Kori's POV

I woke up this morning with a beautiful surprise. Let me rephrase that sentence, it was not a beautiful surprise but a rather delicious surprise. Besides me, on the bedside table, was breakfast on a silver tray. Scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, fruit, and morning coffee that smelt of hazelnut. A small letter beside the tray explained everything.

Good morning beautiful, did you sleep well? I cooked you breakfast and brewed you some of your favorite coffee. I hope it's still hot when you wake up. I made us reservations at a restaurant tonight at seven o'clock but I have a surprise for you before we go. Finish breakfast and meet me downstairs around twelve. Make sure you dress casual and warm. I can't have my princess freezing her butt off today. Yours forever, Richard Stud-Muffin Grayson.

I threw my head back and laughed at the last part. Everything about him is so amazing. I wrapped my fingers around the mug and took a sip of the coffee. Still hot which means he was here not that long ago. I grabbed the tray with both hands before setting it down on my lap. He is a great cook as well. I shall remember that for future purposes.

After breakfast I took a shower, brushed my teeth, blow dried my hair, and of course I put in my new contact lenses. I still have to get used to them but they are already more comfortable than my glasses.

Richard had said to dress casual and warm so I did as I was told. I do need some serious shopping time. I no longer need to hide my bruises or marks and most of them are already fading away. A new wardrobe will do me some good. I had brought with me a few jean pants so I picked one of those and put it on. I matched it with brown boots and a white sweater. It was only eleven thirty but I decide to get a head start downstairs.

Richard was not by the front door when I made my way down. I could hear his voice from inside the living room. I walked up from behind him and wrapped my arms around him. I knelt down to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you for breakfast," I said.

He looked up at me and smiled. "You're welcome. Sleep well?"

I gave him a nod before acknowledging Jason on the couch across from us. He had his feet up on the couch and a bag of chips on his chest. "Good morning Jason," I greeted.

He placed a chip in his mouth before waving. "Morning."

"Ready to go?" asked Richard standing up.

I smiled. "I do not like surprises."

Richard chuckled and wrapped an arm around my waist. "I know you don't."

I really do hate surprises. "Please tell me?"

I received nothing but a kiss on the lips. "Absolutely not."

He grabbed my coat from the stand up hook and helped me get in it. He buttoned up all my buttons and looked at me.

I gave him nothing but a pout.

"Kor I'm trying to make our first date as a couple perfect," he explained.

"I thought that we are going on the date tonight?" I asked.

He shook his head at me. "Nope. That's only part two. Part one, I know you will enjoy."

I let out an exaggerated sigh, making sure he heard.

"Hush you," he said grabbing onto my waist. "I already got the car running outside so you'll be nice and warm."

We made small talk during the car ride. He kept complimenting on how beautiful I look today and I kept on blushing like a school girl. I need to get used to the compliments and the way he looks at me. He is my boyfriend. Boyfriends compliment their girlfriends all the time. But the way he looks at me and the way his eyes glaze over my form. It does not feel disrespectful at all and it does not make me uncomfortable.

Richard pulled up in front of a gray bricked two story building. I studied the sign which simply read "East Gotham Animal Shelter." Below was another sign which read in smaller writing, "Adopt a Pet Today."

I turned to Richard and raised my eyebrows. "Why are we here?" I asked.

Richard turned off the car and ejected his seatbelt. "Each year around this time I come here to help out with the animals. The animals here are strays or have been through trauma and abuse. I help Kate clean the cages, feed the animals, walk the dogs, and play with them. You get the picture."

I smiled at him. "Who knew under all that muscle and masculinity is a soft and caring heart?"

Richard turned red and rubbed the back of his neck. "This is our little secret right?"

I ejected my seatbelt and reached over to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Our little secret," I whispered in his ear.

He quickly gave me a peck on the lips. "You're amazing."

I pulled away from him and opened the car door. "No you are," I said. Truthfully, he really is amazing.

Richard wrapped his arms around me as we entered the shelter.

"How long have you been doing this?" I asked.

"Four years today," he replied. "I was walking home one night from Vic's house. I was thirteen and the guys and I thought it was a great idea to drink. It was when we first started experimenting with alcohol. I wasn't drunk or anything but I knew if Alfred picked me up from Vic's house he would smell the alcohol. I wasn't really in the mood for a lecture."

I let out a giggle.

"As I was walking up the hill to Wayne Manor, I heard this crying sound coming from the woods. I was going to walk away from it but it kept crying. So I stepped through the woods and found a small brown dog curled up by a tree trunk. The dog had a cut on its leg and there was blood coming out. I wrapped the dog up with my jacket and brought it home. The next morning I looked up some dog shelters around Gotham and ended up here."

We made it to the front desk.

Richard took off his coat and I did as well.

"What happened to the dog?" I asked.

He took the coat from my hands and walked around the counter. I watched as he hooked our coats up on a hook and grab a pair of keys hug up on the wall.

"Kate and I brought her to a vet and they fixed up the leg," he replied walking up to me. "We named her Rose and she was adopted two months later."

I wrapped my arms around him. "I like this story."

He looked down at me and gave me a tender kiss on the lips.

"All this time I've known you and this is the first time you bring a girl here," said a voice.

I jumped back and wiped the corners of my lips. I could not see the source of the voice until Richard moved to stand next to me.

"Nice to see you too Kate," Richard greeted.

Kate, a tall blonde woman, who looked to be around the age of thirty something walked up to us.

Richard wrapped an arm around my waist. "This is my girlfriend Kori. Kor this is my friend Kate, the owner of the shelter."

I gave the woman a smile and extended my hand out to her. "It is nice to meet you."

Kate smiled back and shook my hand. "Nice to meet you as well. I assume you're here to help Dick with the animals. We've recently been brought six strays in the past week."

"Is that good or bad?" I asked.

"Good and bad," said Kate. "Good because they are healthy and safe here but bad that they were left in the cold." Kate gave us a nod. "Follow me in the back. I'll give you some aprons and gloves and you two can give baths to the dogs who need it."

Richard laced his fingers through mine. "You know I've been here long enough to know where everything is Kate."

Kate looked back at him and glared. "It's my place Grayson. Let me show it off to your girlfriend." She let out a laugh. "The stories I have about your boyfriend volunteering here! You should see what happened when he was flirting with this brunette french girl. Trying to get her number and everything. Telling her how great he is with animals."

I smiled at Richard and glared at him. "Kate, I believe you and I should have lunch one day."

Richard nervously let out a chuckle. "Kate you're really killing me here."

Kate looked at us and let out a laugh. "The looks on both your faces." She handed us each an apron and gloves. "Now you'll give a bath to Sasha, Boxer, Annabelle, and Cece. After that you can fill up the food bowls and then Grayson knows where everything is. I'll be at the front desk, making calls, and ordering more and more animal food."

"Thanks Kate," Richard said.

"No thank you for coming each year and helping out," she said giving us a wink. "Call me if you need me."

Once Kate left, Richard grabbed onto my waist and pulled me to him.

"How cute do you look in your apron and gloves?" he asked me.

I turned red. No surprise there and shrugged. "I do not know. It is your job to tell me."

He grabbed the back of my neck and attached his lips to mine. He has been kissing me more than usual today and he has been doing it in surprise.

"You are very touchy today," I mentioned.

Richard gave me one last peck on the lips before grabbing my hand. "I can't help myself," he simply explained.

I giggled and shook my head. "Take me to the dogs."

"Will do princess," he said.

I followed him down the hall and through a door which led to where the dog cages were. Barking a lot.

"Wow," I said. "How many dogs are in here?"

Richard studied the room. "Fifteen," he said. "This room only holds about twenty-five dogs."

"What other animals are sheltered here?" I asked.

Richard read through the names in front of the cages to find the four dogs we need to bath. "It's mostly cats and dogs but Kate gets a few rabbits. And here we have Boxer!"

Richard opened the cage and placed the dog down. Boxer circled around us, sniffing us, before he wagged his tail. He then proceeded to let out Annabelle, Cece, and Sasha. Cece reminds me of Kitten. A white poodle with a snobby attitude.

We washed Boxer first since he was the biggest dog. I helped Richard get him into the metal tub that was filled with water and bubbles. Boxer ran around the tub, making sure to splash the both of us.

I held up my arms in front of my face to block the water and let out a squeal.

Richard laughed beside me.

"You have bubbles in your hair!" I exclaimed.

Richard gave Boxer a rub before telling him to sit. "I'll shampoo and you rinse out?" he asked me.

I still giggled at the sight of him. "Yes boss!"

"I'd kiss you in I wasn't so soapy," he said as he scrubbed Boxer.

I looked back to make sure the three other dogs were on their best behavior.

"Alright Kor," Richard interrupted. "Rinse away!"

I carefully squeezed the handle on the hose and immediately when the water touched Boxer, he splashed around and barked.

Richard was right about wearing something casual. By the end of the day, I will smell of dogs.

We finished bathing Boxer and drying him off and then we washed the rest of the dogs. My favorite part was being able to groom Cece's fur. I noticed Richard would glance at me with that dopey smile every two seconds.

"Ready to feed the animals?" Richard asked.

I stopped combing and looked up at him. "Finished with Sasha?" I asked.

He held out his hand. "Let's go put them back in their cages, feed them, and then let them out to play?"

I grabbed onto his hand and stood up. Cece was on a leash so I got to hold onto her as she walked beside me.

I have never seen so many happy dogs in my life before. Howling in happiness the minute food is placed in their bowl. It was like a musical for dogs. The cats and rabbits were not as excited.

There was this one puppy that caught my eye. The information sheet besides her cage told me that she is six months old and was found in an abandoned Church. The information sheet also told me that she was brought here just two days ago.

"Hey Kor?" asked Richard.

He was behind me but I could not take my eyes off of the white Samoyed female dog. "She is beautiful, yes?" I asked.

He wrapped his arms around my waist. "Now who would leave such a beautiful dog abandoned?"

I gave the puppy a small pout. "She does not have a name."

"Kate usually waits a week before giving them a name," Richard informed me.

I turned from the puppy and to Richard, to give him a proper hug. "Thank you for bringing me here today. I enjoyed it."

He chuckled in my ear before giving me a squeeze. "I knew you'd like something like this. Nothing fancy like eating steak and drinking wine. That's what I love about you."

Love. He loves something about me? I probably misheard him.

He pulled away from me. "Let's play with the dogs and then head back home? I still made reservations for that fancy steak and wine later." He gave me a grin.

I let out a giggle. "Fancy steak and wine sounds like something I need but definitely after a shower."

"You can shower with me later?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

I turned red and poked him in the chest. "I do not think so."

He let out an exaggerated sigh. "I had to give it a try. You know I usually sleep with a girl the first night I bring her home."

I opened my mouth to say something but he interrupted me.

"But I'm glad it's not like that with you," he said poking me in the nose. "I want to take my time with you."

My knees started to shake as I giggled and I swear I could have dropped right there. "Maybe...maybe we should...ah go play with the dogs now?"

Richard grabbed my chin and gave it a squeeze. "Okay. I can see that you're getting all blushy and nervous." He pulled away from me and went to retrieve some leashes.

"I am not blushy and nervous!" I yelled.

He laughed and blew me a kiss. "Tell that to your tomato face."

I covered my face and cursed at him in my language.

"Don't know what you're saying but it sounds sexy!" he called.

I giggled before removing my hands. "Richard!" I yelled at him.

Richard's POV

Kori and I raced back home in a hurry. We lost track of time, playing with the dogs, and having a good time, before realizing that our reservation was in forty-five minutes. She and I didn't even have time to greet Bruce and Talia, who laughed at us, as we raced up the stairs. Two minutes washing my hair and two minutes washing my body. Shortest shower I have ever taken but I was so not going to miss the reservation. I blow dried my hair and put on my clothes at the same time. Then I brushed my teeth, you know I have to have fresh breath to kiss her, and then gelled my hair back. I glanced over at my clock. Fifteen minutes to get to the restaurant. If we leave now then we'll only be five minutes late.

I grabbed my wallet before quickly making my way to Kori's room and knocking on the door.

"Kor I'm reeeeaaaally sorry but we're going to miss our reservations if we don't leave now," I called from outside. "It's just that this place is really fancy and I basically paid them to get me in this weekend, so if you don't mind and-

The door to her room made a click before it opened. And the most beautiful thing walked out. I've never seen that much skin on Kori. Her hair was down. Not only was it down but it was curled. Kind of like a mermaid. She wore a light pink dress with a sweetheart neckline and straps. Her mother's necklace stood out on her neck. The hem stopped an inch above her knee and I could see legs and high heels. Long legs. Long legs with golden skin that looked so hot.I couldn't form words. I couldn't compliment her on how beautiful she looked. All that would come out was...nothing. And her standing in front of me, biting on her bottom lip, and looking nervous and oh so sexy was not helping.

I cleared my throat and tried again. "You look really beautiful," I complimented.

She let out a nervous giggle. "Thank you. You look handsome as well."

My eyes did nothing but travel her form, multiple times.

"Our reservation," was all she had to say to snap me back in reality.

We made it to the restaurant only ten minutes late. It really wasn't a big deal but this place gives your table away if you're not on time and they're the best in Gotham.

Kori deserves nothing but the best.

Paparazzi was not bad at all. A few cameras here and there but I don't think they were expecting me anyways. I won't be surprised if a hoard of them show up as we leave.

Kori just smiled uneasy as the few men took snapshots of us. Being used to it, all I do is walk by, and keep my eyes under my sunglasses. I felt the need to protect Kori from them so I placed my arm around her and hurried her in the restaurant.

The restaurant is indeed classy. A classic trio which consisted of a piano player and a violin player were placed in the middle of the restaurant. Ladies wore evening gowns and men wore tuxedos. Couples toasted and clinked their wine glasses together. Waiters coming in and out of the kitchen.

I watched as Kori looked around and was in awe of the place. She's so cute. Slowly blinking and slightly parting her lips. I left her by the fountain as I approached the hostess stand and told them my name.

I snuck up behind Kori and placed my arms around her. "Table is ready," I whispered in her ear.

She stiffened before turning to me. "Good because I am really hungry."

I chuckled and grabbed her hand as we followed the host.

"You have been here before?" she asked me.

"Just once with Bruce," I told her.

Kori squeezed my hand. "Everything and everyone are so...rich."

I thanked the hostess for our table and pulled out a chair for Kori. I squeezed her shoulder and leant down to whisper in her ear. "Don't worry about it," I told her.

Dinner went great. We both ordered the steak, which was delicious. This place may be too pricy but the food is worth it. I got one-on-one time with Kori. I learned more about her and the same for her about me. Just small things like her favorite color, her favorite foods, her favorite music, and etc. She told me about her mother and what she was like before she died. She seemed like a lovely woman. I thought a lot about Kori when she was being described. Kori showed me a picture of her, a picture she always keeps in her wallet, and I swear Kori is going to look like her in thirty years. I didn't tell Kori about my parents. I don't really talk about that part of my life.

I surprised Kori during dessert. We both shared a chocolate cake with a strawberry on top and I got to feed her the strawberry. I bought her something small. Something that said that she would be mine for a long time.

I looked at her as she spoke to me and took bites of the cake.

I slid the rectangular box across the table and she stopped mid-sentence.

She grabbed it and looked at me briefly before opening it. Her eyes lit up.

"Oh Richard," she whispered.

I smiled proudly at myself. "I'm glad you like it."

She looked at me and lifted the bracelet. A gold bracelet with diamond stars around it. "Like it? I love it. It is absolutely beautiful!"

I chuckled before reaching over to clasp it around her wrist.

"What is the occasion?" she asked.

"No occasion," I replied. "A boyfriend is allowed to give his girlfriend gifts."

Kori sighed before grabbing the back of my neck and pressing our lips firmly together.

Yea, I like her a lot.

To be honest guys, I really don't know whether I should end the story or keep it going for a little more.

Read and review.