The dinner hour is a sacred...

[serpentinthegarden]

Who: Alec Crowley, Anthony Crowley and a girlfriend 
What: A dinner invitation has been extended to cousin Alec so Grace can meet more of Anthony's family. 
Where: Anthony's flat in the Bronx
Warnings: The cousins have trouble getting on, possible language

The morning had been spent in a flurry of activity. Grace had insisted his flat be cleaned from top to bottom, a suggestion he had bulked at because it was already plenty clean and it wasn't like anyone special was coming over, like the Pope, this was only his cousin. Alec kept a messier room than he did. Poor Alec would be shocked just to find the bed made... or so had been the joke that earned him a smacked shoulder. 

The rest of the day had been spent grocery shopping and helping with the cooking which Anthony actually enjoyed a good deal more. There was something soothing about standing shoulder to shoulder next to some one in the kitchen and playing sous chef to their masterful culinary skills. By the time dinner was ready the dark wood floors sparkled like they had been freshly polished and the air was thick with the scent of cooking spices, basil and sage... a touch of cinnamon too in the dessert. All they needed was the guest of honor Anthony decided with a glance to the clock on his phone and if Alec didn't show up soon the texting and incessant phone calls would begin.

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[serpentinthegarden]

Grace nearly cooed as she brought the remaining platters over to the table and leaned close to give Anthony a kiss on his cheek.

"Isn't that just the sweetest little thing?"

He had been sweet during that entire incident. A picture of pure innocence just playing a happy record at full volume and singing along with the lyrics. Only now that he was away from anyone who could ground him did he admit the truth, while passing round the freshly tossed salad for everyone to get some.

"I did it because I knew it annoyed you. It was payback for having to share my room with you."

Anthony was the one to pick up the wine bottle and free it's cork with the liberal use of a corkscrew. Being the host he even filled everyone's glasses, though he might have given himself a double helping.

"Weeks he was there. Taking my toys and tattling on me every chance he got."

When Anthony paused for a sip of wine Grace piped right back up like a mediator at a debate.

"I suppose all children do go through that phase," she turned that smile of hers on Alec as she sat at the table. "I am sorry to hear New York isn't to your liking. Most people really seem to enjoy the bright lights and excitement. Do you ever find the time to take in a Broadway play?"

[scotch_egg]

He didn't mutter 'Adorable', but he thought about it as he helped himself to some salad. He wrinkled his nose at Anthony's words. It wasn't as if he asked to be stuck in the same room with his cousin for all that time. He couldn't remember being interested much in the toys but having little else to do when it rained, which had seemed to all the time back in those days.

"Wouldn't have had to if he wasn't such a little bastard," Alec muttered, sipping the wine gratefully. "Five times he bit me. Drew blood once. Little vampire."

Maybe this still wasn't the best dinner conversation and Grace only helped a little with her next question.

"No. Not interested in theater." He pushed around the lettuce a bit with a fork. "What is it you do?"

[serpentinthegarden]

"I was playing monster under the bed... And you were the little kid I was going to eat."

There was not enough wine in this house... But there certainly wasn't enough in this glass. Only part of the way through his chicken and the darn glass had gone dry already. Anthony reached for a top off.

"I'm a nurse," Grace spoke while giving Anthony a side-eyeing, "I work in the nursery department of Lenox Hill Hospital. I just love it. I always wanted to do something useful to help other people and now I get to help the very youngest and their families."

She smiled and reached out for Anthony's free hand, just to give it one of those reassuring 'I love you' squeezes.

"And I absolutely adore children. Maybe one day we will have a few of our own."

He didn't protest or agree with that statement as he was focused on something else that had been said, "If you hate it so much out here why do you stay? You're reasonabally clever you could get a teaching job anywhere."

[scotch_egg]

Maybe he did deserve that duck pond after all. Alec drained his glass but was polite enough not to go for more. The chicken was addressed somewhat critically but he took a little nibble so he wouldn't upset his hostess. It wasn't bad so he ate a little more.

It shocked him to hear all that. Well not the nurse part. Though what a nurse had found with Anthony, he had no idea. It seemed strange somehow. Sideways in a way he couldn't explain. He tried not to notice the intimate gesture of the hand holding, the kind that said they treasured one another. The mention of children. What hellions would they be? But what a proud father Anthony would be. Alec could almost picture it.

Maybe he shouldn't be so shocked after all. Anthony always seemed to live enough for both of them. Sometimes he felt like a poor reflection of him, or an echo-- But at least he didn't wear bloody sunglasses all the time.

"I'm here on a favor." Which they'd already talked about and he didn't see any reason for Grace to have to be involved. "And it's not as if I'd find anywhere else more satisfying so might as well be here than anywhere." Another bite of chicken.

"Are you planning to be married any time soon?"

[serpentinthegarden]

There it was! He knew you just couldn't resist it! You couldn't just sit there like a normal person and politely eat your chicken there had to be these deep forever life altering questions too! Well, he had a ready answer for it!

"No."

Unfortunately Grace answered at the same time and her response was different, "Maybe in June of next year."

They both blinked and looked at each other as a spot of trouble brewed between them.

"I thought we talked about this?" Grace asked.

"Yeah, we did..." pouted Anthony, "And we decided to wait and see how things worked out."

The blond sighed and tellingly released Anthony's hand so that she could stab angrily at a bit of chicken, "You are always saying things like that. We have been together five years, one would think that would have given you enough time to come to a decision about us."

The darkest of glares was leveled at his cousin even though this wasn't really his fault. All he had done was ask a question, a very deep and personal sort of question... but he was still catching the blame for the domestic.

"And I thought you wanted to meet the family first?" Anthony gestured none too politely across the table to the troublemaker. "He's family."

Only mentioning Alec was still in the room seemed to bring the argument to a close. It wasn't over, not by a long shot, but they could hold off on discussing it in front of the company.

"I'm sorry," Grace smiled and offered Alec some more, wine or.. biscuits? There had to be something he needed, the poor thing looked as skinny as a rail. "We haven't settled on anything definite yet."

[scotch_egg]

It was almost a relief that Anthony hadn't changed that much and was still avoiding responsibility like the plague. He wasn't sure how having kids fit into this whole mess since Anthony hadn't jumped on not having those, but the fact that it was still a fight made him feel sorry for them where they ever born.

"No, thanks. I'm fine," said to the offer of food. He was still picking at what he had and maybe it was best to finish as soon as possible and leave before things got hairy. He had the feeling Anthony had a long and troubling night ahead of him.

Unfortunately beyond that he has nothing else meaningful to say so he sits where he is poking at his food in the awkward silence and wondering why this was supposed to be a good thing.

[serpentinthegarden]

He liked kids. Anthony could see himself with a few kids, 2.5 maybe. Wasn't that the 'ideal number' for a family? It was normal and expected, but some how he always ended up dragging his feet about everything else. He couldn't even say the reason why. Grace was the perfect woman, kind, gentle, good with kids, an excellent cook and yet... Maybe he just wasn't ready.

Anthony kept these thought to himself like he did so many others and finished off that last bite of chicken. His would be a cleaned plate so at least Grace wasn't left with the feeling that her dinner had been a failure entirely.

This had been a bad idea, his darkened mood practically screamed. Grace's hand fluttered back to his, but moved to his shoulder as she stood to collect his plate and offer her support with a squeeze.

"Maybe I should get dessert ready while you two talk? You both like cobbler with ice cream, yes?"

Only when she left she disappeared into the bathroom first. It was the only room in the house with the walls and the door to give them privacy and... she could get some texting to friends done. She had venting to do.

Anthony drained his glass for a second time, paused, but then went in for a third refill. Giving them time to talk was more like giving them time to stare at each other.

"I'm not sure what I expected," he said with a grim glower into his wine glass, "Getting together with family always ends this way. I'm only surprised you didn't bring up the mud pie story..."

[scotch_egg]

He wasn't that keen on it really, but he offered a small wincing smile, noticing the tension between them. His own plate was hardly touched despite best intentions, but he'd lost his appetite.

"Yeah, I don't know what you expected either." He got up, pushing the chair in and then in a low voice. "I really should just let you two get on with it. If she asks you can say I had an emergency."

[serpentinthegarden]

"Whatever."

He didn't even bother to stir as Alec stood up. He had known this would go poorly so he had only himself to blame for allowing it... Even if it might have been nice having some one who actually knew who you were to help guide and support you through these difficult decisions. Family. He did miss it, even if they drove him crazy. But, Fuck it. He and Alec had never had that sort of relationship and clearly never would.

Anthony dived into his glass hoping to deaden the disappointment. Then after a while he thought he could go muster up the courage to apologize to Grace.

[scotch_egg]

Alec had always been a disappointment to everyone pretty much, so you can't expect him to change things now. But he did pause and ruffle Anthony's hair.

"It'll be alright, little brother." He hadn't called him that in decades. "Just tell her how you feel."

And then he was out, leaving as quietly as he could, the ulcer already rebelling as he got in the lift. At least the good thing about this whole fiasco was that he wouldn't be invited out again.