Early the next morning, both Nathan and Roxie woke up around 5:45 in the morning to get ready for their little adventure to the northern part of the city. Since she was going to be somewhat given a tour of London and going to a concert; Roxie decided that she wanted to dress in an outfit that was somewhat semi-formal. Roxie dressed into a navy blue and tan striped loose fit blouse with black skinny jeans along with a pair of suede ankle boots with a green army jacket. Hair wise; Roxie kept it simple by putting it up in a low bun. As for her makeup; Roxie opted for a more natural look for the eyes a little bit of foundation, but had a red wine shade for the lips. Once she was done getting ready, Roxie grabbed her cell phone and walked out of her bedroom to the living room. As soon as Roxie entered the living room, she saw Nathan in the kitchen preparing two thermoses of tea.
"Good morning." Roxie smiled.
"Morning; I'd figured you would like at least one cup of tea to wake you up." Nathan replied.
"Aww; that's sweet of you, thanks."
"No problem; anyway, we better hit the road before we hit traffic." Nathan said as he gestured to the hallway. Roxie silently nodded her head and the two of them quietly walked to the garage.
"Are you sure the others are going to be ok with us leaving?" Roxie asked Nathan as he was driving the car out of the house's front driveway.
"If you can trust Cassie with your old job in New York; then I'm pretty sure she'll be fine with Paul, Landon and Calvin," Nathan chuckled. However, Roxie didn't find Nathan's response that funny. "Hey; the others are going to be just fine. If you want; I'll have Annie and Tom stop by the house later on today." he suggested.
"No; don't do that, I just haven't been on an actual date in a long time." Roxie admitted.
"Define 'a long time'?"
"Since my first year at NYU." Roxie said. All of a sudden Nathan stopped the car and stared at Roxie with total shock.
"You haven't been on a first date since your first year at NYU?!" Nathan shrieked.
"Well, not exactly; I've been on a couple of unsuccessful dates since then, but as for a real first date; then yes," Roxie stated. Nathan just shook his head and just laughed. "What; how is that funny?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, but that just amazes me that an amazing you woman like yourself hasn't been on an actual first date since her first year at some university in New York surprises me." Nathan pointed out.
"Ok, how many actual first dates have you been on?" Roxie remarked.
"Well, there was-no, I mean-oh, crap." Nathan cursed.
"Wow; UK's ultimate bad boy hasn't gone on an actual first date. Someone alert the media." Roxie teased.
"Alright, alright; yes, I haven't been on an actual first date either, but I for one have a very good reason why I have been waiting for an opportunity like this one." Nathan stated.
"Really; and what reason would that be?"
"It's simple really; I've just been waiting patiently for the right girl to come along," Nathan replied back. "What's yours?" he then asked Roxie.
"I don't know; ask me by the end of today and I'll let you know." Roxie said.
"Deal." Nathan replied. Roxie just giggled and rolled her eyes while Nathan just shook his head and laughed.
Pretty soon the two of them had arrived at The Smouldering Hog, which was quite empty since it was about 6:30 in the morning. Nathan then drove the car into the back parking lot and parked the car there. Roxie and Nathan then got out of the car and walked to the back entrance of the pub. Once Roxie and Nathan had gotten to the back entrance, Nathan went over to a flower pot that was next to the back door of the pub and took out a spare key. Once Nathan had found the spare key; he opened the back door of the pub and Roxie walked inside the back entrance to the kitchen. Nathan followed in right after her and silently closed the back door.
"Right; I'm going to start making breakfast. In the meantime; you can hang out in the lounge area and wait until I'm done or you can watch me as I impress you with my amazing cooking skills." Nathan offered.
"Hmm; I think I'll go hang out in the lounge area first and then if I get bored I'll come back in here and check to see if you haven't burned the house down." Roxie giggled. Nathan continued laughing and Roxie just flirtatiously smiled and walked away, leaving Nathan breathless in the pub's kitchen.
When Roxie entered the pub's lounge area; she was amazed of how the pub looked like a little bed and breakfast house that were very popular in the UK. Throughout the lounge area there were pictures of Nathan's family along with a few locals and close family friends. Roxie was in awestruck of how quaint the pub was overall in the silence of the morning. Grant it; the last time Roxie had seen the pub this quiet was her first night in the UK. Roxie admired silent moments like these during the day. It made her appreciate the little things in life; like a roof over her head, a bed to lay in, but, more importantly; Roxie found these moments huge creative inspirations for writing. After a while passed, a little bit of the morning's sunlight came through one of the pub's front windows; creating a beautiful glimpse that took Roxie's breath away. Roxie then took out her cell phone, set it in the camera setting and quickly took a picture of the beautiful view outside.
Once Roxie had finished taking the picture, she walked back to the kitchen. As soon as she entered the kitchen; Roxie couldn't help but admire how calm Nathan was as he was making their breakfast. Roxie never realized how handsome Nathan was. Sure she had seen pictures of Nathan online and in every celebrity gossip magazine known to man plus the given fact that she was practically living in the exact same house as Nathan for the past two months; but for some odd reason, Roxie was attracted to this unusual calmness that Nathan was portraying in front of her. When Nathan noticed that Roxie had come back into the kitchen; he just smiled.
"Hey; you finally came back. Anyway, breakfast is almost ready so I hope you're hungry because you are in for a special treat," Nathan stated. "Everything ok?" Nathan asked when he noticed how quiet Roxie was as he was talking to her.
"Huh; oh, yeah everything's fine. I was just um-."
"Roxie; it's ok to feel this nervous on a first date. First dates are meant to be this nerve racking. There's no need to be ashamed or embarrassed about it." Nathan reassured her.
"Yeah, you're right. So you said that breakfast is almost ready?" Roxie asked.
"Yep and if I'm not too bold to say this, but I think you're going to like what I just made for the two of us." Nathan said.
"Great because I'm starving." Roxie giggled as she went over to sit down on the stool that was by the kitchen counter. Once Nathan had finished plating all of the food, he grabbed both plates and walked over to where Roxie was waiting for him.
"Since you've been currently staying over at me and the lad's house for the past two months; I thought that it was high time you get the best 'UK experience' starting with a traditional full English breakfast made by yours truly." Nathan told Roxie.
"Wow; I've heard that this kind of breakfast is pretty famous here in the UK and as a little known fact, it also happens to be one of the many meals I had on my list to try while I am here." Roxie replied.
"Well; in that case, I hope you like it because this is probably the only time you'll ever see me cook in a kitchen." Nathan chuckled.
"I'm not going to lie, but everything looks delicious so don't mind me as I dig in." Roxie said. Pretty soon; the two of them were eating and laughing as they ate their meal. Roxie was so amazed of how every single item on her plate tasted so good. With every bite that she placed in her mouth; Roxie was blown away of how perfectly seasoned, cooked and scrumptious the food was to her. It was so good; that Roxie was hoping Nathan would make another plate for her.
"Now that was just incredible." Roxie said once she had finished eating.
"I'm glad you liked it. This happens to be one of the few meals my mum taught me before she died." Nathan replied.
"Your mom used to be a chef?"
"Not exactly. She would sometimes help Auntie Lizzie here in the kitchen with all of the cooking. You see my grandparents on my mum's side used to own the pub so once my uncle got older; he inherited the family business. All of the males would work in the bar area while all of the females in the family worked as waitresses or cooked in the kitchen." Nathan explained.
"How about your dad? Where does he fit into all of that?" Roxie asked.
"I don't really know. He left my mum when I was born so I don't really remember anything about him except for all the stories my family has told me." Nathan admitted.
"I'm pretty sure there has to be one thing you remember about your dad."
"Well, according to Uncle Hank my dad was quite the rebel. My dad was the lead guitarist in this one local band and the band would play in these underground local spots that were huge in the 1960s. It actually was how my parents met." Nathan said.
"That sounds pretty interesting. It must have been love at first site for the both of them."
"It was; according to Auntie Lizzie my parents were completely head over heels for each other. They spent almost every second of every day together. They even had plans to run away and start a family together if my dad's band didn't make it in the music industry." Nathan sighed.
"What happened between the two of them; if you don't mind me asking?"
"Well; from what my family has told me this one big time producer from America came to one of my dad's gigs and gave my dad's band an amazing record deal. The problem was that around that same time my mum was pregnant with me. It was probably the most challenging and toughest time during my parent's relationship. Being the amazing woman my mum was; she wanted my dad to take the record deal, but my dad didn't want to leave her all alone while he was away. So my parents decided to take the risk and run away with the band to America. However; on the night the band was going to leave for America I was born. My dad obviously had to make the choice to live out his dream or stay here with my mum and, well; as you can see he made the choice that was more important to him." Nathan explained.
"God; that must have been awful for both you and your mom." Roxie gasped.
"It was; my mum was heartbroken for many years. But it was a long time ago so she eventually got over it." Nathan added.
"Well, at least I finally know where you get your rebellious personality from." Roxie pointed out.
"Yeah, I guess so; anyway, enough about me and my sad childhood story. Let's talk about you." Nathan said sarcastically.
"What about me?"
"I don't know; tell me about your life in San Francisco, your mum and dad, anything really." Nathan suggested.
"Ok, well obviously you know that I was born in San Francisco and have lived in there since I graduated from high school. My mom and dad were together throughout most of my life until they divorced when I was 16. Even though I lived in San Francisco; I am a huge fan of a few sports teams that are located in Los Angeles. Oh I am also a sports fanatic so don't be surprised that I talk about something sports related. Besides me and my dad; I have two dogs and I think that's about it." Roxie explained.
"Come on; is that all you're really going to tell me?"
"What; you wanted me to tell you about my life, so I gave you a nice, quick and easy backstory of my life." Roxie remarked.
"Yeah, but I don't know! I thought you were going to give me a nice long-."
"You thought I was going to tell you the longer version just like yours," Roxie interrupted. Nathan sighed and nodded his head, creating an awkward silence between both him and Roxie. "Its not because I didn't want to tell you the whole story; I just don't like telling a lot of people my whole life because I don't want them to feel sorry for me." she added.
"It's fine; I understand. Sometimes I feel like that too and for the record, your backstory is just as unique as anyone else." Nathan stated.
"Thanks; and just for the record; your cooking was alright." Roxie smiled. All of a sudden a noise from the stairs made Roxie and Nathan turn around. To their surprise; it was Uncle Hank; who was up getting ready for another day working at the pub.
"Oh; I was wondering what all the racket was down here. What brings you two lovebirds here on this fine morning?" Uncle Hank asked them.
"We were just grabbing a quick bite to eat for breakfast, but we'll be on our way shortly." Nathan said as he tried to leave with Roxie to the van.
"Oi, now hold on; don't you think I should know where the both of you are going?" Uncle Hank asked.
"No; I don't think you'll find it interesting. Come on; Roxie." Nathan said.
"Now, hold on Nathan; I actually agree with Uncle Hank and we should tell him where we're going today." Roxie mentioned.
"Roxie; are you mad?! All my uncle wants is to treat me like a baby. Besides; I highly doubt that my uncle will be willing to help us out." Nathan stated.
"Oh, please; if there is anything my parents have taught me it's that family is family and that they'll do their best to help you out in any possible situation," Roxie remarked. Roxie then walked over to where Uncle Hank was standing. "Uncle Hank; Nathan and I were wondering if you can drop us off at the tram station in town. Nathan is giving me a tour of Westminster before a concert that we're going to tonight." she asked.
"Are you planning on making a few stops while riding the tram?" Uncle Hank asked.
"Yes, but your help really isn't necessary." Nathan restated. Roxie then elbowed Nathan in the stomach causing him not to breathe.
"Look; we understand if you're not able to help us; since you are busy getting the pub open for today, but it would mean the world if you would help us out with this tiny favor." Roxie politely pleaded.
"Alright; I'll help you out, but if you are planning on taking a few stops before you get to Westminster, suggest you take the motorbike instead of the tram." Uncle Hank suggested as he walked over to the pub's old shed.
"Motor bike?" Nathan and Roxie said in unison.