Chapter 9

Dinner with Desert

Bell: "Where to begin?"

Bell spoke to herself after they arrived home and had brought in all the things from the store. She was worrying herself too much over how much time it would take to complete the dinner she was about to prepare for themselves and Danny.

Bell: "Well I guess I should boil the water for the pasta first?"

Bell pulled a large pot out of the cupboard and filled it with water.

Bell: "Then I guess I should start the sauce, so I think I need another small pot."

Urd: "Bell? Are you talking to yourself again?"

Bell dropped the empty pot when Urd spoke to her.

Bell: "URD! You startled me. Will you help me? Please?"

Urd: "Well. Ok, just don't have a cow."

Bell: "Thank you sister."

Urd: "So what should I do for you?"

Bell: "Umm, can you prepare the salad and put it in the fridge for me?"

Urd: "Sure. I can do that."

Bell started the sauce and the water came to a boil, so she put in the pasta.

Urd: "Mmm. That sauce really smells great Bell. You always were a excellent cook."

Bell: "Well I hope everyone likes it. I've never tried anything like this before, that I can remember anyway."

Urd: "I'm sure Danny will like it. That all that matters to you isn't it?"

Bell: "Of course I want him to like it, Urd."

Urd: "Ah-HA! Told you that you seemed like you were flirting with him."

Bell: "No I'm not Urd. He is going to be company, so I want him to like the meal."
Urd: "Suuuure you do."

Bell: "Oh Urd. Just never mind if you're to do nothing but tease me about it."

Urd: "I'll stop Bell. What time is it now anyway?"

Bell: "Oh my it's four o'clock already!"

Urd: "That's plenty of time according to the bo.." Bell cut her short.

Bell: "I know but I have to clean up and change my clothes and fix my hair and.."
Urd just sat in the chair at the kitchen table laughing under her breath.

Urd: "You sound like you're on a blind date Belldandy. Haha..heh."

Bell: "What am I going to do Urd? I mean I at least need to change, my hair is a total mess."

Urd: "Bell? Belldandy! Listen to me?" Urd shouted as Bell was rambling on about her appearance.

Bell: "Huh? I'm sorry what? Urd?"

Urd: "Bell. Go ahead since you have the Dinner in the oven now. I'll stay right here in the kitchen while you shower and change and get dolled up ok?"

Bell: "Thank you Urd! You're such a great sister!" Belldandy ran out of the kitchen towards her room, Urd heard the bedroom door close.

"Goodness, if I didn't know any better. I'd say she's got it pretty bad." Urd said to herself. "Now she's even got ME talking to myself, boy this is just great..hehe."

Bell walked into the bathroom, shutting the door. "What did Urd mean "dolled up"?"

"Oh well. No matter now. I don't want to be a total mess when Danny comes over. I mean it is bad manners to have company over and not look your best, and the house too." She thought as she slipped her dress off and climbed in the shower. The warm water felt good on her skin. Her hair was so long, it seemed to take forever to tend to it in the shower. "I wonder if I should have it trimmed?" the thought passed her mind as she rinsed it out. "Mmm, this soap I bought smells really nice too. I like this lavender wash I bought." She rinsed and stepped out of the shower as she dried off and wrapped the towel up with her hair. "I wonder if I have a desirable figure? I noticed the men in the store really seemed to like Urd's appearance." She stared at herself in front of the mirror, and sighed. "I think I'm actually getting pudgy."She turned to the side and looked that way. "MY! I guess I am getting pudgy. I should stop eating those sweets that Skuld keeps giving me to try." Belldandy removed the towel from her hair and used the hair drier that Skuld had made for her. It was one of her contraptions that actually worked without backfiring, unknown to Belldandy.

Bell finished styling her hair and put her underclothes on. She then went to her closet to pick something to wear. She had purchased a lot of clothes, but the dresses were her favorite. She picked a very pretty blue dinner dress, with thin shoulder straps and cut up a little way above her knees. She slipped on the blue pumps she had in the closet then admired herself in the full length mirror on the door. "I think this is nice. Sort of like something Urd would wear." She fluffed her hair and proceeded to put on a little make up and the perfume that came with the make up kit she bought. "Well it's getting time for dinner to be ready. I should go check it." She said to herself as she stepped out to the kitchen.

Urd heard tapping coming down the hall, being the only area of the house without carpet.

Urd: "Sounds like you Bell?"

Bell :"It's me. So. How do I look Urd? (she spun around in a circle in front of her) "

Urd: "Wow Bell. You look really nice. Now I feel, um. Underdressed for the occasion to say the least."

Bell: "Is it too much?"

Urd noticed the scent of her perfume.

Urd: "Gee, even perfume."

Bell: "It's not too strong is it? I hope not."

Urd: "No. NO it's fine Bell. You really did go all out huh? I think Danny will be surprised."

Bell: "I hope so."

Urd: "aah-ha."

Bell: "I meant that I hoped that.. Ooooo. Never mind." Bell went to the oven with a pout lip on her face. She turned the oven off and removed the lasagna from the oven. Skuld walked in, drawn be the smell of the food.

Skuld: "MMmmmmm. That smells soooo goood Belldandy!"

Bell smiled and set the pan on the holder on the kitchen table.

Skuld: "Ah. Belldandy? Are we going somewhere?"

Bell: "No. Why?"

Skuld: "What's with the dress? And those shoes? Don't they hurt?"

Bell: "No, actually they feel fine."

Skuld: "What else is that smell?"

Urd: "Bell's perfume."

Skuld: "Perfume? You never wore perfume before? Must be a mortal type thing.."

Bell: "It came with the little kit you told me to buy, so I thought I'd try it."

Skuld: "Hmm. I see. Maybe I'll go put something on, more appropriate. Be Back."

Urd: "Me Too. Be back in a few minutes."

Bell: "Oh. Ok. I'll finish setting the table then."

Urd and Skuld met each other in the hallway.

Skuld: "What's up with Belldandy?"

Urd: "I think she's lonely. "Man" lonely."

Skuld: "What? You gotta be kidding?"

Urd: "Seems like it, even though she's not really admitting it. I guess that's part of being mortal Skuld. I was going to mention Kei and what they were together and about how he loved her when he was around. But I decided against it. If she did remember, it would break her heart. That's why I didn't say anything about her gaining a little weight either. I don't want to upset her. I don't think she's noticed it herself yet. So just play along and let her have her fun ok? None of that mess like you always pulled with her and Kei, understand? I think she likes this Danny fellow. I do to. He seems like an honest guy, so let's just be nice and be friendly ok?"

Skuld: "Ok. I guess we should put on something nice too. I hate dressing up."

Urd: "Because you never do. Hahaha!"

Skuld: "Shut up smarty pants…"

Urd: "Don't you dare think of words right now Kiddo!"

Bell was finished setting the table when she heard a knock at the front door.

She fluffed her hair again, not realizing it at first. And went to the front door. She paused a second, then opened the door.

Bell: "Hello! Welcome Danny! Please come inside."

Danny just smiled and came inside the door as Bell closed it behind him. He was surprised the house was so neat and organized since they had not yet lived there very long. He turned toward Belldandy.

Danny: "Hello Belldandy. It's nice of you to ask me over for dinner, I'm grateful."

As Bell spoke to him, he absent mindedly looked Bell up and down, she was stunningly beautiful for just a dinner invite.

Bell: "So how was your afternoon?"

Danny: "Just fine thank you. And you?"

Bell: "It was interesting to say the least. But that's part of learning isn't it. I've made lasagna, is that all right? It's my first time making it so I hope it's ok for you."

Danny: "If that smell is it. I know I will. It smells fantastic."

Bell: "Oh thank you, I hope it is. Please come on in the kitchen and sit down."
Danny: "Ok, lead the way."

Danny followed behind her admiring what he saw. "God she's beautiful." he thought to himself.

Bell: "Please have a seat and relax. I'll go and get Urd and Skuld. Excuse me just a moment."

Danny: "Ok sure."

Danny sat quietly thinking to himself, wondering if they always dressed like that for company. He suddenly felt underdressed himself.

Bell: "Urd, Skuld? Are you two ready? Danny is here already!"

Urd: "We'll be in there in a few minutes. Go ahead and entertain him until we finish."

Bell: "Oh. Ok. Please hurry before the food gets cold."

Bell walked back into the kitchen smiling.

Bell: "So would you like a drink Danny?"

Danny: "Sure I would. Do you have any soft drinks?"

Bell: "Um. Let me see. Ah. We have Coke is that ok?"

Danny: "Sure."

Bell poured Danny and herself a drink in a glass with ice, and she sat in the chair next to him.

Bell: "So Danny. What type of work do you do?"

Danny: "I'm self employed. I do finish carpentry. Things like cabinets and counters and such."

Bell: "That sounds interesting. Do you enjoy it?"

Danny: "Yeah. I've done it for around 8 years now. I've learned a lot about doing it along the way. If you ever need any house repairs, by the way, Don't be afraid to ask me. I'd be glad to help you ladies out."

Bell: "Thank you that's very nice of you."

Danny: "So. Do you or your sisters work? Or are you looking for work?"

Bell: "No. We have a very large trust fund that our father left us, so we live off of the proceeds from it. Our father owned, umm. Oil fields that he sold before he left us."
Danny: "Oh. I see. I'm sorry to hear about your father. I bet that really helps take care of things. Oil is a good investment."

Bell: "Well, we can keep things paid. But we only get so much a month from it, so we still have to budget." Bell was hoping Urd and Skuld wouldn't blow the questions they rehearsed when they put together a family timeline.

Danny: "You look very nice this evening. I hope you don't mind me saying so."

Bell began to blush a little before she responded.

Bell: "Thank you Danny. That's very sweet of you to say."

Danny: "I was only being honest. I think you're very pretty."

Bell was very red now, hoping he wouldn't notice.

Bell: "I try to keep up my appearance. I'm sure I have my good and bad days."

Danny: "Well, all I can say is you must be having a really great day today then."

Bell: "(giggling) That's really quite sweet of you to say, Danny. You said your younger brother lives with you usually?"

Danny: "Yeah he's staying with my older brother since it's summer vacation. But he'll be home in a week I think. They may come by tomorrow. If they do I'll bring them over and introduce them to you."

Bell: "I'd love to meet them. I hope I get to soon. I love to make friends with those that are around me."

Danny: "Yeah I do to. Unfortunately, friends are few and far between around here.

I think because of the average age of most of the residents here is 50 or higher.

It's a nice change of pace to have three beautiful young ladies move into the neighborhood."

Urd: "Oooh. I must say I like your opinions. Hahaha!"

Skuld: "Speak for yourself Urd."

Bell: "Urd, Skuld say hi to Danny."
Skuld: "Hello Danny. You never did tell me if you were married. You have a girlfriend?"

Danny: "Hi Skuld. The answer would be no, and currently No."

Bell: "Skuld! That was very rude!"

Urd: "Hello Danny. I'm Urd. I'm the oldest of us three, as you can plainly see."

Danny: "Belldandy. It's all right. I don't mind if she asks me questions like that."

Bell: "Well, if you say so. But I think it's rude just to ask in that manner. And she knows that."

Skuld: "Ok.ok. I won't ask that way anymore. Gee."

Urd: "Shall we all eat before it grows mold?"

Bell: "Yes, Danny? Would you like salad also?"

Danny: "Sure."

Urd noticed the Coke in the glass in front of Belldandy, she made a short comment to Bell about it.

Urd: "Bell. I don't think you should drink soft drinks. The caffeine isn't very good for you."

Skuld whispered in Urd's ear.

Skuld: "Urd, it might be alright for her to have it, since she's lost her powers, you know."

Bell: " Oh. I'm fine Urd. Actually it's quite refreshing."

Urd: "Well, ok. Just don't overdo it."

Bell: "All right. (giggles)"

Bell made everyone a plate and salad and they all seemed to be waiting for Danny to start first. So he did, the lasagna she made was very good. Maybe not the absolute best he'd had. But if this was just her first time, it would only get better he thought.

He also noticed that everyone began eating and enjoying the meal after he had taken the first bites. They all ate and chatted between bites, and the occasional comment from Urd about how they all could use a "man's" help around the house. Danny was taking that as a subtle hint that he should come around as often as possible, not that he was complaining at this point in time. Who wouldn't want to be around these three beautiful women anyway? They had all sat at the table for quite a while after they had stopped eating. Belldandy brought out a pie that they purchased at the store, and apologizing that she didn't have time to make a fresh made one herself. Danny sat for the next ten minutes just listening. Listening to the sisters talk of all sorts of "sisterly" things. He listened intently to Bell's voice. He liked the tone and the proper speech she used. To him it was refreshing to hear a lady speak as proper as she did.

Urd: "SO. I'd say it were time for a nice drinky. Don't you?"

Skuld: "I just want some ice cream."

Bell: "Would you like something else to drink Danny?"

Danny: "Well I'm not much one to drink a lot. But I guess it would be fine to have just one."

Urd: "That's the spirit! Or spirits as I should say."

Urd had already taken a bottle and finished almost half of it before Danny and Bell decided what to drink. Seeing as Urd had bought so many kinds of alcohol to "try" at the store. Danny finally decided on Seven and Seven, so Bell insisted on the same. Of course she had no idea what it was to begin with, fortunately they had seven-up to make it with. Danny mixed the drinks with ice in a moderate amount. He didn't want it to be too strong. He handed a drink to Bell and took his in his hand. He then raised his glass in a toast to new friends and a lasting relationship.

Danny sipped on his glass as Bell curiously took an oversized gulp from her glass.

Bell: "Oh my. This is quite good. It's burns just a touch though."

Danny noticed Urd was working toward her second bottle of gin before he had even finished half of his drink.

Danny: "Drink much Urd?"

Urd: "haeh? What? Oooh. Yesh. Sometimes me do."

Danny: "She might wanna slow down on that stuff. Leads to hair of the dog in the mornings if you don't, heheh."

Urd: "Nah, 'ish good shtuff this…this ghen here. I like it!"

Bell: "Urd. Please be polite. You shouldn't drink so fast."

Urd: "Ahhww. Come on Bell. Have a drwink withs me."

Bell: "I already am. I don't wish to get in that condition."

Urd: "What condisstions..?"

Danny: "I think she meant your current condition. Hehe."

Urd: "Aaahh. Pfffffffttt. This 'ish nuthin! You Outta shee Bell when shee got one tied ons. It's hilaryish!"

Danny: "You're pretty hilarious yourself Urd."

Urd: "Why. That's so schweet of you to say Danner. Thank yous!"

Bell: "Danny?" Bell whispered near him. Danny looked over as she motioned with her finger to come closer.

Danny: "Yeah Bell?" he whispered back to her..

Bell: "Follow me." Bell walked silently out of the kitchen with Danny close behind her. They walked into the darker area of the living room, Urd was oblivious they'd left as she watched the small tv in the kitchen as she talked to whatever program was on.

Danny had found the couch and sat down on the end, as Bell was following behind trying to find the lamp. But in her misjudgment, she bumped the table and due to the heels, and being tipsy from the drink already, she landed precisely in Danny's lap, her fall startled him and he stretched out his arms to catch her as she landed there.

Bell: "Danny! I'm sooo sorry. I sort of lost my balance."

Danny: "That's all right. It didn't hurt. Are you okay though?"

Bell: "Um. Yes I think so. I got a little disoriented." She said as she looked into his eyes.

Danny: "That's probably just the drink taking effect. It can affect your equilibrium. You don't drink much do you?"

Bell: "Well. (she was blushing) No actually that's the first alcohol drink I've had."

Danny: "Really? Now I feel bad."

Bell had a concerned look on her face as she stared at him.

Bell: "Why? Is it because of me?"

Danny: "Certainly not. Me? Yes. If I hadn't wanted a drink you wouldn't have drank anything, right?"

Bell: "Well I wanted to. To be honest, I really liked having a drink with you. I mean, in a polite way."

Danny just laughed softly.

Danny: "You're quite a extraordinary woman Bell."

Bell: "Why would you say that?"

Danny: "I dunno. To many factors to tell about."

Danny noticed she hadn't moved once from his lap the whole time. But seeing as she didn't mind, why say anything.

Bell: "I'm just who I am. Belldandy. Not much else about me really, at least to me."
Danny: "I just find you interesting and refreshing."

Bell: "Oh really? Tell me why? Please?"

Danny: "The way you speak, you're modest, open to suggestion, seem to be very, very smart, and you're independent at the same time. Not to mention you are quite attractive. So I guess that's why. Maybe some other things too."

Bell: "Oh. That is ssoo ssweet of you to ssay." Belldandy was looking at his face and into his eyes, her lisp in her speech told him that she was definitely under the influence. He felt this would be a good time to leave.

Danny: "I guess I should be going Belldandy."

Bell: "Aww. So ssoon Dannny?"

Danny: "I think you guys need your rest as much as I do."

Bell: "Well. Ooook. I guess you are right. But I've enjoyed (she paused) Oh My! I'm sorry I'm still in your lap! I'm sorry Danny! You aren't mad are you?"

Danny: "Of course Not Belldandy. It's fine I don't mind really."

Bell: "Ssoo ssweet. Please. Yyou can call me Bell. Ok?" Bell leaned forward to look into his eyes closer, Danny could tell her eyes were glazed but he was afraid if he pulled back she would get upset. Her eyelids were drooping slightly, then she smiled and suddenly, her head went forward as her lips pressed against his, just by chance. He wasn't startled much but it did surprise him. She quickly sat up and apologized.

Bell: "I'm sorry Danny. I don't know what happened there. I kind of lost it."

Danny: "It's ok. That was nice actually. But I really must go."

Bell stood up and Danny walked to the door as she followed.

Danny: "I had a very good time Belldandy. Thank you. Sorry I have to go but I have an early job across town in the morning ok?"

Bell: "Thank you for coming. Please come over anytime, Danny."

Danny: "All right Belldandy, get some rest yourself. Thanks again."

Bell: "Bye Danny! Thank you for coming."

Danny couldn't believe what just happened. So he went home, took a cold shower and went to bed. Hoping he wouldn't be regretting what happened.

Stay turned for….

Chapter 10

Nature's Fury