Who: Catherine and Dean When: October 23 Where: Cath’s House, Summerbridge What: Eating Breakfast Brownies and looking at her walls? Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Cath owned a very, very nice house--more like a manor. It was set off the road by a long driveway, and surrounded by a tall fence. She’d had the groundskeeper keep the gate open today, though, because she knew that Dean would be arriving after she came home from work. There was a fountain in the front, set such that the driveway curled around it. The front doors were massive and wood, with brass knockers and doorknobs. The place had a dozen rooms, including a grand foyer, bedrooms, bathrooms, massive kitchen and dining hall, and a music room for entertaining guests. It was practically basketball court sized. There was a small pool and spa in the backyard, and a large rose garden. All of the roses in the garden were red. There was also a large grassy area for croquet--though Cath didn’t really understand the mallets and balls. Where were the flamingoes and playing cards?
She was sitting in the foyer after arriving home from work. One of the more comfortable settees was in there, and Cath enjoyed reading there. Even though she had a dozen rooms to choose from, this was one with the best light for reading. The smells of chocolate and bacon were gently wafting from the kitchen. Cath had given her cook the night off because Dean insisted upon cooking dinner, and the maidservant was upstairs, turning down her bed. Because Cath was at work so early in the morning each day, she had a fairly early bedtime.
When she heard a car in the drive, Cath put her bookmark in her book and moved to pull open the door. Best to meet him before he had to knock.
Whatever Dean had been expecting by the bakery owner's home, it wasn't what he pulled up to. The gate itself was massive, and a glance just past made it seem like something that a council member might own, perhaps, or someone even more important. He was pretty sure he was at the wrong place, but it was out of the way enough that he was also sure he'd never find the proper place if he turned around now. He figured he'd step out and check in with a butler or something equally ridiculous and get some directions so he wouldn't be too late. He'd thought his house was big at five bedrooms. It was probably a fourth of this place with his yard added on, and just this house.
He tucked his keys into his pocket once he was out of the impala, looking around a little as he stepped around the front of the car to head for the door. Yet he stopped when he heard the door open, half expecting to be fussed at, frankly, not see Cath standing there. He let out a soft laugh and stepped closer, raising a brow and looking around. "I guess I figured you were well off since you own, but damn." He looked back, out at the bushes, then back at her and giving a half shrug. "Damn. Nice."
That was certainly nice to hear, wasn’t it? Cath couldn’t help breaking into a bright grin. Not a whole lot of things brought her pleasure anymore, not since her heart went to the Sisters. But seeing how impressed Dean was at the sight of her house gave her a tiny sliver of joy. Enough to make her smile that warm, pleasant, happy smile.
“Well, you are in the presence of royalty,” she insisted, moving forward to offer him her hand in greeting. It was very old-fashioned, a little stuffy. “It’s not quite the castle where I lived in Hearts, but it is quite appropriate for my needs.”
"Yeah, but it's..." He trailed off for a moment. Royalty? Did he know that? He was pretty sure he'd remember something like that. He just stepped forward a bit more to take her hand, suddenly all too aware that he wasn't sure if he should shake or do some kind of awkward kiss thing. In the end, he settled for a shake, taking a deep breath before looking around. "It's big."
Dean forced out a laugh before shaking his head some. "Might take me a bit longer than expected, but this is a big house. It's probably got good structure and can really take it, you know?" He smiled, leaning a little. "You already cooking? You know I'm supposed to do dinner, right?"
"It'll do." Cath was amused at the look on Dean's face. She liked having a bit of a surprise for him. Then she shook his hand, reminded of those back in Hearts who didn't... yknow. With the kissing of the hands bit. But she only needed soundproofing in one room. The bedroom. She'd like to have the kitchen mostly soundproof, as that was the other room she spent the most time in, but that came second to her waking up due to crazy screams shaking her walls.
"Just... you'll see. It's a surprise." Cath said, giving him a warm smile. "I'll show you to the kitchen?" Then she turned to lead the way into the house, lifting her skirts to walk through the doorway. She didn't stop to brush her shoes on the mat, and didn't wait for him before she turned down the next hall.
Thankfully the kitchen was close to the foyer, on the left hand side after a short hallway. The home was grand and huge, but the kitchen... well, the kitchen was huge, too. It just felt much more cozy, much more comfortable--it was a wonderful working space. Cath insisted upon having a kitchen that was sparsely decorated with the most modern amenities. She turned around once they were inside.
"I made maple-bacon brownies." She motioned to a plate covered in brownie squares, each with a healthy serving of bacon chunks on top.
"It'll do," Dean parroted, clearly amused. It was almost as if Cath was used to something much bigger, and expected Dean to get that. This place was already massive by his standards, having grown up mostly in hotel room and the smallest apartments their dad could find when they were kids and he'd leave them for days at a time. Still, he watched her, figuring it was okay enough for him to just follow along after shutting the door. Better to ask forgiveness for potentially tracking something in than to ask in advance when she was leaving him to get lost.
It wasn't too surprising that the kitchen was just as epic as the rest of the house seemed. Yet, it was nice, less expensive and intimidating. He liked it. It was a lot bigger than what he was used to, but a kitchen was a kitchen. He could work with that for dinner, right? Sure. Anyone could cook breakfast, as far as he was concerned.
"Oh..." He mumbled, looking at the plate, taking a step forward before pausing. "They look good." He furrowed his brow slightly before giving a little hum. "May I?" He motioned a little, not wanting to just grab for anything really. "You gonna want to eat first or get a look around where you're wanting the work?"
Cath wanted to see that look on his face, that impressed and whatever… it wasn’t quite as big as she’d hoped, but when he bit into them it was going to be orgasmic. She couldn’t wait for him to be incredibly impressed.
“Please.” She said, offering him the plate. “Take as many as you like.” Once he had a brownie, she set the plate down again. “Either way. I have nothing else planned until bedtime. Since I wake so early, I turn in quite early, too.” She’d planned to spare him a few hours this evening at the very least.
Dean nodded, more than happy to take one of the brownies and cup a hand under it. Never let bacon go. Never. One was a good enough start. He didn’t bother to wait to eat it, though, even if he nodded as she spoke. While he was still on the fence about the whole chocolate and bacon idea, but actually eating it, it worked. Maybe it was the hint of maple in there but he gave a small grunt, just to show he was paying attention before taking another bite, really before he'd swallowed the first.
"I can find a day to come while you're at work for most of it?" He offered, mumbling around the bite before realizing she might think that was rude or something, so he just pushed the extra bacon in his mouth, maybe picking a piece off his shirt too, since there was no point to waste it. "Not much of a brownie man, but this is good." He nodded before taking another bite, while he looked around the kitchen. "Think it's the maple. Gives it that extra... fuck yeah..." He waved a hand, make sure to really draw out the last pair of words before grinning.
Cath watched him with interest was he started eating the brownie. She'd put extra time and attention into creating an exquisite brownie, topped with crumbly, perfectly cooked bacon, drizzled with maple and chocolate. It was a superb creation, and Cath was thinking about carrying them in her bakery. He seemed to be pleased with them, though Cath had been hoping for more of a reaction. Maybe they weren't all that good?
"That would be fine." Cath said, nodding. He seemed to be shovelling the confection into his mouth, so even though he hadn't given a "wow!" at the beginning... Cath was starting to understand he might not have been one of those people. Not a "Wow!" kind of guy.
His use of the curse word had Cath grinning a little more brightly. "Fuck yeah?" She repeated, one eyebrow elegantly raised.
Dean nodded, making sure his mouth was good and clear, because you could really only get away with so much talking with your mouth full if his mom had been anything to go by. She hadn't been nearly as prim as Cath suddenly seemed with her whole giant house and dresses and everything. "Yeah. It's good. Gotta say the pie's better...but I'm a pie man. Nothing is ever gonna beat that."
He smiled and nodded, motioning a little. "Show me to the rooms and I'll get the measurements then we can talk about options while dinner's cooking."