Erin woke up later than usual. Sebastian was already gone, another long day at work for him. After pulling herself out of bed, and stretching arms above her head, she padded across the bedroom and slid into the bathroom. Baths were her own special guilty pleasure. If she could take a bath every morning.. she would. But often she didn't have time before Lydia came to really sit in the tub. Today, however, was their day off. And Erin was going to sit and stew.

The water was a little hotter than luke warm, and she let it run, and fill the tub. No interruptions today, and the water was turned off on time. She pours in some bubbles and eases herself into the tub. A long morning was spent soaking, thinking, running events and days in her head. She needed to talk to Sebastian about Dave. Just see how he was, and how he was doing... check in there. She liked Sebastian's boss. Thought he was a good guy, and was very greatful for how he helped out when they went through hard times...

Once the bath was done, Erin stood up and pulled on her big fluffy robe. Bunny slippers were slid on feet and she started into the bedroom. A quick brush of hair and she slid out of her room and into the hall. That's where she would bump into Ivy.

Ivy was the maid Erin and Sebastian had hired when it became clear that Erin was lacking in the housekeeping ability. She was young, a year or two older than Erin, and had come to Rhydin the usual way--accident. She was from Earth, it was easier that way(no culture shock for any of them) and had grown up somewhat happily in Manchester, near where Erin had lived before moving to London. The two had been fast friends, finding comfort in each other's sameness.

Ivy was about 5'6 and had long brown hair. She was slender, without being slim, and had taken to wearing plain grey dresses that almost looked like a uniform. Her smile was easy and comforting and her accent was still thick and often Erin didn't mind letting hers slip our around her friend.

Today, Erin stumbled on Ivy as she was sweeping the hall. Erin raised a hand, leaning on the wall to watch for a moment. "You need a hand today, Ivs? I don't really have much planned..."

Ivy laughed and shook her head. "God, no, Erindoll. I'd like to finish sometime today." She snickered a little and stopped, leaning on the broom to look down at her. "Plus, if you have a day off, you should use it. You're going to knit yourself blind in that room of yours."

Erin rolled her eyes and pushed off the wall to stand straight, hands shoved in her pockets. "Fine, fine... hey, if you have time today, maybe you can give me a few pointers in the kitchen. I may dare to cook dinner today."

Ivy's eyes widened then went back to normal. She shook her head, laughing as she talked. "Oh man, Erin... really.. you just love punishing yourself, don't you?" A pause as she pushed the brush once, sending some dirt onto Erin's clean bare feet. "If you get out of my way, maybe I'll show you how to make your own fish and chips. That way you can give Maggie a break for once." They both laughed at that. Maggie, another Brit in town, and the only witness to Erin's wedding, had made it a running joke that the two girls were going to work her to death.

"That would rock." Erin was all smiles and even bounced a little. "And if we finish up early, you want to go over to George's and see if Rita needs help with Christina today?" Erin had made it a point to go down to her driver's house and play with his youngest daughter at least once a week. Ivy, often done with the housework early, would go with Erin. The two would help Rita, George's wife with housework, and watch Christina, her six year old.

Rita had arthritis. Bad. Simple things such as housework and even preparing lunch for her daughter had become tiresome. The two girls, either together or apart, had made it their job to make sure everything ran smoothly. Ivy nodded excitedly, it had been a few days since the two had really spent time together.. Erin spending so much time working on the business. "That sounds great, Erry" Erin flinched at the nickname. "Now get out of my way and maybe I'll get done before midnight"

Erin sent a salute and went on to her study. The rest of the morning was spent reading (Pride and Prejudice, if you must know. She was taking a break from political theory for a little old fashioned romance). She eased in the large overstuffed leather chair she had come to love, and lazily turned pages as the morning wore on.

And try Erin did! She was mixing up some batter for the fish, radio blaring some classical music or other, when she heard mewing. Hands wiped on her apron, she started wandering the house, looking for just where that silly kitty could be?.

Mew?mew?.MEW!

Not in the kitchen, no.. or the living room.. Erin finally climbed the stairs, pulling open the door to her bedroom. It was getting late, she still had a lot of cooking to do, and cat trouble was the last thing she had time for. A long sigh, hands wiped on the apron once more as she started peeking around the room. Clothes pushed with her feet, toes searching.

MEW! MEW!

The cat sounded frantic and suddenly Erin was really scared. What if Snowflake was dying?! She began moving through the room faster, pushing things out of the way. Covers lifted, more clothes pushed aside, her bathtowel hung up. But none of it revealed the cat! She crawled on her hands and knees, looking under the bed, under the wardrobe and? under the dresser.

Just as her ear was at drawer length, eyes peering under the dresser to make sure Snowflake wasn?t caught? the cat let out a screech.

MEWWW!

Erin jumped. That was awfully loud? then, she had an idea. Eyes went wide as she grasped the handle of the drawer and slowly slid it own. A rocket of fur came hurtling at her, almost knocking her back before disappearing from the room.

Yep. Snowflake had somehow locked herself in a drawer?.

Erin snickered to herself and stood. Bare feet made their way back to the kitchen. Now she really had to hurry if she wanted to get dinner done on time?.

The day had been rather enjoyable ? and that was a rarity, Sebastian had found, in RhyDin. He?d spent the morning at work and then met with his wife for lunch. To his surprise, she had a little munchkin with her! (Aka: Elena Steele) his day had immediately gotten 5 billion times better at the sight of the little one and he quite enjoyed terrorizing her and making her laugh.

Lunch had gone fairly well, too. Lydia had joined them and Sebastian was trying so hard to get along with his Wife?s sister ? he had to. He mostly spent his time, however, goofing around with the baby. Then Cassandra had spotted them and was invited to join. Conversation soon took a drastic turn and when all was said and done, he?d been informed that Skyler was dead.

There was no remorse in Bastian?s heart over that sorry fool?s death. Bastian had hated Skyler with a passion, even if his wife had found herself able to suffer the boy after what he said to her. He would mourn for Jewell, though. Well, she was as close to an aunt that he had here and she had loved Skyler, apparently. He couldn?t imagine what she must be going through. Horrid thoughts of Erin dying swam about in his mind, souring his mood completely.

He?d ended up taking the baby back with him to work and then dropped her off at his cousin?s so he could go home.

As soon as he opened the door, Bastian?s nostrils were filled with a most delicious scent: Fish and chips. As the warmth of the house crept over his skin, warming his bones; Bastian moved into the living room and then on through to the dining room. ?Something smells good,? he called out to no one in particular. Where was everyone? ?Ivy? What?d you make for dinner??

When he wasn?t answered right away, Bastian padded back out into the foyer looking for Erin. Was she alright? She had been very upset when he last saw her and was worried for her. The cat yowled in pain as he accidentally stepped on her tail. What is it with cats and always being in the way? ?God damnit, cat!? He paused by the door to kick off his boots and then chased after the cat, picking her up and stroking her lovingly. He didn?t want the little beast to not like him as it grew up. ?Do you know where mommy is?? Silly of him to question the cat. So he called out instead, ?Erin?!?

Sebastian grinned. "It's your cat!"

He eyed her lovingly, appreciating every curve and dip of her body as she moved towards him. He liked the way her clothing settled on her frame and the way her hair was pinned up. She had a smile that could melt even the coldest of hearts, and right now it simply took his breath away. How on earth had he ended up with such a beautiful wife?

He licked his lips as the bottle was presented, trading the cat for the champagne bottle, glad to get the furry little creature out of his hands. "Oooh~ What's the occasion?" Blue eyes lifted to her hazel greens.

"You made dinner?" Bastian blinked. He almost suggested that they eat out instead, but she promised she hadn't burned anything. Still, he'd have to be careful. No telling what she might've done to it!

"A night for us." He repeated her, testing that out on his lips. It certainly sounded good enough and would be quite the experience. They'd been busy for far too long. "You're right. It'll be nice to just spend an evening together." He tried not to think about the food. "I love you, Erin." He leaned forward to give her a kiss and hand back the champagne. "Give me a few to change and wash up, yeah?"

He took the stairs two and a time as he descended, landing with a thud as he hit the ground floor. He had changed into a pair of pressed khaki's and a blue button up, with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. Hair was delicately positioned just right and a small spritz of cologne was applied.

A casual stroll, now, had him entering the dining room, one hand in his pocket. The other was placed on the back of his chair as he surveyed the beautiful array. Bastian was all smiles.

It didn't take him long, though, to notice something. "Hey, did you realize this is kinda like our first date?" He pulled out his chair and sat down, pulling the napkin from the table to drape across one of his legs. Then he reached for the wine glass. "Do you remember that? I was so nervous and scared, really."

Bastian's stomach turned as he watched how much food she had dished out for him. What if it tasted terrible? What if he got food poisoning because she hadn't cooked it long enough?! He never got sick; he hated being sick! Oh dear lord he couldn't handle this.

But, being the gentleman that he is, he remained smiling as he reached for the vinegar. The food smelled wonderful, he had to admit. "Well, I was scared. I was with this drop-dead gorgeous woman and I was in a place that I'd never even thought of going to before."

Bastian took his fork and portioned off a small piece of the fish, swirling it around in excess vinegar and tentatively brought it to his lips. He chewed slowly; tasting, testing. Eyebrows rose in surprise. It was good!

"And be prepared, m'love, to watch me eat like that again. These are delicious!" He abandoned the fork and picked up the fish with his hands and took another vinegar drenched bite.

He caught the fry and put it in his mouth. "No I wasn't!" The second fry he missed, but leaned to the side to dodge it. He was grinning, trying to contain his laughter. "I was not! You're the best......cook...ever!" Yeah, he couldn't say it with a straight face.

He picked up a fry and threw it at her this time. Then he got kicked. He jumped back, the chair sliding a few inches away from the table and he pressed fingers to his shin. "Oww!" Ahh, but still grinning!

"Abuse! Abuse! I'm calling the hotline~" He wilted in his chair amd moaned like he'd been shot.

As soon as he ws sure there'd be no more attacks, Bastian sat back up and immediately reached for the fish. It was -that- good. Within 30 seconds he was on to his second piece, in the process of pouring vinegar over it.

"Yes, I'll admit that you are getting better." Another bite of fish. "Much better." He moved his chair back in place, canting his head as he chewed, watching Erin eat.

"So...what's the occasion? You never really answered my question." He gestured to the setting. "Not like this happens everyday. Is everything ok?"

Squirt. Ketchup ALL over his fries. Mmmmmm~

Bastian listened quietly, setting his glass down so he could concentrate on what Erin was trying to say. His heart melted at her worry and he reached across the table to take her hand. Then, he placed his other hand on top and gently stroked her skin. He loved how delicate she was. Erin reminded him of a Lily: Bold and beautiful, Entrancing and seductive, yet easily harmed or bruised.

?Oh, Erin. Sweetheart, I?m not going anywhere.? He squeezed her hand as she continued. It was true ? all of it: that she wasn?t very affectionate with him. Most of the time, though, he didn?t mind. ?Well, there are times that I think you?re even more affectionate with your male friends than you are with me, but Erin baby, I know you love me. I?ve never doubted that. You?re anything and everything I could ever want and more.?

Sebastian stood up, the chair legs scraping against the floor as it was pushed away from the table. He leaned over and kissed Erin soundly, letting her know with that kiss just how much he adored being married to her. When he finally sat back down, he was still grinning as he plucked up a fry and then reached across the table to dunk it in her ketchup. ?Looks like we?re both thankful, my love.?