Ella Frank - Exquisite

Laughing he nodded once. “Yeah I guess to most on lookers it does seem slightly chaotic, but I assure you, every single person here has a purpose and a job.”

He noticed she was watching him closely as he garnished and wiped a plate then set it up on the pass.

“Oh I believe you. It reminds me of my internship in the ER. Hectic.”

“When you’re here with me I almost forget how brilliant you really are.”

She tilted her head to the side and looked up at him with a small smile. “Brilliant huh?”

Grinning he showed her his teeth and went back to the plate in front of him, “Well, that may be slightly overstating the matter.”

“Well too bad, you already said it.” he caught her poking her tongue out at him and raised a brow.

“Watch it Lena. That tongue has much better uses then being sassy.”

“I hear lots of threats, but see little follow through.” she chimed back. He stopped what he was doing and moved to stand behind her. She stilled as he leaned down and whispered into her ear. “Your mother is sitting over there watching us very closely, so behave yourself young lady and stop torturing me.”

One of his chefs’s brought forward a plate and it landed in front of her. She took in a deep breath as he continued. “As much as I’d love to take you into my back office and show you what we could do with that tongue how about we stick to garnishing some plates so I remain one of your mothers’ favorite people.”

Laughing she looked over her shoulder at him. Their noses were close and she had to raise her eyes a little to meet his. “You think you’re a favorite of hers huh?”

“I sure do.”

“Oh? And why’s that?”

Leaning in he kissed her nose quickly, “Because I’m your favorite and I make you happy.”

Her eyes twinkled at his and she smirked, “You’re cocky Langley.”

“Hmm, I’m right. Now turn around so we can garnish this plate before I forget everything and just say fuck it, and take you right here.”

He watched her tongue come out as she licked her lips and he groaned softly thinking she’d eventually be the death of him.

The following Monday Lena had been invited to go to Catherine’s for the usual Monday night family dinner. She’d thought about it a million times then decided, why not. It wasn’t as though she didn’t know everybody going, well except for Wendy, Mason’s manager, but the rest of the family she’d already be introduced too. So that was where she currently found herself. Standing on a little porch that wrapped around the most charming cottage she’d ever seen. Lena had known Catherine’s place would have lovely flowers due to the nature of her work, but her home was so cheerful and warm, as you walked up the path to the front door, you couldn’t help but smile. The house was yellow, and although it should’ve looked wrong it didn’t. It was pastel and faded but none the less yellow. It was exactly as she would picture a cottage. It peaked up into a triangular style roof and was framed by a white balcony that wrapped around the porch. The two huge rectangular windows were framed in white trim and the pebbled path leading up to the front steps was lined in tulips that were so bright you couldn’t help but want to stop, bend down and touch them. On the front porch was a swing that was secured to the ceiling and it looked well used. There were plants, flowers and trees everywhere. It reminded Lena of an enchanted forest and she was absolutely mesmerized. As she came to a stop on the front porch the front door swung open and Catherine stood inside the glass. Smiling at the lady she’d grown to love over the years she watched as Catherine unlatched it then pushed it open coming to stand out in front of her.

“Lena! I’m so glad you could make it.”

Automatically Lena felt a smile slide onto her mouth and she reached out to take Catherine’s hands. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“Don’t be silly! I’ve wanted to invite you for years. I just knew your answer would‘ve been a no. I’m just so glad that somehow you were led to my Mason and we get to have you here now.” she paused and tilted her head up to look at Lena thoughtfully. “Maybe someone was guiding you to him, like it was meant to be.”

Sucking in a deep breath Lena thought of Carly, then Mason’s father, and then dismissed the notion reminding herself that was ridiculous and she was a logical, rational person who did not believe in things like that. However, with Catherine smiling up at her with such hope in her eyes Lena mumbled. “Perhaps.”

“Well don’t just stand out there. It isn’t quite as chilly these days but still, come in take your coat off. The tribe’s out back in the living room and Mason’s in his favorite place.”

Lena smiled handing her the coat. “The kitchen?”

“You got it. It’s just down that hall there. You should go and let him know you’re here.”

Nodding once Lena turned and slowly made her way down the narrow hall. On the walls were photos of a young Mason and Rachel through different stages of their lives. There were school pictures and holiday pictures by the Christmas tree, as well as graduation photos with their parents standing by their sides. Then Lena noticed one of a small boy with dark hair, a little too long, flopping down in front of his face as he held up a fish in one hand and had a pole in the other with a smile as bright as the sun. Behind him was a man who had the exact same smile and he had his hand resting on the boys shoulder as though he was the proudest father in the world.

“That was my first fish.”

Lena spun around to see Mason standing in the doorway leaning a shoulder up against the frame. He took her breath away. That same black hair was pushed back, as though he’d run his long fingers through it, and he had a light blue long sleeve buttoned down shirt on which was hidden under a bright red apron that read “Warning: Complaints to the cook may be hazardous to your mouth.”

After reading that warning she looked up to see him grinning at her. “You looked very proud of yourself.”

Pushing off the frame he moved closer and she noticed under the apron he had on a pair of jeans and she hated the fact that she couldn’t wait for him to turn around and walk away just so she could see his ass. He stopped when he reached her cupped her face in his hands then bent down to place a gentle kiss on her mouth. Then smiling and looking over her shoulder at the picture he nodded. “I was very proud of myself. He was to.”

Lena turned back to the picture. “He was very handsome. You look just like him.”

She felt him squeeze her shoulders then say softly in her ear. “Are you trying to tell me I’m handsome Lena?”

Looking back up at him their mouths were close and she smirked, “We were discussing catching fish Langley, not fishing for compliments.”

“I think you find me handsome Lena O’Donnell.”

“I think you need to go and finish making dinner.” she replied trying to keep her eyes on his but finding them slipping to watch his mouth.

“Hmm, admit it. You think I’m sexy.”

Laughing a little she turned fully so she was now looking up into those laughing blue eyes. She reached out and gripped the sides of his apron pulling him down so she could whisper against his mouth. “I think you’re real pretty Langley.”

He frowned down at her. “Pretty? That’s a girly way to describe me. I’m not pretty.”

Biting her bottom lip she smirked at him, “Your right, but now you’re pouting which just makes you look cute and petulant.”

Taking a step away from her he crossed his arms over his chest and Lena thought she may just melt on the spot with the look he was giving her now. “Cute? Pretty? Lena are you trying to emasculate me?”