Dean went to speak to Hunter about giving him a practice run, the one they use for the newbies. His coworkers hugged him and asked him how he was. He set a hand on Spencer's shoulder.
"Don't forget to haze the hell out of him", Dean said.
Spencer laughed.
"Oh we haven't forgotten", Randy smirked.
"That doesn't sound good", Spencer said.
The guys all had mischievous looks.
"So what are you doing here Ambrose?", Dolph asked.
"Came to talk to Hunter about giving me a few practice runs. You know, just to see if I'm ready", Dean said.
"Are you?", Kane asked.
"I guess we're going to find out, huh", Dean said.
The guys nodded.
"Need any help, let me know", Roman said.
Dean nodded and left to Hunter's office. His boss was on the phone when he knocked on his door. Hunter gestured him inside before finishing the call.
"Hey, you look good Ambrose", Hunter said.
"I feel good H", he replied.
"So what can I do for you? I haven't gotten a call from Paul about letting you work again", Hunter said.
"Actually, I came to ask if you would be willing to give me a few practice runs", Dean said.
Hunter leaned against his desk.
"Are you ready for that?", Hunter asked.
"I feel ready, but my mind could feel a different way once I'm in the situation. I don't want to come back to work and hesitate, putting me and the person I'm helping in danger", Dean said.
Hunter nodded.
"If Paul feels like this would be good for you and it won't cause you any problems, I will gladly do it", Hunter said.
Dean nodded.
"Sounds good, you know where to find me", Dean said.
Hunter stood and hugged Dean.
Spencer was picking up dinner for Izzy since she had to work late. He couldn't cook and neither could Dean, but Isabelle had left a list of what to get and how to cook it.
Getting home, Abel and Dean helped him bring in the bags.
"Okay, so what exactly are we making?", Dean asked.
"Chicken Alfredo with green beans", Spencer said.
Dean nodded.
"She said it was easy", Spencer shrugged.
Abel sat down at the table to watch his dads. He knew what to do because his mom had shown him, he loved cooking with her and knew that if she wanted, she could be a chef at a fancy restaurant.
"Well, if we mess up the first batch, I bought extra of everything", Spencer said.
"Good thinking", Dean said, hands on his hips.
He watched as Dean cooked the pasta.
"Be careful not to overcook it", Abel said.
"You can overcook pasta?", Dean asked.
Abel nodded.
"What the hell is minced?", Spencer asked.
Dean shrugged. Abel covered his mouth to keep from laughing.
"You should know, you're marrying a chef", Spencer mumbled.
"So, you dated her and lived with her before me", Dean shot back.
"Yeah, but she wasn't a chef when she was with me.", Spencer said.
Dean and Spencer looked at each other.
"Baron", they both said.
Spencer took his phone out and called his brother.
"Hey, what's up?", Baron asked.
"How do you make chicken alfredo?", Spencer asked.
"You throw a bunch of stuff together and then cook it. I don't know, Renee does most of the food", Baron answered.
"But you dated Izzy. You must have learned something", Dean said.
"We made spaghetti together, also bbq chicken. Never that chicken alfredo thing", Baron said.
Dean found it strange that he and Izzy never cooked together, but then again he never tried to help her or suggest it.
"You're no help then", Spencer said, hanging up.
He looked at Dean and noticed the look on his face.
"What's up with you?", he asked.
Dean shrugged.
"She and I never cooked together. She loves cooking and baking, it could have been something we did together, you know", Dean said.
"Its not too late, you know.", Spencer said.
"Giving me relationship advice now?", Dean asked.
"No, but the way you said that, it sounded like you could never do it. You're marrying her, you've got all the time in the world", Spencer said.
Dean nodded and realized Spencer was right. Abel sighed loudly and stood.
"Okay, I'm done watching you two crash and burn", Abel said.
"What, this chicken is cooked to perfection", Spencer said.
"Crunchy grilled chicken is not good for the pasta", Abel said.
Both Dean and Spencer chuckled.
"Where did you learn to do this?", Dean asked his son.
Spencer opened two beers for him and Dean.
"Mom. When she was first taking night classes to be a chef, I would help her practice when she came home with homework. Grandma Catrina never walked into the kitchen because it was always a mess", Abel said.
Dean chuckled.
"Why isn't mom a chef, you know, like at a restaurant? I know she loves the diner, but she worked so hard to be a chef", Abel said.
"I don't know. I guess she's happy where she is. As long as she's happy, that's what matters", Dean said.
Abel nodded.
"Mom told me you were going to go back to work", Abel said.
"Not exactly. I'm going to do a practice run this weekend. If everything goes as planned, I'll be going back", Dean said.
"Are you ready?", Abel asked.
"I say yes, but it's up to how my mind reacts to the situation once I'm in front of it.", Dean explained.
"I don't want you to go back, but I understand that this is your job and you want to go back. You're also really good at it, dad.", Abel said.
Dean nodded.
"Thanks Ab", Dean said.
When Izzy got home, dinner was made and the guys were setting the table.
"Wow, smells good in here", Izzy said, setting her purse down.
"Dean and I are a little ashamed to say Abel cooked it", Spencer said.
"I know", she replied.
"So then why did you ask us?", Dean asked.
"Because I know my son, he's a lot like me when it comes to cooking", Izzy said.
She laughed before going upstairs to change out of her uniform. Slipping on some shorts, she found Dean leaning against the door.
"Hey", she smiled.
"Why have we never cooked together?", he asked.
She shrugged.
"I didn't know you did. You never say anything", she said.
He looked at his hands as he was rubbing them together.
"We should, you know, when I'm home", he said.
"You want to cook with me?", she asked surprised.
"Yeah, I mean, I think it would be good for us. You know, we can also talk about our day", he shrugged.
"I'd love that babe", she said.
Mia was getting out of class when she walked over to her mom's car. Stopping when she saw a rose hanging on the windshield. She looked around before picking it up. A small note attached to it by a string.
I don't give up so easily. Enjoy him and your life for as long as I allow it. Just wait
She swallowed and looked around again. Jason, she knew, had left this for her. She pushed the note into her pocket and dropped the rose. Quickly getting in the car and driving home. She felt sick to her stomach. Once home, she texted everyone to meet at her mom's house. Texting her uncle Alberto, if anyone could help her, it was him.
The police, she knew, couldn't do anything unless she had absolute proof. Her uncle Alberto, would, whether she had proof or not. Getting a text back from him that he would get to town next week. She hoped Jason didn't try anything till her uncle could come.