Home » The Archives » Chapter 9 » Regrouping and Recouperation
| Re: Regrouping and Recouperation [message #263 is a reply to message #262] |
Mon, 23 July 2012 15:49   |
artisticrainey
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Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
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Dianne looked around with pride at the beautifully decorated lounge. She smiled to see Scott dancing with Emily, and Alan dancing with Nikki. Even Cherie had picked up Joshua and was "dancing" with him. Maggie sat beside her, a glass of wine in her hand. Jeff and Drew had gotten Penny's attention after Kat had spoken with the aristocrat briefly. The birthday boy was nowhere in sight, but the cameraman was, filming Cherie and Joshua.
"Mom?"
Dianne glanced up at the whiny voice at her elbow. "Yes, Tyler?"
"I'm bored." The boy's demeanor was one of resigned endurance.
"And I'm hungry." Alex said. "When's the cake and ice cream?"
"Hm. I'm hungry, too. How about we eat something more or less nutritious before gorging on the desserts?" Dianne suggested.
Maggie took a sip of her wine, then handed the glass to Alex. "Here. You can carry this for me and I'll push your mom out of here. We'll head for the dining room and get some dinner, okay, boys?"
"Okay," Alex said, nodding, holding the half-full goblet carefully.
"Go tell your father where we're going," Dianne told Tyler. "We'll wait for you in the elevator."
"Yes, ma'am." Tyler hurried over to Jeff as Maggie pushed the wheelchair toward the study. They'd gotten up the steps to the smaller room when Jeff came over.
"Would you like me to come with you, love?" he offered, leaning over to give Dianne a kiss.
"Only if you're hungry," she replied, reaching up to draw her fingers over his smooth, freshly-shaven cheek.
"Andy and I were in the middle of a discussion with Penny about making a press release about that surgeon. I'd kind of like to finish it."
"Then go ahead," Dianne said softly, giving him a slight smile. "We'll be back soon."
"All right." He kissed her again. "Enjoy the food." He glanced up at his sons, one of whom -- Alex -- was waiting impatiently by the door to the hall. "Help your mom before you help yourselves."
"Yes, sir," Alex said with a nod.
"Tell Drew that I've gone with Dianne, would you?" Maggie asked.
"I will. See you all in a bit." One last kiss, and Jeff strode back to his conversation while Dianne and Maggie made their way to the elevator.
xxxx
"Alex, do you have to be so sloppy when you eat?" Dianne asked, shaking her head at her son.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mom," the boy replied sheepishly. He wiped at the stains on his dressy vest with an already soiled napkin. "Maybe I should change my clothes when we're done eating."
"Maybe we should buy a big bib for you," Maggie said tartly. "Just like I threatened to when you were staying with me." She turned to her niece. "Is he always this way?"
Dianne sighed. "Unfortunately, yes. Especially when we eat out or there's a formal occasion. Though he'll get a stain or two on his shirt during a regular dinner time at least twice a week." She pointed to her face as she spoke to her son. "You have sauce... here."
"Thanks, Mom," Alex said as he wiped the stain off, smearing it across his cheek before managing to remove it.
"Tyler, aren't you hungry?" Maggie asked of the younger boy, who was pushing some of his food around on his plate.
"A little, I guess," Tyler replied, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't like these hot cracker things."
"Then don't eat them," Dianne said. "Get some more of the things you do like. It'll be awhile before we have dessert."
"Okay, Mom," Tyler said. He pushed his plate into the middle of the small, café-style table, and went off to the buffets again.
Dianne took a sip of her tea, watching him, then reached out to take a few of the uneaten canapés from his abandoned plate.
"At least you have a good appetite tonight," Maggie commented.
"Yes. The food is lovely and I'm enjoying it," Dianne said with a smile. "Just wish I could get some exercise dancing to burn the calories."
"You'll be out there dancing again soon enough, Dianne. Just focus on getting better first."
"I will, Maggie. I will."
Post by Tikatu On 2/6/2007
  
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