When All Is Said And Done

Chapter Twelve: An Evening With Friends

The evening air was crisp and cool as Frida and Benny got out of the car and walked towards María's house. The twinkling stars overhead and the soft crunch of snow underfoot created a magical atmosphere, their sense of excitement and anticipation was growing with every step.

As they approached María's home, they could see the warm glow of lights spilling out from the windows, casting a welcoming aura over the snowy garden in front. The smell of delicious food wafted through the air, making their mouths water.

María opened the door before they could even knock, her face lighting up with joy at the sight of her friends. "Frida! Benny! Welcome! Come in, come in. It’s so good to see you both."

Frida hugged her tightly, the warmth of María's embrace was comforting compared to the chill outside.

"It’s wonderful to see you too, María. Thank you for inviting us."

Benny followed Frida, giving María a warm hug. "It’s great to be here. We brought some treats for the cats."

María laughed, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Oh, they’re going to love you even more now! Come on in, let’s get you settled."

They stepped inside, the cozy warmth of the house embracing them. The interior was charmingly decorated with twinkling fairy lights, candles, and festive winter decorations, creating a truly enchanting ambiance.

As they removed their coats and settled into the living room, María’s cats made their presence known, weaving around their legs and meowing curiously. Frida knelt down, opening the bag of treats and offering them to the eager creatures.

"There you go, little ones," she said, her face lighting up with joy as the cats eagerly accepted the treats.

María watched with a smile, her heart warming at the sight. "They really do adore you, Frida. And I’m so glad to have you both here tonight. It’s been too long."

Benny took a seat on the comfortable sofa, pulling Frida down beside him. "Well... This feels like the perfect way to spend the evening." Benny said with a smile.

As they settled in, María brought out a tray of drinks and snacks, placing it on the coffee table. They chatted easily, reminiscing about old times and sharing stories of their recent adventures.

"Frida," María said, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "We have to talk about your performance at the winter concert. You and Benny were incredible together."

Frida blushed, glancing at Benny with a shy smile. "Thank you, María. It felt like a dream, being on stage with Benny again."Benny reached for Frida's hand, squeezing it gently. "It was a dream come true for me too." Suddenly Frida giggled as one of the cats, a black cat with fur as soft as silk and of a slightly chubby figure jumped onto the couch and onto Frida's lap.

María smiled warmly at the two of them. "You two have always had a special connection. It’s wonderful to see that."

María's warmth and hospitality made them feel completely at home, and the bond between the three friends grew even stronger.

"Alright," María announced with a grin, "it's time for dinner. I hope you’re both hungry because I’ve prepared a feast!" Although overwhelmingly humble, María was a skilled cook, as Frida and Benny were about to learn. She rose from her chair in the living room walked into the kitchen to bring the food out into the dining room.

They moved to the dining room, where a beautifully set table awaited them. The aroma of delicious food filled the air, making their stomachs rumble in anticipation. María had prepared many different foods including a delicious soup to begin, perfect for a cold winters evening, followed by ratatouille and a vegan mango cheesecake for dessert.