Gifts and dinner

The grocery store trip took a little longer than expected when Eric sent a text to Jodie saying he was going to go down to a local pub with his workers, they wanted to buy him a drink after work. Then he would be home right after around five thirty, but would be bringing two of his friends from work home tonight, if that was okay with her.

Eric: Hey beautiful, we didn’t talk about plans tonight, but the guys wanted to celebrate my birthday with me, I invited two of the guys home for some drinks and figured we would order in, but then others wanted to buy me a drink when they heard. So I was thinking I would go down to the pub and get a drink then be home a little late around five thirty with two of them. Is that okay with you, it doesn’t mess anything up does it?

Jodie: I can’t remember the last time you went out for a drink after work, and yeah, its um. Fine no problem, but tell them to come hungry, I’m making the best steak they have ever had.

Eric: You are the best, love you.

Jodie was a little annoyed in truth, he invited them and then asked if it was okay.. But it wasn’t like he really had to ask permission and then all of that was gone. The sound of the grocery store faded, even the words on Jodie’s phone blurred leaving the only focus on the words ‘love you’. The moment was brief, with Laruen calling out asking what Eric said. Jodie let her know, but her mind still lingered on the phrase. Of course he loved Jordan, they were best friends.. But did he love Jodie, like love, love her. Jodie pushed it away with a shake of her head, of course he didn’t, Eric was not an emotionally expressive person and he sure wouldn’t be opening up about his feelings on a random text… would he?

Getting home Laruen helped clean up the kitchen and promised to help Jodie cook the meal and was almost successful in convincing Jodie they wouldn’t need the extra two steaks they bought in case something went wrong. After everything was clean the two sat down and watched the videos Jodie was using as inspiration for tonight’s dinner. A pair of videos, the first was Gordon’ Ramsay’s guide to steak cooking fillet mignon on top of sliced garlic and thyme. The second video was mashed potatoes, with pancetta and fresh oregano. Then thanks to Lauren they also had a bunch of root vegetables, sliced carrots, chopped up parsnips and wedged turnips all to be cooked with olive oil and fresh rosemary and they could even toss in the sliced garlic from the first steak they cooked. It all sounded perfect, the execution would be the difficult part. The next part was getting ready for tonight, so Jodie went off to the master bedroom where Jodie cleaned off her makeup and reapplied it for a more dramatic night time look before watching a few videos on youtube on how to get her hair just right in a nice updo.

It took a few attempts after watching and rewatching the tutorial video, but in the end Jodie was happy with the image of the woman in the mirror. It was an odd feeling to be proud of oneself for doing something so girly and way out of character from just a few weeks ago. Jodie was considering trading out some of the jewelry when the phone started to go off. A glance down saw the name Wesker. With a sigh Jodie answered the phone.

“Hey there beautiful! HR told me the good news that you are cleared for work. I have said this before, but I miss you. Not just because the temp is horrible, but I miss seeing your smile Jodie.” The man’s words were a bit of a shock, this was the same man that insinuated he was untouchable while Jodie’s lips were wrapped around his cock. “Oh is the new girl not giving you the same attention I do?” Jodie said thinking the girl was probably just fine, but wasn’t going to be bullied into being on her knees and not knowing that would lead her to a short career at Mega Corp. “Jodie, I would never cheat on you. Maggie here is a pretty woman, but she isn’t you. If you are up for it, I’m about to leave the office and I thought maybe I could come pick you up? I would like to say I have something grand planned, but I thought we could just do something simple like seeing a movie or playing miniature golf. I promise you my long game is much better than my putting, but just spending time with you and doing something lowkey sounded like a good way to spend the evening.” He would never cheat on me, what the hell was he talking about, Jodie was baffled for a second. “Wait, are you saying you want to take me out on a date? No.. no Adam that isn’t happening and besides I have a birthday party to attend tonight.”

Standing up to Adam felt good, then the thought of how she just was considering how Maggie would be let go for not going along with this same man. Jodie sure as hell didn’t want the job and considering how much it changed his life into her life the idea of being let go was appealing, but that would also mean no money for rent, no money to pay back Eric and no money to reverse the surgery. “Well I hope you have fun, I understand perfectly what you mean when you say no. Not only do you have plans, but not putting any effort in for our first date is not a way to act. I promise to do better Jodie, I just miss you. I won't take up anymore of your time tonight, you have fun and I can’t wait to have you back.” and just like that Adam was gone. Jodie let out a sigh of relief and realized he was holding his breath as he mentally fretted over losing everything after sacrificing so much. Pulling the phone from his ear Jordan looked back to the image in the mirror and felt calmer. Her makeup was perfect and she didn’t need to fret about tomorrow's problems, tonight was about Eric and well Jodie the girlfriend cooking a terrific meal that she hyped up when considering her cooking skills should have been lowering expectations.

Eric came through the door the top few buttons of his shirt undone and his tie hanging loose. The closest thing Eric got to dressing up was a button up shirt and tie with his jeans and work boots when he had to go to the office. “Something smells good!” he said loudly as he shut the door a little harder than he intended. Stepping out of the hallway his eyes took in the different furniture and saw his beautiful girlfriend standing in the kitchen wearing the black dress and red heels from earlier, but now her hair was up and with the vamped up makeup she looked ready for a night out on the town, if it wasn’t for the frilly apron she wore. He watched as she put one fist to her hip and looked over to him. It wasn’t exactly a fifties housewife look, but the fact she was all dressed up and cooking while still looking so sexy was a turn on for Eric, but her expression said she was upset. “Ah, yeah I’m sorry I should have let you know I was running a little behind, its only a half hour but. Umm the guys wanted to get me a second drink and I couldn’t say no to them. Sorry, I didn’t mean to be inconsiderate. Oh Aaron and Matt from work will be here in about twenty. You mad?”

Jodie blew a lock of hair that had fallen from her hair out of her face and her expression softened. “No, but I will have to remember bears can’t tell time.” Eric laughed and took a step forward to give Jodie a kiss, but she only tossed a hand towel in his face. “I can’t have you ruining my makeup before company arrives, now go wash up.” Pulling the towel from his face Eric gave Jodie another smile and started to walk away, but lingered just for a moment seeing her bend over to get a large plate with steaks on it out of the oven. The scent was wonderful, and the sight of her rear was even better. Walking past the new table and glancing over at the new living room set he looked back to Jodie. “What is with the new stuff?” Jodie turned and pressed her red lips together. “Ask your sister, now go wash up.” with a quick nod he went to go do just that. As he ran the liquid soap over his hands Eric thought about what he liked more, when Jodie acted demure and shy or when she was demanding. No answer came to him, other than how happy he was with Jordan becoming his, well her true self. Changing out of the sweaty shirt from work Eric went to grab a cotton shirt when he decided to button on another button up, if Jodie was going to go through all that effort the least he could do was look presentable for her.

When he left the bedroom he saw Lauren sitting at the head of the table that had its back to the wall and smiled at her brother before getting up. She was wearing a blue dress with a thin black belt and a pair of strappy tall heels that he was sure he had seen Jodie wear before. She gave him a big hug and kissed his cheek. “Happy Birthday!” she said way too loud considering how close they were before they pulled back. “Good I’m glad you at least put on a proper shirt, your future wife took a lot of effort to look good for you, so I had to at least put in effort to.” she said in a much lower volume of voice so Jodie wouldn’t hear. “Okay.. umm let's not talk like that and I was told to ask you about the new things.” he said, motioning to the new furniture. Lauren did a single small jump from excitement as her smile grew large. “I was getting things for my bedroom and I was approved for so much more at the furniture store, and I figured you needed this place updated and it is your birthday after all. So Tada! I bet you love it, or at least will when I tell you Jodie does.” Eric tried to interject that it looked fine, but tell her it was irresponsible it was to buy so much when she didn’t have a job. None of that was able to escape his lips as she grabbed his arm and pulled him to the other end of the table opposite where she was sitting. “Sit!” She demanded before starting to run off to her bedroom and proclaiming. “I have another gift for you, be right back and don’t move!”

Pinching the bridge of his nose Eric sat down on the chair and took the second to really take in the table and chairs for the first time. Jodie wasn’t exactly being quite in the kitchen and when he looked over to her she just gave a shrug and went back to doing whatever it was she was doing that he couldn’t see over the counter. Lauren came back into the room in a hurry now in just her stockinged feet and carrying a decent size box all wrapped up with a ribbon and bow. “Now you know your wonderful girlfriend has slaved over the stove for you and learning how to cook for your birthday and the furniture is only a partial gift. The other part is in here, its from both Mom and I.” Eric nodded and took the gift from his sisters outstretched hands and glanced down at her painted toes. “Oh shit, be right back. They were slowing me down.” Lauren ran off again and came back carrying her heels. “Go on, open it!” With a glance back to Jodie who nodded, Eric unwrapped the gift and pulled out an old leather tool belt that was in great shape. Right away he recognized it, the tool belt was his fathers. Holding it in his hands felt a bit unreal and he fought back a tear. “I don’t have a lot of memories with pops with how young I was when he passed, but I do remember being jealous how you got to help him fix everything. I got Mom to send it to me and if you look at the spot over where you put your hammer you will see two sets of initials. The first is pops, the second I had it put on the other day so that your name would be next to his.” Still holding on to the precious gift Eric stood up and pulled his sister into a large hug and this time didn’t fight the tears that came to his eyes. The flow of emotion from him caused Lauren to reciprocate with her own tears as they just stood there holding each other. The sight caused Jodie to smile and then tears of joy quickly came to her eyes, being overwhelmed by emotions seemed to be a regular thing as of late with playing the part of a woman and Jodie wasn’t really sure why. It took a few minutes and the ladies had to excuse themselves to touch up their makeup after the crying, but soon they were all back together.

Laruen helped set the table while Jodie brought the food out. “Your friends are welcome to dinner when they come, but we are not waiting on people that can’t tell time.” On the table was a plate full of fillet mignon steaks, and two large bowls. One full of root vegetables and the other overflowing with mashed potatoes. “I’m not complaining at all, I can’t wait to dig in. This all smells and looks great, but why do they get to be people and I have to be a bear?” With a flick of a large wooden spoon Jodie plated a large helping of mashed potatoes on Eric's plate. “I like animals better than people, and you are way too fuzzy to be a person. She said leaning in and giving him a peck on the cheek before going around to make sure everyone's plates were set for dinner before taking a seat close to Eric on the bench seat. Jodie looked down at the small helping of mashed potatoes compared to the large helping Eric had and frowned a little before Lauren moved over to give Jodie the other half the steak she cut up for their steak salads. Laruen gave Jodie’s shoulder a little squeeze, this looks fantastic.” Eric took a deep breath, taking in the smell of all the food and gave the two girls a large smile. “This is incredible, did you help Jodie in the kitchen?” He asked his sister. Lauren looked over to Jodie, making eye contact before looking at her brother. “Only with the shopping, everything else was all her.” she lied. “I’m thinking this one might be a keeper big brother.” She punctuated the statement by pointing her fork at him. Eric was just about to take his first bite of the medium rare steak when his phone went off. Putting the moral of food in his mouth he loved the flavor and before he had even finished with the first bite his mouth was watering for the next. Reluctantly he looked at his phone and saw his friends had arrived and just parked. “Looks like the company is here, they stopped to get some beer and wine for us. Let’s wait for them to really dig in.” He said standing up and took a single step to the door before glancing back to his plate and popped a carrot in his mouth completely ignoring proper table manners or how he said to wait, before moving to the door to greet the guests.