It had been one hell of a day, trying to keep the plans for tonight a secret from Sadie. Almost all the staff at the Deli had been in on it, together with a few of Mat's team. As they closed up for the night, Genevieve disappeared into the office, spiriting away all Sadie's belongings and replacing them with the things Mat had asked her to buy. A dress, shoes, a clutch and a cape, all prepared for what Mat was hoping would be a good night out. She peered out, winking at Dirk. It was time to get the lucky lady changed and ready for her date.

The day had started out as any other normal day. Mat showed up just as he always did, the delivery made and paid for, and general set up ensued. What was different was the schedule. Sadie went over it and approved that day's, then looked at the next. She frowned when she noticed her name had been omitted. The ensuing argument lasted nearly all day. What Sadie hadn't counted on is that Dirk could be as stubborn and willful as she. By the end of the day, Sadie had given in, but only reluctantly. To her, the Deli was her life, it's what she did. She had nothing else, even the distractions (as pleasant as those were) of Mat wasn't enough to pull her away for an entire day. As she was preparing to go, Dirk called her into the office, then made a quick excuse to run to the men's room to leave her alone in the office. When the door shut behind Dirk, she noticed the gown, the shoes, the clutch and cape. Her eyes narrowed and she flung the door open. "Whose clothes are these? I told you once, I told you a million times, this is not a dressing room for your girlfriends!"

Genny was not going to let all their hard work go to waste, though. Gloved hands held up, she advanced on Sadie determinedly, giving her no option but to back up or be run over. "They're for you," she said in her soft voice. "And you're going to wear them, or go home in your underwear."

She was more than surprised that it was Genny, her soft spoken pastry chef, that had stepped up. Her face flushed with embarassment at assuming the worst of the male part of her crew. Stepping back quickly, she frowned in confusion. "What are you talking about? I've never seen this," she reached up to run her fingers through the furred collar of the thick cloak. "Oh, that's so soft." She gazed at the cloak, admiring it and it brought to mind her own ragged and servicable jacket. It took a moment, but she quickly withdrew her hand from the soft fur. "Genny, this isn't mine. I swear it. Somebody's been pulling your leg or something."

Big blue green eyes rolled with a gentle smile. "Well, I did buy them for you," she said wryly, hands on her hips. "Look, it's a surprise, okay? Just ... go with it for once." Her head tilted and she looked at her boss shrewdly. "Not everything has to be controlled to be wonderful, Sadie."

"You what?" She eyed the pastry chef warily, then stepped closer to the dress. Her hand lifted and fingers drifted over the silky material. "But Genny.." she turned and smiled, biting her lower lip. "I don't know what to say." With a laugh, she turned back to the clothes and brought them down from their hang on the door. "You're right. I shouldn't try to control everything." Her biggest fear was losing control and it was taking a lot out of her to keep her knees from knocking together. "But Genny," a thought occured to her and she turned to Genny with the clothes hugged to her chest, clutch in one hand, shoes dangling from her fingers in the other. "I don't know where I'll ever wear it. But thank you." She smiled warmly and slipped out of the office, to the bathroom.

Mat snorted with laughter, catching her hands with a gentle squeeze. "Balls or not, you're the prettiest girl I ever acquainted," he told her warmly. Then he stepped back and offered her his arm. "If I may, Miss Jenkins, I would like to invite you out for an evening of classical music, tights, dancing, and beautiful surroundings." In his other hand appeared two tickets, emblazoned on which, in gold, were the words Sleeping Beauty.

Sadie lowered her head to hide the rush of blood to her cheeks at his compliment. She realized that she was being watched, but for the first time, she didn't give a damn. Looking up at Mat, her eyes shone and she curled her hand into the crook of his elbow. A soft gasp at the inscription on the tickets. Sleeping Beauty had always been her favorite. Afraid she's sprout tears and go into a crying jag if she opened her mouth, she simply turned her shoulders and waved farewell to Genny. Then, looking up at Mat with eyes wide and trusting, she gave a nearly imperceptible nod. She was ready.

"Hey," he whispered to her fondly, laying his other hand over hers at his elbow. "Just go with it, I worked hard on this." With a wave and a wink to the ever-helpful Genny and the staff who were locking up, Mat led Sadie out to the front of the Deli, where another surprise was waiting for her. There, waiting patiently in the street, was an old hansom cab, drawn by a beautiful black working horse. "Your carriage awaits, milady."

"Ok." She smiled, speaking quietly. When he led her outside of the deli, she squeezed his arm tightly with her fist. A sharp intake of air hissed through her teeth as she eyed the horse and beautifully decorated hansom cab. Slowly she dragged her eyes away and stole a glance up at Mat's smiling face. "How'd you know?" Suddenly she released his arm and stepped up to the cab. Lifting her skirt just enough, she stepped up and into the cab, sitting on the thickly padded leather seat. Two blankets sat on the bench. Both were picked up and set in her lap as she pat the seat beside her. "I've always wanted to do this!"

"What, I don't look like I can tell what'll set your heart all a-flutter?" Mat feigned hurt for all of two seconds, leaping up behind her to plunk down and settle the blankets across their knees before the driver closed the compartment over their legs. He laughed, curling an arm around her. "All right, so I had a little help - all right, a lot of help - you know, more people should employ psychics, they're really useful," he grinned. Leaning down as the cab pulled away with the crisp clip-clop of hooves on cobbles, he kissed her softly, taking the time to produce from somewhere his last present for her ... a purple rose.

She giggled like a school girl, lost in the moment as Mat sat and curled his arm around her. She sighed contently as he kissed her. Leaning into him, she gasped softly as she took the rose. "I'll have to get Genny for this later." she sniffed the rose, deep purple and thornless. "But I don't see how." Her eyes lifted to his once more. So caught up in the moment, she forgot that she was Surly Sadie, owner and operator of O'Dell's Deli and a terror to meet across a desk. Now she was Softy Sadie; Mat's romantic planning was truly paying off. Sadie couldn't remember when she'd felt so relaxed before. "It's all so overwhelming." Gazing down into the rose, she brought it up to her nose and closed her eyes.

"Two can play that game." she winked playfully as they walked into the theater. She was dazzled by the lights, the rich textures of the velvet drapes that hung gracefully in dizzying loops from the ceiling to the floor. She slapped at the man's hand who came to take her cloak before realizing that it was his job. She uttered a soft and embarassed apology as the cloak was taken away. "Mat?" She glanced around the foyer and a moment of panic set in. She couldn't find him. Why would he go through all of this trouble just to ditch her. And just as her mind was beginning to whirl in that direction, she looked up and realized he hadn't gone anywhere. The tuxedoed man standing beside her was.. Mat? "Wow." She breathed out, eyes widening. She couldn't resist the urge to reach up and touch the silky tie, the strong shoulders. "You do clean up pretty, don't you?"

"Pretty?" He staggered back, one hand over his heart. "Pretty? Oh, no, no, no ... you are pretty, beautiful, stunning, sexy, all those words I can't remember right now. Me, I'm just ruggedly handsome with a dash of goofy mystery on the side." He grinned, catching her hand in his. "Come on, I think the band's warming up."

She watched him, giggling again. "How you do go on." She waved her hand dismissively, but absolutely glowed under the rain of compliments he showered upon her. "I will admit, there is some handsomeness there." Her eyes twinkled with mirth. Even as he took her hand and led her towards their box seats. She wondered if his sense of humor and playfulness would ever get annoying. As they sat down in their seats, she looked up at him with a brilliant smile. She decided right then and there, nothing he could do would annoy her.

To his credit, Mat really did try to get into the story. It wasn't as though he didn't know what was going to happen, but for some reason, his attention kept wandering from the stage to the beautiful woman sitting beside him, enraptured by the performance. Ballet really wasn't his thing, but Genny had assured him that Sadie would love it. And frankly, he was prepared to sit through almost anything to give Sadie a night she'd never forget.

As the music swelled and the dancers glided across the stage, Sadie kept her hand either in Mat's hand or on his knee. She clutched the rose tightly in her other hand. She could feel Mat's eyes on her and when she didn't, she glanced over to gaze up into that startingly handsome face. Already, she owed so much to him. And there was a certain pride in her eyes when he did look down and their gazes met. All too soon, the ballet ended and she turned to look at him full on. "Thank you, Mat. For everything tonight."

He took the cape from the usher who was waiting for them, draping it around her shoulders himself. "It's not over yet," he whispered into her ear. "Not unless you want it to be." Stepping away, he tilted his head, watching her as he shrugged into his own coat. Whatever happened next was entirely up to Sadie.

Enjoy was an understatement. Even in the cool, crisp air of early winter, Sadie felt warm, safe and very happy. Her head, usually full of figures and schedules, menus and recipes, was completely devoid of all thoughts. She was just being. It was exhilirating and liberating. His kisses stoked a warmth in the pit of her stomach. His hand with it's gentle caresses stoked that fire into a small inferno. Her arms tightened around him, instinctively. And each kiss from him was returned with an equal amount of gentle energy.

"Sadie ..." Her name, breathed in a soft voice against her lips as he drew back just enough to look at her. "Sadie, open your eyes." He waited for her to do as he asked, nuzzling his nose against hers tenderly. "Do you want this, tonight? No pressure to say yes, I know it's been kind of overwhelming for you." His hand stroked against her cheek before returning to her side, drawing her even closer than before.

Reluctantly, she opened her eyes and gazed into his. Her nose flared delicately as she merely nodded with a shy smile. "I do, Mat." Another, more firm nod of her had to confirm her words. And she clung to him, holding him as tightly as she could. "Just tell me that I'm not going to wake up at my desk and this all be a dream."

"You're not going to wake up at your desk and this is not a dream," he repeated dutifully, grinning at her as his arms tightened in response to her clinging squeeze. "And if I have my way, you're not seeing that desk for at least thirty hours." His grin touched her lips once again.

Sadie beamed as he spoke. "I won't be seeing the desk for thirty hours?" But her question was lost in that kiss. Slowly she pulled away and gently poked his side. "You had them all in on this, didn't you? Dirk can't look me in the eyes and lie very well. That excuse of needing extra hours to pay for Christmas gifts, I knew was a lie. The man's a model." She snorted and shook her head. "You manipulated me on all sides." Leaning against him, she smiled admiringly. "And got me good."

"Oh, come on," he chuckled cheerfully. "How else was I going to get you to forget everything and just enjoy yourself? And I'll have you know it took me three days to get ol' Dirkus to join in - I have my suspicions about what a certain psychic must have said to him to get it happening at all." Mat grinned, squeezing her tightly as a thought occurred to him. "Hey, Sadie ... this mean you're my girl now?"

Another laughing shove to the door, and it was firmly shut against the elements. Mat followed Sadie into the main room, shedding his coat, jacket and tie and scrabbling his fingers through his hair in relief. He gestured towards the wide sofa in front of the fire. "Make yourself comfortable," was his warm instruction as he kicked off his shoes and socks, and wandered into the flagstoned kitchen to seek out the bottle of wine he'd picked out in case she actually agreed to come back here tonight.

She turned from the fire in time to see him run his hand through his hair. "Now, there you are." She grinned and sat lightly on the edge of the couch. Removing her shoes, she sat them neatly to the side as she waited for him. Sighing softly, she thought that he might want to hurry up a little bit, before she lost her nerve.

Mat, on the other hand, wanted Sadie to be absolutely sure before she committed herself to anything, and he knew he'd thrown her a curveball this evening. So even if it meant continuing his admittedly intimate relationship with his own right hand a little longer, he was prepared to give her the time she needed to make that decision in good conscience.

She turned to the fire once more. Slowly she slid off of the couch and crawled over to sit on the hearth. With a soft sigh, she leaned her head against the brockwork. Caressing the warm bricks, she gained a far away expression. So hard she'd been fighting back the flood of memories that always seem to hit at this time of year. Closing her eyes, she could see the bright red stockings with white trim, four of them. The fireplace, so much like the one she sat at now, popping and crackling with it's own fire. The sounds of a party, clinking glasses and people kissing under the mistletoe. A small smile curled her lips as she got lost in the memory.

Mat leaned in the doorway and watched her with soft eyes. How long had it been, he wondered, since she had had a happy Christmas? Too long, if the look on her face was anything to judge by. Glasses and bottle in hand, he moved over, almost silent on bare feet, and sat down behind her, his legs either side of her hips. The wine was laid down, and his arms went around Sadie, drawing her back against his chest as he murmured in her ear, "Tell me about them. The things that make you smile."

If she were startled by his sudden presence behind her, Sadie didn't let it be known. Simply, she leaned back against him for support. "You don't want to hear it." She shook her head, speaking softly. That far away look, still in her eyes. "I'm in the here and now, they're not. Simple as that." She closed her eyes again and set her jaw. It ticked under the strain. Why did she feel like crying so much lately?

"Oh." Sadie withdrew into herself, her hands falling into her lap. Now she not only felt stupid, but selfish, too. Here she'd been going on about her own hurts when this wonderful man had his own that she hadn't even bothered to ask about. She stared dumbly down at her thumbs. "I'm sorry, Mat. I didn't know." She sighed then and flung her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"Hey, you have your own heart to heal," he smiled reassuringly, hugging her tight. "Let's get you healing, and then I'll share my tale of woe, okay? Right now, I'm just worried about you." He kissed her cheek affectionately. "I want you happy, Sadie. And sometimes you have to be sad to get there. But you're not gonna be alone. I promise."

She sobbed onto his shoulder, ruining his shirt and vest. Simply holding on as tightly as she could, she sobbed. It took a few minutes for her to regain her composure. Leaning back slightly, she hiccuped. "I think I'll go visit her before the Doo Dee." She nodded, simply. "Will you go with me?"

Stroking her hair, Mat rocked her back and forth automatically, murmuring soothing nonsense as she cried herself out. His hand dug in a pocket and found a handkerchief to dry her eyes as she drew back and spoke. "If you want me there, I'll be there," he promised her softly, gently dabbing the moisture from her cheeks. "That mean you wanna join my Doo-Dee this year?"

She nodded, child like. "I do want to join in the Doo Dee." She sniffled and then laughed. "It would be like her to have a Doo Dee, too." Sighing softly, she sagged against him and curled her arm up and over his shoulder. "Thank you, Mat. For everything."

"Well, what's a good first date without some tears?" he shrugged, smiling down at her. "At least you didn't slap me."

She laughed, in spite of her self and reached up to tap his cheek. "There's still time, you know." With an unconscious squaring of her shoulders, she sat up and gently pressed her mouth to his.

He didn't fight the kiss, but neither did he linger, stroking her hair back off her face as he smiled at her. "In the morning," he told her softly. "Right now, you need to sleep. When we get started, trust me, you'll need your strength." His grin was very cheeky as he stood up, drawing her up with him. "So you get a choice of where to sleep tonight. In a room with a lock on the door ... or in with me. Your choice."

When he boasted, she rolled her eyes. Not resisting the pull of her body upwards, she soon stood beside him. Decision to make. It was a no brainer. "Mat, I don't want to be alone." Putting her hand on his shoulder, she gazed up into his face. "Even if nothing happens tonight, I'd rather stay with you."

"I was hoping you'd say that." He leaned down and kissed her softly, drawing on his own self-control not to try and push. She wouldn't be able to cope with it tonight, not after the demons she had just faced. "C'mon, sexy Sadie ... let's put you to bed." His arm curled around her back, holding her close against him as he turned to lead the way to his bedroom, determined to have her nearby for as long as she would allow. Maybe even a lifetime.