Best Laid Plans: Part 3

"Ichigo! It all looks so good! Where do I start?"

Ichigo smiled to himself as he watched Orihime all but drool over the food he had brought for their light lunch. He had kept the food simple and fairly light so that they could have a nicer dinner later, but she was acting as if he had brought a seven-course gourmet spread rather than some rice balls, a couple of rolled omelets and a small variety of other foods. When he had first told her that he would be providing their lunch himself and then taking her out to dinner, Orihime had insisted that she be allowed to bring something so that Ichigo did not have to do all the work. After 15 minutes of debate, Ichigo had finally relented and allowed her to bring the drinks, refusing all other offers. Not that he was afraid of her cooking anymore, in fact, since hanging around the Kurosaki residence, Orihime's cooking had mellowed out and was not quite as…exotic as it had been when he had first gotten to know her. Every once in a while, something would appear on the table that looked as if it had come from a toxic waste plant, but everyone had found that the gardens outside seemed to think it was fertilizer and would flourish seemingly overnight. The only problem arose when they would try to sneak it outside…

Turning his attention back to his excited girlfriend, Ichigo reached over and picked a random object with his chopsticks and gently placed it in Orihime's still moving mouth. She looked surprised for a moment before she began to chew, then she looked delighted.

After she swallowed, Orihime resumed, "It tastes even better than it looks!"

Ichigo was prepared to keep on feeding her, but she kept up the compliments in between bites. He was a little embarrassed over all the praise he was receiving, when he remembered that while he had helped her to cook sometimes, this was the first time that she was sampling something made without help from Yuzu or Orihime. As a result, he allowed himself to bask in Orihime's raptures over his simple fare for a while longer. After a time the conversation gradually drifted to other topics.

As Ichigo took a drink from his juice, he asked Orihime, "So, how was work?"

Orihime gave him a small smile, "Oh, the usual for the most part. Making rounds, ensuring all the patients are comfortable, that kind of thing."

Sensing there was something bothering her, Ichigo decided that it would be best to let Orihime relax for a while before trying to figure out what the problem was. If she didn't come forward after a time, then he would start asking questions. There had been a time when he had been going through a rough time, called Orihime to meet him somewhere and then just sat quietly on a bench with his arm around her. She hadn't asked for an explanation, but simply allowed him to sit in silence while she held his hand and gently massaging it between her soft hands. Just being with her had calmed him down and he had greatly appreciated her understanding his desire not to talk at the time. Eventually, he had started spilling out all his frustrations while Orihime listened sympathetically and attentively.

'Man,' Ichigo thought to himself, 'this must be about the fifth time that I have been distracted by an old memory.' The fact that they had all included Orihime certainly didn't hurt. It had been a Day of Reminiscing.

"I should make it a holiday," Ichigo thought wryly.

"Make what a holiday?" Orihime inquired.

Looking up, he realized that he had unwittingly said the last part aloud. Thinking fast,
Ichigo replied, "I was just thinking that…we should make a holiday of today."

"But today already is a holiday, Ichigo."

Ichigo blinked, "It is?"

Orihime laughed, "Oh, it's not an important holiday here in Japan, but July 14 is Bastille Day."

"Ba-what day?"

"Bastille Day. It's a holiday in France celebrated on July 14 in remembrance of the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution. I believe that it is called La Fête Nationale or The National Celebration."

Completely lost for words, Ichigo sat in stunned silence as he tried to process the historical and random tidbit he had just learned. Not noticing anything amiss, Orihime returned to eating with relish.

'Great Ichigo,' he chastised himself mentally, 'you're going to propose on a day remembered for a group of revolutionaries storming a prison and starting one of the most popular uprisings against royal power next to the American Revolution and a number of others that you can't remember. Absolutely brilliant.'

Turning to Orihime, Ichigo asked, "Um, how come you know that today is…"

"Bastille Day," Orihime supplied for him and then continued, "Actually, I only just discovered it today myself from one of the patients." The same concerned look entered her eyes again and Ichigo began berating himself for being so stupid.

Seeming to sense Ichigo's embarrassment, Orihime looked into his eyes, "I'm sorry. I'm being a damper on this lovely date."

Ichigo shook his head and was about to counter her statement, when Orihime continued, "I'm just a little disheartened right now for one of my patients."

Ichigo sat back and thought for a moment before he said, "Why don't you tell me about it?"

Orihime looked relieved at the invitation and began, "Well, there's an older gentleman that I have been working with for a little over a week. He is such a sweetheart and we have had the most wonderful conversations on just about anything. He is a very intelligent man since he used to teach all kinds of history at the university level. He is not very old, but…"

Ichigo prodded gently, "He doesn't have much time left?"

"Exactly," Orihime looked really troubled as she continued, "He has put on such a brave face and the thought of passing on doesn't really bother him anymore. During our conversations, I found out that he has two sons who are married and have their own families. He has several other relatives and friends who sound like they are really close to him, but…I've never seen him receive any visitors, he doesn't have any cards or flowers or little gifts. He's all alone."

Ichigo asked, "Do they just not care?"

Orihime shook her head, "Oh no, I'm sure all his relatives and friends would be showering him with attention…if they knew he was sick." She passed a hand over her eyes before she finished, "I don't know how he has managed to convince them all that he is well, but he mentioned once that he would prefer them to remember him as a strong and capable person rather than a hospital invalid."

Ichigo looked thoughtful, "I suppose that makes sense to a certain extent."

"I know that his logic is sound and very considerate for his family and friends not to pain them with having to watch him slowly fade away, but he is very lonely. You know how much visitors and small little things can make all the difference in the world to a patient. Having someone to talk with to pass the time, flowers to brighten the room and small gifts from your loved ones to help remind you that you are loved in return. Since he has distanced himself from those who care about him, he can't help but feel lonely. I'm not saying that I am a much better nurse than any of my colleagues, but I have noticed that I am one of the only ones who will purposefully hold conversations with a lot of my patients. Whenever I come in to check on him, he always looks pleased and grateful for my attention."

As she was talking, Ichigo was struck with a thought. After considering it for a few moments to make sure that it wouldn't conflict too much with his original plans for the day, he decided that it couldn't hurt to offer up the idea for her approval.

"Orihime," Ichigo said, "how would you feel if we left the beach a little early and went to visit this patient of yours?"

At Orihime's confused look, Ichigo continued, "Obviously, you can't call up the man's family and friends and tell them what's going on without his permission. However, there's nothing wrong with you going to visit him on your own free time if he doesn't mind the company."

Orihime's eyes lit up, "Do you really mean it Ichigo?"

Ichigo smiled, "I don't mind adjusting our plans if it would make you happy."

Orihime threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, "I love you!!"

Ichigo grinned, "Why don't you go get changed back into your regular clothes while I pack up here?"

Beaming with delight, Orihime bounded to her car to gather her clothes and race to the nearest bathroom to change. Meanwhile, Ichigo began gathering everything together as he thought to himself that he didn't think he would ever get tired of seeing Orihime's face light up with delight the way it just had.