Dinner & Desert

Putting on a large smile Bailey acted as excited as he could as the door opened and saw the Connors on the other side. “Come in, come in. I am so happy to see you both!” Derrick let his daughter go past him to enter first and the two gave one another a large hug. Candi pulled back leaving her hands on Bailey’s shoulers. “Oh my god girl, look at you!” Keeping the act going Bailey gave a little giggle and looked the teenager over in front of him. Candi was wearing a long sleeved blouse that was cut lower on the chest, a pleated red skirt with a bow at her hip, then white tights that ended in some modest, but cute red heels. “Aww, thank you, but Candi you look amazing!” The tone of voice and inflection were completely fake, but the words themselves were true. Candace was a little hottie and would be legal in just a few days. That last thought he squashed quickly, knowing it was wrong and at the same time he didn’t need to let his mind go to a place like that if he wanted the tuck to stay in place. Candace took two steps past Bailey and spun around a little to take in the room, while Derrick came up and gave Bailey a large hug. When he pulled back he didn’t keep a hold of Bailey, but his focus was still on the teenager in front of him. “Are you doing okay after what happened yesterday? I didn’t tell anyone, but if you need to talk. I’m just a phone call away.”

The memory of the bullies from the day before quickly sped through Bailey’s mind, the event felt so traumatic yesterday and today he hadn’t thought about it once, not with everything else going on. ‘Fuck I am going to need therapy after this.’ Bailey thought before giving Derrick a shrug. “I’m like okay, thanks for helping me and being like a really good guy.” The last part was horrible to say, he didn’t want to compliment or think good things about another man that was hitting on his girlfriend, but not only was it in character… it was true. Bailey wasn’t sure he would have the presence of mind if the situation was reversed to remember the daughter’s emotional needs of the woman he wanted to sleep with. “I try to be good, maybe one day I will work myself to being great.” he punctuated the sentence with a little wink before handing Bailey a tote bag that had a few wine bottles in it that he could see. Before walking past Bailey put one hand on her shoulder and smiled. “I mean it Bailey, call me if you need to talk.” Bailey gave him a small nod before shutting the door and thinking that call will come right around the time hell freezes over.

Looking around his own apartment and seeing Mandy not back out yet Bailey moved into the kitchen to put down the bag and empty it out. “Mommy will be out in a few.” he said pulling out three wine bottles. Holding one up Bailey smiled, he really did like Riesling. His mood just started to sour when he remembered that he would not be able to partake as he was just eighteen now, when Derrick pulled it from his hands as he was putting it down. “You know, I think I could convince your mom it would be okay for you and Candace to have a glass of this if you can promise to give me the first slice of that delicious pie later tonight.” Not being able to help himself Bailey smiled at the idea of getting to drink **** again after so many days of it being denied to him. “Oh like of course Mr. Connors, the first slice is yours!” the statement caused Candi to laugh. “You don’t have to promise Daddy anything, he lets me have a single glass at dinner for special occasions at home.” Derrick laughed as he placed the bottle of wine in the fridge. “Candace, don’t be going and telling all my secrets to Bailey.” Candi could see the bedroom door from where she was standing and saw Amanda coming out, so she quickly turned to her dad and said. “No secrets between me and my little sis, get used to it.” Amanda came into the room looking much like she did when she left to Bailey except she had on some more dramatic makeup and swapped out her earrings for large gold hoops, and added a gold tennis bracelet to her ensemble. “Wow, you look hot Ms Best!” Candi declared before looking to her dad who was very much looking at the woman. “Right Daddy?” Derrick’s eyes did not waver to his daughter as he smiled over at Amanda. “Mandy, you look beautiful tonight.” As if breaking from a spell he looked to his daughter and then Bailey before continuing. “All of you look beautiful tonight, can’t believe how lucky I am.”

Amanda smiled at Candi and gave her a quick hug. “Thank you dear, and you can call me Amanda or Mandy like your dad if you want. We are friends now remember?.” The reply Amanda got was just a big smile from the teen and she moved on walking past her and around the table to meet Derrick who was making his way to her. They had a quick hug that she ended with a kiss to his cheek. “You Mr. Connors, while all of us appreciate your words, do you think we are just pretty tonight?” Derrick tilted his head at her teasing. “The trap has been sprung and I have been caught. I’m sorry ladies, I have been a blind fool not to see your beauty other days, can you forgive me?” Every word his uttered was full of drama like he was acting in an old play. Amanda looked at the other two well dressed women in the room. “How about it, can we forgive him?” Candi put her finger to her chin as if thinking the question through and Bailey wanted no part of it. “Forgiven, now we can do dinner right?” The intention was to get this over with, the sooner dinner happened the sooner they left, but the pretend teens words only encouraged laughter. Derrick put one arm around Bailey’s shoulder and smiled at the rest of the room. “Well at least she is on my side and from what I hear she cooked. Who else wants to be on the side with all the food tonight?”

As people started to take their seats Candi was insistent she sit next to Amanda, and Bailey to sit across from her, next to her Daddy. Bailey really didn’t care about the seating, but wasn’t fond of the older man holding the chair out for him. “You know, if you just played along I could have gotten Daddy to buy us something.” Candi announced to the other girls. Amanda smiled looking at the girl and then to Derrick. “Oh, what does one get to earn my forgiveness?” she said raising an eyebrow to the older man across from her. “Hmm, I think the traditional apology is flowers, but I don’t do that. Flowers are just something to say I was thinking about you. A gift that says I’m sorry for me would be picking up your favorite candy or ice cream. Showing you that I pay attention and do care. How is that, would that work? I mean if I wasn’t already forgiven by your wonderful daughter who doesn’t need to be paid off.” Derrick gave a small smile to Bailey before returning his attention to the blonde woman in front of him. The smile already told him she liked the answer, but was happy to hear her say it. “That would do it, for me. Candi, how about you?” The teen girl gave her dad a little wink with her smile. “Every time.” she said happily.

With everyone in a good mood Amanda stood back up from her chair and motioned for Derrick to follow her into the small apartment kitchen. “I will set the plates, you get to pour the wine for us.” With a glance back to Bailey, who’s back was now facing him he looked back to Amanda. “Is it okay if the girls have a glass tonight, one wont hurt them.” She leaned in and gave him another kiss on the cheek. “Just one then.” she agreed. Just a few minutes later all four had their dinner plated in front of them and a glass of wine. Derrick looked to be enjoying each bite of food, while Candi pointed her fork that had a sliced carrot on it to Bailey. “Bailey, you are like an amazing cook. Could you show me how to cook all this? Oh wait, even better we can make a video for your youtube channel!” Amanda smiled at the comment and Bailey hurriedly finished swallowing. “Ahh, umm. Actually it was wasn’t me. It was like all Mommy. She told me what to do and umm like no way could I do this again without her.” Candi eat the carrot and narrowed her eyes to her best friend not buying what she was selling and then the sly smile came to her lips.

“Maybe we could totally setup a video call and you and your mom could show me how after I go home. Do you think you could help me learn to cook Ms… I mean Amanda.” Amanda ran her hand though the green eyed girls hair and smiled at her. “I think Bailey is just being modest, but I would love to show you and Bailey here a few things in the kitchen.” The idea of a mother like figure teaching her filled Candi full of glee and she couldn’t help but bounce a little in her seat and clap rapidly. “Daddy, do you want to learn to cook with me?” Derrick made a face that told everyone he was pondering the question. “Hmm you do complain every time I try to cook.” He then looked to Amanda and reached his hand over to hers and rub his thumb on the back of her hand as she grasped his. “Seeing more of Mandy here, I think I would take every opportunity I could for that.” The comment brought a blush to Amanda’s face, a look of ‘Aww that is so cute’ from Candi, while Bailey just rolled his eyes.

The dinner went really well, Bailey was genuinely happy at the reception of his food. The compliments and his own enjoyment of the meal left him completely forgetting the fact he had his stocking covered legs crossed under the table like the dainty girl he was portraying. Bailey’s mood was not lost on Amanda, who looked over at him. She saw a young woman, dressed up and happy. Bailey needed to learn to take smaller bites and to be more careful with her lipstick, but from the look of Candi her dad hadn’t taught her ladylike table manners either, though she was a far cry better than Bailey. When her pretty daughter looked at her Amanda gave her a big smile and Bailey replied with the same. It was something small, but little moments like that felt wonderful. Everyone at the table had one reason or another to be happy, with Bailey with the food even if he couldn’t finish a whole piece of chicken anymore. Candi was beyond happy, sitting at the table having dinner like this felt like she had a complete family again. A mother beside her, her Daddy happy and a sister for her to share the things she loved with. For Derrick this was one of the first times he had a home cooked meal in ages. Candace had tried once or twice to make him a meal, but it just wasn’t something she seemed interested in, at least till now. Amanda seemed to easily inspire her daughter to follow in her foot steps and he just loved how Candace was taking to her. One thing he always worried about if he ever started dating was his daughter and here she was verbally pushing him to this incredible and smart woman. When he looked at Amanda smiling to Bailey he made up his mind. Candace had been begging him to stay for the summer instead of heading back to California. Bless her heart she even said that is what she wanted for her birthday gift, and looking at this beautiful woman across from him he couldn’t deny it anymore. She didn’t want to try a relationship because of the distance, but he wasn’t going to let that stand in the way any longer.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Amanda said to Derrick pulling him out of head. “Hmm, oh I was just savoring the moment and thinking about the future. For example, I was promised apple pie.” Derrick felt the beautiful blue eyed blond give his hand a squeeze before looking to her daughter. “Sweetie, would you like to help me clear the table?” Derrick watched as Bailey quickly got up from her seat to start to clear the table with no complaints. Not being the type to see others working while he relaxed, Derrick went to stand up, but was stopped. Amanda pointed back to his seat with her index finger that ended in a pretty painted nail. “Sit, you are a guest. We have this, and if you do not behave Bailey will withhold your pie.” With that Derrick sat back down and gave a little sour look that made Candi giggle. As Bailey took Derrick’s plate he whispered to him. “You can have pie.” It wasn’t that Bailey was taking his side in their play argument, it was that he just wanted to see if he really did do a good job on the pie and wasn’t sure if he would get a slice if Derrick wasn’t allowed one.

When the table was cleared, Amanda started to brew a pot of coffee and Bailey put the pie back in the oven to warm it up a little bit before consumption. When the pie was nice and warm Bailey cut a large slice out and put it in front of the older man. Instead of moving to cut more slices, Bailey stayed standing next to him to wait, not so patiently for his reaction. As he put a large bite into his mouth Derrick could see the pretty girl in the red polka dot dress lean closer in anticipation. “Mmmm, Bailey my dear.” he paused, smiling at her. “This is marvelous, one day you are going to make a boy very happy.” He saw her get wide eyed and mouth getting a little slack. He gave a glance to Amanda then back to Bailey thinking he said something wrong. “Or girl if that is who you like.” The comment was demoralizing, on one hand he wanted the praise. Then on the other hand, the idea of becoming some guys girlfriend or wife was not something he wanted to hear, let alone think about. Bailey blushed in embarrassment and Candi was helpful to come to her defense. “Daddy, we like boys. Now stop teasing her and eat your pie.” She then looked to Bailey to give a small smile to let her friend know she was here for her. Bailey still stood there not moving and had to be prodded to continue serving the desert. “Earth to Bailey, come on sis no time to be a ditz. That smells too good to wait!”

The embarrassment aside, Bailey was rather happy, seeing everyone enjoy his hard work and getting to savor it himself. Biting into another morsel of the pie Bailey felt so content, but completely stuffed. A glance down showed him the slice of pie was still mostly there he was a little sad. He desperately wanted to keep eating, but between the corset and the diet his stomach just couldn’t handle any more. A look at Candi showed him she only ate half of hers and had pushed the plate forward to keep the temptation away. While Derrick was getting up to have another slice. Amanda tapped the hand of Candi and smiled at her. “You two girls going to spend the evening with us or going to get up to something else?” Candi made eye contact with her best friend and smiled before looking at her Dad. “I think we can keep ourselves busy while you two business or I don’t know… maybe how much fun you had at the park together yesterday.” Bailey rolled his eyes at Candi being as subtle as an oncoming train. For Amanda’s part she played along, knowing the apartment wasn’t exactly big enough for Derrick to not hear everything they were saying. “That does sound like a good topic.” The young girl’s smile beamed like a thousand watt bulb and it continued as she almost hopped to her heeled feet and beckoned Bailey to follow back to his own bedroom. Having a pretty young thing beckon and lead him to his own room would have sounded a lot better a week ago. Instead now he was dressed up like some sexy housewife and the girl that was leading him was taking him to an ultra girly teens room, where nothing really fun could happen.