A Celebration for Nell

[mylandmyrules]

Nell had tried something a little different for dinner tonight. She'd made a large, and hopefully tasty, vegetable stir fry and had stir-fried some beef in a different pan so those wanting meat could have some. She also had homemade sourdough bread, salad, and a vegetable broth based soup to start the meal.

The apartment was spic and span, the cats were happily curled up on their cat trees, for however long that would last, and she thought she was prepared as she could be for her first ever birthday celebration. Now to wait somewhat anxiously for her guests.



[For those who know who they are.]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"Cheers," Steven said as he came in. He smiled at her. "Happy birthday. Or day before I suppose. Is it all right? Not too much for you?"

[pocketpretzels]

Yes, they'd seen each other at lunch but that was hours ago. Hours.

"Hello, you," Watts greeted as he wandered over, still absently twirling a flower blossom he'd plucked from some unlucky plant.

[mylandmyrules]

"Thank you," she said. "And no, it's fine. Twenty people, now that would be a lot!"

[mylandmyrules]

"Then let's agree there is no silly dancing as a birthday greeting," she said. "But I'm sure you'll be having a birthday party of some sort within the year if Steven has anything to say about it."

[hasaknightjob]

Far too many hours!

"Hello, you," Steven said. He didn't go for a kiss because he didn't know if Llewellyn would be comfortable doing so around other people. But he did give Llewellyn a grateful look for being there.

[hasaknightjob]

"Can shove off any time you need," Steven said. "Won't take it personal. Same with the gift as well. Hope you like it, obviously, but if you don't can send it back and get something that makes you happy."

[mylandmyrules]

"You're fine," Nell said. "And you can't leave before dinner and dessert. Lana brought an amazing looking cake. And I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever it is, thank you."

She hesitated. "Unless you need to, of course. I wouldn't keep you if you had to go."

[hasaknightjob]

"No, no, I'd love to stay," Steven said. Then, lower, so it was for Nell's ears only, "Thank you for understanding. For him. It was a lot. Nothing personal about you at all, I promise."

[pocketpretzels]

“Agreed,” Watts nodded. And honestly… she probably wasn’t wrong, about that second thing.

[pocketpretzels]

Good instincts, Steven. This was a bit too intimate of a gathering that included someone he’d only just met. So a shoulder-bump for now, and a smile that doubled as a promise.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave a similar smile back in turn.

"Things all right?" Steven asked. He meant with Llewellyn and the party in general.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell smiled at him and replied just as quietly. "I'm just so touched that he came at all. That says more about him caring than anything he or anyone else could say or do."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave her a look of appreciation for understanding it so well. "Thank you. Now can I help at all? Do anything?"

[mylandmyrules]

Not wrong at all, no.

"Shall we go have some dinner?" Nell suggested. "I tried something new."

[mylandmyrules]

"No, I think everything is set," Nell said. "We can have dinner as soon as everyone is ready."

[hasaknightjob]

"It's kind of you to cook on your birthday," Steven said. "Though I suppose that's the sort of thing that makes you happy. Still, lucky for us."

[pocketpretzels]

"Ms. Ingram's promised to send me home with leftovers," was Watts's answer. Because trust Nell to find a way to give other people something at her own birthday party.

[mylandmyrules]

"I don't mind at all," she said. "Though I tried something different and I hope it comes out okay."

[pocketpretzels]

"You needn't ask me twice," Watts said, heavily food-motivated creature that he was. "What did you make?"

[hasaknightjob]

At least that way they knew it was the real Nell?

"I'd say her food is so good there won't be any but we know she always makes enough for dinner and more besides," Steven said. "At least there's presents and she can feel a little spoiled. As she should."

[hasaknightjob]

"Can't imagine you making anything horrible," Steven said. "Though if it doesn't work out there's more room for cake, isn't there?"

[mylandmyrules]

"It's a sort of a stir-fry thing?" she said. "With lots of vegetables and a slightly spicy sauce. And there's meat to stir-fry separately to add in for those who want it."

Not to mentiom the bread and salad.

"Oh and a nice light soup with a vegetable broth to start."

[mylandmyrules]

Nell laughed. "Yes, we can always give up on dinner and just have cake!"

[pocketpretzels]

"Everyone deserves to every once and a while," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's your birthday," Steven pointed out. "Could have cake for dinner if you wanted it. Nobody could tell you no."