Love in the Kitchen

Chapter 6

Hey guys! I just realized that it was November when I last updated. I am so sorry! I'm pretty lame aren't I. Life's been crazy but, I'm glad I can update now.

Please vote and leave a comment
Enjoy!

Clint's POV
"I need two lobster bisque, one rare ribeye , and 3 white wine risottos!" Chelsee shouted out over the kitchen. I watched as everyone quickly followed her orders. Chelsee Supervised all the cooking going on and all of the plates going out. She would clean them up before one of her servers came in and took them out to the customers. I was put to peeling potatoes because once Chelsee saw that I wasn't worth much in the kitchen she felt bad when I failed at, chopping veggies, preparing salads, or prepping plates. She sighed in relief when she saw that I was doing alright peeling potatoes.
One of the cooks ran into the counter and knocked off a giant butcher knife and tried to catch it. "Stop!" Chelsee yelled and everyone in the kitchen paused. "You know very well that you never catch a falling knife. Stupid decisions have stupid mistakes. I can't lose you tonight I need you. Now get back to work and do not do that again."
"Yes Chef." He nodded and went back to his cooking. I just stared at her with amazement. It's amazing how attuned everyone is to her. Every word and demand is followed. What the best thing is is that it's out of respect. You can tell everyone in this kitchen loves her and would do anything for her.
"How you doing over there potato man?!" I looked at her once more and she smiled at me. "I haven't over worked ya have I?" I looked down and noticed that my hands hadn't moved from the potato that I had started peeling.
"No this is great I like watching all of this." She smiled at me with that smile that reached her eyes. Good grief I love this woman. It was a very long night like she said it would be. As the last table was served and the last dishes were put up I collapsed down on her couch and about died. "I don't know how you do this all the time. My back feels like its going to snap and my feet feel like I've walked over nails." She laughed at me and gave me a drink of hot chocolate. I swigged it down quickly. It was amazing and quite frankly I need a boost of something.
"I'm sorry, it can take a bit of getting used to." She placed her hand on my thigh and gently rubbed it.
"I swear you never fail to amaze me. I love watching you move around the kitchen like that. I never thought cooking could be so damn sexy but, you proved me wrong again." She giggled and leaned back into my side.
"I'm just sorry I kind of ruined our date."
"Are you kidding. I might be sore but, this has to be one of the best dates I have ever been on." She looked over into my eyes and I couldn't hold back any longer. I placed my hand under her chin and lifted her lips to mine. She fit perfect in my arms and her lips fit perfectly to mine. I couldn't believe when she turned in my arms and pushed me down further onto the couch as she continued to kiss me. Her fingers threaded through my hair and I rested my hands on the sides of her waist.
"Aunt Chelsee?" She quickly moved off of me and I we both sat up.
"What is it sweetheart?" She picked up Chloee who had her blanket and doll in her hands.
"I had a nightmare." She laid her head on Chelsee's shoulder and hugged her tightly.
"Oh no, do you remember what I told you about nightmares?" Chloee leaned back and shook her head. "Well when we wake up we just imagine the bad guy turned into a big fat fluffy bunny. Then we won't be scared anymore." Chloee giggled at her.
"I'm tired."
"I'm gonna go put her back into bed and I'll be right back." I nodded to her and leaned back into the couch. I couldn't hold my eyes open any longer they fell down even against my will.

Chelsee's POV
"Goodnight sweetheart." I kissed Chloee on her head and she curled into her pillow. It 's probably a good thing she interrupted when she did. That was getting a little crazy downstairs. Which I should probably go back down and check on the poor guy. I walked down the stairs and into the tv room. Clint was laying back on the couch dead asleep. I chuckled and grabbed a pillow and blanket out of the cupboard. I gently took off his shoes and then shifted his body so he was laying down flat. I placed both of his legs on the couch and lifted his head a bit to place the pillow underneath. He sighed as I placed the blanket over him. I raked my fingers through his hair and just looked at him for a moment. How on earth could someone be so good looking even asleep. I laughed to myself.
"Goodnight Clint." I leaned down and gave him a kiss on the cheek and was rewarded with a sigh. I left the hall light on and headed up for bed. I didn't need him freaking out when he wakes up in a strange place.
As I brushed my hair I noticed the smile I had on my face. I don't think I've been this happy or even excited for a long time. He just does something to me that just, oh I don't know. But I like it and I hope it lasts. I got into bed and I settled in.
I have to admit watching him try in the restaurant tonight was so dang funny. I loved it and everyone kept giving him tasks because they knew he was trying to impress me. Ryan finally just put him on peeling potatoes because he was rather hopeless with everything else. I laughed a bit at that. Every time he did something wrong he would always give me a worried look. I have never had this much fun with somebody and part of it was at my place of work. I don't understand what he sees in me. But I can't help but love the way he looks at me. It's almost like I'm the rarest piece of treasure he's found and he doesn't dare look away. I finally closed my eyes and sleep took over quickly.
--------The next moring-------
I woke up to my alarm clock going off. I rubbed my eyes to adjust them to the light in my room and then I got up. I put on my slippers and went down stairs. I went down to see if Clint was awake. Yeah I figured he wouldn't still be passed out. He didn't even move an inch from where I placed him last night. I chuckled a bit and headed towards the kitchen.
I guess I better get started on breakfast before four hungry mouths wake up. I got out the eggs, bacon, and everything to make up some waffles. I got started mixing up the batter for the waffles and I got a pan out for the bacon and started that up quickly. I got one of the waffles started and then I began to start cracking the eggs into a bowl. As I got the last egg crack I heard a voice come from the doorway.
"I can't believe you can still move after last night. I feel like I've aged 30 years." Clint sat on one of the stools and collapsed onto the counter.
"Well I've been doing this for some time now." I chuckled to myself. "I feel right as rain." He grunted at me as I turned away to the stove. I poured the eggs into the pan and they sizzled. I quickly took out the steaming waffle and then replaced it again with more batter. As I went back to the stove to stir the eggs, a pair of arms wrapped around my waist. I sighed back into his chest and I couldn't believe how comfortable this felt. I could definitely get used to this. He placed his head on my shoulder and watched as I finished cooking. I quickly got everything done and had Clint attached to my back the whole time. It didn't even feel awkward at all. Skylar had come down and saw the both of us and smiled. "Why don't you go wake up the other two Skylar. I'll get the table set."
"Yes Ma'm." She winked at me and then skipped out of the door way.
"She's got a bit of a pep to her step now doesn't she." Clint said as he assisted with putting out the plates on the table.
"Yeah you could say that." I said with a laugh and put the plates of food on the table as the kids walked in. "Hi guys go ahead and take a seat. I'll take Chloee hun thanks." I took Chloee out of Skylar's arms and sat her down in her high chair next to me.
"Awww this smells so freaking good and I'm starving. Grandma made us eat her healthy nut what ever you call it last night." Skylar laughed and I gave Declan a dirty look.
"Declan that's enough."
"We all know you don't like it either Aunt Chels. That's why you volunteer to cook all the time." Skylar said with a laugh and Declan joined in with her.
"I swear these kids aren't usually this rude." I said to Clint as he tried to hide his laughter as well. "You all are hopeless. Just eat and be quiet."
"I'm totally down for that." Declan said as he stuffed a whole waffle into his mouth. I shook my head at him as I got Chloee's plate ready and set it infront of her.
"So Clint are you going to go with us to pick out our Christmas tree for this year?" Skylar asked Clint as she stuffed her mouth full of bacon. I swear it's like these kids have lived with a back of wolves. Their manners have flown out the window.
"I don't really know. Your aunt hasn't told me about it." He stared at me for a moment. I had forgot that I had promised the kids we would go pick out the tree today. "Also isn't it a bit early to be getting a tree?" Both the kids laughed.
"We're not cutting it down today. We just go out in the field and find the one we like best for this year. Then we take care of it and make sure that its in good shape for when the holidays come around. It's like our favorite tradition Aunt Chelsee started." Clint smiled at Skylar as she rambled on.
"Yeah you wouldn't think trampling through a bunch of leaves and mud and all that junk would be fun. But seriously it's one of the best memories I have since I was little with our parents." Both the kids put their heads down. I was dreading this holiday because, well it was the first one with out my sister. I don't really know how I'm going to handle it with the kids.
"Well Clint what do ya say? Would you like to come tracing out back in the fields with us today?" Both Declan and Skylar smiled at me.
"Wow I'm really honored you guys want me to come with you. I'd love to come. I just need to stop of at my house first to check up on my grandpa and change into some different clothes. That alright?" He looked across at me.
"That's perfect, I got a few things to prep for tomorrows kitchen duties. You can go after you finished all your breakfast."
"Yes Ma'am." The kids laughed at him when he saluted me. I now understood my mom when she said my dad acted like a child at times. I don't really think men grow out of their child mannerisms.
We all laughed and joked some more over breakfast and then Clint left to go and change. I quickly got changed myself and helped Chloee change as the other two got dressed as well. "Kids I'm turning on a movie for Chloee. Please keep an eye on her while I run over to the restaurant really quick!" Both of them shouted ok to me as I turned on aristocats for her and then headed out the back. It was lightly sprinkling outside and I loved these kinds of days. It always made the trees smell amazing. I went into the back door and turned on the lights. Ryans office light was on and I shook my head. That guy says I'm a workaholic. I opened the door and found him looking over some paper work. "So what are you doing in here on a Sunday morning sir. I thought I've told you this is your day off and you couldn't come in here this day." He turned and gave me a sheepish grin.
"Alright you caught me. Actually I had to get away from my roommate. His girlfriend or whatever she is was over last night and believe me what ever was going on in that room about made me go deaf." I started to laugh as he shook his head from the memory he must have had. "Honestly anyone with that shrill of a voice should be put out of their misery." He rubbed the sides of his head and then looked up at me. "And just what are you doing in here today? I thought you'd be making some noise of your own last night with that man of yours."
"Ryan oh my hell! Seriously shut up. You know I don't do that kind of stuff." I smacked him on the side of the head as he laughed.
"I know I just had to see your face when I said it." He held his stomach as he laughed. "Seriously though that guy likes you big time. I'd even go out on a limb to say he's already in love with you. But then again who wouldn't be?" He winked at me and grabbed my hand. "It's good to see you like this Chels. I haven't seen you this happy for a long time." I must have looked like a gloomy troll or something cause that's not the first time I've heard that.
"Thanks Ryan, I really am kind of enjoying having him around." He laughed.
"I'm pretty sure its more than kind of. I watched you ogle him last night. But then he did the same to you so what would make a difference in that right." He smacked my but and shoved me out the door. "I'll look this stuff over. I know what today is. So go have fun with the kids and I'll assume Mr. Right as well."
"Hey I would like to be able to go over some of that stuff." I said as he pushed me out the back door.
"I'll get things done and then I'll email it all to you. You can go over it on your Ipad later." I smiled at him as he finished talking.
"Ryan thanks so much for helping me out this last while. I don't know what I'd do without you. I always knew I made a good choice in making you my best friend." He laughed as I gave him a hug.
"Now woman your going to make me cry." He fake sniffled and pulled away from me. "It looks like your Prince Charming is back and is getting along well with the kids." I turned and saw Clint playing with the kids on the swing set and swinging Chloee in her seat. "Just remember it's him thats won the jackpot not you." Ryan kissed my cheek and walked back into the kitchen. I started to walk over to the them and they all turned my way when they heard me.
"Wow Aunt Chelsee that was super fast. You never get done with your Sunday layouts that fast." Declan said as I got closer to them.
"Yeah well Ryan is helping me out with that today. He got bored and wanted to come in and do a bit of work. So we can go now."
"Ryan is the only friend of yours I've ever liked." Skylar said.
"That's only because you have a giant crush on him and think he's hot." Declan announced to everybody. Skylars cheeks flamed red and she chased after Declan. Quite frankly I already knew she had a crush on Ryan because she constantly blushed when ever he was around.
"I swear you've brought some life into these kids. They haven't joked around like this in ages." I came closer to Clint and he wrapped and arm around me. He held me there for a moment while he continued to push Chloee in her swing.
"This has been a very different experience for me. I've never really felt this comfortable in a family setting before. It feels nice." I smiled at that. I'm glad that we haven't ran him off. Even though I don't really know why he even bothers with us.
"Aunt Chelsee Heeeeeeeeellllpppp!" We both turned and looked at Skylar who was holding Declans arms behind his back and pushing his face into the grass and leaves. I chuckled a bit, that girl was definitely like me in a lot of ways.
"Skylar enough you've had your revenge."
"Hardly!" She shouted with a devilish grin. She was about to give him a wedgie before I yelled out her name.
"Skylar Elizabeth if you don't get off your brother now, I'll physically take you off myself!" I walked out of Clint's arm and stared at her with what a hoped was a stern look because I was trying not to laugh.
"Alright I'm sorry." She shoved his head back in the grass once more for good measure before she stood up and folded her arms.
"Alright you guys go get in the Jeep and we'll get going." They both quickly turned and bolted to the front of the house. When I turned Clint had already taken Chloee out of her swing and had started walking towards me. "My goodness your mighty handy today aren't you?" He shrugged and let Chloee come to me as she had started grabbing at me.
"Are we gonna get the tree Aunt Chelsee?"
"Yes we are gorgeous." She hugged my neck as Clint put his hand on my lower back. I honestly am a little freaked out with how comfortable I am letting him touch me. I've never felt like this with anyone. We both walked to my Jeep and I handed Chloee over to Skylar so she could place her in the car seat. "Alright lets get this show on the road." I started the car and we pulled out of the drive way onto the road. We turned off onto one of the dirt roads close to the shops and we headed up it.