Henri - 38

 

 

As soon as he'd left work, Henri called Taegan. "If you don't have any other plans, would you like to come over for dinner?" he asked.

 

"No plans once I deal with a new, and very egotistical, artist. Dinner sounds like a great way to make up for that," Taegan replied with a laugh. "Say, around eight?"

 

"Perfect," Henri told him before hanging up. As soon as he had, he went home, with a stop to pick up what he needed for dinner. He decided to keep it simple—steak in a wine sauce, mashed potatoes and salad.

 

The first thing he did, after putting the potatoes to boiling, was go into the living room to set the table. He didn't own candlesticks—what bachelor does, he wondered, other than Taegan. So, he'd bought two thick candles which could stand on their own. Those he put in the center of the table.

 

He checked the potatoes and the time, before going to get dressed in nice slacks and one of his good shirts. He paced nervously, went into the kitchen to make the salad, put it in the fridge, mixed together the ingredients for the sauce. Paced again. Forced himself not to go to the window to see if Taegan was arriving.

 

"Why the hell am I so nervous? It's not like I haven't cooked dinner for him before," he muttered. "Often, actually."

 

Taking himself in hand, he began mashing the potatoes, now that they were cooked, then put them in a makeshift double-boiler to stay warm. He was just trimming the steaks, preparing to put them in the pan to sear, when the doorbell rang.

 

Dropping the knife on the counter, he hurried down the hallway and threw open the door, saying without hesitation, "Yes."

 

Taegan looked at him in bewilderment. "Yes, what?"

 

"Yes I'll move in with you if you still want me to."

 

Embracing him tightly, Taegan replied, "Don't ever doubt that I do." He kissed Henri quite thoroughly before pulling back to look at him. "What made you change your mind?"

 

"A lot of thought about how stupid I was being. And Camilla's pointing out my living with you would not make me less…independent."

 

"Bless her conniving little heart." Taegan kissed him again before saying, "Something smells fantastic."

 

"I hope you mean dinner," Henri replied, feeling giddy with relief. "It's sort of a… Hell, I don't know."

 

"Farewell to our old lives as we move on to our new one?"

 

"Yeah, that works." Henri started back to the kitchen, stopped and said, "Despite all my hesitation about doing this—and my fear—there's one thing I hope you know. I do love you."

 

"Henri…" Taegan smiled, caressing his cheek. "I never for a moment doubted you did. Although—" he grinned broadly, "—it sure took you a damned long time to admit it. Just in case you think otherwise, I love you too."

 

"That, I knew." Henri cupped Taegan's face with his hands, giving him a heartfelt kiss. "Now, shall we eat then—"

 

"Pack up your things and move you…home?"

 

"Home. Our home. Yes." Henri sighed happily. "I think we should."

 

The End