sam_mm (sam_mm) wrote in morningstar_mnr, @ 2008-04-03 19:36:00 |
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Entry tags: | alec, anghara, emma, johanna |
Apt 8160, 7pm onwards, Dinner! Ang, Alec, Emma and Johanna! (Closed)
Ang was in the kitchen, finding solace in the steady rhythm of cooking. The familiarity of the actions both relaxing and reassuring. This was something she could do. Something she didn't fail at.
Alec was helping, as much as Ang would let him, and watching her carefully out of the corner of his eye. She seemed better, but sometimes he still saw that sad, forelorn look in her eyes. He longed to tell her something, anything that would make it better. But damned if he knew what.
Ang had the chicken ready for chilling, and with a small sigh she laid the breadcrumbed pieces on the tray and slid it into the fridge. It was probably good that they were having company for dinner, she really hadn't felt up to doing much, but it was helping having something to do. Now for the tomato sauce, and the salad. But first, a hug. She turned to Alec and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm glad you're here, want to do the salad for me?"
He smiled and gently placed a kiss on her forehead, reaching for a towel to dry his hands before returning her hug. "Of course."
"I love you, did I tell you that today?" Ang rested her head on his chest, loving the warmth of him, the way he made her feel, everything. "If not, I should have. Frequently."
She knew he was a little worried, she wasn't normally so down. Not even when she was broody, but this? This had knocked her confidence a lot. Now, however, they were having Emma and a guest for dinner, so she had to get it ready. A quick squeeze, and she let go, "We should finish dinner, before Johanna and Emma get here."
"We should." He nodded, still smiling. "Would be impolite if Johanna turned up on a dinner invitation and there wasn't any dinner to be had."
"Mmm, that it would, and I couldn't possibly deprive her of the home cooked meals she misses so much. Not that I know what she eats, hence the menu." Ang smiled, "I just hope it all fits on the table."
"I'm sure it'll do," he chuckled. "You know I love Italian."
"It won't if we don't get it ready though," Ang leaned in again, just briefly, and pressed a light kiss to his jaw, "Come on, time to slice and shred etc, starting with the onions for the sauce? Then I'll cook that if you do the salad, and then, well, the bread's already defrosting, I just need to bake it until it's finished cooking."
"Yes, Ma'am," he grinned and gave his heels a sharp click together for good measure.
Ang laughed, and reached to hand him the onions, "Oh you're so bad sometimes, but still, I love you." Stepping back she left the onions with him and started on the mushrooms and peppers for the pasta sauce, and of course, the tomatoes too.
Of course she wanted him to do the onions. Somehow he always got stuck with the damn things. He sniffed and blinked and tried to remember to breath through his mouth.
"I hate onions," he told her thickly, pushing the chopped bits in her direction with the flat of the blade.
"I know, but, you're so much better at them, and I really don't need any excuses to burst into tears right now." Ang smiled a little, and finished with the mushrooms, "At least the salad will be easier though?"
She took the onions and put them in the pan to soften over a low heat while she did the peppers. "And then we're there really until just before Jo arrives."
He sniffed again, and turned his face to wipe his eyes on his sleeve. He was happy when he could turn his attentions to the salad.
Before long the sauce was simmering and the salad was almost ready, and Ang settled into cleaning the kitchen, "Alec, would you set the table for me? Then I think all we need is our guests."
"Yeah, just let me finish up here," he replied.
"Sure, do you need the salad bowl?" Ang had the side she'd been using wiped down, and all the utensils so far in the sink. Now she ran hot water into it so she could wash up. "I have dressing in the fridge, but we'll add that just before serving."
"I'll get it." The soft thud of the knife hitting the cutting board stopped and was replaced by a gentle scraping as Alec used the blade to push his chopped ingredients into a neat pile. Finally, setting it aside he opened a cupboard a pulled out a bowl.
Ang got on with the washing up, wanting the kitchen to be clean before Emma and Johanna arrived, "I picked up a cheesecake on the way home, figured we could have that and the apple pie I got out to defrost this morning, Raspberry, because we all like that flavour right?"
Alec pushed his salad into the bowl and gave it a good tossing. "Sounds good to me."
Ang took the chopping board and the knife, washing them up quickly, "I've also got cream as well as ice cream for the desserts." With the last of the washing up done, Ang tasted the sauce for the pasta and chicken, deciding it was ready, and tasted just right. So she turned off the heat and set it to one side, there wasn't time enough for it to get cold, but a quick heat through would bring it right back to ready in just a few minutes. "Sauce is done, chicken's chilling, salad's good? I think we're there you know, almost ready."
"Then we just sit back, and wait for the wait for the others," he smiled, dropping into a chair and folding his hands behind his head.
Ang started on the drying up, "Yeah, right, after you've set the table?" She chuckled, putting things away as she dried them, "There's no rest for the host you know, or the hostess."
"This was your idea," he returned, teasing. "I could be watching the game right now, but out of the goodness of my heart...."
Ang was just putting away the last of the dried up utensils, "Oh you," she grinned at Alec, "you are just the most wonderful thing in my life you know that? Now, could you lay the table?"
She'd just leaned down to give him a soft kiss, when Faith gave a soft 'woof' and headed for the front door.