Being so near Joseph, it was next to impossible not to hear the comment made under his breath that pulled a snort of laughter from her mouth. Jokes like those were one of the things that let Emma get closer to the writer and his daughter. Once the Recovering Drug Addict shoe had dropped, there were very few secrets of Joseph's left that she figured out with a practiced eye. The secrets left to reveal were hers that she'd take with her to the grave unless her hand was forced. Eventually, however, there would have to be an exception made. Her past couldn't remain a question mark to him forever despite her desire for it.
Forcing herself to think on the present rather than the unpleasantness of her past, she noted the distinct scent of cooked meat—possibly steak—the closer they got to the kitchen. It took everything she had not to peek to see if she was right until Joseph finally said she could open her eyes.
Emma was greeted with an intimate and romantic setting for two. Despite all her skills as a detective, how life never really went according to plan for them, her expectations had not been very high. In fact, she had half-expected Chinese on one of the Disney plates and a bottle of wine if Joseph was feeling extra fancy. Emma had been satisfied enough that they were getting a night away from their kids, so to see a steak dinner on real plates that adults actually ate off of for special occasions... A plethora of emotions welled up within her that she couldn't fully sort out.
"Joseph, this is—" She cut herself off before her voice reflected the emotion she was feeling. Her fingers fidgeted with one of the forks until she returned it to the table. In all her years with Brent, he had never gone out of his way to do something so nice for her. In fact, Emma couldn't recall one meal he'd cooked for them that hadn't been field rations while on a mission.
"This has earned you some huge Brownie Points, Harding," she said after clearing her throat and turning toward the writing with a smile on her face.