Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. All characters depicted in this fictional work are adults of legal age. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Kim rose onto her toes and the white table cloth unfurled above the small dining table in one smooth motion. She guided it down to the table with practiced ease until it rested perfectly over the well-polished wooden surface. Her dainty hands placed the crystal vase of lilies on top, adjusting it until it centered perfectly on the table. All around it, she arranged her finest looking set of plates and flatware. A thrill sent a bubbling sensation through her that tightened her high cheekbones into a picture perfect smile and she glided away from the pristine table on that wave of satisfaction.
Kim danced into the kitchen with graceful steps on long dancer's legs under a sky blue, polka-dotted summer dress billowing around her. The aroma of simmering garlic and basil wrapped her in the comforting scent of the delicious meal to come. A melody began to vibrate out of her full lips as she hummed softly to herself, a smile ever-present on her face as she flitted from this task to that one.
"Kim?!" Kim felt Teddy's voice shatter something in her mind as it whined in from somewhere in the house like a bad note in an otherwise in-tune orchestra. Immediately, her smile fell.
"In the kitchen, Teddy!" she called back, ceremonially closing her eyes and sighing before returning to stirring the risotto. The earthy sweetness of the saffron momentarily lifted her spirits.
Teddy shuffled in, still fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. "Do I really need to dress up? It's just Maddy." His head was drooped as his bespectacled face pouted at the button he missed on his shirt.
Kim placed the spoon on her ceramic spoon rest, her alabaster skin glowing in the warm kitchen light as she turned to face her husband. The V-neckline subtly accentuated her figure, a hint of allure she hoped wouldn't go unnoticed. "Since when are pants and a shirt considered dressing up?" she retorted.
Teddy shrugged, distractedly cleaning his glasses with the corner of his shirt. He still hadn't bothered casting his gaze towards the vision in the sky blue dress.
Kim sighed, a touch of disappointment flickering in her eyes. "Do you like my dress?" she asked, her voice softer now.
"Sure, honey. I like everything you wear," he replied. The dismissiveness is his tone cut with a particular sharpness as Teddy's gaze fixed on the pot of simmering sauce and he wandered past her towards the more attractive allure of food.
Kim's shoulders slumped. The defeat in her posture called his attention back to her. "What?" he asked, a flicker of concern in his eyes.
Kim sighed again "Nothing," she said, forcing a smile. "Are you all packed for your business trip?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Of course, of course," he said dismissively, already moving towards the front door.
"It's a shame you won't be here for all of Maddy's visit," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Well, I'll see her again for the holidays," he replied with a shrug. Kim frowned at Teddy's casual dismissal of family time.
"When'll dinner be ready?" he called out from the hallway.
"Soon!" Kim's face smiled again as her mind returned to the meal she was creating. Suddenly, Teddy's voice sounded from the front door.
"She's here!" a surge of excitement in his voice.
Kim hurried to the porch. The nervousness building in her chest mixed with the desire to hold the child she had watched go through every stage of her life. A silver sedan rolled to a smooth stop in the driveway, its slightly worn paint gleaming faintly in the twilight. Kim stood on the porch with Teddy's arm around her as Madison's car pulled into the driveway. Her two smiling parents' excitement tampered as they noticed a figure in the passenger seat.
Teddy squinted at this unknown entity.
"Who's that with her?" he mumbled, unable to make out the details in the fading light.
"I don't know," Kim admitted. "She did mention she might bring a friend, though." Teddy's eyebrows shot up.
"And you're just telling me this now?!" he exclaimed, a hint of panic in his voice. "What if it's a boy?"
"So?" Kim replied, trying to appear nonchalant.
"So?" Teddy echoed, trying not to show his concern on his face. "a little heads up would be nice."
"I'd like to know if I'm gonna meet my future son-in-law."
Kim scoffed. "Son-in-law? Don't you think you're jumping the gun a bit?"
"You think she'd bring some random guy to meet us?" Teddy countered. "If we're meeting him, it's serious!"
Kim offered a nervous smile, a strange mix of amusement and apprehension swirling within her. Before she could respond, Madison emerged from the car, her youthful energy radiating even in the dim light. Her hair, a shade lighter than Kim's rich brown, framed a face with the same striking cheekbones and delicate features.
"Mom! Dad!" she called out, a bright smile illuminating her face. She rushed up the steps and enveloped them both in a hug. Teddy and Kim returned the embrace, momentarily forgetting about the mysterious passenger. Then, as they pulled away, Madison gestured towards the car. "Mom, Dad, this is Marcus."
They looked up to see a tall, imposing figure emerge from the shadows. Kim and Teddy regarded him in awe as his six foot five frame seemed to tower over them even while they stood on the steps of their porch. His deep chocolate skin tone contrasted sharply with his bright white sleeveless t-shirt. His muscular physique protruded through the fabric in thick, boxy patches of firm flesh. His height and build made him seem years older than Madison, but his face emitted a youthful glow that made him look younger. A dazzling smile spread across his face as he approached, his hand outstretched in greeting.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," his baritone resonated with a pleasant tone. His large hand engulfed Teddy's and tightened around it confidently. It was surprisingly more delicate with Kim's smaller hand as it simultaneously dwarfed it and surrounded it in its warmth.
As Marcus stepped onto the porch, his height became even more impressive and intimidating. They stammered out greetings, trying to maintain their composure despite their surprise. An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment, the unexpectedness of the situation leaving them all momentarily speechless, until Kim resumed her role as hostess.
"Well, come on in, both of you," she said, gesturing towards the open door. "Dinner's almost ready."
The small, square dining table provided a cozy atmosphere as Kim placed a pitcher of freshly squeezed lemonade on the table and poured a glass for each person.
