Ch. 14
"Dinner's ready shortly, ladies. Go wash up and get ready." Burke's radiant smile dissolved the defensive frown on Cristina's face. She could not understand why Burke seemed to be in such good spirits and she dared not guess.
"I didn't know you're cooking tonight. I thought you'd only be preparing the Dinner tomorrow."
"Well, since I'm cooking tonight, you'll be staying home to make the Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow."
"Stop teasing me, Preston. I can't handle the turkey!" Was that why he was giddy? Coming up with as crazy an idea as asking me to cook?
Burke walked around to the other side of the counter, and kissed her gently on the cheek. "It wouldn't be a Thanksgiving Dinner if there's no turkey. I won't risk it. I'll be taking a day-off and we'll do it together."
"I see." Cristina nodded. She was trying hard to think of the last time they cooked together.
"That means you don't have any excuse to go to the hospital tomorrow." Burke spoke as he poured the spaghetti onto the plate.
It was not obvious to Cristina that Burke spent the entire evening thinking about their relationship. He felt like finding a precious book after spending hours searching for it from shelf to shelf, but this book he was desperate to read did not always open up. Even when he tried hard, he could only get a brief peek into it before it was closed again.
She would never change. He would have to get used to it. Besides, loving her was never a choice. It came along as natural as breathing. There was no turning back. It was frustrating to feel like he was the one who always had to make an effort, but if it would make things better it was worth trying. Besides, he realized neither of them has been trying since Asha was born.
They looked deeply at one another and saw something that had been missing for so long. She took his face in her hands and kissed him.
"Daddy!" Asha called from the living room. "Grandma's calling."
Cristina pulled away. It was awkward how the moment was broken.
She had to talk to Rose as well. She needed some guidance.