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Lachy has been preparing for this occasion for months. Ever since this new café opened in Wiggletown, he knew this was the perfect opportunity to ask Emma such a question that’s been nagging him since he fell in love with her. And that is…to ask her out on a date.
There’s been numerous chances for him to do so, but he either chickened out or both of their schedules became full. However, this was different. This was very different. For the owner had invited just the two of them for a private performance. Everything was set in stone. Now, it’s time to put his plan into action.
He takes a deep breath and heads to Emma’s room. He knocks in the door, waiting for her approval to enter.
“Come in!” That all-too familiar cheerful voice answers.
He opens the door to see Emma dressed in her yellow tutu.
“Ah! Are you ready to leave already? I’ll be there in a moment!” She eagerly replies.
Lachy closes the door shut and lets out the largest exhale he’s ever done. He’s not sure why he made himself an even more nervous wreck than he already is around her, but this is taking the cake. Now it’s making him wonder if cake is on the menu at the café. Too many thoughts swirling in his mind!
He quickly walks downstairs and lays down on the couch, bringing his knees up to his chest and curling into a ball of nervousness. To his surprise, Simon walks by.
“Let me guess: you’re nervous about the café gig.”
Lachy groans. He’s spot on.
“You two are gonna do great together. If anything, you can tell me and Anto how it went so we all can perform there someday. Anto is practically bubbling with jealousy right now, haha!” Simon chuckles. “You know how much he wanted to sample the entire menu.”
Simon’s nudges to Anthony’s never-ending hunger gained a chuckle out of Lachy. “You’ve done this plenty of times before without fail and you’ll do it again. You got this, mate,” he clasps a hand on his shoulder.
Simon doesn’t get an immediate response. In fact, he hears…snoring? Lachy really did fall asleep curled up. He laughs before counting to three in his head before yelling, “wake up, Lachy!”
Lachy jumps up from the couch. “Brr! Thank you for waking me up, Simo!” He checks his watch. “It’s almost time for us to go!”
Right on cue, Emma walks down the stairs and heads to the front door. “Too right, Lach. Let’s get going,” she exits.
“Y-yes! Coming!” Lachy scurries and follows her out the door.
Simon watches the scene and crosses his arms with a smirk. “Get out there, you lovebirds.”
Emma and Lachy sit in their usual seats in the Big Red Car, but once Emma buckles her seatbelt, she unbuckles it and steps out of the vehicle.
“Huh? Where are you going?”
“It’s just the two of us performing, so let’s take the Bowmobile,” she opens the secondary garage door and steps into her signature vehicle.
Lachy doesn’t protest and instead, follows her lead. He transfers their equipment from the BRC to the BM and sits beside her. He closes his eyes to calm his nerves. Deep breaths. Emma notices his behavior, but doesn’t question it. Maybe he’s nervous about performing? But then again, she thinks he’s a talented performer already. Once the two buckle in their seatbelts again, Emma drives to the café.
The drive wasn’t too long. Heck, they could’ve walked there if it wasn’t for their equipment. Once they find a nearby place to park, they exit and walk up to the front of the place.
A man wearing a fedora approaches the two and shakes their hands. “Hey there, new friends! You must be Emma and Lachy Wiggle. Welcome! I’m James, the owner of this fine establishment. We’re really lucky to have you here.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Emma smiles. Lachy nods.
“I’ll have my trusty right hand man and waiter assist you. Oh, Paul!” James calls out.
Another man with a mustache and butler attire swiftly leaps onto the scene. “Yes?” He gasps upon seeing the two Wiggles. He looks back at James if he’s truly seeing what he’s seeing. James nods. “Ah! Emma and Lachy Wiggle! Such a delight!”
“This is Paul. Paul the Dancing Waiter. Can you help them unload any equipment they have?” James asks.
“Most certainly,” Paul walks over to the Bowmobile. Emma opens the truck as Paul and Lachy set up the equipment in the front area of the café.
Lachy performs a quick sound check while Emma performs a quick outfit change into her yellow tutu she was wearing earlier. Now that Lachy is preoccupied with a task, he’s not as nervous as before. Come to think of it, he doesn’t feel nervous at all.
“James, Paul, where is everyone else?” Emma walks up to the two.
“This is a private reception,” James answers.
“With just the two of you?”
“Yes and no,” Paul adds, “upon hearing about your previous duets together, we simply had to experience it for ourselves!”
Lachy walks up and whispers into Emma’s ear about the song they want to perform. She beams with an eager nod. “We can make that work,” Emma confirms to the two.
“Splendid!” Paul cheers.
Lachy sits at the baby grand piano and Emma readies her stance at the barre that was graciously provided to them. Looks like they didn’t need to use most of their personal equipment after all. Or did they?
Suddenly, two spotlights shine on them. They’re unfazed. One deep breath from Lachy later, and the two begin their performance. The song they perform? The extended version of ‘Dance with Emma Ballerina’ (from the Big Ballet Day album). The harmonization from Lachy, the quaint, elegant voice Emma possesses, James and Paul marvel at what they’ve been honored to witness. Near the end of the performance, Lachy stands up from the piano bench to waltz with Emma. Twirling and swaying to the majestic melody. For the finale, Lachy holds her by the waist and dips her. It never got old to him.
Unknowingly to them, their faces are rather close. It’s as if time stood still. They’re not at the café, they’re not in Wiggleworld, they’re…home.
Thunderous applause erupts from the owner and waiter, temporarily breaking the two Wiggles from their concentration on each other.
“Marvelous! Simply marvelous!” Paul exclaims on the brink of tears.
“That was beautiful,” James claps with an approving smile.
Lachy and Emma continue holding hands and take a bow. “You want an encore?”
“Encore! Encore! Encore!”
Lachy and Emma proceed to perform more duets until sunset. Neither of them had even realized until Lachy catches the perfect glimpse of Emma. Her red hair shining in the remaining sunlight, her glowing skin, her shimmering lipgloss…she’s beauty personified.
As their series of encores comes to a close, James and Paul give them four miniature cakes in boxes based after each Wiggle and their personal interests and traits as a farewell gift.
“You’re too kind! Thank you!” Emma accepts.
“This’ll make for a lovely dessert tonight,” Lachy can already envision Anthony’s reaction.
The four of them say their goodbyes. Lachy safely stores the cakes in the trunk and the two drive back to Wigglehouse.
Emma and Lachy have a nice drive back to Wigglehouse. “We’re home!”
Anthony and Simon are delighted to see the two return.
“How was it, guys?” Simon asks.
“The owner was excellent!” Emma compliments.
“And the waiter was just as enthusiastic about our performance,” Lachy adds. “And as a gift, they both gave us…these!” He announces as he and Emma bring in the cakes.
Anthony’s eyes light up at the sight and quickly brings them into the kitchen to serve up a few slices. As the band continues to eat and chat, Emma taps Lachy on the shoulder. “Want a piece of mine?” Emma holds up her fork to Lachy’s mouth.
Her glistening blue eyes bore into his soft green eyes. It’s impossible for him to say no. He nods and opens his mouth. Emma slowly guides the fork. He takes a bite and chews. It tastes like lemon.
“This is really good!” He mumbles.
“Lachy, mate, it’s best not to talk with food in your mouth,” Anthony chuckles.
Lachy swallows and nervously smiles.
“Lachy, you have a little…” Emma swipes the corner of Lachy’s mouth with her thumb removing the bit of icing smudged there. She licks the end of her thumb and smiles at him.
There’s no way Lachy can hide his blushing face from her, and he definitely can’t hide it from Anthony and Simon who’re ready to pounce on him with teasing critiques.
After a very invigorating conversation, it was now time for bed. Anthony and Simon don’t hesitate to say good night and head upstairs to their respective bedrooms. Emma and Lachy follow suit and head to their bedroom to change into their pajamas. Realization hits the two and they swing their bedroom doors open to face each other again.
“I had an amazing day with you–!” They unknowingly compliment each other simultaneously, and giggle right after.
“Do you, uh, m-maybe want to spend more time together…? Outside of performing?” Lachy musters up all his courage to ask that. He closes his eyes, bracing for potential rejection.
Instead, Emma wraps her arms around his neck for a hug, “of course I do! We can actually get the chance to try something out from the menu! As much as I love spending time with the others, hanging out with you feels more…” she peels off of him gently while still maintaining eye contact, “...special.”
Lachy’s brain is on overload. He can’t look away. He never can. Not when Emma is around. He gently takes her hands and raises them out enough to guide them to his face. He presses a kiss against her palm and leans into her touch, “I love being around you…” he sounds like he’s about to cry. He’s that overcome with emotion. He feels like he’s the luckiest man alive.
Now it’s Emma's turn to finally blush. Actually, she’s been blushing all this time. Her makeup simply blends and hides her facial nervousness well enough to keep Lachy on edge. But now it’s time for Lachy to be the confident one.
“...can…can I…” Well, that was a great attempt from him.
“You want to kiss me, don’t you?” Emma smiles at his attempt of being the first to ask.
“Yeah…” his soft, curly locks almost cover his eyes. Emma brushes his hair aside and finally leans in for a kiss.
Lachy’s eyes grow wide before slowly fluttering his eyes closed, melting into the kiss. He places his hands on her waist to keep balance. They pull back, but not before crashing into each other’s lips again.
This was Lachy’s goal. This was Emma’s checkpoint. How are they going to explain this to Anthony and Simon? Sources say they already predicted this loooong ago. It wouldn’t faze them as much as the lovebirds thought. They know they’ll have a good night’s sleep tonight. Dreaming about today, and the future.