"Bacon tastes good, don't it Crumpet?" Lucy giggled as the little pup chowed down his meal. When he was finished he slightly hiccupped and began to lick the bowl clean. "I'm sorta 'ungry myself. What about you Prof? Alfendi looked at her and shrugged his shoulders. "Mind if I look to see what ya got?"
"Sure, there isn't much though." Lucy poked her head through a few of the cupboards,
"You're right. Nowt much." She walked over to the other side of the kitchen and said "Ah!" She pulled out a bag of pasta and a jar of sauce. "Pasta's easy to make!" She chirped. Alfendi scratched his head as she whipped around the kitchen grabbing different pots and pans. She filled up a big pot with water and set it on the stove to boil. Then she looked around again. "Got any spices? Oregano maybe? That's what my mum always puts in pasta." Alfendi looked at her unsurely.
"I'm not sure I've ever bought that."
"You must have salt and peppa though." Lucy playfully scolded him.
"I do believe I do! Somewhere..." Placid Prof rummaged through a drawer until he found two shakers and handed them to Lucy. "Do you like to cook Lucy? You sure look like you know what you're doing."
"Yes, I do, Prof!" She smiled. "My mum showed me the love of taking the time t'prepare a good meal. What about you, Prof?"
"No, I don't know much about cooking. My mother wasn't around when I was younger." he said more than quietly. "And my father was always far too busy to teach me anything." He slightly bowed his head and looked at the floor. Lucy had opened her mouth to say something, but then the water started to boil. She opened the package of pasta and poured the noodles in the pot.
"Alright, we'll let that cook for ten minutes. Got a timer?" "I'll just use my watch." Alfendi watched Lucy stir the pot, slightly on her toes. Then she poured the sauce into another pan and set it on low heat. She also grabbed some bowls and forks from the opposite cupboard. Alfendi realized what a wonderful mother Lucy would make. She was so sweet and understanding, but strong and could certainly face any challenge she faced. She was also a good cook and had lots of patience...Oh, goodness, why was he thinking about her this way? Alfendi suddenly found himself staring at her. He quickly shook his head and declared,
"I'm going to wait in the living room." He rushed out of the steamy kitchen and sat on the sofa. His hands had gotten sweaty and were a little shaky. He looked at his watch. The pasta was almost done. He tried to clear his thought, but did so unsuccessfully. Finally he allowed himself to enjoy his daydream. He sat back with his eyes closed and sighed happily to himself for a few minutes.
"Supper's up!" Lucy yelled from the kitchen. Alfendi gathered himself together and stood in the doorway of the kitchen. He saw Lucy carrying the pan of sauce from off of the stove. She smiled at him. Crumpet was barking up a storm.
"Crumpet, 'ush." She said sternly. Crumpet ran over to Alfendi when he took a step inside. Lucy's foot caught the back leg of Crumpet and the pot of sauce went flying out of her hands. it landed with a big splat on the tile floor. Complete silence struck them both as Alfendi's hair began to wildly change...but stopped suddenly when he heard Lucy burst out laughing. She held her stomach tightly and tried to breathe, but it was not working. Alfendi uncovered his face with his hand and looked at her. By now, she was on the floor giggling uncontrollably. Crumpet forgot about the both of them and was happily licking pasta sauce off of Lucy's arm. Lucy wiped her eye,
"I'm so sorry Prof. There's sauce everywhere." She laughed even more. Alfendi couldn't help it. He had caught the giggles form her and had started laughing himself. He sat down on the floor next to her and wiped tomato sauce off of her cheek. They both stared at each other for a moment. "Thanks, Prof." Lucy said shyly.
"No problem." He responded. Alfendi leaned in a little closer. He reached out for the back of her neck and pulled her in close for a kiss. Lucy was a little shocked at first, but soon relaxed and enjoyed the moment. When they separated, Alfendi joked, "Lucy, you taste like tomato sauce." She playfully hit him.
Meanwhile, Crumpet was rolling around in the tomato sauce on the floor practically playing with it. "Oh, Crumpet! You're cov'd! in sauce!" Alfendi and Lucy both stood up. Alfendi picked up the pot, which still had some sauce in it, and put it on the counter.
"I'll go get the mop." He made sure he wasn't dripping and then walked off to the bathroom to get the mop. He kissed me! Lucy screamed in her mind. A heavy lush was on her cheeks, although Alfendi probably wouldn't have noticed with the sauce and all. She hugged her self and slightly giggled. Alfendi came back in with a mop, a bucket, and a rag.
"You have made my apartment a mess, you know?" Alfendi strictly told the dog. Lucy noticed, however, that is was Placid who now spoke directly to the dog. Improvement? She wondered and began to help clean the kitchen.
After about twenty minutes, the kitchen was as clean as it could be with a spaghetti covered dog still in its presence. Crumpet had shaken out his fur a couple of times and Potty groaned and yelled, "I just cleaned that bit!" After Crumpet had nothing left to shake off, they decided to call it quits.
"You know, 'e really ought to 'ave a bath, don't ya think?" Lucy said as she picked him up. Alfendi nodded.
"Let's just get this over with." They both walked to the bathroom. It was a small, white bathroom that luckily included a bathtub. Alfendi started the water and Crumpet started to splash about. Lucy held him down with a firm grip.
"Now, we'll not have you making any more messes for Mr. Layton, ya hear?" She pressed foreheads with the pup and then looked over at Alfendi who was smiling. She smiled and looked away. When the tub was full they started to wash Crumpet. A few times their hands toughed in the water and they both giggled nervously. Crumpet was having the time of his life. He was jumping and splashing until Lucy and Al were pretty soaked. Once Crumpet was out of the tub, Lucy took a towel and dried him off. He rolled around and made some spasm noises and then happily barked once more.
"Doesn't this look like a murder scene, Prof?" She was referring to the red filled bathtub. Placid Prof chuckled .
"It certainly does."
Crumpet, a very happy, clean dog, rushed out of the bathroom when Alfendi opened the door.
"Ah! Not the-" Alfendi smacked his forehead, "dirt." He groaned as he saw Crumpet rolling around in the pile of dirt that had spilled out from the knocked over plant. Crumpet got another bath given by Lucy, while Alfendi cleaned up the living room as much as he could. he at least got the dirt off of the floor, the lamp stood up right and got the curtains hanging right, As for the newspapers, he pushed them into a pile. he would deal with those later.
"Alr't. Take 2. She let Crumpet out and he went running straight for the dirt pile that wasn't there anymore. he whimpered slightly. "Got you!" Placid winked at the dog. Wink? You don't wink! Potty yelled in his head. Placid ignored the comment and went up to Lucy.
"Now, we're covered in sauce and wet. You're incredibly soaked Lucy. Do you want a change of clothes? Then I can wash the ones you're wearing."
"That would be nice actually." She said a little excited. My black skirt didn't get much sauce on it, but my jacket and shirt are covered." Alfendi nodded and walked over to his room. he came back with something for her.
"It's probably going to be too big, but here's a sweater you can wear." She smiled when he gave it to her. She quickly changed in the bathroom and handed him her sauce covered clothes. he had also changed into a new sweater.
"I'll go wash these now." Alfendi turned and walked toward the washer. Gosh she looks so cute in my sweater. He grinned to himself and started the wash. Meanwhile, Lucy held up the sweater to her face. The fabric was so soft and it smelled like Alfendi. She sighed happily and flopped the striped sleeves around. They both returned to the kitchen. Lucy re-heated the sauce and past and then they sat down and ate their meal. Crumpet sat on a nearby rug chewing his new toy. There was an occasional squeak in his direction and the two would laugh quietly.
"I hope suppa was alright. It wasn't exactly fresh."
"No, no. It was just fine." Alfendi offered to do the dishes since Lucy had cooked and then they both went into the living room. Alfendi sat on the sofa first when suddenly Crumpet jumped into his lap. Placid changed to Potty in an instant.
"Lucy!" She turned toward him. "What is he doing?"
"Aw, Prof, 'e's asleep."She gently pet Crumpet.
"I do not want him here!" Potty exclaimed waving his arms above him.
"But Prof, look how peaceful he is. I don't think we should bother him." She pleaded into his eyes. He couldn't say no to those beautiful eyes. He turned back to Placid and and quietly agreed, "Alright, if he must." They sat there for a few moments. Alfendi didn't own a TV. so Lucy had grabbed a nearby newspaper to read.
"Prof! This newspaper is from twenty years ago. What could you possibly do with that information?" She looked over to get an answer, but found he had fallen asleep. He was sleeping as Potty Prof. She supposed because that's who he really was deep inside. She giggled to herself and suddenly reached out to brush his surprised herself. he was so much more accomplished than her. What would he want with a beginner?
A few hours later, Alfendi woke up in a dark room and a weight on his shoulder. His eyes adjusted and he looked down to see Lucy was leaning on him, and was deep in sleep. It's true, they had been running around all day with this damn -I mean, Crumpet. The clock on the wall read 1 o'clock. She felt so warm against him and he blushed at her soft breathing. Oh how he wanted to kiss her again. They hadn't really spoken of it since and Alfendi didn't know whether he should have done it or not. He really surprised himself actually. That was not a "placid" move didn't want to disturb her though, so he leaned his head back and went t sleep again.
At 6 am, Lucy and Alfendi were both woken up by Crumpet loudly barking at the window. Both jolted awake. Lucy then realized she was cuddled up against Alfendi's chest and he had his arms wrapped around her.
"E-Eh.." Lucy said quite embarrassed.
Alfendi quickly took his hands away and replied, "Sorry, I didn't realize..." hey both looked over at Crumpet who was looking at them with bright eyes.
"Oh! I didn't mean to overstay my welcome and spend the night." Lucy sleepily told Alfendi.
"It's no trouble. You're welcome anytime." He said as his heart began to beat a little faster. "Besides, Crumpet and I would have ended up mortal enemies if it had not been for you."
Lucy giggled and said, "C'mere, Crumpet. We don't need to be up for another three hours." Crumpet walked over and snuggled next to Lucy as she leaned on the Prof again. he jolted a little. "If you don't mind Prof, but you make an awfully good pillow." She yawned and closed her eyes again. Alfendi took that as a good sign and fell back asleep with a happy smile on his face.
