Christmas shopping...Alec had been entirely out of his element. So...many...people. He'd had to feed daily just so he could go into the malls without his damn fangs popping involuntarily...and then he'd barely acquired anything there. A couple of small gifts - a new speaker system for their home theater better suited to the layout of their dwelling and some new crystal glassware to replace some that they had damaged while they were in the living room hav...anyway, the carpets had been replaced, so that was good.
Anyway, the malls had been too much. Too much junk, not enough space, way too many people. Besides, how do you mall shop for someone who has had 300 years to collect anything they might want from one? He'd commissioned a very nice piece from the glassworker that he'd familiarized himself with, but the artist had developed pneumonia and the work had been pushed back. His best idea scrapped, Alec was at a bit of a loss...until he had his epiphany. He hoped that she would be pleased, since if you dissected it down it certainly did not qualify as normal. Neither did vampirism or their respective lines of work...but Alec was still working out where all of the lines were in the relationship. The closest he'd come to crossing one was with the whole cross fiasco, but otherwise he'd done pretty well. Christmas would be a hell of a time to drop the ball and break the good streak, so he was a bit nervous.
It had been difficult to act naturally in the initial stages of the gift's planning, but as the night had worn on, he became completely comfortable and the raw materials came out nicely. Discussion with the artist had yielded a crop of excellent possibilities, and he had selected one. The result was quite lovely. Perhaps he'd get lucky and not have to explain all of the steps involved, but he somehow doubted it. Alec may be the luckiest social misfit alive, but he somehow couldn't see himself around the explanation.
He'd taken one of the motor pool vehicles to pick up all of the packages since he wasn't comfortable trying to fit this one into his BMW. Luckily, they were not dusty at all - he hated when he got grey dust streaks on black clothing...outside of work, at least. Lugging the packages down, he wondered what she had occupied herself with during the time since Midnight Mass. It was nearly dawn - he was curious why he'd be banished for such a specific amount of time. Well, he'd find out shortly. Walking down the final hall, he arrived at their door, taking inventory. Yes. All accounted for.
Going through the security procedures, the door opened and a surge of smells came out to greet him. That would explain the precision timing. Stepping through the door, he put everything against the wall and walked to the edge of the kitchen, peeking his head in.
Mmmmm...something smells almost as lovely as you are looking, mon coeur. Is this when I am supposed to kiss the cook?
Christmas for Two (private-Alec)
It was the first time Ginnie had a man to buy presents for in nearly three hundred years and she was giddy as a little girl. She had spent weeks shopping in between, raiding and thieving, and killing. She had finally found the two perfect gifts and had wrapped them herself, also a first.
Alec was due to arrive in less than an hour and she had just gotten out of the shower. In the oven a lovely small hen sat bubbling and roasting for their dinner, on the counter sat several casserole dishes waiting to go into the oven. Usually she just went to mass and then slept through the rest of the holiday. Today, however, was a day of real celebration.
She spent twenty minutes getting her hair to curl just right, and applying her make up to accent her lovely new dress. She applied a subtle scent lotion to her skin before dressing carefully in black silk panties, bra, garter, and stockings. She slid her new slinky black dress over her body, it hugged her close and sparkled when the light hit the metallic threads woven through the fabric. She took her heels into the living room and set them by the couch, so that she could pull the hen from the oven and start the dressing, and sweet potatoes.
When the hen was resting quietly on it's platter and the casseroles were warming, she went in to slip on her shoes and fuss with the little tree that sat on her coffee table, sheltering her two special gifts.
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
Ginnie
18 years ago
Ginnie was just pulling the pan with quartered new potatoes out of the oven when Alec's voice caressed her ear. She'd nearly jumped out of her skin. She'd programmed the monitors not to beep with his approach and entry, as it was his home too, it seemed rather paranoid of her. She set the pan on the counter on a hot pad and turned to face him, a smile curling her lips.
"It is indeed."
She crossed to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pressed her lips lightly to his. "Happy Christmas."
The soft strains of Rosemary Cloony singing about shepards and angles filled the air and she felt that things could not be more...perfect. They had lived and live was back to normal...well normal for them. She had spent the time in between switching dishes in the oven, setting the table and choosing music. Her CD player was full of classic and classical Christmas music.
The table set with a lovely white linen cloth embroidered down the center with golden holly leaves, gold chargers, white plates, wine and water glasses and her best silver. An arrangement of silky white roses, gold-dipped baby's breath and green ferny things graced the center of the table surrounded by four white candles in crystal holders.
"It is indeed."
She crossed to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pressed her lips lightly to his. "Happy Christmas."
The soft strains of Rosemary Cloony singing about shepards and angles filled the air and she felt that things could not be more...perfect. They had lived and live was back to normal...well normal for them. She had spent the time in between switching dishes in the oven, setting the table and choosing music. Her CD player was full of classic and classical Christmas music.
The table set with a lovely white linen cloth embroidered down the center with golden holly leaves, gold chargers, white plates, wine and water glasses and her best silver. An arrangement of silky white roses, gold-dipped baby's breath and green ferny things graced the center of the table surrounded by four white candles in crystal holders.
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
Mmmmmhappy Christmas to you, too. What is this we're listening to? I don't have too much of an education on Christmas classics aside from the mass marketed stuff.
Okay, so that was the understatement of the year. His first Christmas, he had spent most of it reading up on some of the religious background associated with the "Holiday Season." He still wasn't clear on the Three Wise Men and where they played into things, what Saint Nicholas had to do with Jesus (aside from being a saint) and why some folks rolled their eyes when someone said Kwanza. He had been startled to learn that Hanukkah was a a celebration with its roots in rebellion, but at least the candles made sense. The Christmas Tree thing was still a bit unclear to him - he figured it came from somewhere else and just wasn't given footnotes anymore.
For him, it boiled down to two routes - the original and the modern. The original sense of all of these holidays seemed to be in increasing interpersonal ties within your own family groups. The modern sense was a spree of commercialism...but in some ways accomplished the same goal. It still brought people together - even dressed in greed, the core essence of the holiday couldn't be destroyed.
Pretty cool.
But the music...most of what he had heard were the mall mixes and one group of carolers in the Big Easy a few years back. He didn't think they had the songs right - "my little hairy testicle" seemed out of place in a Christmas song, no matter how much rum and eggnog you'd had. Oh, eggnog. Alec didn't understand egg nog either.
Time to continue my education, mon coeur. What are the most traditional songs, and what are the best of the new additions?
Kissing her again, he quickly craned his neck around her head to take inventory of the kitchen. Some of the smells were entirely outside of his realm of experience - he could have tuned in his nose, but that somehow seemed like cheating on a day when everyone was expected to open their presents together. No fair peeking, after all.
As he was shooed out of the kitchen, he grabbed the packages and headed to the living room.
Okay, so that was the understatement of the year. His first Christmas, he had spent most of it reading up on some of the religious background associated with the "Holiday Season." He still wasn't clear on the Three Wise Men and where they played into things, what Saint Nicholas had to do with Jesus (aside from being a saint) and why some folks rolled their eyes when someone said Kwanza. He had been startled to learn that Hanukkah was a a celebration with its roots in rebellion, but at least the candles made sense. The Christmas Tree thing was still a bit unclear to him - he figured it came from somewhere else and just wasn't given footnotes anymore.
For him, it boiled down to two routes - the original and the modern. The original sense of all of these holidays seemed to be in increasing interpersonal ties within your own family groups. The modern sense was a spree of commercialism...but in some ways accomplished the same goal. It still brought people together - even dressed in greed, the core essence of the holiday couldn't be destroyed.
Pretty cool.
But the music...most of what he had heard were the mall mixes and one group of carolers in the Big Easy a few years back. He didn't think they had the songs right - "my little hairy testicle" seemed out of place in a Christmas song, no matter how much rum and eggnog you'd had. Oh, eggnog. Alec didn't understand egg nog either.
Time to continue my education, mon coeur. What are the most traditional songs, and what are the best of the new additions?
Kissing her again, he quickly craned his neck around her head to take inventory of the kitchen. Some of the smells were entirely outside of his realm of experience - he could have tuned in his nose, but that somehow seemed like cheating on a day when everyone was expected to open their presents together. No fair peeking, after all.
As he was shooed out of the kitchen, he grabbed the packages and headed to the living room.
Ginnie
18 years ago
Ginnie chuckled softly at him. And returned to the kitchen to put things in their serving dishes. She had forgotten that he didn't really know what Christmas was. Then again, she didn't recognize it any more either. It used to be a time of love, laughter and worship. Now...well now it was something so much, she heaved a sigh, less. She began to carry things to the table.
"When you came in Rosemary Cloony was singing It came upon a Midnight Clear, now you are listening to the Boston Symphony Orchestra play Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, from the Nutcracker. Before that was a bagpipe and drum playing We Three Kings."
She set the dishes on the table and went back for more. "Love, can you come get the wine from the fridge please?"
"When you came in Rosemary Cloony was singing It came upon a Midnight Clear, now you are listening to the Boston Symphony Orchestra play Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, from the Nutcracker. Before that was a bagpipe and drum playing We Three Kings."
She set the dishes on the table and went back for more. "Love, can you come get the wine from the fridge please?"
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
Frowning a bit, Alec wondered what a sugar plum was. Maybe there was one in one of the dishes in the kitchen, so he'd wait to ask. He was pretty sure that the Three Kings from the song were not George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube, so he should probably ask.
I'll get the wine if you tell me about the Three Kings. Are they the same as the three Wise Men? Oh, and what kind of wine do we need to start with? I'm guessing red, but there are a lot of smells mixing together and I don't want to mess up the order of things.
I'll get the wine if you tell me about the Three Kings. Are they the same as the three Wise Men? Oh, and what kind of wine do we need to start with? I'm guessing red, but there are a lot of smells mixing together and I don't want to mess up the order of things.
Ginnie
18 years ago
"I think a light white would be best. There's a Pinot there on the left." Walked out set dishes on the table and came back in. She was trying really hard not to laugh, but how could he not know who the Three Wise Men are?
"Yes, the three kings and three wise men are the same three. They were Kings of the east who followed the Christmas Star to Bethlehem to pay tribute to Christ. Frankincense for the prophet, gold for the king and myrrh because he must die for our salvation."
She had split up her explanation carrying dishes to the table. She just had the cranberry relish, rolls and a big pile of serving spoons left before taking the hen to the table.
"Yes, the three kings and three wise men are the same three. They were Kings of the east who followed the Christmas Star to Bethlehem to pay tribute to Christ. Frankincense for the prophet, gold for the king and myrrh because he must die for our salvation."
She had split up her explanation carrying dishes to the table. She just had the cranberry relish, rolls and a big pile of serving spoons left before taking the hen to the table.
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
Selecting the described bottle, Alec deftly opened it and let it breathe while he selected the proper crystal for the pinot.
Myrrh...I knew someone in New Orleans named Myrrh. Kind of a strange choice to name your kid after a gift that condemns someone else to death. I thought it was just an unusual name. What is it, anyway?
Pouring the wine, Alec paused. He'd almost asked where vampirism fit in with Catholicism, but caught himself. That seemed like more of an Easter question, and would give him some time to study up, as clueless as he was. It could also be misinterpreted as flippant or dismissive, which was certainly not what he was after on a big day for Ginnie...stomping out his ignorance could wait. Until now, religion had seemed to be a human anomaly, but it seemed to carry over to vampires as well. Best study up.
Finishing his pour, he asked
Anything else, love?
Myrrh...I knew someone in New Orleans named Myrrh. Kind of a strange choice to name your kid after a gift that condemns someone else to death. I thought it was just an unusual name. What is it, anyway?
Pouring the wine, Alec paused. He'd almost asked where vampirism fit in with Catholicism, but caught himself. That seemed like more of an Easter question, and would give him some time to study up, as clueless as he was. It could also be misinterpreted as flippant or dismissive, which was certainly not what he was after on a big day for Ginnie...stomping out his ignorance could wait. Until now, religion had seemed to be a human anomaly, but it seemed to carry over to vampires as well. Best study up.
Finishing his pour, he asked
Anything else, love?
Ginnie
18 years ago
"Myrrh is a very fine perfume, or it was of that day and age. It was used in the shrouding of the dead to help preserve the body, and cover the smell."
She took the sauce and rolls to the table and removed the wine glasses she had set out, no use in having extra glasses. She returned to the kitchen and placed them in the cabinet.
"Take that and these," She handed him the pile of serving spoons. "To the table and have a seat, and I'll bring out the hen."
She kissed him lightly on the cheek and turned to remove her little red apron, and to find her carving knife.
She took the sauce and rolls to the table and removed the wine glasses she had set out, no use in having extra glasses. She returned to the kitchen and placed them in the cabinet.
"Take that and these," She handed him the pile of serving spoons. "To the table and have a seat, and I'll bring out the hen."
She kissed him lightly on the cheek and turned to remove her little red apron, and to find her carving knife.
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
Chuckling, he replied
Ah, I'd imagine in the days before hasty burning of corpses or the use of refrigeration and preservatives that things would be rather...ripe.
Taking the spoons and the glasses, he headed to the table. The spread looked as good as it smelled. Normally he would try to sneak a bit, but he was on his best behavior today. Setting the wine and implements down, he waited behind Ginnie's chair for her to get comfortable before taking his own leisure.
Ah, I'd imagine in the days before hasty burning of corpses or the use of refrigeration and preservatives that things would be rather...ripe.
Taking the spoons and the glasses, he headed to the table. The spread looked as good as it smelled. Normally he would try to sneak a bit, but he was on his best behavior today. Setting the wine and implements down, he waited behind Ginnie's chair for her to get comfortable before taking his own leisure.
Ginnie
18 years ago
Ginnie carried the platter with the golden roasted hen and set it in the center of the table. It really was a lovely thing. She had put knife and fork on the platter and smiled at her handy work before letting Alec help her with her chair. It all looked very good, she just hoped none of it was cold in the middle.
"Would you do the honors of carving our lovely little bird?"
"Would you do the honors of carving our lovely little bird?"
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
Alec raised an eyebrow.
I'd be happy to...though I am only familiar with human anatomy. I'll try not to make too much of a mess of things.
Grasping the knife like a trained knife fighter rather than a chef, Alec decided that in order to preserve the meat, the best means of attack would be to sever the ligaments and tendons along the major muscle groups for starters. Stabbing lightly around the bird in the areas where he deduced the major connective tissues were, he leaned back. The bird was a bit more jiggly now, but basically still intact, except for the wings which were now chicken nuggets with bone. Frowning a bit, he made a major incision on either side of the breastbone. At this, the top layer of the breast flopped off, and he inadvertently shredded the deeper muscle with the knife tip, having missed the ligaments on the deep muscles.
Cutting the primary breast muscles free, he revealed the second layer and began working on those. He'd done some damage, but he still managed to get decent sized chunks, uh...fillets...cut and onto the serving platter. Looking at the thighs, he knew he was in trouble. Repeating the above procedure resulted in a large number of lengthy portions of meat that looked exactly like what they were - chunks of muscle.
A bit frustrated, he simply cut the legs off and placed them on the tray. Looking at the the tray, he decided that he'd made a total shambles of the critter. The two initial breasts were reasonably identifiable, as were the legs. Everything else looked somewhat like it had gone through a very bad food processor. Sighing, he gestured to his work.
Ah, c'est tres magnifique! Poulet d'anarchie!
Gently setting the knife away from him, he leaned over and kissed Ginnie's forehead.
I apologize for butchering your lovely cooking. Perhaps I will do better next year.
Sighing again, Alec slumped into his chair, shaking his head. Certainly off to a great start.
I'd be happy to...though I am only familiar with human anatomy. I'll try not to make too much of a mess of things.
Grasping the knife like a trained knife fighter rather than a chef, Alec decided that in order to preserve the meat, the best means of attack would be to sever the ligaments and tendons along the major muscle groups for starters. Stabbing lightly around the bird in the areas where he deduced the major connective tissues were, he leaned back. The bird was a bit more jiggly now, but basically still intact, except for the wings which were now chicken nuggets with bone. Frowning a bit, he made a major incision on either side of the breastbone. At this, the top layer of the breast flopped off, and he inadvertently shredded the deeper muscle with the knife tip, having missed the ligaments on the deep muscles.
Cutting the primary breast muscles free, he revealed the second layer and began working on those. He'd done some damage, but he still managed to get decent sized chunks, uh...fillets...cut and onto the serving platter. Looking at the thighs, he knew he was in trouble. Repeating the above procedure resulted in a large number of lengthy portions of meat that looked exactly like what they were - chunks of muscle.
A bit frustrated, he simply cut the legs off and placed them on the tray. Looking at the the tray, he decided that he'd made a total shambles of the critter. The two initial breasts were reasonably identifiable, as were the legs. Everything else looked somewhat like it had gone through a very bad food processor. Sighing, he gestured to his work.
Ah, c'est tres magnifique! Poulet d'anarchie!
Gently setting the knife away from him, he leaned over and kissed Ginnie's forehead.
I apologize for butchering your lovely cooking. Perhaps I will do better next year.
Sighing again, Alec slumped into his chair, shaking his head. Certainly off to a great start.
Ginnie
18 years ago
Ginnie pressed her lips together to keep from laughing as she watched Alec go at the bird like...well like a five year old. She cleared her throat after he'd kissed her and smiled at him.
"No, no it's ok. You did a great job."
She placed a small pile of what used to be chicken on her plate and one on Alec's. She then decided it was best just to tell him what the other dishes were and let him serve himself.
"This is a cranberry relish, this one is cornbread stuffing, greenbean casserole, I've never had it, but I'm told it's a traditional dish. New potatoes and finally acorn squash."
Ginnie smiled at him, she had fretted that she hadn't made enough dishes, but by the looks of the table and the one on Alec's face she'd made plenty.
"Well help yourself, love" She smiled again and began to put food on her plate.
"No, no it's ok. You did a great job."
She placed a small pile of what used to be chicken on her plate and one on Alec's. She then decided it was best just to tell him what the other dishes were and let him serve himself.
"This is a cranberry relish, this one is cornbread stuffing, greenbean casserole, I've never had it, but I'm told it's a traditional dish. New potatoes and finally acorn squash."
Ginnie smiled at him, she had fretted that she hadn't made enough dishes, but by the looks of the table and the one on Alec's face she'd made plenty.
"Well help yourself, love" She smiled again and began to put food on her plate.
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
Puzzled by some of the descriptions, he began serving himself a little of everything. He'd had cranberries before, but this smelled a bit sweeter than the raw berries that had made him think his face was going to shrivel in on itself. The cornbread stuffing smelled like a little bit of baked heaven - convinced it would be, he took a bit more than he might otherwise on a first dish. Eyeing the green beans with a look of distrust, he wasn't sure that he'd ever consumed something solid that was so...green. The acorn squash was entirely outside of his realm of experience, but it smelled...clean, almost. Contented with his three-quarters full plate, Alec looked up and smiled.
I can't remember the last time someone cooked for me. Rather, for the joy of it, not for money. Thank you.
At that, Alec girded himself for something unusual for him...consuming solids. Smiling, he started with the hen. So...good. Alec found that he also didn't mind meat much - though the cooking removed a lot of the animal's natural fluids, the background richness of its blood added to the flavor of the seasonings...especially the dark meat.
Moving next to the stuffing, he popped a bit into his mouth. It was as good as it smelled - the cornbread flavoring much more pleasant than many of the other stuffings he'd encountered.
Taking a forkful of the relish, he stopped, remembering it was a garnish, not a food. Putting most of it down, he popped a tiny bit into his mouth to experiment with the flavor. Ooo...that'd accent nicely both the hen AND the stuffing. He didn't know a lot about cooking, but Ginnie obviously knew her stuff.
Looking at the vegetables, he opted on the squash first, still uncertain about the greenbeans. The squash was a strange consistency, but retained flavor well - kind of neat. He'd never seen an oak tree with squashes on them before, so it was probably called that for some other reason. He'd look it up later.
That left...the greenbean casserole. Eyeing it distrustfully, not knowing how childish it made him look for just a moment, Alec put some on his fork. There were some onions in with the cream and the beans...that was a good sign. Mentally shrugging, Alec popped it into his mouth. The onions had apparently been fried before insertion, and there was a bit of breadiness within the cream as well. Alec was surprised to discover that he almost liked it. It would be excellent mixed a bit with the stuffing.
Wow...this is all really good. I wasn't sure on the green beans, but those are pretty tasty too. But the hen and that stuffing!
Taking a bit of hen onto his fork, he added some stuffing and some cranberries. Yum.
I can't remember the last time someone cooked for me. Rather, for the joy of it, not for money. Thank you.
At that, Alec girded himself for something unusual for him...consuming solids. Smiling, he started with the hen. So...good. Alec found that he also didn't mind meat much - though the cooking removed a lot of the animal's natural fluids, the background richness of its blood added to the flavor of the seasonings...especially the dark meat.
Moving next to the stuffing, he popped a bit into his mouth. It was as good as it smelled - the cornbread flavoring much more pleasant than many of the other stuffings he'd encountered.
Taking a forkful of the relish, he stopped, remembering it was a garnish, not a food. Putting most of it down, he popped a tiny bit into his mouth to experiment with the flavor. Ooo...that'd accent nicely both the hen AND the stuffing. He didn't know a lot about cooking, but Ginnie obviously knew her stuff.
Looking at the vegetables, he opted on the squash first, still uncertain about the greenbeans. The squash was a strange consistency, but retained flavor well - kind of neat. He'd never seen an oak tree with squashes on them before, so it was probably called that for some other reason. He'd look it up later.
That left...the greenbean casserole. Eyeing it distrustfully, not knowing how childish it made him look for just a moment, Alec put some on his fork. There were some onions in with the cream and the beans...that was a good sign. Mentally shrugging, Alec popped it into his mouth. The onions had apparently been fried before insertion, and there was a bit of breadiness within the cream as well. Alec was surprised to discover that he almost liked it. It would be excellent mixed a bit with the stuffing.
Wow...this is all really good. I wasn't sure on the green beans, but those are pretty tasty too. But the hen and that stuffing!
Taking a bit of hen onto his fork, he added some stuffing and some cranberries. Yum.
Ginnie
18 years ago
Ginnie watched Alec taste everything and was very pleased that he liked it all. She looked down at her as yet untouched plate and smiled back up at Alec.
"I'm glad you like it."
She poked at the greenbeans, she didn't know if she was brave enough to put them in her mouth, after all it just wasn't natural for greenbeans to have gray slimy stuff on them. Well if Alec could do it she could. She put a bit on her fork and slid it into her mouth and immediately regrated it. She swallowed forcefully, that was just nasty, nasty and slimy. She suppressed a shudder and put a bite of hen and cranberries in her mouth to relieve herself of the memory.
"Yeah, next time I'll just put almonds with them and sautee them in butter. That was just wrong and not something that should ever be done to such a noble vegetable."
She pushed the rest of the small pile to edge of her plate and enjoyed the rest of her meal. For the next half hour she and Alec talked and laughed while they worked their way through the meal. Ginnie hadn't had such a wonderful Christmas dinner in far, far to long.
Finally she stood and stacked a few of the serving dishes on top of her plate and carried them into the kitchen, and placed them in the sink. The dishwasher was empty and waiting on the plethora of dishes they had created.
"I'm glad you like it."
She poked at the greenbeans, she didn't know if she was brave enough to put them in her mouth, after all it just wasn't natural for greenbeans to have gray slimy stuff on them. Well if Alec could do it she could. She put a bit on her fork and slid it into her mouth and immediately regrated it. She swallowed forcefully, that was just nasty, nasty and slimy. She suppressed a shudder and put a bite of hen and cranberries in her mouth to relieve herself of the memory.
"Yeah, next time I'll just put almonds with them and sautee them in butter. That was just wrong and not something that should ever be done to such a noble vegetable."
She pushed the rest of the small pile to edge of her plate and enjoyed the rest of her meal. For the next half hour she and Alec talked and laughed while they worked their way through the meal. Ginnie hadn't had such a wonderful Christmas dinner in far, far to long.
Finally she stood and stacked a few of the serving dishes on top of her plate and carried them into the kitchen, and placed them in the sink. The dishwasher was empty and waiting on the plethora of dishes they had created.
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
Sitting back in his chair, Alec sighed, looking down at the small lump in his gut. It had all tasted so good...but now he was experiencing a bit of the "food baby" feeling. Repressing a shudder as he became aware of the solids sliding down through his insides, he stood up to help bus the table. Activity might help thin the lump out a bit, and focusing on it was just a bit...disgusting.
Taking his share of the plates to the sink, he placed them beside it so that they would have some room to wash. Reaching around her waist from behind, Alec snuggled in close, one hand on her belly...not as full as his, the other feeling the warm water that was pouring into the sink.
That was very tasty. Thank you. But the cook shouldn't be the one who cleans. I'll take care of it.
Turning her around slowly, he kissed her softly before disengaging and turning back to the sink.
Taking his share of the plates to the sink, he placed them beside it so that they would have some room to wash. Reaching around her waist from behind, Alec snuggled in close, one hand on her belly...not as full as his, the other feeling the warm water that was pouring into the sink.
That was very tasty. Thank you. But the cook shouldn't be the one who cleans. I'll take care of it.
Turning her around slowly, he kissed her softly before disengaging and turning back to the sink.
Ginnie
18 years ago
"Well you won't hear me argue with you." She brushed her finger along his cheek and went to get the rest of the dishes from the table. She set them on the counter next to the rest and took a damp cloth out to wipe off her pretty new table cloth.
After returning the wash rag to the kitchen, she set about lighting the candles in the living room. She had placed white candles on every flat surface she could. She new it was really dangerous and stupid, but she wanted to spend the evening with candle light flickering across Alec's faces and so she hummed softly along with Bing Crosby as she moved around the room.
After returning the wash rag to the kitchen, she set about lighting the candles in the living room. She had placed white candles on every flat surface she could. She new it was really dangerous and stupid, but she wanted to spend the evening with candle light flickering across Alec's faces and so she hummed softly along with Bing Crosby as she moved around the room.
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
Watching Ginnie walk away, he smiled to himself. He hadn't done too badly so far today. Sure, the whole chicken thing, but eveything else had gone well. GLancing down into the sink, he realized he'd almost made the soap mistake again. Reaching through the mound of bubbles climbing from the sink, he turned off the water. At least dish soap was easy to control.
Scrubbing away, Alec quickly eliminated all signs of foodstuffs from the dishes. He could hear music on in the background, but didn't want to cheat to figure out what it was...trying to restrain himself today. Finishing up, he also wiped down the counters and the oven before heading out to the living room. At first he was a bit alarmed by the play of lights, but then realized it was just candles.
So was everything lit like this in the old days?
The difference between the light quality was pretty severe. He imagined a lot of folks used to have some serious eye trouble...but everything seemed more intimate. Kind of pleasant, really...unless you had to read something. He reached his hands out to Ginnie as Bing started to sing "I'll Be Home For Christmas".
Shall we?
Scrubbing away, Alec quickly eliminated all signs of foodstuffs from the dishes. He could hear music on in the background, but didn't want to cheat to figure out what it was...trying to restrain himself today. Finishing up, he also wiped down the counters and the oven before heading out to the living room. At first he was a bit alarmed by the play of lights, but then realized it was just candles.
So was everything lit like this in the old days?
The difference between the light quality was pretty severe. He imagined a lot of folks used to have some serious eye trouble...but everything seemed more intimate. Kind of pleasant, really...unless you had to read something. He reached his hands out to Ginnie as Bing started to sing "I'll Be Home For Christmas".
Shall we?
Ginnie
18 years ago
"Pretty much, though we used oil lamps as candles were a very expensive luxury."
She slid her hands into his and moved in close to him. Smiling and trying not to be a silly and giddy as she felt.
"Shall we what?"
She leaned into him and kissed his lips softly.
"You know we probably ought to open presents before this candle light goes to my head."
She kissed him again nipping lightly at his bottom lip.
She slid her hands into his and moved in close to him. Smiling and trying not to be a silly and giddy as she felt.
"Shall we what?"
She leaned into him and kissed his lips softly.
"You know we probably ought to open presents before this candle light goes to my head."
She kissed him again nipping lightly at his bottom lip.
Alec Devereaux
18 years ago
Grinning, Alec returned the kisses, spinning them slowly.
I was thinking about dancing, but gifts could be fun as well.
Twirling Ginnie a bit, he stopped, holding her close. Pushing a bit at her with his nose, he said
Ok...you first. Start wherever you like.
Looking at his array of gifts for her, he wondered where she would start. The large, flat rectangular one, the large, heavy and boxy rectangular one, the smaller puffy one or the envelope. Another chance to observe his lover in action, and learn another facet of her personality.
I was thinking about dancing, but gifts could be fun as well.
Twirling Ginnie a bit, he stopped, holding her close. Pushing a bit at her with his nose, he said
Ok...you first. Start wherever you like.
Looking at his array of gifts for her, he wondered where she would start. The large, flat rectangular one, the large, heavy and boxy rectangular one, the smaller puffy one or the envelope. Another chance to observe his lover in action, and learn another facet of her personality.
Ginnie
18 years ago
"Gak! I have no idea." She lowered herself to the couch and looked at all the different things Alec had brought for her. She started with the envelope, since that seemed the most logical to her. Excited and nervous she slid her finger under the flap and pried it open.
She read a very lovely letter from a glass maker apologizing for her delayed gift and wishing her a very Merry Christmas. She chuckled and set the envelope aside. 'Well you don't get that every day.' She picked up the small puffy one and began to tear at the wrapping.
She read a very lovely letter from a glass maker apologizing for her delayed gift and wishing her a very Merry Christmas. She chuckled and set the envelope aside. 'Well you don't get that every day.' She picked up the small puffy one and began to tear at the wrapping.