He dialed the concierge and explained his requirements, though he had Tina spell the names of the dishes for him, and was assured there was an excellent restaurant that would deliver this food within the hour. He thanked the man and hung up. He spent the hour massaging Tina’s feet and legs as she rested back on the sofa feeling like she was floating up into the clouds.
There was a knock on the door and Ben answered it. The food had been delivered, unpacked and placed in the hotel’s flatware. Domes were in place to keep the food warm. The room-service waiter rolled a table into Ben’s suite and asked if they would like to eat on the balcony. Ben looked at Tina who nodded quickly with a grin. The table was set and food transferred to it. With instructions to leave it outside the door the man left.
Ben held Tina’s chair for her and took his own chair. They held up their water glasses to make a toast.
“To you Tina, for bringing so much happiness into my life! I love you!”
Tina’s eyes were glistening with unshed tears as she gave Ben one of her brilliant smiles. “I love you too Ben!”
He lifted the domes from the table and the savory scents wafted up to them. Ben pulled back as one of the dishes hinted at a strong spiciness. His eyes widened. “Wow! Which of these dishes is spicy?”
She looked at him with a worried expression. “Most of them.”
He lifted the napkin off of a basket on the table and saw it was filled with white dinner rolls. “That’s probably why the room-service staff supplied the rolls,” he said with a grin.
Tina started with the Yukgaejang which Ben discovered was a spicy soup with beef and vegetables. He tried some as well and while it was a little spicy for him he did find it to be delicious!
The Galbijjim was a short rib dish and Ben liked this more as it wasn’t as spicy.
He watched Tina’s face as she ate and saw the happiness in her eyes as the familiar flavors brought her good memories of her childhood. It filled him with joy to see her coming back to life.
The Tangsuyuk with pork was a sweet and sour dish and immediately familiar to Ben so he enjoyed that.
He saw her hoarding one of the dishes and an impish smile crept onto his lips. To retaliate for her stealing his eggs at breakfast he forked a big piece of the pork dish from Tina’s plate when she had her mouth full. He popped it into his mouth and chewed it grinning at her as she frantically waved at him but it was too late. When the spice exploded across his tongue he realized the dish she was hiding from him was her extra spicy Kkang Pung Ki chicken. Compared to Tina he was a novice to spicy foods. He slapped his napkin to his mouth and expelled the incendiary device into it then immediately tore a dinner roll in half and jammed it into his mouth.
His eyes were watering and his breath came in big gulps. She looked at him with concern but he just waved her back as the second half of the roll went into his mouth to absorb the spices on his tongue.
He drank some water and wiped at his eyes with a chagrined look on his face.
“It is too spicy for you! Why did you do that?” Tina scolded him, concern written all over her face.
“I- I was trying to- to get you back for sneaking the eggs off my plate this morning. I thought I was stealing some of the pork.”
Tina’s eyes went wide and she began to laugh. She held her hand in front of her face as she laughed. Ben thought she looked beautiful and just sat there watching her laugh as he dabbed the tears from his eyes.
“I hope you learned your lesson!” she smiled as she finally caught her breath. She raised an eyebrow and popped some of the spicy chicken into her mouth. He pretended to bow to her and she gave him a satisfied smile.
They looked out over the city as they ate the delicious meal, admiring the shimmering lights below and spreading out as far as they could see. They didn’t feel the need to speak. It was just as it was in their home. Ben was so comfortable with Tina. She seemed to be equally comfortable with him. They connected so well. He felt her love for him almost tangibly as she gazed at him across the table. And now she was carrying his child. He pushed back and tears started to slowly roll down his cheeks. His emotions were suddenly too much for him to contain.
Tina stood and came around the table to sit on his lap. She took his face in her hands and wiped his tears away.
“Why are you crying?” she asked gently.
“I’m not sure. I just- I just never expected to ever be this happy. I never thought I deserved this much happiness. I still don’t,” he said quietly.
“Yet I can think of no one who deserves it more than you!” she replied just as gently.
He wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to the nape of her neck. She hugged him and ran her fingers through the hair on the back of his head. After a time he pulled back and they kissed tenderly until he pulled back abruptly.
“Spicy kiss!” he yelped and stuffed a bun in his mouth. She laughed and swatted his shoulder playfully.
She went back to her chair and they continued their meal in a contented silence. Afterwards Ben pushed the table out into the hall and called down to let them know and to thank them.
They brushed their teeth together then undressed until they stood naked before each other. He thought she looked absolutely beautiful. She was embarrassed by the slight bulge of her stomach as she’d eaten so much.
“Tina, your tummy is going to get much larger than it is tonight and you will look every bit as gorgeous then as you are right now!” Ben said with a smile. Tina tilted her head back for a kiss and he gave her one.
He could tell she was sleepy but he knew she would let him do anything he pleased to her so he swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He set her down and climbed in on his side. Then he pulled the sheets up and pulled her up to cuddle next to him. She sighed contentedly and he shut the light.
It was everything he needed.