Edmund woke up in his hotel room, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. He lay still for a moment, the remnants of a vivid dream lingering in his mind. In the dream, he and Belle had gone on a date, laughing and holding hands as they strolled through a sunlit park, sharing secrets over a candlelit dinner, and dancing under the stars. As he shook off the last remnants of sleep, Edmund knew it was time to turn that dream into reality. He couldn't ignore the growing feelings he had for Belle, and he wanted to show her how much she meant to him. With a determined smile, he got out of bed and began planning their date.

Later that morning, Edmund arrived at Sloane's Skeins and Stitches. Belle greeted him with a bright smile as he walked in, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of him. His recent occurrence in her life had become something she looked forward to every day. Even if she was too shy to confess her feelings to him, the least she could do was to keep him in her life as long as possible.

"Good morning, Edmund!" She said, her eyes twinkling.

"Morning, Belle," he replied, his voice warm. "I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me today. I have a date planned, if you're up for it."

"I'd love that! What's the plan?" Belle's smile widened, and she felt a flutter of excitement. This was the moment she'd been waiting and imagining about.

"It's a surprise. But I promise you'll enjoy it," he said with a wink.

Gathering her belongings and closing up the store Edmund couldn't help but stare, her diligence was attractive. She was so detail-oriented, so meticulous, so grounded. He loved that about her.

Their first stop was a charming little bistro tucked away in a quiet corner of town. The restaurant had a cosy, intimate atmosphere, perfect for a romantic lunch. They sat by the window, where sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow over their table. The waitress handed them menus, and they both took a moment to browse the offerings. Edmund looked up and caught Belle's eye.

"Anything catches your fancy?" He asked, hoping for an idea of what he wanted.

"Everything looks so good. I'm thinking about trying the grilled chicken salad. What about you?" Belle smiled, her eyes scanning the menu.

"I'm leaning towards the Bucatini all'Amatriciana," he said, setting his menu down. "But honestly, I think I'd be happy with anything as long as I'm sharing it with you."

"You always know what to say to make me smile," her cheeks flushed slightly.

As they enjoyed their meal, their conversation flowed effortlessly. They shared stories about their childhoods, their dreams for the future, and the little things that made them happy.

"Do you remember your first crochet project?" Edmund asked, taking a sip of his wine.

"Oh, it was terrible! I tried to make a scarf, but it ended up looking more like a very holey dishcloth." Belle laughed, the sound light and musical. "But my grandmother kept it and told me it was beautiful. That's when I knew I wanted to keep trying."

"Sounds like you had a wonderful grandmother," he said, his eyes softening.

The waitress returned to take their orders, and once she left, Belle and Edmund settled into easy conversation.

"So, tell me more about your crochet projects," he said, leaning forward with genuine interest.

"Well, my last finished project was a baby blanket for a friend. It's a combination of different stitch patterns, and I used a really soft, pastel-coloured yarn. It turned out beautifully." Her eyes lit up as she spoke.

"That sounds wonderful," he said smiling. "You're so talented, Belle. I've seen some of your work, and it's really impressive."

"Thank you, Edmund. That means a lot to me. I love creating things that bring joy to others." Belle blushed slightly over the praise.

As they talked, their food arrived. The aroma of the Bucatini all'Amatriciana was intoxicating, with the rich scent of tomatoes, pancetta, and spices wafting up from the plate. Edmund took a bite, savouring the flavours.

"Wow," he said, closing his eyes for a moment. "This is really good!"

"You look like you're in heaven." Belle watched him with amusement.

"I might be," Edmund said with a chuckle. "Here, try a bite."

He twirled some of the bucatini onto his fork and offered it to Belle. She leaned forward, her lips closing around the fork. As she tasted the dish, her eyes widened in delight.

"That's incredible," she said after swallowing. "The flavours are so rich and perfectly balanced!"

"Told you!" He said with a grin. "Italian cuisine is hard to beat."

They continued their meal, sharing bites of each other's dishes and enjoying the comfortable, intimate atmosphere. The conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on a variety of topics - from their favourite books and movies to their most embarrassing moments.

"Okay, spill," Belle said, her eyes filled with mischief. "What's your most embarrassing moment on the tennis court?"

"There are so many to choose from." Edmund laughed, shaking his head. "But one that stands out was during a major tournament. I was about to serve, and just as I tossed the ball, a bee flew right into my face. I freaked out, lost my balance, and fell flat on my back in front of a packed stadium. The crowd went silent for a moment, then burst into laughter. I was mortified."

"That's hilarious! Poor bee, though. It didn't know what it was getting into." Belle laughed along with him.

"Yeah, I like to think it was trying to give me a pep talk," he said, grinning. "What about you? Any embarrassing crochet moments?"

Belle nodded, still smiling. "Oh, definitely. Once, I was at a big craft fair, showing off some of my pieces. A customer asked me about a specific stitch pattern, and as I was demonstrating it, I somehow managed to unravel an entire row of a finished blanket. I was so flustered, but the customer thought it was hilarious. We ended up laughing about it together. I don't even know how I could do something like that!" She said in joking disbelief.

As they enjoyed their dessert – a decadent chocolate lava cake – Belle looked around the bistro, taking in the cosy ambience.

"This place is perfect, Edmund. Thank you for bringing me here."

"I'm glad you like it," Edmund replied, his eyes softening. "I wanted today to be special."

Belle reached across the table, her hand resting on his.

"It already is." She looked up at him, with only love in her eyes.

They lingered at the table long after their plates were cleared, neither wanting the moment to end. The connection between them felt effortless and profound, and they both knew that this was just the beginning of something wonderful.

After lunch, Edmund took Belle to a quaint, old-fashioned movie theatre. The marquee outside advertised a classic romantic film, and Belle's eyes lit up in delight.

"I love this movie," she said, squeezing Edmund's hand. "It's one of my favourites."

"I thought you might like it," Edmund replied, leading her inside. "There's something timeless about these old films."

The theatre itself was charming, with plush red seats and ornate decor that harkened back to a bygone era. They chose seats in the middle, offering the perfect view of the screen. As they settled in, the lights dimmed, and the opening credits began to roll. Throughout the movie, their hands find each other, fingers intertwining. Edmund occasionally glanced over at Belle, captivated by the way her face lit up during certain scenes. He loved how she seemed to be fully immersed in the story, her emotions reflected in her expressions. As the film progressed, a particularly romantic scene unfolded on the screen. The lead characters shared a passionate kiss under a starlit sky, and Belle sighed softly, a dreamy look in her eyes.

"I love this scene," Belle whispered, leaning closer to Edmund. "It's so beautifully done."

"It is," he agreed, his voice soft. "But I think any scene with you is even better." Edmund looked at her, his heart swelling with affection.

Belle blushed, her eyes shining as she looked back at the screen. The warmth of their closeness and the shared experience brought them even closer together. They leaned in, their shoulders touching, and Belle rested her head lightly on Edmund's shoulder. As the movie continued, they shared popcorn and whispered comments to each other. During a comedic scene, Belle laughed, a light, melodic sound that made Edmund smile. He loved hearing her laugh, and he found himself wanting to make her laugh as often as possible.

"Did you see that?" Belle whispered, giggling as a character made a humorous blunder. "That's totally something I would do."

"I doubt it. You're far too graceful." Edmund chuckled, squeezing her hand.

"You'd be surprised. I have my moments." Belle shook her head, still smiling.

The film's climax brought tears to Belle's eyes, and she dabbed at them with a tissue, trying to be discreet. Edmund noticed and gently squeezed her hand, offering silent support.

"It's just so beautiful," Belle murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "I can't help it."

"It is," Edmund agreed softly. "And it's okay to feel that way. It shows you have a big heart."

By the time the credits rolled, they were both smiling, a sense of shared joy filling the space between them. The theatre lights slowly came back on, and they reluctantly let go of each other's hands to gather their things. As they exited the theatre, Belle looked up at Edmund, her eyes still shining with happiness.

"Thank you for bringing me here. That was wonderful."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Edmund replied, his smile warm and genuine. "I had a great time too."

They stepped outside, the evening air cool and refreshing after the warmth of the theatre. Belle took a deep breath, savouring the moment. "What's next on the agenda?"

"I have one more surprise for you. Ready for an adventure?" Edmund's eyes twinkled with excitement.

"Always," Belle said, her heart racing with anticipation. "Lead the way."

They walked hand in hand to Edmund's car, their spirits high from the magical movie experience. As they drove to their next destination, Belle couldn't help but feel a growing sense of connection and excitement. She was eager to see what Edmund had planned next, knowing that whatever it was, it would be just as special as the rest of their day. The final destination of their date was a secluded viewpoint overlooking the town. Edmund drove them up a winding road, the car's headlights cutting through the gathering dusk. When they reached the top, the view was breathtaking. The town's lights twinkled below, and the sky was a canvas of stars. Edmund parked the car and helped Belle climb onto the roof. They sat side by side, the night air cool and refreshing.

"This is beautiful, Edmund. How did you find this place?" Belle looked around in awe.

"I stumbled upon it one on the way to the hotel," Edmund explained, his eyes on the horizon. "I wanted to share it with you."

"Thank you for bringing me here." Belle smiled, feeling touched by the gesture.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, taking in the view and the peacefulness of the night. The stars above seemed to twinkle just for them, and the soft breeze carried the scent of pine and earth.

"You know, you're even more beautiful under the moonlight." Edmund turned to Belle, his voice gentle.

"Thank you, Edmund. You're pretty handsome yourself." Belle felt her heart skip a beat.

He reached out and took her hand, their fingers intertwining.

"I've never met anyone like you, Belle. You make everything feel special."

Belle looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity and affection there.

"You make me feel special, Edmund. I've never been happier."

They leaned in closer, their faces inches apart. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them and the magic of the moment. Belle could see the way the moonlight highlighted the angles of Edmund's face, giving him an almost ethereal glow.

"Your skin glows under the moonlight," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder.

"And you, Belle, you shine brighter than any star." Edmund smiled, his eyes softening.

Their lips met in a tender kiss, a gentle meeting of souls under the vast night sky. It was a kiss filled with promise and the sweetness of new love. A moment they'd been waiting for, a moment that neither of them would ever forget. When they finally pulled back, Edmund rested his forehead against Belle's, their breaths mingling in the cool night air.

"Belle," he said softly, his voice filled with emotion, "I want to spend more time with you and get to know you even better. Today has been one of the best days of my life."

"I feel the same way, Edmund. I can't wait to see where this goes." Belle smiled, her heart swelling with affection.

They stayed there for a while longer, talking about their hopes and dreams, sharing stories and laughter. The night seemed endless, a perfect bubble of time where nothing else mattered. Edmund pointed out constellations, his arm wrapped around Belle's shoulders as they lay back on the car roof.

"That one there is Orion," he said, tracing the shape in the sky. "And over there is the Big Dipper."

Belle snuggled closer to him, feeling a deep sense of peace and belonging.

"I've never seen the stars so clearly," she whispered. "It's magical."

"It is," Edmund agreed, his voice a gentle rumble in the quiet night. "Just like you."

As the night grew late, Edmund helped Belle back into the car, and they began the drive back to her home. The road was quiet, the only sound was the soft hum of the engine and the occasional whisper of the wind.

"Today was perfect, Edmund. Thank you." Belle leaned her head against the window, a content smile on her lips.

"It was my pleasure, Belle," Edmund replied, glancing over at her. "I had an amazing time too."

When they reached her home, Edmund walked her to the door. They stood there for a moment, the night air cool and crisp around them.

"Goodnight, Belle," Edmund said softly, his eyes holding hers.

"Goodnight, Edmund," she replied, her heart full. "Thank you for a wonderful day."

He leaned in and kissed her gently, a promise of more to come. As he pulled back, he smiled.

"Sleep well, my darling Belle. I'll see you soon."

Belle watched him walk back to his car, a sense of warmth and happiness filling her heart. As he drove away, she lingered at the doorway, replaying the evening's moments in her mind.