It was Labor Day weekend in the Prescott-Kincaid household which meant two things for the family of five humans and four dogs. Angie and Elle were already asking their mom when they could get their home ready for Halloween. And everyone was soaking up the last days of summer before the start of school.
To celebrate the end of summer, Sidney decided to host a potluck style cookout at her and Mark's home. Six weeks before the event, she made a guest list that comprised of their family and closest friends along with a couple of new additions. Sam and Tara Carpenter didn't respond until the very last minute but it pleased Sidney to receive their confirmation.
For obvious reasons, she and Mark were selective about who they allowed into their tight inner circle. They were fortunate enough to not encounter anyone with ulterior motives but they still waited a few months before allowing new people into their home. It also helped that Mark had the resources to vet and prevent any potential unsavory types from invading their perfect bubble. He made an exception for this occasion because he trusted Sidney's judgement.
Even though preparing for and hosting an event was a lot of work, Sidney considered it a labor of love. Elation always filled her whenever she had the chance to entertain their closest family and friends. She enjoyed feeding their loved ones, tasting their signature dishes and catching up with them. Everyone had their own careers, families and responsibilities to deal with in their everyday lives. It felt like receiving an incredible gift to celebrate special occasions with those who mattered the most to them.
On the eve of the cookout, Melanie and Trip took Angie, Elle and Beckett to Disneyland and were spending the night in a hotel. With the kids gone, Sidney and Mark prepared their home for the upcoming celebration. He focused on tidying up the patio and backyard. After Sidney finished placing chicken legs and steaks in marinades, she cleaned the first floor and bathrooms. For dinner, she ordered delivery from their favorite sandwich shop and pastries from Nala's bakery.
Sidney was in one of the guest bathrooms placing fresh towels into the closet when her smartphone trilled. On the home security app's video feed, she saw Mark paying the delivery men. Using the video camera's intercom, she thanked her husband and stated that she would be in the kitchen in a minute. He told her to hold off for fifteen minutes and to meet him on the patio. Curious about what he had up his sleeve, she obliged.
Her heart swelled the moment she heard Damage's cover of "Wonderful Tonight" playing from the stereo system. Once she entered the living room, she saw Mark standing by the covered sliding glass doors. He used the remote control to lower the volume.
"With the kids gone, I thought we should take advantage of having the house all to ourselves." Mark grinned as he pressed the remote control again and made the black motorized roller shades ascend revealing what was behind the open sliding doors.
Gleaming silver square glass lanterns filled with lit white pillar candles were strung around the patio. The outdoor mahogany wooden table was a vision with three glass cylinder vases filled with water, rose petals and ignited floating tea lights served as a centerpiece. All of their sandwiches, side dishes and pastries were beautifully plated on the new black and white dinnerware set she had recently bought.
Both of Sidney's hands went to her heart. Over twenty years together, he was still putting in the effort to court and appreciate her. No matter how big or small the gesture, he always managed to take her breath away.
The image of her being genuinely happy always sent a delightful spark through him. He could never grow tired of the wonderful visual and tried his best to get such a lovely reaction every chance he got.
"Mark, this is so beautiful and kind…but I'm clearly underdressed!" She glanced down at her chocolate cherry tank top and black flared leggings. Her hand briefly touched her ponytail while she walked over to him.
He smiled at her self-deprecating comments; her natural beauty always made her shine. Cupping her face with both hands, he said, "You're perfect, Sid. And I'm not exactly GQ material right now."
She eyed the navy t-shirt and black soccer shorts he wore. The tip of her right forefinger traced one of the white stripes on the side of his shorts before settling on his chest next to her other hand. With a playful lilt to her voice, she replied, "Stop being so modest, you look great in everything."
Touching her soft warm lips with his, Mark then stroked her cheekbones with his thumbs. "So do you, Sid."
Her lips stretched into a grin, "Let's agree that we can still turn heads no matter what we're wearing."
"I have no problem with that! Come on, dinner's gonna get cold." He placed his hand on Sidney's back guiding her to the dining table.
After she wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, Sidney shared, "Martha called me today. Apparently, Mindy was disappointed to find out that Kirby and Dante aren't coming to the cookout. She's a huge fan of hers."
"I get it and hopefully they can meet some other time." He nodded, "But I also hope Kirby has a good time with Dante's family in New York."
"She gets along well with them so I have no doubt that she will. Maybe Mindy will get to meet her at our Thanksgiving party? Martha sounded so giddy when I invited her and the twins to it." She grinned and picked up her glass of red wine. "The kids will love her and they can never have too many aunts!"
"They can't and I'm curious about her too. We almost crossed paths during your first and only visit to Sunrise Studios." His head leaned back in realization, he added, "God, that feels like a lifetime ago…but it was also the day we first met." The outer edges of his mouth pulled upward.
Sidney's lips spread into a smile when he reached across the table and grasped her hand. "It was an unforgettable day. I mean, who else can say they met their future husband, discovered their secret serial killer half-brother then stabbed him all in the same day?"
They shared a lighthearted laugh over their unique history.
"You're right and look at where we are now." He lifted her hand to his face and kissed her knuckles, "That crazy day was the start of something amazing and beautiful."
She placed her free hand on top of his and gently caressed it. "It truly was and I can't wait to see where life will take us next."
"Neither can I." Mark captured her full lips with his.
Just then, Desiree's "Kissing You" began playing from the stereo conjuring warm nostalgia and the memory of their first dance as husband and wife. He took that as his cue.
Tipping his head forward, he asked her, "Shall we, Miss Prescott?"
Her hand touched his cheek, "We shall, Detective."
When they reached the open space between the outdoor dining table and dark grey sectional sofa set, Mark told her, "You set the pace and I'll follow your lead."
Hearing him say those wonderful once again caused her insides to flutter. It was the phrase he had said to her on the night of their first kiss and in his wedding vows. Time didn't erase the meaning and depth of the love behind them.
She pressed a tender kiss on his warm mouth. With her left hand gripping his upper arm above his bicep and the other holding his hand, she led him into a slow simple waltz. For almost five minutes, the world seemed to fade away as their bodies and souls moved in perfect rhythm with one another.
Note: This is going to be a short story and it is the sequel to The Bitter with the Sweet! Please leave a review and and if you're a member you can also place this under your favorites. Guests can leave reviews! Thanks to everyone who has supported this series so far!