A drink with the stars

8.

Kate had meetings over the next couple of days and plenty of rehearsals so I decided to make the most of our time apart and I organised what I was going to need for work, I also packed up a lot of my belongings from my hotel room and brought them over to Kate's. We spent a couple of hours shopping for some new things for her, well now our, bedroom making it more ours than just hers. I didn't have too much that I'd brought with me from Australia and so a lot of my things fit perfectly at Kate's and I was gearing up to begin at my new job the next week.

While Kate was at work and I was heading back to her apartment with the last of my things, I stopped in at a grocery store, grabbing some items so I could make her a dinner, and have it ready for when she returned home. I browsed the shelves and settled for a simple pasta, it was quick and easy and hopefully Kate would be hungry. I walked the last few meters to her, well now our, apartment and I trudged up the stairs, clumsily unlocking the door and dumping everything on the kitchen bench. I quickly put the rest of my things away and walked over to a record player I could see on Kate's shelf, the apartment was not large when it came to communal space but she had decorated well and everything had its own little home. I had a quick look through some of her vinyls and chose a Bette Milder record, gingerly pulling it out of its cover and placing it on the deck, it crackled a little as the music started and Bette's voice began to waft through the room. 

Nino was sunning himself on the floor at one of the windows and I smiled and walked back to the small kitchen. I emptied my shopping bags and searched through cupboards for the pots and utensils I needed. I hummed along to the music, it was nearing six thirty and Kate had messaged earlier in the day to say she would be home around that time. The pasta and sauce were cooked as was the bolognaise and I decided to make a quick side salad to go with it, and I diced up some tomato and chopped some lettuce. Cooking wasn't my forte but it was still going to be a filling meal and I hoped Kate liked it, obviously not as good as our favourite Italian restaurant but hell, I'm sure it would be close enough. As I finished up the salad I could hear the click of the lock in the door and Kate came bounding in, dropping her bag to the floor and rushing over to me, her arms filled with a huge bouquet of flowers. She handed them to me and I smiled, wiping my hands quickly on a tea towel before graciously taking them from her and she leaned into me for a kiss. Kate turned to the stove and bench top, "Busy I see," Kate said eying the salad. I chuckled, "oh and good choice of music," she said, leaning in for another kiss and she slid her hand around my waist. "It's just a pasta," I said, bringing the flowers to my face and smelling them deeply. "These are so beautiful Kate," I said, "thank you. I love them." Kate smiled back at me, turning away and bending down to one of the cupboards, pulling out a vase and filling it with some water, she put it on the bench top and I began to unwrap the florals, carefully placing them into the water. Kate walked to the sink to wash her hands and then grabbed our plates and cutlery. I pushed the vase to the centre of the kitchen island and began to serve our dinner onto the plates. "I am so hungry," Kate said as she slid onto one of the island stools, and I pushed a plate towards her, Kate serving both of us some of the salad. "I hope it's okay," I said softly, "I wasn't too sure what you'd want to eat after your busy day." Kate nodded, twirling her fork into the centre of her spaghetti, "This," Kate stated, pointing at the bowl with the finger of the same hand," this is perfect." I smiled and we ate in silence, Kate visibility exhausted from her day, the gentle songs from the record player coming to an end and we slowly began conversation. "I'm all done," I said to Kate, "Everything is out of the hotel and here." Kate smiled, her pasta bowl nearly empty. "Wow that didn't take long at all, I'm so glad." I nodded. "Is there anything you need?" Kate asked, "I mean anything you want to get for here?" I shook my head, "I don't think so, I'm sure if anything comes up I can go grab it." Kate nodded as she finished the last of her dinner, popping the last two bits of tomato into her mouth with her fingers. "That was amazing babe," Kate said, reaching for a paper towel from a  dispenser she had on the small island, "You're definitely wife material," Kate said with a wink as she stood up, clearing her plate and I froze upon hearing her words, unsure she was aware of what she had actually said, and my heart fluttered in my chest. I cleared my throat loudly and cleared my own plate, taking it to the sink as I slowly began to clean the kitchen. "Oh, no I don't think so," Kate said hastily, taking the dishcloth from my hands, "You cooked, so go and relax and I'll take care of this." I shook my head, "You've been at work all day Kate, I can clean up." Kate smiled and pulled the cloth from my hands, "A bickering married couple already are we?" Kate winked again and I felt myself melt into the floor, my heart thudding in my chest. I let Kate clean up and I went and had a quick shower, changing into my pyjamas and settling into the couch. Kate did the same after she finished in the kitchen and we popped on a movie, snuggling beneath a blanket, Kate's legs in my lap and I rubbed her calves, her hand softly stroking my shoulder.

"Oh Morgan," Kate said, pointing at the film, "I had an audition a couple of months ago," she clicked her fingers and pointed at the screen again, "A movie with Kristen and Melissa." My eyes widened and I turned to Kate, my hands tight on her calves, "Oh my gosh what?" I said excitedly, and Kate laughed, shaking her head. "Sorry, it's been a whirlwind few weeks with you." "What movie?" I asked, turning back to the screen, "I just love Bridesmaids!" Kate chuckled, "Leslie too. A Ghostbusters reboot." I squealed with excitement, "No way Kate!" Kate nodded, flashing her teeth as she grinned, "I'm gonna be a Ghostbuster." Kate spent the rest of the movie telling me all about her new role and I was beside myself with excitement for her. "You'll have to come to the set and visit," Kate said, "It'll be filming in Boston, and I can fly you over for the weekends!" I smiled at Kate, loving how excited she was getting about us and a future for us. She winked at me, and I laughed, "You need to incorporate that wink into your character," I said to Kate, and she nodded, "It'll be our secret signal in the film." I smiled, falling into Kate's arms and I snuggling close into her. Kate kissed the top of my head, and murmured softly to me, "Is it too soon?" I turned to her, confused, "Too soon?" I questioned. Kate's ocean blue eyes darted over my face, as though trying to read my thoughts,  "To tell you I'm in love with you?" I blushed, leaning into her and kissing her, pulling away and then sprinkling kisses over her lips and jawline, "No," I replied, "because I'm in love with you too."

The End.