A Grand Dessert

Dinner was going smoothly and both Maria and Steve were positively surprised how well things were going. Despite struggling because of the ploys of the evil woman, who had not only been a thorn in her side but in the sides of all of them, Laila was sitting here with them. Smiling radiantly as she was telling them of what she had done and what she was planning to do. No matter who looked at her, could tell that she was shining.

That shadow of fragility that he had seen when he walked into the mansion, had completely vanished and made way for this strong individual before them right now. Drawing in their attention effortlessly with her inner charm. With a single glance, that Steve and Maria exchanged with one another, they agreed that there was no longer a need for them to worry. As it was clear that Laila would be just fine.

After Laila was done explaining, Steve complimented her decision and gave his two cents in approval. "I think you made a great decision and I am sure Noah will be just as proud as I am at this moment. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to leave. Once that little guy starts running around here, things won't get any easier either. You will fall into the routine and who knows how long you'll have to wait then to make your dreams come true. Make use of that rich husband of yours. He has been spoiled enough by you over the years. It is time for him to do something back."

Laila smiled gently and with a warm, touched voice she said, "Thank you." Her word of thanks was immediately followed up with a more cheerful toned, "Time to let that man bleed as much as I will in a few months." Maria and Steve's eyes widened for a bit, they blinked twice, before they burst into laughter. They could not understand how Laila was able to say words like this so easily but they loved it. Regardless of her lack of filter, it was a huge improvement compared to her silently muttering to herself. Maria was the first to respond and said, "Ew girl. That is most definitely TMI. We are in the middle of dinner here. I didn't need any flashes of birth scenes before my eyes as I eat."

Laila just shrugged and said, "Is there really a line between friends? I am the one who has to actually go through it in a couple of months. If I have to suffer, might as well let all of you share a bit of that pain." These words caused both Maria and Steve to start laughing again. Though Steve had never managed to catch his breath from the first. So, in his case he was simply continuing and not starting over. He was holding his sides as he laughed at Laila's words. Through gasps of air and with tears gathered at the outer corners of his eyes, Steve said, "There is no arguing with that.", before laughing some more.

After they had finished laughing and were done finishing up what had remained of their dinner, it was finally time for Steve's dessert to make it to the table. Once the dishes had been cleared off the table by two people, a third walked in carrying a large platter. The moment Laila and Maria's eyes fell on it, their jaws dropped before their excitement took over from their sense of shock. Maria forgot all about everything and grabbed Steve's arm as she excitedly said, "Oh my gosh Steve. That looks amazing!" Laila too was impressed and said, "You sure do know how to deliver. I should put you in charge of dessert more often."

After the young man had placed down the platter, they each thanked him. He bowed slightly before he told them to enjoy, to which Steve smiling replied, "You guys too". This of course caused Laila and Maria's eyes to turn to him and he chuckled at their surprised faces, before he explained, "I brought two bags and told them that one of the bags was for them to enjoy amongst themselves. We can't have a party and not let them enjoy it with us, now can we?"

Laila smiled warmly and thanked him for his kindness as she agreed with his words, before her focus returned to the platter of wonderful goodies. But Maria's eyes remained glued to Steve for a little while longer. She wanted to soak up this moment. Capture it in her memories. As these were the moments she loved Steve the most and which made her feelings for him grow. So, by staying in that moment a little longer, she hoped to take all of it in for a darker day. One where she might be asking herself why she fell in love with him. In that moment she wanted to remember these good times. But slowly she was wondering if a day like that would ever even come with a man like him.

When he looked back at her, gesturing to the dessert on the table with face, Maria smiled at him and nodded before she too shifted her focus back to what he had brought for them. Before her was a large silver platter with what was better known as a Grand Dessert. It was essentially a large plate with whatever dessert you could think of. All in bite-size pieces and a wonderful mix of ice cream, cream puffs, melted chocolate drippings, different types of cake, strawberries and bits of banana, chocolates. It was absolutely delicious and no choices needed to be made. Everything could be tried and enjoyed. Making it a wonderful ending of what had been a wonderful dinner!