Well, if he wasn't going to let her vent about work worries, Kit was definitely going to get one last dig in on the argument not really an argument that they'd been having since she found out she'd been invited to this little soirée.

"You should've bought wine." She knew it probably wasn't entirely fair, Randolph was nervous enough. But they argued about so little these days and she missed their heated exchanges if only for that rush of adrenaline and arousal when they went toe-to-toe. He was just so damn cute when she knocked him down a peg. If an over 60 year-old man could be called adorable, Randolph Bell getting knocked sideways and then grabbing back on to his ego as he presented his case was just that.

"Look Jake is a man who walks the O.R. by day and dive music bars by night. I'm confident he's a whiskey guy." Kit could read Randolph well enough to know, whatever confidence he'd felt buying the whiskey had to started to drain away with her declaration. And damn it, watching him care that much about it turned her on. Hell they hadn't had sex over a week, due to a crazy CEO schedule on her part and several early morning surgeries on his part. So in all honesty she's started the evening itchy knowing the inevitable conclusion of tonight, since both of them had the following day off. Also the fact that he asked if he could leave his overnight bag just inside the door when he'd come by to pick her up, was a pretty big clue. But now wasn't time to think about that. They had a dinner with his former stepson and his husband. She was there to help guide him in following the boundaries that Jake had established. It was hard for Randolph not to push for more when it was clear the two of them were so close to a break through, but she did have a history of helping him curb his natural pushy and self-absorbed tendencies, Randolph Bell was a good man underneath all his hurt. She was happy that he done enough growing in the last couple of years so that she wasn't the only one who noticed.

In truth, Kit wasn't sure how much of a help she would be, she certainly had her own struggles with both of her daughters. And they still hadn't figured out how honest they were going to be with Jake and Gregg about the nature of their own relationship. Neither Kit or Randolph had given what they were doing a name. And they sure hadn't told anyone at Chastain that they were practically living with each other and had been for months. Not that it was exactly a secret just no one really asked about the seasoned Attendings love lives. Certainly not now, she was all of their bosses and the person who did ask her personal questions was the man she was currently with. Well, if Jake or Gregg asked she'd tell them the truth, and she realized she should probably clue Randolph in, but she had a sneaky suspicion that he might right about the whiskey after all. So it was good to have an ace up her sleeve if she needed to keep that man in his place. It was good for both of them. So Kit tamped down every swirling emotion and surly retort and marched purposely up the steps to get this evening on its way, trusting that Randolph would follow behind.

As they hit the front stoop together and Randolph gave a sound knock on the door, Kit just couldn't help herself, "A nice Bourdeaux is always in style." OK so maybe she couldn't control every retort, however her amusement was quickly brought up short by both Jake's declaration that, "Gregg makes an amazing whiskey cocktail" and her lover's answering smirk. The eye roll she gave him as she entered the house was neither voluntary or much of a surprise. The way that man both annoyed and stimulated her at once…Right Kit best not to think of Randolph as your lover at this moment, you're here to support your best-friend, not think about how you're hoping he'll take you roughly up against the wall before the two of you can even make it to your bedroom tonight.

Kit cast her eyes around Jake and Gregg's entryway she got her libido in check just in time to realize that Jake was giving Gregg her formal introduction.

"So nice to finally meet the venerable Doctor Kit Voss, Chastain's CEO that I've heard so much about. Come in, there's hors d'oeuvres in the kitchen and I've opened a bottle of red, unless you'd prefer my whiskey cocktail?"

"Wine would be lovely…So what exactly has Jake said about me?"

She turned her head and caught both Jake and Randolph's mirrored guilty looks. Oh so it wasn't just a husband venting about work, the estranged stepdad had joined the conversation behind her back as well. Jake gave his husband a quick shake of the head trying to urge Gregg to keep quiet and then moved to pour Kit her glass of wine. While Randolph quickly looked down before stepping close to Kit's side of the kitchen island and telling Gregg, "I'll take a whiskey."

Gregg's smile only grew and Kit knew she liked this young man already. He started making Randolph's drink and began to answer, "Oh you know mostly just what an amazing boss you are, not to mention a skilled surgeon." Kit felt her face grow pink and her head dip despite herself, it was still nice to hear. And as Gregg began to hand Randolph his drink, he continued, "And he's always going on about how Dolph is so enamored with you…although now that I've met you it's not hard to see why."

Randolph wrapped his hand securely around the glass before telling Gregg, "Thank you" with a decidedly sarcastic tone.

Despite himself Jake gave an audible chuckle and Kit glanced at both younger men before starring directly at Randolph Bell, "Well the feeling is mutual I can assure you."

And Kit took great delight in seeing his face transform from anxious anticipation to a delighted smile ass they maintained eye contact and clinked glasses.

Jake uncomfortably cleared his throat, reminding them they weren't alone, "Um, that's good to know….would you two like a tour? We have some time before dinner is ready, and we'd love to show you the nursery."

Randolph recovered first and told his stepson to lead the way.

—-

Randolph Bell watched the other members of their small dinner party start to head down the stairs before turning back and taking in the nursery once again.

He hadn't expected the remorse to hit his heart again, he and Jake were getting closer, but he still was left out of so much. He knew it was rightfully so, but honestly it still hurt. He just needed a second to get those feelings under control before he said something stupid. He heard Kit's voice in his head…Just let Jake take the lead, you're doing fine.

And then he heard a slightly more annoyed version from the real thing, "Didn't you hear me say I was starving? Unfortunately Jake and Gregg are too polite to start eating without you. So stop moping around in here and get downstairs."

Her presence was already having its usual effect and Randolph's discomfort began to clear. "Have I really been up here that long that dinner is already on the table?" He asked in mock horror knowing they'd only exited the room moments before.

"No! But Jake noticed you weren't with us as we hit the stairs and I assured him I'd stop you from snooping around on your own. He's convinced you're going to get him something extravagant they've already decided they don't need. I told you the outfits we picked out together will be just fine. New parents can never have enough clothes. It's the little ones who are cute, but messy."

For the millionth time since meeting her he was fascinated at how much she annoyed and intrigued him at once. He lived for those moments when he knew she felt the same way and so he gave a definite smirk before giving his reply in anticipation of her exasperation.

"You talk a lot for a woman who claims to be starving!" Yep, that did it. He earned himself a playful smack on the arm that was followed by a brief brush of her lips against his. Randolph quickly gathered her back into his arms as she started to pull away reminded of just how little alone time they'd been able to carve out for themselves lately. As much as he was looking forward to this dinner tonight, he couldn't wait to get her back home, he doubted they'd even make it to her bedroom before their lovemaking would begin. He gave Kit what he hoped was a sweet smile and pulled her back in for a soft but brief kiss before releasing her.

She linked her fingers with his and pulled him out of the room and pointed him down the stairs.

"I AM hungry. And I'm too old to get caught making out, so keep your lips to yourself until we get home."

He nudged her slightly and whispered in her ear, "Never too old and besides you started it." Which earned him both a dirty look and a throaty laugh until they noticed Gregg starring at them from the bottom step.

"What's this I hear about the two of you making out?"

They both shrugged through their shared smiles and made a beeline for the dining room table where the food was waiting.