Who: Allison, Kayla, Kol What: family dinner Where: their house When: Mother’s Day Warnings: possibly swearing. It’s Kayla. Status: completed via g-doc
Kayla knew when it came to talents, she’d gained way more of the art talents her mother possessed than the cooking talents of her chef-father. Of course, it helped that, while growing up, Kayla could easily spend time with her mom in her studio than in a kitchen with her father. This didn’t mean the teen didn’t pick up things from her father, especially when he cooked family dinner back in the old days. Before he caused her mother’s death and then forced the teen to leave everything and everyone she loved for fucking New York City.
This didn’t mean, of course, the brunette didn’t know how to cook, especially French cuisine, favoured by her father. While it would never taste as good as her father’s, Kayla could still make a few delicious meals. Kayla didn’t cook on a regular basis, but the teen had too much free time here. Given she didn’t sneak out and get wasted ever, or spend much time with people outside of those with whom she lived and Logan, she wanted to cook for Allison and Kol on Mother’s Day. Nobody could ever replace her mother, whom Kayla would always love and adore, but Allison provided an older sister of sorts and Kayla decided she’d do something nice.
The teen chose to make Coq au vin, with the help of Alyssa who bought her the required wine for the recipe. Truthfully, Kayla could make four recipes pretty damn near perfect, three or four decent, and a few other passable ones. But, she’d always loved this particular recipe and her father cooked it with her a bunch in her young teen years, so while labour intensive, she found it a breeze to make these days. Of course she only used thighs and legs as well as visited the butcher for fresh chicken stock…Alyssa may have also helped her pay for a few things.
She’d set the table, added silk flowers in the centre, and a simple thank you card at Allison’s setting. Eyeing everything, Kayla nodded and texted that dinner would be ready in ten minutes. What had she forgotten? Oh right, Kayla ducked into the fridge and pulled out the salad she’d made a few hours ago, and added the herbed vinaigrette she’d made earlier in the day.
Kol spent most of that Sunday out and about in Madison Valley. He visited the two magic shops and stopped into the library to peruse the shelves. It was a distraction from the holiday and those feelings it dredged up. Mother’s Day would never be Kol’s favorite holiday. His troubled relationship with his mother saw to that eons ago. He knew his siblings felt the same way. Kol made an intentional effort to avoid thinking or speaking about his mother as much as possible. She’d stolen his choice and while there was a part of him that could understand, he did not think he’d ever be able to forgive her for it.
Despite his dislike of the holiday, he did understand the importance of it to Kayla. When the teenager said she wanted to cook dinner, Kol easily agreed to the arrangement. It would be nice to have a family meal regardless of the day it occurred on. Kol offered to help pay for a few things, but Kayla, in her stubborn, determined way, refused his generosity. He could not blame her. She wanted to do it herself and Kol could admire that tenacity. Besides, if she ended up needing funds, he was sure Alyssa would assist.
He received Kayla’s message just as he finished checking out his books. Typing out a quick response, Kol tucked his books under his arm and exited the library. If he used his vampire speed, he would arrive home in seconds, but because Kayla said it would still be ten minutes, Kol decided to walk. It was a nice day and the vampire took the time to calm himself. He did not want to bring his own anger at the significance of this holiday to the dinner table. Allison and Kayla didn’t deserve that. Thankfully, by the time he reached the front door, he was more centered and relaxed.
Unlocking the door, Kol stepped inside and quickly shut it behind him. “I’m home, love! It smells delightful!” He called out, kicking off his boots, and setting his stack of books on the coffee table. He shrugged out of his coat and tucked it away in the closet before padding to the kitchen.
The sight that met his gaze was enough to make the vampire stop in his tracks. Kayla had outdone herself with the table settings and silk flowers. The salad looked fresh and delicious. Kol’s keen sight noticed the card set by Allison’s side of the table too. The gesture warmed his heart.
“Wow, darling. You really outdid yourself.”
On my way! Allison sent back in the group text, then looked up at the teenager that sat across from her. “Like I said Russ, your grades are looking fantastic, which means that you can pick tonight’s movie if you want. But nothing with zombies, you know how they scare Sarah L. Deal?”
He grinned and nodded, then stood. “Thanks, Allison. See you tomorrow.”
“Don’t forget to study for that test you’ve got in Chemistry. See you tomorrow,” she replied, smiling as he left her office at Pathways. Logging out and turning off her computer, Allison slipped a couple folders into her messenger bag, grabbed the textbook she’d left the other day and added that, then stood with the bag and headed out.
Five minutes later, she was in her car and driving home, singing along with the radio. It was still a little weird not to be driving to her dad’s house, and almost took the wrong turn. She got home only a couple minutes late, and headed in, dropping her bag onto a chair near the door as she kicked off her shoes.
“I’m home - sorry I’m a little late. It smells fantastic in here,” she added as she hung up her jacket, then headed for the kitchen herself and smiled at the set-up. “Kayla, this looks amazing.”
With a few minutes of silence and nothing she needed to do, Kayla resumed listening to the music playing through her earbuds. Not too loud, since she still needed to hear things, like the arrival of Kol and Allison. When Drive popped up on her playlist, though, the teen yanked out her headphones and hit skip, before she paused her music app. Kayla hadn’t thought it might show up on a random playlist, given how unknown the band turned out to be, but it would always remain the last song she heard before her mother’s death.
She ran to her room and left her phone upstairs, making it to the kitchen to wash her hands as she heard Kol’s arrival. The teen shrugged at Kol’s comment, secretly pleased she managed to stop her guardian in his tracks. A rare feat. But, Kayla did smile, slightly. “I’m full of surprises, Kol.”
By the time Allison joined them, Kayla was just pulling dinner out of the oven. “That’s okay. It needed an extra minute anyway.” The teen smiled at Allison. “Happy Mother’s Day, Al.” She pulled out the wine she’d chilled that went with the meal perfectly. For herself, she filled a glass with ice water, before filling the two wine glasses at the table. Kol could drink something besides bourbon for once in his life.
Salad on the table, Kayla realized that it might make more sense to fill the plates by the food. And so, she whisked the plates away to do so.
Kol chuckled. “Then I look forward to whatever else you have up your sleeve,” he teased. He made himself useful by helping out with whatever else Kayla needed. It wasn’t long before Kayla was pulling dinner from the oven and Allison appeared in the kitchen. Kol walked over to the brunette and wrapped an arm around her waist, pressed a kiss to her cheek in greeting. “Hello, love. Have a good day I hope?”
The vampire made his way over to the table as Kayla filled their glasses. He noted she chose ice water for herself and was pleased. Though, if she wanted a drink, Kol would have let her have one given it was a special occasion of sorts. He moved to pull a chair out for Allison and then paused when he saw Kayla whisk the plates away to fill them with food.
“Are you sure you don’t want us to serve ourselves, love?” You’ve done so much already,” he inquired. He appreciated the gesture of course, but Kayla had already worked so hard getting everything ready that surely Allison and him could handle filling their own plates.
“Thanks, Kayla,” she replied and when Kol moved to her, she gave him a quick, tight hug. “Yeah, it was pretty good. I do have a little work to do later, but nothing super pressing right now,” she told him with a smile, just glad to have him with her.
The sting of losing her mother no longer hit quite as hard as it once did now, so she ignored the thought, as well as the general weirdness of a teenager telling her happy mother’s day.
That was life in Madison Valley, after all.
She laughed a little as Kayla picked up the plates and returned to the kitchen, then walked over to the table and sat. “You know she’s just going to say she doesn’t think you’d serve it right,” she teased with a grin, then squeezed his hand. “Don’t forget to call Freya after dinner, if you haven’t already.” Allison knew that Kol’s eldest sister was probably missing her own kid pretty hard right now, and wanted to make sure he kept up his relationship with the rest of his family.
Kayla, without missing a beat, said, “I trust you in many regards, Kol, but serving this dish properly? Nope. Sorry my dude.” Besides, she could hear her father calling out, Plating matters as much as taste! Yes, she did in fact call Kol my dude. He could roll his eyes and sigh, but that’s what happened with having Kayla as your ward. The brunette would do something sweet, all while being the sarcastic wench she knew herself to be. These days, she could do without alcohol or hard drugs, and so she didn’t really feel the need for a glass of wine, even if it would taste better.
She thought of her mother, for the briefest of seconds and shook her head physically. “It really sucks that Freya and Alyssa are both here sans children.” Alyssa seemed to handle it …better, as far as Kayla could tell, but Alyssa also struck the brunette as one who could easily hide her emotions on a regular basis. When she wasn’t staring off into space and seeming to make no sense now and again.
Plates in hand, Kayla spooned out the meal, taking the care to ensure it looked presentable. She returned to the table a moment later with both plates, setting them down, before she served herself.
“Well, hopefully you like it and if you don’t, lie,” she commented with a grin.
Kol raised his hands. “Fair enough. I just thought I would ask.” He didn’t particularly care for being called ‘dude’ and, after dinner, would kindly tell Kayla to avoid calling him such in the future. He knew how she could be, but he thought himself a step above a ‘dude.’ However, for the moment, he made sure Allison was tucked into her chair before settling into his own beside her.
“And I’ll be sure to call Freya after dinner,” he assured Allison with a charming smile and squeezed her hand in return. He knew the day would no doubt leave his sister feeling depressed. Kayla returned with their plates. Obviously, it looked nearly perfect on the plate and Kol gave her nod of approval.
“It looks good, love,” Kol complimented. “And I’m sure it tastes just as good.” The vampire took a small bite from the chicken and chewed thoughtfully. The combination of the sauce and chicken was delicious.
“Right, Alyssa too,” she agreed, before directing her attention to the plates Kayla brought in. “Seconding what Kol said,” Allison told the teen with a grin, then took a forkful of her own food to try it.
She tilted her head as she chewed and swallowed, then gave Kayla another bright smile. “Yup, it’s great,” she told her. “I don’t think I’ve had better.” That might have been an exaggeration any other time, but this time? Nope, she was being one hundred percent sincere.
Kayla wouldn’t call Kol dude again (or at least try to not call him dude again), but she came from the Bay area, where everything was dude from her teachers to her toaster. Dude rolled off her tongue the way Kol said luv or darling to every female in his life. Which, she’d kindly point out to the Original.
She took a bite and made a note that this stove cooked slightly hotter than the one she’d grown up using. Yes, it tasted fantastic, but a minute less cook time and it would have been phenomenal. In the young woman’s opinion.
“I’m glad you both like it.” Kayla offered a rare genuine smile, and took a sip of her water. She’d poured her heart and soul into this meal, the way she did painting the house. The teen knew she had a long way to go to mend herself, but moments like these reminded her how it felt to have a family who didn’t hate her simply by her mere existence. “It’s one of my favourite meals.”
If she tried, that was all that mattered to Kol. “I haven’t forgotten either sister,” he assured Allison with another charming smile. If he forgot to reach out to them on Mother’s Day that would truly make him an awful brother. While Kol was perfectly awful in other aspects of his life, he liked to think that when he came to his sisters, he wasn’t that terrible.
As Kol continued to indulge in the meal, he was pleased to see Kayla smile. It often wasn’t the easiest to coax from her, but well worth it when such an expression made an appearance. He swallowed and took a sip of his wine. Everything was paired wonderfully together and he could see why Kayla considered the meal to be her favorite. He also felt lucky that she’d been willing to share something special with both of them. He knew it couldn’t be easy for her to do. He appreciated that courage.
“I appreciate you sharing it with us, Kayla,” Kol replied. He knew Allison probably felt the same, but he wasn’t going to speak for her.
“So do I,” she said, easily agreeing with Kol’s words about the meal. It wasn’t often they had meals like this, since sometimes they were each on a different schedule. Every now and then she would eat with her friends or her dad, but usually meals were take out or fast food, or some restaurant.
“So what’d the two of you get up to today?”
Kayla knew she could be difficult and hard to like, let alone love. She hadn’t always been broken, but circumstances forced her to deal with grief in unhealthy ways, and even now she found it difficult to show real joy, preferring the armour of sarcasm. Kol and Allison deserved the rare glimpses of sincerity, though, and Kayla expressed herself best with art and occasionally food.
“Thank you,” the teen whispered. She felt proud of herself.
Schedules definitely meant they didn’t often share meals, especially when Kayla worked at the art store or had projects due.
“Umm. I was in the kitchen all day. Except for the hour I spent at the gym.” Kayla planned on maintaining her six pack, so she rarely skipped gym days.
Kol could tell Kayla was sincere in her response. She genuinely appreciated and accepted the kindness. Most of all, Kayla was proud of herself and that was a huge deal to Kol. Her ego certainly deserved to be stroked after a meal like this. She clearly knew her way around the kitchen almost as well as she could use a paint brush.
“I spent most of my day at the library,” Kol replied. He still preferred the feel of a book in his hands to scrolling through the pages on a pad or his phone. “Thought I would look up some classics for a little light reading.” It would be a change from the many magic books he had in house.
Kol turned to Allison. “What about you, love?” He knew Allison’s work was important to her and he enjoyed hearing about it whenever he had a chance.
Reaching out, Allison caught one of Kayla’s hands and gave it a quick squeeze and a smile, then let go and sat back to pick up her drink and sip as Kol also answered her question.
“Which books did you get?” She asked curiously. It was nice to be able to just sit and talk with both of them, and couldn’t help but marvel at the way her life was now.
“We took the younger kids on a fieldtrip to the park for some nature learning this morning - to teach them a little about foraging - and then this afternoon I just had a few meetings. Russ, the boy I told you about who kept getting in fights? He’s doing great now, and has really pulled his grades up. I’m proud of him.”
Kayla’s heart felt…a little more whole than it had in a while. She really loved this little family of theirs and especially that they could just have a normal conversation. The hand squeeze brought a smile to Kayla’s face and she didn’t even respond with sarcasm. Instead she returned the squeeze.
“Please tell me not Alice, for the sanity of everyone in this house. I love your sister, but if I have to listen to one more lecture on everything incorrect in the book, I may actually start banging my head against a wall.” Alyssa was incredibly sweet and loving, but she had so many opinions about Carroll’s books. So so many, and she didn’t shy away from sharing them if she noticed someone reading the book.
“Foraging sounds fun and useful. I learned a little of it back in the Bay Area, but I think it probably differs from this climate. Good job, Russ.” Kayla took another bite of dinner and considered mentioning her birthday was soon, but honestly she didn’t want to think about it. While she knew Kol and Allison wouldn’t kick her out when she turned 18, she couldn’t help the fear which resided in the pit of her stomach. Fucking brains.
“Treasure Island and a few others.” While Kol had read most of the classics many times, he still enjoyed cracking open the covers and re-reading them. There was something familiar about them, comforting, and while the stories were far from pretty sometimes, they still managed to hold his interest even after all these years. That said something. His gaze shifted to Kayla and that trademark cheeky grin tugged at his lips. “It was tempting to pick up Carroll if only to actually see such a thing. However, I took pity on you and decided to avoid falling down the rabbit hole this time around.”
Kol was pleased to hear about Russ and that Allison seemed to have a good day. “I’m pleased to hear about Russ. You do good work, Allison.” Kol reached out and gently touched his girlfriend’s shoulder. He knew how important her work was to her, to really everyone in the community, and it always made him happy to hear about how she helped young adults find their way again. Hell, she’d done the same for him too. She was remarkable like that.
“I can introduce you to the teacher if you want to learn,” Allison told Kayla with a smile. “It’s pretty cool, but a lot of information and I’d probably miss too many important details if I tried to remember it all.” A little research and time, though, and she could get there.
Allison grinned at Kol’s words about the books, especially the Wonderland thing, and then smiled softly at the compliment. “Russ did all the hard work. He just needed someone to back him up and help him stay on track. I’m glad it worked out.”
Tonight was a good night, and she was more than happy to continue the dinner and enjoy the meal with two of her favorite people.