A few minutes after El leaves, there's another knock on the door. Luckily Neal had managed to get himself into a more seated position - though his ribs had hugely protested - as he hated having to always rely on help. "Come in Peter." he said, quickly stashing the sketchbook.
Peter walks in with the tray El had mentioned. "How'd you know it was me and not El again?" said Peter, sitting the tray on the bed. "And I'm still shocked she talked you into actually resting more."
"She drives a hard bargain." said Neal, pointing at the books and TV. "Honestly, it's been a long day and I'll just confess I'm tired to make it easy on you. El said you would be up in a bit, so it made sense you would be the one at the door. And what smells so delicious?"
"El made her famous lasagna." said Peter, removing the cloche from the plate, revealing an extra large serving of it. "Also salad and garlic bread. And peach galette for dessert." He had a feeling El was trying to add some weight to Neal as he had lost too much while missing, but he decided not to say his thoughts.
"Looks as delicious as it smells." said Neal. "Thanks for bringing it up, Peter."
"It's not a problem. If you need anything else, just ask." said Peter. "I'll be back in awhile for the tray, so don't even think about trying to bring it down on those stairs with your leg." Neal gave him a 'who me?' look. "We both know you're stubborn enough to try it." With that said, he walks downstairs leaving Neal to enjoy his dinner in peace.
"How's he doing?" said El, finishing setting the table downstairs. "I mean you always say you can read him better than anyone else."
"And he's more honest with you, interestingly enough." said Peter, sitting down. "But I think he's dealing and well he does tend to go more quiet when so. I can't say it's not making me worry as it's usually better when he has stuff to do, but on the flip he also deserves some rest." He takes a bite of the lasagna. "Hm, delicious, Hun."
"I know it's one dish you and Neal both love." said El, with a laugh, knowing her husband's very simple tastes. "So I was able to please you both with it. I just hope he'll be okay since having to recount everything that happened in front of you and Diana had to be hard."
"I think he wanted me to be there so he wouldn't have to recount it twice." said Peter, taking a sip of his beer, still blaming himself. "And without telling, I mean, it all happened the day me and him got into an argument."
"Isn't that most days?" said El, with a slight chuckle. "He has a tendency of getting on your nerves sometimes." She had to confess half the time she found what Neal did to be funny.
"True, but if I had only taken him home, El." said Peter, sounding guilty. "Then he wouldn't have had to go through any of what happened." El hadn't pushed to know and he figured it was up to Neal if he wanted El to know.
"Peter, there's no way you could have foreseen it." said El, patting her husband's shoulder and sipping at her wine. "I doubt Neal blame you either, so you shouldn't feel so guilty."
"That's pretty much what Neal said." said Peter, sounding even more guilty. "He's too good of a man to even blame me, El. What does that even say about me?"