed in her white dress. ”Oh, I didn’t think about it. I hope we aren’t too far from wherever you’re living, sweetpea. I knew this place was close to me, but I’ll feel guilty if I had you running around New York just to get ready for a date with little old me.” Maybe she was playing up the southern angle, just a bit.

April grinned as Stephanie responded, a little coyly. "It so happens ya picked the perfect date to wait for then." Saving people from the cold was something April could do, very much so. "Yes please, that'd be swell." April was literally not built for the cold.

The warmth of the restaurant was immediately pleasurable to April, she absolutely hated the wind chill that was native to New York this time of year. If commitment wasn't literally the worst thing on the planet, she'd find a rich person to trophy wife for, and just spend all year in warm climates.

Nah. She'd get too bored.

April thanked the hostess a little absent minded as she got a good look at Stephanie's dress as the hostess took her coat and scarf from her, she shook a little, glad to be free from the extra layers. While she might have been used to it, she still didn't particularly enjoy having to bundle up whenever she went outside.

April looked up, aware that she'd been day dreaming over the gorgeous dress a little. "Hmm? Well I think a little journey is fine, so long as the reason you're making the journey is reasonable." She let that hang for a moment, tilting her head and giving a mischievous smile. "I've gotta feeling you're more than worth it. You're gorgeous by the way, but you knew that already."

In the warm confines of the restaurant, Steph felt like a person again. One day, when Steph’s endeavors set her and Malia up with a comfortable life, she wondered if she would return somewhere warm to retire and enjoy her wealth and family. She was not attached to New York; this was not even her New York. Still, the city was exciting. She wondered how she would feel in fifteen years.

Taking their seats, April built up Steph’s ego, which she did not need yet thoroughly appreciated. ”I know it, but I like hearing it more off the lips of a total babe,” she admitted playfully.

Scanning the menus placed in front of them, Steph mused aloud, ”Well, I certainly do hope my company is worth it all. I wonder though… what does a lovely lady like you look for in her company?” Maybe she could feel out for April’s expectations of their night now to avoid trouble later.

April stretched out a little before taking her seat, so happy to be in a warm place, free of extra layers. Good lord she could not wait for summer. “Flattery will get you everywhere, honey.” April settled comfortably into the chair and glanced around the restaurant. “You were right, about knowing the best places to take a girl out. My suggestions would have been much less nice.”

April glanced down at the menus herself. When was the last time she’d eaten out? Last time she’d gotten a promotion? God, that was technically so many years ago now it actually hurt a little to think of it.

April glanced up from the menu at Stephanie, giving an amused grin. “You’re living up to it so far, I’m sure you’ll meet my high expectations~” She teased before actually registering the question.

“Well, I like to let all the beautiful people I come across know they are so, more or less. So if pressed I’d say acceptance of my casual approach.” She emphasised the word casual. “I hope that won’t be a problem? I don’t really do anything other than casual.” She admitted shamelessly.

Flattery was always a tool Stephanie felt comfortable employing personally and professionally. A woman like April made that easy. ”Well, now you have this place in your back pocket next time you find some cutie in the park,” she teased playfully.

Now that they were settled in, they needed to figure out what the plan was. Not for the night; Steph was certain they had a similar plan in mind for their immediate future. What both women were looking for the next morning was a real question. The younger woman kept a casual expression, but she was eager to know what was on April’s mind.

Not only was April thinking casual, she used the word twice. Stephanie grinned at the affirmation. ”Well, it seems like we’re of the same mind there. Malia is the biggest thing in my life, so I can’t imagine devoting time to a partner. Besides, I’m still eighteen. Just isn’t what I’m looking for.” She had a daughter, but she still had a long life to live and crimes to commit.

A waitress came by, interrupting their little chat. Stephanie flashed a smile, confidently sharing her fake ID and ordering red wine along with her Veal Marsala order. With that taken care of, she rested her chin on her fingers. ”So do most of your beautiful people take you out to a nice dinner first? Or have I gone above and beyond your usual conquests?”

April put on a show of pondering what Stephanie had said and then grinned playfully. "That's mighty generous of you sweetie, I wouldn't want to intrude on your favourite spots, I'm sure you'll meet more beautiful woman to bring here." She gazed at Stephanie over the menu and smirked again. "Though, I dunno how many will compare~"

April's rough plan for the evening involved some wine, more sultry glances at the beautiful woman across from her, some light Italian food and then some rigorous, other activities.

"I'm glad to hear it, wouldn't have been a deal breaker or mood killer for the evening for sure if you felt differently, I'm totally able to enjoy dinner with a beautiful woman without hints of something more." She nodded in amusement. "You're only 18? Don't take this the wrong way beautiful, but you seem much more together than most beautiful women your age."

April ordered a light pasta dish and some red wine also. She liked red wine with meals, even if she was more of a beer woman herself. "Trying to see if you're special, my gorgeous photographer?" She teased with a coy smile.

"It's true, I normally don't go on dates. I'm 21 and I'm kind of new to the city, I've not been on that many. I usually skip this part. So I guess you're just special like that~" Wining and dining definitely had it's benefits, it made the chatting aspect that April so enjoyed much easier.

April was clearly under no illusion that Steph was planning for this to be her last first date. While she wanted to be modest, Stephanie was aware that puberty had been very kind to her. This had led to benefits and challenges. She rarely struggled to find a date, but she also encouraged some people to see her as “wifey” material. That was not as weird as the obsessives and creeps, but it was also antithetical to her life goals for the foreseeable future.

It was flattering to know April guessed her age higher than it was. That was common with her lately, thanks to all she had done to be a more responsible mother. ”Trust me, a lot of it is an act. Everything else is me trying to do right by Malia.”

The air felt clearer with expectations set. This was special; two women who rarely made time for real dates getting to share one over a lovely dinner. ”Well, since this is a special night, I’ll try to live up to it,” she assured.

”So… new to the city. Have any plans on what you’re going to do now that you’re here? It’s a heck of a place to start fresh; I should know,” she added in her Southern drawl that marked her as a transplant herself.

April leaned forwards as her smile widened slightly. She really wasn't just joking or engaging in wordplay when she said to people that she saw the best in them, or that there were attractive things in everyone she met. The fact that Stephanie had matured for the sake of her daughter, and was doing right by her definitely qualified in April's books.

"That's lovely to hear, I'm sure she'll grow up happy with that parenting attitude." She chirped honestly.

Eyebrows were quirked again, and April's smile turned a touch more ravenous for a moment. "I'm sure we'll manage, it's already feeling pretty special to me. Getting dressed up and actually coming for a date is a big enough deal already." It really was, and wearing this dress was helping.

The accent was very much appreciated. April had her own, less obvious accent that came from growing up in Portland. "I am, kind of. It's sort of hard to segue into this, but I used to be older than this, something happened that I don't remember and I woke up in the city, not remembering how I got here." She shrugged.

"Apparently, I used to be 29, now I'm 21. I didn't really get a say in the fresh start, and I don't know what do with it yet, but I'm happy to take it." She grinned again, her mood shifting once more toward Stephanie related excitement. "Especially if it means I get to meet beautiful people~"

Flirting was so fun when there were no consequences. Sure, that was not guaranteed, she supposed, but she was willing to take April at her word. The fiery blonde seemed on board with keeping commitment far off the table. Tables were for pasta. And maybe your dining partner, but only if the date went really well. (Though considering the public nature of this date, that was probably off the table, too.) Other Malia-level consequences were less likely unless she had more to learn about April, but if she was wrong in her assumptions there, at least she was smart enough to keep protection in her purse. Well, now. You only make that mistake once.

Things were going well, and April did one of the few things that made Steph blush consistently by complimenting her parenting. As a stress-basket when it came to Malia, it was reaffirming to have people tell her she was doing well. Even if they were unaware of her criminal lifestyle, the thought was reassuring.

Of course, she wanted to focus on the date and not her parenting right now. That was a road toward more emotionally available talk. Craziness. ”Well, if you were wondering if your effort and dress choice were worth it,” she posited over the rim of her wine glass, ”I can lay your concerns to rest. It’s gorgeous, and I desperately want to see it on the floor.” She sipped her wine and smirked, adding, ”After dessert, of course.”

She was ready to start hitting the flirting efforts hard now that they laid the ground rules, but then an unexpected revelation came up. Stephanie blinked a few times at the explanation, stunned to be hearing such a familiar story. ”No way! I was thirty-three apparently! I woke up in an alley with no clue how I got to New York and Malia in my arms.”

Replaying the exclamation, Steph realized it was kind of a mood killer. ”Sorry,” she walked it back, ”But what are the odds? Two girls displaced out of time, crossing paths and trying to talk their way into each others’ underthings? Life’s funny, isn’t it?”

The notion of getting all dressed for the purpose of hastily discarded clothes did always amuse April. It was silly, but she loved dressing up in nice clothes all the same, and she loved having the opportunity to discard them all the same. A more timid blonde may have blushed, April's grin just became a little wider. "I'm glad, wanting to get me out of the dress ASAP, was sort of what I was going for."

April was taking a sip of wine when Stephanie replied, and very nearly choked on it. Another one? No way!

April shrugged. "It's definitely weird. I'm trying to view it as a fresh start, and if a fresh start means meeting beautiful women, all the better." And men, but April didn't feel the need to bring that up around Stephanie. The date was all focused on her, for obvious reasons.

"I've only met one other person in our situation, she was just about as confused as me and you." She admitted, thinking of Shelby and smirking at the memories of one of the most adorable people she'd ever met.

Stephanie enjoyed a good game of dress-up. She would be lying if she said she did not have an attachment to the catsuit she wore as Silhouette. When she went out to work, she got to dress chic and professional, but it was less common for her to have an excuse to bring out a nice evening dress.

And so, she would enjoy being fancy and glamorous until it was time to remove clothing. It certainly seemed like that was the path tonight. Neither woman was shy about her intentions, so barring April being a surprise bigot or a die-hard pineapple pizza lover, they were in for a very nice hot and heavy night.

Until then, Stephanie genuinely wanted a nice night of conversation, and evidently they had something very unique to bond over. ”I mean, it’s not like I had many things tying me down on the other side when I was this age,” she admitted. ”I was always a bit transient and Malia’s father wasn’t in the picture anyway. I was always sorta starting fresh, and I don't think older me had a ton to lose. I kept the most important thing when Malia de-aged with me. Still, it’s not easy for any of us to start from step one.”

Stephanie took a sip from her wine and shook her head. ”Darnit, April. How am I supposed to ghost you in the morning if I might need you as my de-aged support friend? She smirked, shrugging a shoulder. ”I might have to reconsider sleeping with you. What am I supposed to do? Actually call my one-night stands back? A girl might develop a reputation.” It was an empty threat, of course. Even as she said it, Stephanie’s bedroom eyes were locked on April, only leaving her dining partner’s hazel gaze to drift shamelessly down toward the skin exposed by her dress.

Stephanie’s comments about ‘another side’ sort of flew straight over April’s head, she guessed it could have been to do with life before and after Malia, which would make sense. The latter part kind of confused her, but she just rolled past it anyway. April had met plenty of people who geared up for a one night stand, and were absolutely not interested in their partner beyond just bodies and their uses.

She was definitely not like that, and she was glad to see that Stephanie was also taking some genuine interest in conversation and bonding. Just because they weren’t going steady, didn’t mean that they couldn’t learn to like each other a little bit.

She nodded in agreement though. “Oh I agree on that last part completely, it’s definitely been a bit of a trip, that’s for sure. It’s been cool to find a whole lot of new belongings I definitely didn’t own at this age.” Mostly clothes, that was a great deal of fun.

April actually snorted at that comment. “Word of advice, from someone whose done a few too many hookups?” She smiled sweetly before adding. “If you like someone who isn’t into commitment, like you are, you can still keep up with them. I’ve made a few friends that way. I’m absolutely happy to get to know you, and hang out. Just don’t expect much from me.” She offered in what she thought was a fair counter.

“Or maybe we could just make a special exception? I’d definitely lean on the sleeping with part.” She mused, with a sultry glance and a sip of wine.

There were absolutely lovers Stephanie took who were best left anonymous. She was still young. As a criminal vagabond, when teenage hormones hit her, she just wanted a partner. Flirting was fun and personalities were appealing, but at the end of the day, those were not dealbreakers. If you’re just looking for a motorcycle to ride, it’s personality was not the highlight of what you need from it.

With April, it was nice to have some common ground and compatibility. Stephanie found the point of returning to her older-self’s belongings interesting. ”Older me left me a few good outfits, though some of her outfits are a little snug on me. She was living pretty modestly, so I still have to hustle with my photography.” And her thievery, of course.

So often, Steph tried to be in control and in charge. It was easy to forget she was eighteen. April knew that, and she clearly realized she had more experience in the dating field than the single mother. Her advice was not to focus so much on ghosting her one-night stands. At least not the ones she liked.

Stephanie smirked, because it was nice having someone talk to her like she could learn a thing or two. Because heaven help her, she could. ”Well, this sounds like a lot of biased opinions from a gal who wants her number to stay in my phonebook.” Or contacts list, she supposed. Man, Twenty-Twenty. ”Really though, you might have a point. I could use a friend or two.”

After mulling over this potential leniency to her previously held code, April’s sultry suggestion got to her. Leaning over the table, letting her low-cut dress put in some work, Stephanie sighed. ”Let’s see how I feel in the morning. I get the feeling I might wake up in a generous mood.” She was not looking for a long-term f*ckbuddy, but the thought of having a relatable, hot friend did not sound so bad.