Dinner the following night was more about the two of them enjoying each other's company. As evidenced by the relative normalcy of coffee the night before, the transition from friends to couple was subtle.
Jesse's compliments were more direct, he appreciated her more openly and his body language was a little more intimate. His hand rested on the small of her back when they walked into the restaurant. While they waited for food, he held her hand, his thumb stroking over her fingers. His eyes soaked in every inch of her and he paid her every attention without having to hide it.
For Pearl, she allowed him all that leeway. Being able to trust him like that was nice. He made her feel as lovely as he often said she was. The first time she ventured to put her hand on Jesse's arm when she returned from the ladies' restroom sent a jolt up her own arm. She was rewarded with the most genuine smile, so Pearl decided she could afford to touch him more often.
At the end of their meal, they took to the dance floor.
"I'm really glad you're a good dancer," she told him.
He laughed and asked her why.
"I'm from an island where dancing is almost all there is to do outside of touristy things and sports."
He brought her closer to him as the song changed. Resting her head against his chest, she heard his voice rumble into her ear.
"I'm glad you think I'll fit in."
She giggled. "I don't know about fit in, Jess. You just won't be bored."
He chuckled and continued to hold her to him.
One of her hands was resting against his neck and the other was on his chest, next to her face.
"Can you feel my heart beat?" he murmured. She nodded. "My desire to make sure you're happy is almost as constant as that. I don't know how it happened but I feel so connected to you that your unhappiness hurts me."
Drawing her head back, she looked up at Jesse. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.
"Jesse, no one has said anything that sweet to me in a long time."
His head dipped toward hers and she felt his lips on her forehead. "I mean every word."
"Thank you. I'll remember that."
She put her head back where it'd been resting a moment ago. They danced for a few more songs and then left the restaurant. Jesse drove her home and walked her to her door, just like the previous night.
She thanked him for a lovely night and kissed his cheek. He kissed her forehead and let her go inside. When he knew she was locked in, he headed for his car.
The following weekend, when they arrived at Vivienne's house hand in hand, it didn't go unnoticed. First, Todd commented, "I only saw one car come up the drive."
"Yeah," Jesse replied, as Pearl led him to their favourite sofa, "we drove over in one."
When they were seated, Vivienne noticed their intertwined fingers resting on Jesse's leg. Catching her sister's eye, Genevieve pointed blatantly. Nodding, Vivienne squealed excitedly.
"What's happened, you two? Out with it, now!"
They looked at each other, amused. Pearl laughed a little. "So it turns out we like each other."
Cindy chuckled, delighted. "Turns out, huh?"
Dana clapped her hands when she heard Jesse say, "And we've decided to give it an official go and see how we do."
The Gunhill twins both applauded, which made Pearl roll her eyes. Jesse winked at her.
Sam had been watching them since they'd walked into the large living room. He had a slight smile on his face. "I must admit I didn't see this coming. I don't know who to congratulate first."
Barrett laughed. "But at least they look good together. The looks genes are safe and staying."
Jesse burst out laughing. "I'll bet that makes Mom really happy."
"I certainly am! I can't think of a better man for the pearl! I know I'll probably never worry about her again."
It was Jesse's turn to roll his eyes. "I'm not dating her to become her doctor, Mom."
Vivienne chuckled. "I knew that… why are you dating her?"
Jesse looked at Pearl and she looked back at him, an amused expression on her pretty face.
"As much as I love watching this lady blush, I think I'll just change the subject. You all know she doesn't like us talking about her like she's not here," he added, laughing a bit.
Vivienne looked smug. "That's true. Okay, son, you're off the hook." Pause. "You could've just said you like her."
"Well, of course I like her… I like her a lot, but she already said that."
On their way to the lunch table, Cindy wondered aloud, "Just how much time was it in South America?"
Dana chuckled, "We should wonder, shouldn't we?"
The two women watched the way he helped her into her seat and caressed her hair as he took his own seat. Both their husbands had to nudge them.
"Stop staring," Barrett murmured, leading Cindy to her place.
"They're adorable, though."
And so their first appearance with Jesse's family passed without too much attention. The approval was unanimous.
Thankfully the both of them had a little over a week before having to face their friends at Sam's next dinner. In that time, Pearl found herself the recipient of sweet messages and the occasional lunch or dinner date. She had time to get used to him as her boyfriend and found she quite liked it.
After two days apart, Jesse picked her up from her house to head over to Sam's for the potluck supper.
"I hope you missed me as much as I missed you," he said, squeezing her hand.
"I did. You're becoming a fixture!" Pause. "I got an email from the Gutin team captain- she asked about you."
"Oh yeah? What did she say?"
"Wanted to know if we were dating yet."
"What?"
"Yeah. She said anyone who would carry me to save my life deserved to be with me. Her thoughts."
Jesse chuckled. "Hear, hear."
No one paid too much attention to them getting to the house at the same time, but Mandy noticed the way Jesse's hand traced patterns on Pearl's neck at the dinner table.
"You're either being creepy, Jesse or there's something you two aren't telling us," she eyed Pearl keenly.
The two of them exchanged a look and Jesse looked at Dana. "We didn't think you would be able to keep it to yourself, Dana."
She grinned good-naturedly. "It was a hard one, but I managed. You can tell 'em."
Everyone's eyes landed on Jesse.
"Tell us what?" John wondered.
"That Pearl and I are a couple now."
The table exploded into a cacophony of screeches and hand clapping- and back slapping in the case of Dwight.
"When?"
"What?!"
"You said-!"
Sam whistled loudly to reclaim order at his table. "Cool it, everyone. Geez."
With a grateful laugh, Pearl spoke up. "It's still pretty new, folks. But we're together now, so quit it about our behaviour toward each other."
Otto laughed. "Forgive us, Reverend Guthrie. We're just happy for you. It's not often you present us with a steady partner. In fact," he frowned. "Jesse's the first to last more than one dinner."
Pearl opened her mouth and shut it. Before she could say anything Jesse spoke up.
"We weren't together at the last supper but yeah, hopefully I'll pass the test," he sent her a teasing glance and she let her breath out in a laugh.
"We'll see, doc."