What If

Clearly Charmed

Kat and Jessie were lounged carefully on their parents bed as Kate wandered in and out of the closet in a black lacey slip. 

She held up two dresses, one red and one black. "Which one?"

Jessie pretended to think really hard but it's Kat that answered. "The black one."

Kate nodded and was about to put it on but then she looked at her daughters. "You two know that fighting is natural, right? I mean...it's part of the relationship process."

Kat nodded. "We know mom. Dad likes to live dangerously."

Kate raised her eyebrow and chuckled. She put her dress down and held her hands out to the girls. "Come here."

Both girls climbed off of the bed and walked toward where Kate was sitting at her small vanity. She opened the drawer and picked up a red lipstick.

"Really?" Kat asked excitedly but Jessie wrinkled her nose and stepped back.

"Oh Jess," Kate laughed as she began to apply the lipstick to Kat's lips. "Some day you're going to love it."  She turned her attention back to Kat "Now go like this." She rubbed her lips together and Kat imitated the action. "Take a look."

Kat admired herself in the mirror and Kate smiled. "You're gonna break a lot of hearts. You know that right?"

Color crept up Kat's cheeks as she beamed.

And as Brian watched Kate encourage their children from outside the doorway, he couldn't help but fall a little bit more in love with his wife.

===============================

Kate fidgeted as they entered Spago, feeling a little more than uncomfortable in the expensive environment.  Brian attempted to sooth her by rubbing her back.

He had lucked out with help from Val who used her work connections to get a last minute New Years Eve reservation. He was sure he owed her his soul for it. 

The hostess smiled at their intertwined hands as she let them to their table. 

Brian caught the attention of a few of the female patrons in his black button down and matching slacks, but for once, he didn't care. He helped Kate remove her coat and was taken back again at that great black dress.

"You look beautiful," he said as she handed him her coat and he laid it across the back of her seat and pulled it back so she could sit.

"Brian, are you sure we can afford all of this?" she said in a rough low voice.

"Of course I'm sure," he said taking his own seat. "It's our anniversary. Nothing is too expensive for you."

She looked at the menu and her eyes widened. "How do you even know this place?"

"Val," Brian replied. "She knows the manager. He's friends with her dad."

"Wow, this stuff all sounds amazing," Kate said as he eyed the menu.

The waiter came and introduced himself and Brian ordered for them both. "We'll have the Petit Cut New York with Yuzu Kosho Butter with soft polenta with parmesan and  cavatappi pasta. Oh and add an order of the grilled Maine diver scallops. And we'll have a 2007 bottle of Pierre Peters."

"Brian," Kate hissed "That's a 400 dollar bottle of wine."

He sighed and took a deep breath. "We'll both have a glass of your best basic red wine."

The waiter nodded and began to walk toward the kitchen.

Kate looked at him with something like awe. "You are so not off the hook yet, slick."