Angel of Light (A Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter 24: Home Cooked Meal

"There you are, I was just coming to check on you," Cheryl said.

"I'm okay mommy," I teased in a high pitched voice.

She laughed, then jokingly rolled her eyes at my shirt.

"You and 'Star Wars'" she teased.

"Oh shush you," I said, reaching up and gently pulling on one of her curls.

"Hey! It took me forever to do my hair, don't touch!" She replied, jokingly smacking my hand away.

I laughed.

"Yeah yeah," I shot back.

Cheryl had her shoulder length curls done to perfection and she was wearing a pair of ripped, denim shorts, with a white, embroidered mesh top.

She looked cute as always.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Can you get that? I gotta check on the steaks," Cheryl asked, taking off to the patio door and stepping outside to check on the barbecue.

"No problem," I replied and walked over to the front door.

I glanced out the window beside the door to see Aaron and Zak.

I smiled as I opened the door.

"Hey guys, come on in," I said, stepping aside to let them in.

"How you feeling Shorty?" Aaron asked, walking inside. "Hey! Nice shirt!" Aaron added with a laugh.

I smiled.

"Not bad, and thought you might like it," I replied.

"Hey doll," Zak said as he walked inside.

I smiled as I turned to look at him, then my expression changed to shock.

He was holding a small bouquet of a dozen pink and white calla lilies.

"You didn't have to get me those," I said softly, but smiled.

Before Zak could say a word, Aaron spoke up.

"He didn't, they're for me," Aaron said, pretending to make a grab for the flowers. "Oh thank you Zachary!" He added in a high pitched voice.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Zak pulled the flowers back out of Aaron's reach, using his free hand to shove him in the shoulder.

"Way to ruin a moment bro!" Zak said, but had started laughing too.

"Hey guys!" Cheryl suddenly chimed from near the stairs, having come back inside.

Aaron was immediately distracted as he turned to talk to her, setting down a laptop bag.

"Big ole goof," Zak mumbled as he stepped further into the house.

I giggled quietly as I shut the door behind him and then turned back to him.

He was smiling.

"You feeling any better?" Zak asked, as he handed me the flowers.

"A little bit," I replied, taking the flowers and smelling them - their beautiful scent causing me to smile. "Thank you, they're beautiful," I added.

Zak smiled and leaned down and gently kissed my cheek.

"You're welcome doll," Zak replied softly.

I smiled, feeling my face flush slightly as he watched me intently.

"Let me go put these in some water," I said.

Zak smiled and nodded.

"Come on in guys," Cheryl said as she stepped into the kitchen.

Most of the first floor of our house was one, big, open space.

The kitchen, dining area, and living room were all open - although there was a small island between the kitchen and living room area.

"Can I get either of you something to drink?" Cheryl asked.

"Have any beer in?" Aaron asked.

"Sure do," Cheryl replied with a smile.

"I'll just have water," Zak said.

"One beer and one water coming up," Cheryl said, walking over to the fridge.

I walked into the kitchen as Cheryl got drinks for all of us and gently set the flowers down on the counter.

I opened one of the top cupboards where we kept some containers and vases. I could see a perfectly sized glass vase, but it was out of my reach.

Before I could turn to go and get a chair, I suddenly felt strong arms wrap around my thighs and a muscular shoulder under my butt.

Zak carefully lifted me up - moving slowly so as not to cause a dizzy turn from my concussion - so I could reach the vase.

As with most physical contact with Zak, I found myself blushing as I grabbed the vase and held onto it as Zak slowly lowered me back down.

Cheryl was laughing.

"You could of just grabbed it for her, Hulk," Cheryl teased, as she took out two bottles of beer, and two bottles of water from the fridge.

Zak laughed.

"That was more fun," he said with a smirk on his face.

I was still blushing as I filled the vase with water, then started removing the plastic wrap from around the flowers.

"Is there anything you don't blush at?" Aaron joked.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Not really," I jokingly mumbled as I set the flowers into the vase.

"Don't tease her, it's cute," Zak said, smiling at me.

I blushed again, giving Zak a look that said "quit it", but he just smiled at me.

Aaron laughed.

"There she goes again. Maybe I should start calling you Lil' Strawberry or something, since your face is always red," Aaron joked.

Zak and Cheryl laughed, and I couldn't help but laugh myself.

"Oh shut up, all of you," I said, pretending to be mad as I carried the vase of flowers over to the dining room table – which was already set for dinner - and set them down in the middle. 

All four of us laughed.

Cheryl opened the two beers, handing one to Aaron and keeping one for herself. She then opened the two bottles of water and poured them each into a separate glass.

She handed one glass to Zak, and handed the second glass to me as I came back to the kitchen.

"Thanks," Zak and I both said at the same time, then smiled at each other.

"So what's for dinner? It smells scrumptious!" Aaron said.

Cheryl and I laughed at his word choice, while Zak gave him a "seriously?" look.

"Roasted potatoes with some veggies and barbecued steak," Cheryl announced proudly as she took a sip of her beer.

"Meat!" Zak said, acting as if he was a little boy who had just been told he could have candy.

"Meat!" Aaron mocked, in a deeper voice.

Cheryl and I just laughed.