Silent

41. English rain

Late April 2002

Michael was preparing dinner for them. Kitty sat at the Dining Table with a glass of white wine in front of her and observed the younger man, who clearly had a passion for cooking. Sam set the table and Kitty couldn't help but enjoy the fact that she could just relax while the two men were doing all the work.

She smiled as she watched the two interacting together, those subtle and loving touches Sam gave when passing Michael. The smiles they shared were given with such adoring gazes. And she had never seen Sam like that with anyone. Sometimes before she had wondered that perhaps Sam just wasn't the settling down kind of guy, but all that had been lacking was the right man and there he now was. 

 Michael made Sam happy, and likewise. The difference in Michael was striking, the certain reservation was gone, and with them, he was now free to be exactly who he was. The weeks had passed, and some form of tranquility had settled. Jean hadn't tried to reach Michael so often, but they didn't trust that the peace would last. Sam still didn't want Michael to make the journeys home alone especially if he had a late night shift, so he had done his best to arrange his work schedule accordingly.

It still felt strange for Kitty to know Michael's painful past so well. It was difficult to grasp the whole ugliness of it and at times those horrible thoughts of what those vile men had made him go through tried to force their way into her consciousness. She did not want those thoughts. She had no need for them, but they always left her wondering just how strong Michael had to be to survive it with his sanity intact. She did not think she could have been as strong, and she highly admired him for that.

The whole thing was utterly unfair because Michael was also one of the sweetest people she had ever known. Other people's needs came before his, even after how horribly Jean had treated him, he still had sympathy left for the man. Jean did not deserve it. He did not deserve Michael's kindness or his understanding. But perhaps it was natural after the experience with the man far worse than Jean.

Finally, the dinner was served; Lemon risotto, with roasted chicken filets and asparagus. For dessert, Michael had prepared wonderfully airy white chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis.

Kitty was certain she had never eaten more perfectly cooked and delicious risotto and chicken. All of it combined was perfection on a plate that filled her stomach. She did voice the well-deserved praises, which Michael took in his modest way, but clearly it pleased him to hear them. 

"You'd be a superb chef," Kitty said after devouring the last drops of her desert. "And now I wish I would have worn my Christmas pants. I'm officially stuffed," she sighed. "You guys mind if I unbutton my trousers for a little while in a very unlady-like manner?" She asked and both Michael and Sam chuckled lightly.

"Go right ahead," Michael grinned. "I am pleased that you enjoyed it so much."

"Yes, I did, perhaps I enjoyed a bite or two too much," Kitty grinned and eased her trousers slightly sighing contently as she did. "Ah, that's better," she said and took a sip of her wine. "And from now on, I will always wear my comfy pants or a dress when Michael invates me for dinner," she grinned playfully.

"You are sweet with your praises," Michael smiled and took a sip of his wine, hesitating before he spoke. "Actually, Santo said that I could start helping him in the kitchen sometimes," he continued, and his eyes seemed to brighten with those words. "Of course, we need to discuss it with Muriel first, but... I think she'll be on board with me practicing. After all, we talked about it earlier when I applied there."

Sam smiled at his partner, who was clearly excited, nurturing hope for a better future, and that was exactly what he needed. He needed those positive experiences to strengthen himself before they would proceed with what was important. To bring down the monster who had held him captive and violated him, robbing valuable years of his youth.