by Maggie Ryan
Wine flowed and platters were cleaned as the meal progressed. Everything was delicious—from the small stuffed mushrooms that Jason had requested, to the fluffy garlic mashed potatoes drenched in savory giblet gravy that Nancy had prepared. She and Elizabeth had playfully argued over potatoes versus yams being the standard Thanksgiving fare. Everyone was very happy when, in addition to Nancy's potatoes, Elizabeth's sweet potato casserole, creamed with lots of brown sugar and butter and topped with toasted and yet still gooey melted marshmallows, was also placed on the table. Logan ignored the teasing of his sisters when he bypassed the freshly made cranberry relish in favor of the processed cranberry that slid straight out of its can in a perfect cylinder. Asparagus wrapped in thin slices of prosciutto, and green beans prepared with garlic and ginger, provided the vegetables Craig had promised, along with a huge variety of small pickles, olives, cocktail onions, and celery stuffed with a variety of cheeses.
Ariel turned up her nose as a bowl was passed to her. "Ugh, no thanks. No offense, Craig, but even you can't turn a Brussels sprout into anything exciting." She quickly set down the bowl in order to pound Barbara on her back, mistaking her sister's peals of laughter as possible choking.
Barbara made the mistake of looking across the table to see Angel making a gagging motion as she lifted her napkin into her lap. Both girls began to giggle and then laugh so hard that all other conversation stopped, every person at the table staring at the two women. It took several minutes, and the conscious effort not to look across the table, for the women to settle, gasping as they attempted to catch their breath.
Craig had to chuckle as he spooned several of the sprouts onto Barbara's plate. Hearing him, she lifted her face, the look in his eyes acknowledging that there were five people at the table all thinking of that night only a few days ago.
"Why do I feel like I'm missing something?" Ariel complained, smiling as she saw the tender look pass between her sister and Craig, telling her everything was fine.
"You don't know what you're missing, little sister," Barbara said, popping a steaming sprout into her mouth and barely managing not to break out into laughter again. Swallowing, she felt her stomach flip at the memory of that night. "I can promise that Craig can make anything exciting—even a vegetable."
"Hmmm, then you can have my share. I'll stick with green beans," Ariel said, spooning them onto her plate. Sliding her eyes to where Angel was seated, and seeing the beautiful woman continue to giggle as the bowl of the sprouts was passed, had her interest piqued. Realizing that John and Betty also seemed to be having a difficult time keeping a straight face made her curiosity meter flip into the red zone and watching Barbara eat one of the disgusting little cabbages with obvious pleasure told her there was a story that definitely needed to be a topic at the next HOPEFUL meeting.
After the huge meal, everyone agreed to wait a bit before sampling the desserts. Craig grinned as he guided the group to the other side of the restaurant. Opening the double doors to a room used for private parties, the groans of the women and the cheers of the men demonstrated their opinion of the huge television set and the comfortable recliners that had been rented to provide viewing of the afternoon's many football games.
"Oh, great," Ariel muttered. "Now we've lost their attention. We might as well curl up on the floor and take a nap." She squealed when Garrett picked her up.
"How about you curl up on my lap instead?" he suggested. "Oh, and by all means, please feel free to fall asleep. It is the only way to guarantee you're quiet during the game." He took a seat, cradling her in his lap.
"Hmmm, I can think of another way to keep me quiet," she teased, her finger running up and down his chest, only to be captured by his hand and brought to his lips.
"That's a lie either way, Ariel," he said, grinning as he kissed her finger.
"What do you mean, either way?"
"I mean, young lady, that you aren't quiet when you are either over my lap getting your ass spanked, or underneath me getting that same ass—"
"Garrett!" Ariel squealed, and then pressed her face into his chest, silent as she prayed no one had heard his comment.
"Ahh, that's better," Garrett said, reaching down to lift the lever that brought the footrest up to support his feet. "Gentlemen, take your seats, we've got games to watch."
Despite their initial protests, the women were soon cheering just as loudly as the men as they rooted for their home team. Helen even had them all laughing as she shouted out directions, as if the quarterback could hear her. The Texans were ahead at the half when Logan muted the television so Craig could announce that he would bring in the tray of desserts.
"I'll help," Barbara said, only to have him shake his head.
"Why don't you show Angel where the restroom is? Logan can help me." The two women stood up from where they had arranged themselves on the floor between the loveseat and Craig's chair in order to talk quietly.
"I'm still so full I'm not sure even I can eat dessert," Nancy said, only to hear Jason chuckle.
"Just as Garrett is positive that Ariel can't be quiet, I am positive that you will have no problem putting away dessert. The only question is how many pieces of pie that will involve."
Slapping her hand against his chest, Nancy laughed. "Well, it wouldn't do to hurt anyone's feelings, so I'm sure to have at least two. One of Helen's pumpkin, and one of Betty's pecan. After that, we shall see."
"I love your family and friends," Angel said, as they left the restroom. "Thanks for sharing them with me."
"Aren't they great?" Barbara agreed. "I never imagined that there were really women in this world that would be such great friends. They have helped me so much over the past year. We share everything."
"Everything?" Angel teased, as they left the room. Barbara blushed but she also giggled.
"Well, maybe not everything," she admitted. "What I haven't shared with them, I've shared with you." She saw Angel's grin and shook her head. "Don't be so smug, I'm not promising they won't find out all of our secrets, and I warn you now, Ariel has already begun with that offering in the kitchen. I assure you she is trying to sweeten you up. She has this obsession with underwear, and I don't mean she collects it. Don't be surprised if she asks you to describe yours in detail."
Angel gave her a hug and laughed. "Bunny, you'll find that I don't care a whit if anyone finds out I'm a Little, what my kinks are or what I wear. I would never change who I am, and I'm very, very glad that you count me among those women you share your life with."
Seeing Ariel coming towards them, Barbara gave Angel a knowing look. Ariel surprised her sister by pulling Barbara aside the moment she entered the room. "Okay, sis, I know your man is a baker, but seriously?"
Not having any idea of what Ariel was talking about, Barbara let her pull her to a table where desserts had been displayed. Pumpkin, pecan, and apple pies were on one side, plates of brownies and a wide variety of cookies were displayed on the other. Right in the middle of the table was the most beautiful cake Barbara had ever seen. It was shaped like a big, white bunny sitting back on its haunches, with desiccated coconut artfully arranged to appear as fur. Long whiskers made from pulled sugar surrounded a pink nose that seemed almost to quiver. Bright green eyes, also of sugar, twinkled with the lighting from above. A wide pink bow was formed out of fondant around the bunny's neck.
"Oh my God, it's beautiful," Barbara said, turning to her sister. "If you don't want any, I'm sure you can have something else."
Ariel rolled her eyes in her typical fashion. "It's not the cake I object to, Barbara. After all, it is awfully sweet of Craig to fashion such a cake in honor of you. It's what the dang thing is holding."
Confused, Barbara turned back to take another look. When she focused on the bunny's front paws, she giggled. A large, dark green Brussels sprout was obviously what caused Ariel's aversion. Bending forward, Barbara realized that the sprout was not even made out of fondant or modeling chocolate—it was a real sprout.
"Do you like it?" Craig asked, as he came to stand next to her.
"Oh, I love it," Barbara said. "It looks so real. You've got to teach me how to bake like you do. Whatever possessed you to include a sprout?"
"Well, I was planning on perhaps using a small head of lettuce, but I believe you are very well aware of why another vegetable had to take its place." He adored the blush that crawled up her skin. "Hey," he went on, as Ariel reached past them to pluck the green ball from the bunny's paws.
"Now the cake is beautiful," Ariel said with a grin. "Let me just throw this away."
"Don't you dare, Ariel," Craig growled. "You drop it right now!"
Barbara looked between the two, wondering what had possessed her sister to do such a rude thing. She gasped as Ariel shrugged and dropped the sprout to the floor. She was so intent on watching Ariel, it took her a moment to realize Craig had moved.
Thinking he was picking up the vegetable, it took another moment for Barbara to realize he was on one knee, the sprout in the fingers of one hand.
Once certain that he had her attention, Craig began to pluck the leaves from the sprout one at a time, dropping each to the floor. She watched as he continued to peel away the layers, her heart beginning to pound against her ribcage.
"You have captured my heart and soul," he said, another thin leaf falling to the ground. "You have made me realize that my life is nothing without you by my side." Her eyes filled with tears at his words. "You have rekindled the beauty of this world and the possibilities it has to offer." No one stirred in the room as another layer of leaves joined the pile on the floor. "You are the most incredible, most loving, and the most beautiful woman I have ever known." Only a last layer remained. Craig met her eyes, reaching up to stroke away a tear that escaped. "Make my last dream come true. Marry me, Bunny." His finger peeled the last leaf off to display the engagement ring he had hidden in the core.
"Yes, oh God, yes!" Barbara cried, throwing herself at him, knocking him backwards onto his butt, bursting into tears at the proposal and all his words had meant to her.
Ariel, tears on her own face, put aside her aversion of the vegetable as she ran her fingers through the pile of discarded leaves to pick up the dropped ring. Craig held his brand new fiancée with one arm as he took the ring from Ariel and slipped it onto Barbara's finger.
"Well, that proves it," Logan said, as he shook his head.
"Proves what?" Elizabeth asked, wiping her own cheek, her smile huge as she watched the happy couple.
"It proves that you, my dear, are married to the only man who knows how to hold on to the ring."
Jason, who was standing with Nancy in his arms, laughed. "Don't be so hasty, Logan," he said, lifting Nancy's left hand. "You still have one ring to go before you can make that claim."
The women giggled, slipping out of their men's arms to run and surround Bunny, Elizabeth reaching out to draw Angel into the group as they each gave the stunned, deliriously happy young woman their congratulations.
After everyone had made sure the couple had their best wishes, the table of desserts was raided. Barbara shrieked when Logan picked up a knife and was about to slice off the head of the bunny. Even though Craig reminded her that it was indeed made of flour and sugar, and couldn't be kept forever, she absolutely forbade anyone to take so much as a piece of coconut. Ariel assured her that she had taken several photographs while Barbara had been out of the room.
"So you knew?" she asked, turning to her sister.
"Yes," Ariel said with a smug smile, giving a bow of her head before continuing. "Seriously, why do you think I protested so much about a vegetable when I could have just as easily passed the bowl without a word?"
"Hmmm, let us think," Nancy said with a giggle. "Perhaps because you are such a drama queen?"
"You should all be ashamed of yourselves," Ariel said, with a huff. "I just redeemed myself from that entire throwing the shell debâcle, and yet do I get any recognition?"
"Not when you were supposed to 'hand' Craig the ring and not drop it on the floor," Garrett said with a grin.
"Don't blame me that I am such an obedient sub that I do exactly what any Dom instructs me to," Angel retaliated, reminding him that the word 'drop' had indeed been used.
Garrett popped her butt, his grin letting everyone know that some evil thought was forming in his head. "Good to know, now how about getting me a slice of that cake your sister is still guarding?"
"You are all such big cowards," Ariel declared, before her eyes found her sister's, which promised retribution. Swallowing hard, she turned back to Garrett. "Um, maybe a nice piece of pie would do?"
"Only if you want a spanking for lying about being such an obedient sub," Garrett challenged.
Nancy, whose plate did indeed contain two huge pieces of pie, grabbed Angel's hand. "I suggest we get out of the line of fire."
Angel felt included, loving every moment as the group laughed and teased each other. She looked at Barbara and grinned before putting her hand on Ariel's arm. "If you are successful, I understand the need for a prize. I just thought you might like to know that I've got the cutest undies on today." Elizabeth's laugh filled the area as Angel's words had Ariel's head turning back to Barbara's.
"Um, sweetie…"
Barbara shocked them all by taking a knife and slicing off the bunny's tail. Slapping it onto a plate, she ignored the look of shock on Garrett's face and held it out to Ariel. "Give that to your cowardly Dom, even though we all know you don't mind getting your own tail spanked." The surreal scene continued when Barbara plucked the sugar nose from the cake and reached out to press it into the rounded piece of cake Ariel still held. "This is for you, Ariel. God forbid you stop being so nosy."
Ariel had never been so shocked in her life. "Oh, God, Barbara, no… please, I'm so…"
Barbara stepped forward and took a deep bow before straightening up, laughing so hard that tears started streaming down her face. Seeing that she might have gone a tad bit too far, she put the knife down. "You didn't think I'd let such a perfect opportunity pass by, did you? After all, little sister, I took theatre classes as well."
The room erupted in laughter as Ariel passed the plate to Garrett and shook her head before giving her sister a huge hug. "In that case, I suggest the HOPEFULs all share the ears, because someone," she paused and turned to where Angel and Nancy were giggling, "has a story to tell, and we all will be listening."
Barbara laughed and Ariel helped her prepare four plates with slices of the long floppy ears. Grinning, Barbara cut another slice and placed the pink candy mouth onto the top, listening to Ariel giggle when she nodded her understanding that the piece was for Angel.
Craig took over serving the rest of the special cake to the others, while the sisters moved to the table where the HOPEFULs were seated. Passing Garrett, who seemed to be in a trance as he stared at his untouched slice, Ariel shook her head. "Like I said, cowards." Barbara giggled as Ariel reached up and plucked the sugar nose off his piece and popped it into her mouth.
Garrett's growl, as he moved the plate out of her reach, told everyone that there were absolutely no hard feelings. As he watched them walk away, he took the first bite, knowing he could always count on the unexpected from this group of amazing women.
Angel kept her promise and gave Ariel her prize, whispering that she had on green panties, with the word 'gobble-gobble' scrawled across them.
Barbara shook her head at the expression on her sister's face, knowing that Angel had indeed found a place among the HOPEFULs. They continued to talk as the men watched the rest of the game.
After dessert had been consumed, exaggerated groans of satisfaction given by all, and the game had ended, they relaxed around the room sipping coffee and talking. Ryan and Julie, glad to have been included, again thanked Logan and Elizabeth for the opportunity to have Haven be the project that allowed their new firm to get off the ground. Ryan had fulfilled his promise—the last nail had been hammered into place a week earlier
—ahead of the deadline he had given himself.
"It's been our pleasure," Elizabeth said, her hand in Logan's. "You more than earned the bonus for finishing early. I never expected you to have the cabins finished as well. We can't thank you and Julie enough."
"I only pray that every client we have is like y'all," Ryan replied. "Working with you, Nancy and Logan has spoiled us, I'm sure. Besides, Logan's promise of a room for the opening if we could get those cabins done, sure gave me the incentive to hire a few more men."
Julie smiled, her heart beating a bit faster at the knowledge that that every word her business partner, who had also become her lover, spoke was the truth. Working together on Haven was one thing. Putting aside blueprints and hardhats, and putting on sexy lingerie was a bonus she was most definitely looking forward to claiming.
As Craig had predicted, everyone pitched in and helped clear the table and clean the kitchen. He smiled as Angel and Barbara attempted to keep count of the number of dishes they dried to make sure neither felt the other was overworked. Since Barbara kept stopping to admire her ring, the large, heart-shaped solitaire diamond flashing as she accepted each dish, every other plate she was passed was plucked from her hand by her friend, making it clear who was doing most of the work. Hearing them giggle and tease each other had Craig realizing that even though he had a great time over the past couple of days working in his restaurant among his friends, he was more than willing to once again turn the day to day operation over to his executive chef. He was looking forward to finally having his Bunny to himself, moving to their lake cabin and beginning their new lives, making Haven into the five star hotel Elizabeth dreamed it could become. The location was private and beautiful, the rooms promised to be gorgeous and offer a high level of comfort for lovers, and, if he had anything to do with it, the meals he and Barbara would prepare would help build Haven's reputation. Word of mouth, as clients shared their experiences with friends, was the best advertisement any place could hope for. He was betting that Elizabeth and Logan would have their five star rating before the year was out.
