mylandmyrules | A Celebration for Nell

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A Celebration for Nell

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.]

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"I think traditionally they sing Happy Birthday when they bring the cake out," Nell said. "So that will be okay."

Steven considered the other two guests at the table, then leaned in to whisper to Nell, "Do you know the words? Because we may have to teach them. Or shall I do it for everyone?"

Nell looked at him with wide eyes. "I only know that you sing Happy Birthday," she admitted. "So you're probably on your own."

She and Lana hadn't covered that in their birthday prep.

"Do you want us to sing it?" Steven asked. "Some don't care for it."

"I think maybe you'd better sing it and then I can decide if I want it sung next time," she said. "Hard to make a decision otherwise."

"All right then," Steven said. "Now of course in England we do For She's a Jolly Good Fellow but you're American so for you I can change it."

Also it wasn't like he didn't know the words. Even if he didn't share a body with Marc, American media wasn't exactly unpopular around the world.

"You can sing whichever you choose," Nell said with a smile.

"Might do both then," Steven said. "See if I don't."

Nell laughed. "I will be delighted with whatever you do."

"In fairness you haven't heard me sing," Steven said. That probably did need a warning.

"Oh dear," Nell said. "Well I'll take it in the spirit with which it was intended."

"Appreciated," Steven said. At least he made up for a lot with enthusiasm? "Dinner's great, by the way. I do like it."

"Thank you," Nell said. "I hope it's not too spicy. I like a lot myself and can sometimes not tone it down enough for others."

"Don't mind spice at all," Steven assured her. "Love a good curry. That'll be one of the things I take Llewellyn to tomorrow. My favorite takeaway. Give him a feel for what it was like for me, living there."

And a great deal of street vendors. Not that Steven was attempting to not so subtly bribe Llewellyn into liking the place.

"I've never had curry," Nell admitted. "I'm sure you and the Detective will have a wonderful time in London."

"Oh if you like spice you should try it," Steven said. "Now fair warning, it's not like spices you get in things like stir fry. Hits your palette different. But there's restaurants here on the island that do a bang up job. The Thai place for a start. Might be a good place to begin with, actually. Then we can move you on to proper Indian."

"Maybe I will," Nell said. "I can see if I like it and go from there."

"Do let me know how you like it," Steven said. "Won't ever be able to cook the way you do but at least I'll know what to order if we're having takeaway."

"I will," Nell assured him. It looked like everyone was mostly finished eating. "Maybe I should open the presents now? Before Lana brings the cake out?"

"If you like," Steven said. "Do you need help bringing things back?"

Steven was already moving to stand up to aid her.

"If you'd like," Nell said, clearing the dishes near her. "I'll wash up later, so just stack them by the sink, if you please."

Steven was thrilled to be able to help - and Marc could just shut up later when he made his little comments about why couldn't Steven be that helpful about cleaning up at home?

Steven gathered up the plates and dinner specific silverware. "Are we leaving the glasses?"

Nell was a little shocked at her own daring in telling a man what to do in the kitchen, but he did offer.

"Glasses... Yes, let's leave them for now, I think."

Steven was likewise pleasantly surprised that Nell had taken him up on it, but he wasn't going to make a fuss so as not to discourage her from doing it again.

"Easy enough to do," he said as he brought the dishes in as instructed. "Let me know if you need any help with the washing up later as well."

He highly doubted she would take him up on that but at least she could get used to hearing the offer.

"Mmm hmm," Nell said noncommittally. "Thank you." She scraped the plates, rinsed them quckly and set them to the side. "All right, I think it's time for presents."

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