thedispatch | (no subject)

It will be nice to have you there. I hated the idea of leaving you to yourself on such a night.

[ Content with her acceptance he moves to bring the dress to her room. ]

[ Grell's hand trails down his shoulder as he passes, and she accompanies him to assist. Pushing her door aside, she then opens her closet, pushing aside other garments to make room. Plenty of it. ]

Is that what it is... Truly, you don't have to worry about me, in that regard. You already do so much.

[ The gown is gently set to hang, after all it cost a good amount! ]

It's going to be Christmas Eve. You are meant to spend the time with those important to you. That includes you just as much as any of them.

[ Now that his arms are free, she throws her arms about his shoulders to embrace him! ]

My heart is simply overwhelmed with joy! I'm truly the luckiest lady alive, knowing you...

I'm glad I've been able to bring you that joy.

[ His own arms wind around her middle and he holds her close until she's ready to release him. ]

[ It's a moment until she's satisfied, leaning into him with a content sigh. ]

... How will we say that we met?

At Beachy Head, where we shared a meal together.

[ William isn't one to lie, of course. But leaving out key information isn't actually lying. ]

[ Pulling back, she smiles him a little lopsided smile. ]

Hm! An awful meal, at that. The company turned out to be quite good, though.

After a bit of persuasion, yes.

[ Assuming she's had enough hug, for now at least, he lets her go. ]

I can be stubborn, too, and it blinds me at times... How foolish I was to deny you at all.

[ Chuckling, she smoothed her hands down his lapels. ]

Are you hungry for supper?

You had no way of knowing my intentions.

[ At her offer of supper, he nods and follows along behind her as she leads him back to the kitchen. ]

Your hair looks nice like that.

Well, that's true, your actions did come across quite erratic-- but if I knew then what I know now... !

[ Her hands idly sway her skirt to and fro as she walks, but at his compliment, she twirls to face him, features alight! ]

You noticed!

[ He hums his affirmation. ]

Perhaps I should have bought you an ornament for you to wear in your hair, as well.

[ The idea has her batting her lashes, though she reaches out to fondly past her hand against his chest. ]

You've already done so much.

[ Picking up the apron from where she's left if over a chair, she slips it on whilst approaching the stove. Moving the stew she's made for them onto a cool burner, she fetches her some bowls to pour their portions. William will find that she's already left a pitcher of ale, bread buns, and battered veggies on the table for him. She's been working very hard at this cooking thing! ]

Perhaps we can pick something from my mother's collection.

Edited 2019-12-29 07:21 (UTC)

Ah. I'd forgotten you'd shown me a few.

[ The spread on the table is quite impressive. He'd been sceptical that she would ever improve upon her cooking skills after some pretty shameful tries. But she's slowly gotten better, a goal most likely driven by her desire to be a good "house wife" for William. Or at least, that's what he can assume.

And it's obvious by his lack of hesitation to serve them both that he's proud of her and eager to taste what she's prepared. ]

You've been rather busy with dinner while I was at work, I see.

[ In that aspect, Grell knows that she can be terribly predictable-- but she just wants to repay him in any way she can, so desperately. She's even found herself enjoying these tasks, taking pride in her progress and satisfaction in the results. ]

Perhaps I got a bit carried away...

No, it looks wonderfully made.

[ And since she's been showing such progress, he's thinking it must taste wonderful, as well. ]

It is a nice thing to come home to. Thank you.

Edited 2019-12-29 07:51 (UTC)

[ Placing their bowls onto the table, her fingertips cover her smiling lips. ]

You're quite welcome, Will.

[ Removing her apron to hang aside, she seats herself next to him proudly! ]

[ First, he pours them both a full mug of ale. Then taking a bun to dip into his stew, he nods approvingly at the taste. ]

What else have you spent your time with today?

[ Without even realizing, she's waiting on him to try the first bite! Upon his approval, she breathes a satisfied sigh, tearing a piece of her bun apart to follow suit. ]

Nothing terribly unusual, I suppose. I gave the horses a good brush before going into town today. I still haven't received word on those texts I've been going on about. I confess I began supper as early as I did out of boredom, I think...

[ A breath if amusement. ]

Tell me of your day.

[ Lowering the spoon back into his bowl he gives her a concerned frown. For the moment, he's pushed her own question aside. ]

Simply boredom or something more?

[ He can't imagine she's begun to be depressed again, with the way she lights up upon his return from work. But then, maybe that's the only thing she's hanging on to. It may be a worry out of nowhere, but seems he's more paranoid about the idea than he realises. ]

[ Misunderstanding the intent behind his question, she finds herself flushing a bit! ]

Not simply boredom, of course...

[ Looking down into her bowl, she pushes the spoon around absentmindedly. ]

Taking care of you in this way gives me a sense of wholeness, another way to express my love and gratitude.

[ His expression softens, relieved by her response. ]

So long as you're not reverting back to old thoughts and habits being alone most of the day.

[ Blinking, she glances upward, and it finally clicks as to why he had become concerned. ]

While you're gone, I do miss you terribly. Still, I have you here with me every evening, and you're always there to greet me when I wake. I've that to look forward to.

[ His hand still grips his spoon but he has yet to raise it to his lips. ]

Promise me you will tell me if any of those feelings return. As I will with you.