Lillian's POV
Stefani's in her room sleeping after a cold shower. I have her koi fish at the appropriate temperature and water for them to temporarily be kept in. I know she'll be hungry when she-
"Can I get your keys? I wanna set up the aquarium," Stefani rubbed her eyes and her voice is somewhat raspy from vomiting earlier.
"Aren't you hungry?" I adjusted my apron.
"Well, yeah- obviously. But I have to put the fish in their homes," she insisted.
I studied her for a moment and she still looked tired.. she wasn't glaring at me but she did have this glimmer in her eye. Her eyes wandered to the two small fish in a clear bowl I found for them to swim in for the time being.
"Here," I reached in my pocket and handed her the keys. I intentionally lingered my hand in hers as I took one more look at her to see if she really is okay as she claimed to be.
It was as if Stefani was forcing herself to not smile. Hell... I don't think I've ever seen her genuinely smile. With all the endless remarks she makes, I might as well consider a smirk and a simple eye roll as a smile.
"You must care for them," I teased and she rolled her eyes.
Yep, I've never seen her smile.
"When you've never had pets in your house, things are different," she heads out.
"Wait- are we not suppose to have pets?!" I called. Kent never- and Stefani didn't-
"Too late!" Stefani rushes out the door.
"Goddamnit," I cursed under my breath and found my house slippers to chase after her- after locking the door like the responsible step mom I'm trying to be.
I managed to catch up to Stefani but she's really fast; she's already carrying everything in the aquarium up the steps. I could've sworn it didn't take me that long to find my slippers- or lock the door.
I don't think I'm this out of shape..
"Not so fast," I got a hold of her- and myself.
"What is it now?" She heaves up the load and leans against the stair case rail for support.
"You didn't tell me that there was a no pet rule," I crossed my arms.
"So?" She genuinely looked like she didn't care about the rule.
I don't understand her and I want too so bad..
We continued to stare at one another until she sighed and continued going up the steps to walk past me, "you give yourself too much credit. I'll get blamed before you ever will in a heartbeat," Stefani made a quick sidebar comment and continued walking.
I was stunned for a brief moment, and remembered I was suppose to be cooking something wholesome because of her poor dieting this week.
I made my way back to the pent house to find the bowl of fish I had set aside on the counter missing but I do hear the sink water running.
I found myself smiling softly at the thought of Stefani.. but at the same time, I'm concerned. I feel like I've made really good progress on developing a- somewhat relationship with her. I just have to keep it up.
I don't hear the water running from Stefani's hallway anymore, but she did shuffle out with airpods in her ears and she doesn't have a care in the world as she walks across the living room, into the hallway across from hers. A door opened and closed again as her feet came back shuffling. Her arms were hoisting up a blanket and she continued to go about her business.
That girl is really something.
I leaned over the kitchen sink trying to think of something light she could eat for now while I focus on the main course for later this evening. We don't have anymore chicken for a salad- well I don't think she wants it. She's already had it on more than one occasion.
On another sidebar, I'll have to make a grocery list. I'll drag her along and show her a thing or two about healthful food choices. She gave me quite the thrill today, although it did made me ache about being back out there on the field..
I'm a former nurse...
I held my end of the contract and served all eight years of my terms and decided that I wanted something 'toned down'. I had joined when I was eighteen... at twenty six I had already invested so much into medical studies, I became a nurse at a clinic for kids and I've been working with children til Kent and I got engaged... I think the most exciting part of my life has been meeting Stefani. I'm still trying to meet her as the days go by.
I'm not surprised Kent isn't considered the most exciting thing, I've had my fair share of guys over the years- even women when I was enlisted. I'm nearing my early thirties. But Kent is something to be grateful for; he's such a sweet guy with a big heart. I really hope I can things work out for all of us.
Oh!
Tomato basil soup and a nice grilled sharp cheddar cheese sandwich. Dairy wasn't what got her sick; it was from being in the heat after eating dairy. Dairy is just as important as eating vegetables for a woman's body- just not a half gallon of it...
I took a can of tomato soup and started chopping fresh cut basil and pouring the mixture into the pot.
The key to a perfect grilled cheese sandwich is first; salted butter, low heat and most importantly... two slices of cheddar cheese.
There was a satisfying low sizzle when the buttered bread touched the hot skillet. Cooking is relaxing for me. I'm in control. I enjoy it when it's quiet...
I can't put my finger on it, but today with Stefani and her puking incident- it just- I don't know... that thrill... it was the same thrill I had very much invested into getting away from and yet-
I miss it.
I shook my thoughts as I flipped the slices over and took the two slices of cheese to place on top of the toasted sides of bread.
"This is gonna come out so good," I smiled.
Stefani's door opens from her hallway and her feet shuffled some more.
She walks past me in the kitchen and opens a cabinet full of- unhealthy snacks.
I quickly swiped a bag of hot chips from her and she takes out her air pods with a careful look in her eye.
She's unbelievable.
"After throwing up today, you're going to continue eating junk food? I'm fixing you a perfectly golden brown grilled cheese sandiwch and tomato soup," I held the bag of poison and looked at the packaging.
"Not cool!" Stefani protested but I remained.
"Speaking of golden brown, your pan is smoking," she crosses her arms.
I quickly turn around looking for a smoking skillet with burning food on it, but there wasn't anything.
I felt the bag of chips slip through my fingers and by the time I turned around, it was too late. Stefani had ran off with them.
"Stefani!" I yelled and I didn't hear any footsteps for a brief moment.
My pulse was racing and my blood was spiked.. it's been a while since I had felt like this unless me and Kent were-
"Bad joke, alright alright," she called and tosses the chips into the fruit bowl.
I took a heavy and deep sigh. I wish I hadn't raised my voice so suddenly, "I'm sorry I yelled," I tidied my apron.
"Please, I've experienced worst," Stefani snickered.
"I'll let you know when it's ready," I quickly replied but I just caught what she said.
"Sounds good," she leaves me alone.
There was a window of opportunity for me and her to connect on a more personal level and I just completely ran it over...
Maybe another opportunity will come my way. I know I can just ask, but something tells me she won't give me a straight answer.