Riley's New Home, Part 3. Puddings and Books.
When school ended that day, Riley was picked up this time by Gideon. Rumplestiltskin second-born child biologically, Belle's first. But to Mr and Mrs Gold biological or blood-related didn't mean a thing. In their eyes, Baelfire, Gideon and Riley and Rebekah were equally their children and neither one loved less or loved more. Riley looks at Gideon suspicious ally.
"Ma and pa had to take Rebekah to a late appointment," Gideon said, he should have figured to call the school and ask them to inform Riley about the last-minute change.
"Appointment?" Riley asked slightly confused.
"A check-up for our little sister, since she came a little early," Gideon explained.
"To make sure she's okay?" Riley asks.
"Yeah, exactly," Gideon answers.
"What if she's not okay, they won't send her away?" Riley questions back in the workhouse, if you deemed useless you were either thrown out, killed or killed and eaten.
"Of, course, not our parents aren't like that if there anything wrong with Rebekah. They will listen to the doctors and nurses and follow the right treatment method," Gideon responds his tone of voice soft.
"When will they be back?" Riley questioned.
"Soon, why don't I take you to the grocery and book store before we go home?" Gideon suggested.
"Is that allowed?" Riley asks.
"Yes and encouraged, it will do you good to get more familiar with the town," Gideon answers.
Gideon first decided, they should head over to the grocery store, as it was closet right now. Thankfully, the grocery shop was close to being empty people wise. Riley still found it uncomfortable to be around a large group of people. Gideon decided, they should make their time in the stores brief. Gideon only put a few things in the basket which he then paid at the counter with cash. When they went to the book store, Riley found it odd as to why Gideon asked her if there was any book, she was interested in just from the cover. He made sure to avoid the adult and teen sections of the book store, Riley wasn't ready to see that section.
The two spent fifteen minutes at the book store before returning to the Gold house, once there he unlocked the front door and ushered Riley inside. It still baffled her as to why any of the Gold family members, didn't order her to carry the bags or anything else. They say, she's family but that wouldn't last. Good things don't last for people like her. Once inside the kitchen, Gideon starts to unpack the shopping. Gideon checks his phone for a moment noticing he received a text from Belle, after reading the text. He placed his phone aside.
"Riley," Gideon said.
"Yes, sir," Riley responds.
"No, sir it's Gid or Gideon," Gideon corrected politely, old habits die hard.
"Sorry," Riley apologised.
"It's nothing, Ma and Pa, will be back in an hour, so before they get back do you want to try a special treat?" Gideon asks.
"A treat?" Riley repeated unsure.
"Think of it, as a little snack, you don't always get," Gideon spoke.
"Belle and Mr Gold won't be upset?" Riley asked.
"No, they don't normally like us having pudding before dinner, but we can keep it a secret just between us," Gideon answers.
"What kind of treat?" Riley asks, she supposed Gideon wasn't too bad since she first encountered him, he hadn't shown to be out to get her into trouble or anything.
"A sacred and well-respected food one loved and worshipped by many. Sticky Toffee Pudding with custard or ice cream both custard and ice cream if you're lucky," Gideon answered.
"I supposed, I could give it a try," Riley says.
"Then you just sit down at the table, while I get it sorted," Gideon instructed, Riley, nodded and did what she was told. Gideon first got out two bowls and added one sticky toffee pudding pod into each bowl and followed the instructions given to prepare the puddings in the microwave. Once the puddings were done, he poured a sachet of powdered custard into a measuring jug and poured hot water into the jug while whisking. He then shared the custard out equally between both bowls. He placed one of the two bowls in front of Riley on the breakfast table giving her spoon. Before sitting down with her own.
"Thank you," Riley said, before picking up her spoon, she gathers a small portion of the pudding and custard using the spoon.
"Blow it will be hot," Gideon advised. Riley blew softly before trying the pudding. She wasn't sure what to think of the pudding at first, she thought it was sweet, not sickly sweet. But it felt hot too hot maybe, she should have blown on it harder. She took another bite blowing for longer this time.
"This is really nice, why don't people always get it?" Riley enquired.
"It's not the best thing to have health-wise, its best to have every once in a while as a part of a balanced diet," Gideon advised. Riley practically devoured the pudding which Gideon was glad to see.
"Books, what do people get out of them?" Riley asked.
"People can get all kinds of stuff out of books, they can find different pieces of information history-wise, they can learn all different kinds of skills. Some read for escapism," Gideon answers, he found Riley's curious nature quite refreshing nice.
The two talked for a little longer, even after Gideon got rid of the evidence. They were still talking when Rumplestiltskin returned home with Belle and baby Rebekah. Belle decided to get Rebekah settled first, in the living room crib. While Rumplestiltskin entered the kitchen to put the kettle on to make some herbal tea for Belle. Rumplestiltskin halted for a moment before sniffing the air. Riley frowned looking nervous and scared. She hoped, she hadn't angered Rumplestiltskin or Belle a lot.
"What a peculiar smell," Rumplestiltskin said.
"I don't smell anything peculiar, you must be imagining things pa," Gideon lied.
"I don't think so, I smell toffee and the only toffee you like Gid, is on sticky toffee pudding with custard. If I check the bin, I can guarantee I'll find sticky toffee pudding pods and the box they came with and a custard sachet," Rumplestiltskin replied. Gideon raised his hands in defeat.
"Alright, I confess but I refuse to feel guilty, it was both an experiment and apart of my big brother contract. I had to learn what kind of deserts Riley likes and it's a big brother's responsibility to treat his younger siblings every once in a while," Gideon sighed.
"Y...you're not mad are you sir," Riley asks. Rumplestiltskin turned to face Riley before speaking.
"No, I'm not mad Riley, I just wished Gideon had waited until after dinner to have pudding," Rumplestiltskin answered, "We already planned to have chocolate fudge cake and ice cream,"
"Yummy," Gideon says.
"We bought a small one, enough for three," Rumplestiltskin said.
"Baelfire still hasn't got much of an appetite, I see," Gideon commented.
"Appears so," Rumplestiltskin replied.
"You miscounted, there four of us," Gideon pointed out.
"No, I didn't three slices for your mother, Riley and me," Rumplestiltskin said.
"She had pudding early too," Gideon says.
"Yes, but she's a first time offender unlike you," Rumplestiltskin joked.
"Never try and fool Pa, he's got three centuries on us," Gideon advised.
End of chapter.
