THIRTY-THREE
"Okay, this time we're going to keep Genjuurou up-to-date, and we're going to give him a nice homemade pumpkin pie because we're the best nieces he has."
"Maria… we are his only nieces."
She spares a moment to wave a flour-covered hand dismissively, but most of her attention is on stretching the dough with the rolling pin; she's so glad she already had some dough in the freezer, and now she gets to use homegrown pumpkins instead of store bought!
And on top of that, the pumpkins are the result of Elfnein's hard work!
"Hand me the ruler, please, dear."
Tsubasa sighs fondly, remarking, "Did you hear a word I just said?"
Oh, whoops—"No," she sheepishly admits, glancing up at her wife. "I got a little carried away in my head thinking about the pie."
Tsubasa rolls her eyes. "It is a pie, Maria. Everything you make tastes wonderful, and my uncle does not care so long as it is from you, so please pay attention to your darling wife," she leans sideways on the counter, so she taps Tsubasa's nose and leave a dusting of flour behind, "I feel as if I might die if I go a moment longer without your love!" Tsubasa's usually-level voice raises dramatically at the end, though she does not go all out on the theatrics.
Giggling, she retorts, "Since when are you Princess Charming, hm?" She trims off some excess dough to fill in a too-thin area in the crust.
"I suppose… I was reminded how fortunate I am to have you with me today."
"Tsubasa?" At Tsubasa's solemn tone, Maria turns to really focus on her.
But Tsubasa smiles gently, reassuringly. Just as she smiles back, however, Tsubasa swipes her fingers through the flour on the counter and leaves a smear on Maria's cheek.
"Tsubasa!" she splutters, sticking her tongue out and grimacing against the dry taste of flour that somehow ended up in her mouth.
Laughing, Tsubasa gets her a glass of water.
She wipes her hands on a towel before taking the glass. "You're acting like a child now. What happened to my Romeo?" she accuses, pouting reproachfully.
"Yes, I am. I decided Romeo needs to have a little more fun," Tsubasa says, now grinning widely.
Maria rolls her eyes. "Well, then I suppose that means you'll have to be put down for a nap soon or else you'll get cranky, yes?" She smirks.
Tsubasa shrugs, agreeing, "You will have to read me a bedtime story, tuck me in, and give me a good night kiss."
And suddenly she can see where this is going.
"Elfnein didn't say yes, though…."
"But she did not say no, either," Tsubasa counters, completely serious once again. "As I said—I am fortunate to have you with me. I am fortunate to know Elfnein, as well. I think we can make her happy."
She glances back at the pie shell, biting her lip. "Get me the recipe for pumpkin pie, please," she replies at last.
Tsubasa moves to the recipe box, and Maria returns to transfer the pie shell from the counter to a pie dish.
"Does a pie really need thirty-three eggs?"
She turns to Tsubasa in askance, questioning, "What? No, I'm pretty sure we only need three."
Tsubasa squints down at the recipe. "This says thirty-three," she insists.
Maria sighs, chiding, "Darling, you shouldn't strain your eyes like that."
a/n: A little longer once again, but unpolished. I find myself a little rushed when I'm working on chapters, so I might actually start skipping Tuesday and Thursday updates from now on. We'll see.
Please review!