Disclaimer: I own nothing
Really tired as I post this but wanted to get something out for my MC readers. Have a great weekend, see you next week, am busy with visitors who have gone off to bed to allow me to post this. I apologise for any obvious mistakes.
Tate walked into the Mess after a long day of looking after some of the horses and organising for them to be agisted on neighbour's farms. She had to make some dinner for the men who were still working and the fire-fighters who were still scavenging in the ruins of the barn.
She was dead tired and just wanted to crawl into bed with Alex but not before she had fed over 25 people apparently. As she stepped through the door, planning an easy meal of steaks, sausages, salad and garlic bread she stopped dead at the sight in front of her.
What first caught her attention was Sofia, bustling around as if she owned her kitchen. Tate liked the woman but she had to fight a snarl of possessiveness. She watched a few seconds as Sofia instructed Judy on how to do something before moving off to the stove and large pots there.
The second thing that caught her attention was her beautiful lover, walking around the interior, humming softly, beautifully, to the baby in her arms. Young Rafe was snuggled in over her shoulder, seemingly content with his lot in life. Tate was captivated by the sight.
Alex turned around and caught sight of her, a smile blossoming across her lovely features and Tate was speechless. Her lover just radiated happiness and contentment and Tate vowed at that moment to move heaven and Earth the next time Alex mentioned a baby.
Alex hurried towards her, pausing in front of her and taking her in with shrewd eyes. Tate watched as concern replaced the happiness as she was looked over.
"You look worn out" her lover told her.
"I feel it" Tate sighed "I was coming inside to cook for everyone, they've worked hard all day"
"Hmmm and your day has been a cake walk" Alex sighed and manoeuvring Rafe into one arm almost expertly, took Tate's hand with her now free one and led her towards Sofia "I suggest you reassure yourself that Sofia can cook then take yourself off home and shower and come back refreshed"
They walked into the kitchen, Tate gritting her teeth to prevent herself snatching her utensils from the woman's hands as she feigned interest in what was going on.
"Sofia, taking my job I see" she stated and she shot Alex a look when she squeezed her hand warningly. Now doubting it, the look levelled in her direction told her to behave.
"Oh trust me it's all yours" Sofia laughed, oblivious to the tension "I am just doing what I can to help out and my Nona made sure I could cook almost before I could walk. I found some ingredients in the pantry and fridge and hope you don't mind. I planned an Italian fare"
"Oh?" Tate was genuinely interested this time.
"Well" Sofia grinned warming to her task "I am going to start with Bruschetta, Carbonara for main and earlier this afternoon I made some Tiramisu. Hopefully there is plenty for all"
Tate couldn't deny that her mouth was watering as she looked in her oven and in the pots on the stove.
"I tell you what" she said looking at the woman "When things settle down a bit and if you are still around you can teach me how to cook a few of these things, if the ranch hands give it their approval"
"Fair enough" Sofia gave a hesitant smile "I would like that. Maybe you can teach me different recipes and we can compare" she paused and looked at Alex "If I am still around"
Alex cocked her head to the side and regarded the reporter with an even stare
"Be 100% honest with me and you may be around for a while" Alex nodded, then took her lover's hand "Come on love, you really need a shower"
"Are you implying that I smell" Tate asked, mock affronted. She knew she smelt worse than a room full of sweaty men.
"I would never" Alex teased, eyes alight and received a quick peck from Tate.
"Then you're lying, but I love you for it" Tate laughed and started to walk towards the door before Alex called after her to wait. She turned and saw Alex was talking to Sofia, asking if she minded if she took Rafe with them as she didn't trust Tate not to collapse on the couch and fall asleep. Tate believed she could easily, once she allowed herself to slow down.
Sofia looked at her son who was snuggled into her acquaintances neck, saw the plaintive look that Alex was sending her and then looked at a tired Tate and gave her consent. Both Rafe and Alex seemed content with their current positions. She smiled as Alex hurried off to Tate, walking close by her side as they left the Mess, looked like there would be no shortages of babysitters on the Ranch. She was surprised and pleased to see Alex so clucky and would not deny her the pleasure of Rafe's company, not while she was currently busy.
Speaking of busy, she turned to check on the progress of her meal. She hoped that the men appreciated the simple but filling fair. Double checking that Judy was handling the salads that would accompany the meal she turned back to preparing her pasta.
Olivia and Tyler dragged their weary bodies into the Mess at 1830. Tyler had been working with the fire men all day, helping to sift through the rubble, clearing it away to see if they could find the starting point. At this stage they believed it had started in the tack room. An arson investigator would be coming out from a nearby county tomorrow to double check.
Olivia had worked side by side with Beau helping to fix fences that had been damaged when the fire had spread to the fields. She had built up some calluses in the last few weeks but she had a few blisters from the work and a nice little cut on her left palm when her skin met a nail. Luckily she was up to date on her tetanus shots.
Half an hour ago they had downed tools when it became too dark to work safely and had adjourned to the house to shower and change quickly. The hands had disappeared into the ranch house a long with the fire-men who would clean up utilising the spare rooms. Even the builders for the new outdoor kitchen had downed tools for the day to help and were looking forward to a hearty meal.
The neighbours had returned home earlier with promises to be back in the morning to help out further. Callum had tried to wave off their insistence but they had stood firm. They would help clean up and then rebuild when the all clear was given.
They stepped inside and two sets of eyebrows rose when they saw Alex at the coffee machine busy making pots of coffee while Tate sat nearby cradling Rafe a little awkwardly under her lover's watchful gaze.
That was surprising enough, even more surprising was the fact Sofia and Judy had been given free rein in the kitchen and Tate didn't seem all that concerned.
The dining room tables were all set like they never had been before and the hands and men were sitting around talking quietly while they waited. What on Earth?
Olivia walked up to her friend and gave her a quick one armed hug, smiling as Alex leant into her for a brief second before returning to her task.
"What's going on?" she asked and Alex chuckled
"Sofia is treating us to a traditional Italian fare. Once I make this pot of coffee for our table I will be sitting down. We've been ordered to remain seated and we will be served table by table" Alex turned off the knob as the pot filled, making sure to catch every drip before turning around.
Olivia glanced over at Tyler who was fussing over Rafe with Tate and had to grin. That baby had everyone wrapped around it's little finger, when he wasn't pooping that was. Leaving their lover's to follow Olivia and Alex walked towards the table where Beau, Callum and Sarah already sat.
"You should have seen Tate earlier, she bit the bullet and changed Rafe's diaper" Alex smirked.
"Really?" Olivia asked eyebrows raised
"It was only a number 1" Alex laughed placing the pot down as she and Olivia sat side by side leaving 2 chairs across from them for Tate and Tyler and one spare chair for Sofia if she dared to sit with them.
Callum pounced on the coffee first before it was passed around the table. By some mutual agreement the day's events weren't discussed, they were already on overload. Instead they spoke about New York and asked everyone how the trip went.
They were caught up in the laughter and teasing when they were startled by the presence of Judy who placed two large plates of Bruschetta in front of them. Several stomachs growled simultaneously as eager hands reached for their share. Luckily there appeared to be two pieces each to appease the hungry hoard.
Olivia took her first bite of the Bruschetta and moaned in delight before shooting a guilty look at Tate, who unable to use utensils as she still held Rafe gave Alex an imploring look. Alex was guiltily devouring her own food but took time out to cut a piece for her lover and offer it up. Tate took the offering and eyebrows shot upwards. Olivia waited for the verdict.
Sofia rushed in then with Rafe's pram upon seeing Tate's predicament, gently taking her son without waking him and laying him in his pram, covering him with a rug. The boy gave a few snuffles and went straight back to sleep under the watchful Tate, Alex and his mother.
"He must really be tired, he is being so good" she said to no one in particular.
"Nope, it's the mountain air. Much fresher than the stale New York air" Beau teased and she offered him up a shy smile.
"Sofia?" Tate requested the woman's attention and the dark haired woman turned in her direction nervously.
"Yes Tate?"
"I need to let you in my kitchen more often, this is seriously good" she praised as she chewed on her helping and Sofia relaxed offering a genuine smiled
"Thank you, I hope the rest lives up to the standard"
"I am sure it would" Tate nodded and pleased Sofia hurriedly left to get ready to serve the Carbonara and get Judy to pass out the bowls of salad.
The Carbonara was a huge success. Sofia thought she had cooked enough to have left-over's but sheepish hands and firemen asked for a second helping and she couldn't deny them. Some were sceptical about the desert, calling it 'fancy' but all gave murmurs of delight upon tasting.
Tate decided she definitely needed to have Sofia in the kitchen while she was here so she could obtain a few recipes. The ranch hands seemed to like something different, which was surprising as they were creatures of habit.
Most of the men stood after their meal, politely thanking Sofia for the food, before carrying their plates to the sink and disappearing out the door. The Gates family lingered, Judy and Alex telling everyone to stay seated while Alex made more coffees and Judy loaded the industrial dishwasher, much to Tate's disgust. She didn't like using it, claimed it never cleaned dishes like hand washing.
After lingering over the second coffee everyone finally bid goodnight at 8.00pm. Tate and Alex stayed behind to organise breakfast in the morning, taking out sausages, bacon and bread from the freezer and placing it out. It should thaw nicely overnight and go well with some eggs, mushrooms and tomato.
After that Tate and Alex made their way back to their cabin, walking hand in hand. Tate was happy to see Buster waiting for her and Alex left her to stay outside and play for a minute while she went in and used the bathroom and threw a couple of more logs on the fire. The days may be warming slowly but the nights were still chilly.
She was just slipping between the sheets, after setting the alarm, when Tate came in downstairs with Buster. Alex smiled as she listened to the click of Busters nails against the floor until he got to his bed, she pictured him doing several circles before plopping down in the right spot. She bit her lip to prevent a chuckled when she heard his content sigh.
Tate exited the bathroom soon after and walked wearily up the stairs. She stripped down to her underwear before taking two steps and literally collapsing on the bed. She groaned as Alex bullied her to lay properly and pulled herself up to lay her head on a pillow while Alex fussed and covered her with the blankets before cuddling into her side.
"Tired" she murmured on a deep sigh.
"Go to sleep" Alex leant forward and kissed her jaw "We have 8 and a half hours until the alarm goes"
"Ok, maybe Sofia will get up and cook breakfast" Tate grumbled and Alex chuckled
"She was a God send for you tonight, don't complain"
"I'm not, totally serious. Maybe she can do the morning shift and earn her keep and I can snuggle with you for longer" Tate proved her point by pulling Alex to lay half on top of her, Alex sighed, utterly content.
"We'll speak to her tomorrow" she snuggled in closer, loving that her lover was a snuggler too "Love you"
"Love you too" Tate breathed as her mind slowly drifted into sleep. Alex soon found herself following her.
Sofia lay wide awake in the quiet room. She was a bit weirded out without the hustle and bustle of New York penetrating through the windows.
Rafe slept peacefully in his crib. The crib she had been delighted to see when she had returned to the room earlier. She had tried to find someone to thank them but the house was enormous and everyone had disappeared. Rafe seemed to like it, if his tiny snores were any indication.
She had to admit it had been one hell of a greeting to the Ranch and from what little gossip she had ascertained she was appalled that someone appeared to be causing 'accidents'. She had already assured Alex and Judy that it went without saying that this didn't appear in the articles. It wasn't what she was here for.
Although despite the greeting it was hard, even in this short amount of time, to remember she was here for work. There was something peaceful and soothing about the wide plains, the trees and Mountains in the distance. The scenery was amazing and she didn't blame Olivia or Alex one bit for deciding to stay here. Not that she questioned the ladies devotion to their partners either, they were both totally smitten.
She smiled as she remembered the banter and looks the whole family had shared during dinner. It was obvious they were all very close. Dinner itself was amazing, it was a long time since she had cooked for someone, let alone that many people. She really regretted moving so far away from her family and that regret only deepened when she had Rafe and they found out about the whole scandalous affair.
She sighed refusing to think about it and determinedly ordered her body to relax, thankful shortly after she could feel herself drifting off. She was looking forward to tomorrow and what the day would bring.