Returning the favour - Dinner at Melody's

Posted on Saturday 8 April 2017 @ 17:06 by Lieutenant Commander David Tan & Captain Melody Jones

Mission: The Perez Nebula
Location: Melody Jones's quaters
Timeline: TBD
3152 words - 6.3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

After the lovely meal Melody had at David and Lana's, Melody deiced it was time to return the favour. She had sent the following message to the Tan's quarters.

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From: Lieutenant Commander Melody Jones

To: David and Lana Tan

Re: Dinner tonight

I'm inviting you all to dinner tonight in my quarters. After the lovely meal you made me, its now my turn to entertain you. Of course, Mackenzie and Mia are also invited. I had planned a roast chicken dinner. IF there are any problems please let me know, otherwise I'll see you at 1830 Hrs.

Regards

Melody

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David got back to his quarters after spending time with the Chief Tactical Officer, he fancied a drink but would wait until they had eaten, he much preferred a glass of wine with his Wife to drinking alone anyway he decided. Glancing at the chronometer ... 14:24:47 ... Roughly three quarters of an hour before Lana got back from the school with the girls. He knew they had nothing planned as it was a school night, so Mackenzie and Mia would under normal circumstances be in bed for eight pm, but he was sure Lana would be OK with them staying up a little later in the circumstances ... Reopening the message he replied:

We would be happy to join you. I haven't spoken to Lana as she is still in school but I'm sure she and the girls will be happy about it.

We will be there at 18:30 hours.

Regards,

David

He sent the message then headed for a much needed shower ...

1830Hrs

Melody had changed out of her uniform into a casual green dress. She had set five places at her table and had a bottle of red wine opened. Although she was serving chicken, she still preferred red wine to white. A bottle of white was sat in an ice bucket chilling, for her guests.

She had already poured herself a glass which was helping her unwind. Some soft piano music was playing in the background.

In the centre of the table was a large covered plate surrounded by several large serving bowls which were keeping their meals warm. She was just putting the final touches to the table when the door chime sounded. "Come in " she called out.

They too had dressed, the girls wore matching white dresses, light and airy, Lana too had gone for the dress option, which surprised him given her insistence on wearing trousers for practically every occasion, it was red, knee-length and almost translucent. not wanting to look 'out of place' he too had chosen the civilian route, trousers and a crew-neck sweater. The door opened and they entered, Kenzie and Mia immediately running to Melody, Lana and David following.

She smiled as the Tan family came in "Dinner is almost ready, please make yourselves comfortable" she indicated her sofa. "Would you like a drink? I've got white or red wine available with the meal. The reason there is both is I always prefer red." She paused as the two young girls ran over and threw their arms around her.

"Red white." David and Lana said in unison, then Lana continued, "I'll have a sneaky glass of the red, he'll have white." she said, flicking a thumb at David as he sat down.

"Hello you two. If you look over in the habitat in the corner of the room, I think you'll find someone who wants to say hello." the girls looked at each other then at the ornate contraption in the corner of the room, both ran over dropping to their knees in front of the plasti-glass dome at the front. At first they couldn't see anything and began looking at the seemingly endless clear tunnels and smaller 'rooms' but finally Mia yelped:

"There !" she said, pointing, Kenzie looked where she was pointing. Sure enough, a small furry nose was poking over the top of her habitat having a good sniff, mainly at the food but also at the new people in the room.

"AWWWWWW ... Nibbles !" they cooed, Mummy, Daddy, look ... Isn't she gorgeous." Mackenzie said as Mia surreptitiously scanned the habitat for a means of getting at the adorable creature before them.

"It's lovely sweetheart." David said, accepting the offered glass.

"Can we hav ...."

"Noooope." their Father interrupted quickly, but Lana added, "We'll think about it OK, hedgehogs must be very hard to come by you know." she took her glass and sat beside David.

The girls were engrossed in watching the tiny animal as it moved around it' home, seemingly enjoying the attention, but then for all David knew it could have been trying to hide, his Daughters can be a bit 'overwhelming' in their affections, unfortunately, their disapproval was likewise at times. Enjoying the glass of wine he was mentally adding 'buy a hedgehog' to his long list of things to do.

"Whatever you are preparing smells really good Melody." David said.

"I hope so" Melody replied as she put the last of the plates on the table. She then called out to the girls "Tell you what you two. After we've had dinner, you can give Nibbles Hers. I'll show you how to hold her, sound good?"

"Yeeeeea." they said in unison, each placing a finger against the glass giggling when the focus of their attention seemed to be reacting, however minimally.

"There, all ready" Melody said as she removed the covers from a plate of Carved chicken. "Dinner is served, everyone take a seat please. There are carrots, mashed potatoes and cabbage. Also gravy or a creamy garlic and mushroom sauce."

Everyone began to take their seats, Lana and David on one side of the excellently presented table, chairs for both girls on the other. There only being five for the meal Melody had placed herself at one end.

"Come on you two, eat first then play." David said, Kenzie and Mia immediately said 'byes' to nibbles before coming to the table and taking their seats. Lana began to serve food out for both of them, each reminding her which vegetables they were not fond of, the information fell on apparent 'deaf ears' as she put the same on both plates. David offered to carve, and with Melody's approval did so. Mia pointed out that carrots weren't her fave' but Mackenzie pointed out that even though she says the same 'every time' they are served, she clears the plate.

As the girls came over Melody spoke to Mackenzie "Hey, How are you coming on with the material I gave you? I hope I don't overwhelm or put you off the other day."

"Well I've only looked through the first two so far." Kenzie said, unsure if she had done enough.

"Looked through is a bit of an understatement." Lana said, holding out her plate so David could put several slices of the white moist meat on it without stretching, "She read the first one front to back, then repeated it, then went on to the second ... I've told her there is no hurry, and she has more than enough time and school work must come first."

"I know Mummy." the six year old said, reddening slightly making both parents smile. It wasn't often their eldest blushed and it was always a pleasant surprise, even if on this occasion it was through embarrassment. Mia, never one to miss an opportunity, chimed in:

"At least we are not talking about your boyfriend." she whispered, chuckling, then pouting dramatically after receiving a playful dig from her sister.

"OK, that's enough gossip." Lana said, her comment aimed squarely at her youngest, who grinned sheepishly, "Jake is not her 'boyfriend' they just sit together, and he's leaving the ship in a few days so we may not see him again."

David loved their interaction, it never failed to amuse him how they were together. He raised his glass, "To our host." he said, "To our host, Lana, Mackenzie and Mia repeated in unison ... "OK girls, eat up." .....

"I hope you enjoy it." Melody said as she raised her glass. "Your Mother's right Mackenzie, school work is most important, but it sounds like you're on top of things." she added with a wink to the young girl. She noted with some satisfaction that the food and the wine were disappearing rather rapidly. "There is another bottle of both red and white" she said as she topped up David's glass "How's Stephanie doing?"

David accepted the offered refill glancing at Kenzie and Mia as they ate their meal politely, he looked up:

"Thank you, excellent wine, though I'm no connoisseur ..." he said shrugging, "Step is great, she got back with her parents no problem. There will be an investigation which will be held on Earth in the coming months. They are taking a well-deserved vacation first."

"It's a good thing that they are too." Lana added as Melody refilled her glass too, "They've gone through quite enough. Stephanie is thinking of going back to work with her Parents, which should keep her out of trouble." she said with a wry grin. Steph' was more than sensible, and didn't need babysitting, but the abduct had hit them all hard. Thankfully it was in the past, barring the inquest.

"They are eternally grateful to you for your help Melody." David said sincerely, "I 'almost' refused the help to be honest, but given the sequence of events, I'm pretty sure things would have turned out much much worse for myself, and for Stephanie." he held his glass up in a toast then took another sip.

"It's no problem, really. It was a welcome change with a little death defiance thrown in." She added with a chuckle. The chicken had been a big hit and Melody started clearing away the empty plates. "I Hope you left room for desert. I've got some 'melt in the middle' chocolate puddings with cream or ice cream. There is also some coffee available."

Having finished their plates, Mackenzie and Mia asked if they could sit with Nibbles until the pudding was ready. Lana said yes but they need to come back to the table in a few moments. She got up and began helping Melody clear the plates away. Lana was a good judge of character, and could usually tell quickly if she and someone else were going to be firm friends and she was confident that Melody would be one of those. David had got up and was kneeling beside his Daughters as they tapped playfully on the glass to Nibbles.

"Isn't she lovely Daddy." Mackenzie said, secretly nudging Mia.

"She's, nice yes sweetheart though having one of your own might take a bit of looking after, and with your after school activities, I'm not sure you'll have time."

"We will Daddddyyyy." they said in unison, making sure he was looking into two pairs of electrifyingly blue eyes that could charm the Sun from the sky if they chose to, thankfully 'Sweet' came to his rescue ...

"Come on girls, back to the table." their mother said, placing a dish in front of both their chairs, "Now, cream or ice cream ?" she asked, both chose ice cream.

Melody placed a bowl containing an individual chocolate pudding in front of each of her guests as well as a jug of cream in the middle of the table. "I'll get a pot of coffee brewing. Are you both having some?

"Love some." Lana said with a smile, turning to her girls as Kenzie began to raise her hand, ".... and no, you two are 'not' having coffee." both girls pouted but grinned afterwards. They ate the chocolate pudding and thoroughly enjoyed it. It hadn't gone un-noticed by Lana and David that their girls had 'other' things on their mind. It brought forth feelings of pride, and amusement seeing them itching to get to the one thing they had been looking forward to all night.

Melody too could tell the girls were itching to have a hold of Nibbles. "OK you two. Mia if you go to the replicator and ask for hedgehog supplement number 6 please ? Mackenzie you follow me"

Melody went over to the habitat and crouched down "Hello there. Are you hungry ?" She looked back to Mackenzie "The answer to that will be yes. Now hedgehogs have sharp spines on their back but have soft fur underneath. You have to cup your hands together and scoop her up, like this." Melody placed a hand on either side of the small creature and scooped her up. " Now if you sit on the sofa and Mia brings the food over I'll put her on your knees and she can have her dinner OK ?"

Mia, happy to have been given the task of getting Nibbles food all by herself, went off to the replicator and ordered, she watched her sister sit on the sofa expectantly as Melody took the tiny pet out of her home. She was happy Kenzie got to hold the hedgehog first, after all, she was the oldest, and would be able to make sure she herself was doing everything right. She returned to the sofa, carefully climbing up to sit next to Kenzie, the bowl of food cradled in her hands. David and Lana watched the proceedings from the dining table, happy to let them enjoy feeding Melody's pet. They had handled live animals before, but nothing like what was now inching her way over their legs while accepting morsels of food offered. Nibbles, while hungry, appeared more than happy with the attention ...

While Nibbles set about demolishing the bowl of food, Melody brought a tray over to the table with a large coffee pot. Two smaller jugs, one with cream and one with milk and a bowl of sugar. She poured three cups, while keeping an eye on the girls. In no time at all Nibbles had made her way through the bowl of food and was cosy up to Mackenzie. "See, give her food and she'll love you for life."

While Nibbles was settling down on Mackenzie's knee, Mia reached over, tentatively placing a finger on the spines.

Melody came over and sat down next to the girls. "You see her quills are laying down flat because she is happy. If she was angry or frightened they would be standing up. If you are carful......." She carefully put her hand on the hedgehog's back and turned her over, exposing her soft belly. She gently started rubbing her belly with one finger. Nibbles just started to chill out. "She always likes that."

Kanzie allowed her sister to try first, given the hedgehog was still on her own knee, Mia moved her finger in a small circle on the animals belly, feeling it move slightly with her touch.

"She's moving, see Kenzie !" an excited Mia whispered, hoping not to disturb the passive nibbles.

"Hedgehogs are normally nocturnal, which mean they are active during the night time and sleep most of the day." Melody explained. "Come on you, its time for your exercise" As she placed Nibbles back in her habitat on her running wheel. Melody then went over to her cupboard and came back with two wrapped boxes. She handed them to the girls "Here, these are for you. Don't worry.... It's not a hedgehog " Melody said to Lana and David as she could see a concerned look on their faces "But you have to be sensible with them ok?"

Inside the box was small model shuttle craft about 6 inches long and a remote control.

"Wowww .... Thank you Melody" the two said, getting up to hug the Exec' before dropping back to the carpet, cross-legged, taking the small craft from their boxes. Kenzie immediately began to study the craft for authenticity, seemingly happy that it outwardly represented a Federation Shuttle, Type Nine she decided quickly. Mia on the other hand looked at the small gift and the remote before placing the shuttle on the carpet and pushing forward on the small control arm. She frowned as nothing happened so turned the control over in her hands looking for something common to all toys, an ON / OFF switch. Grinning she placed her thumb on the red lit button which immediately turned green:

"Mia, you need to be careful OK ..." Lana said, concerned for the safety of everyone in the room, not to mention the intricate ornaments that seem to be carefully positioned throughout the room. Kenzie meanwhile had got hers off the ground, it was hovering approximately five centimeters above the carpet, rotating clockwise slowly.

Like this Mia ......" Kenzie said, showing her sister how to get the craft up off the floor, the two were engrossed in their new toys now.

"I don't think I've had this coffee blend before." Lana said as both parents turned their attentions to their host, happy that the girls wouldn't cause havoc with their new presents.

Melody came over and sat down with her guests. "It took me a while searching through the replicator database and a few tweaks hear and there but its not bad is it ? ... Can I can you anything else. I've got some Aldeberan Whisky somewhere."

Both said they would have a whiskey ... As they chatted Lana could see Mia trying her hardest to stifle a yawn and thought they had better call it a night so she could get the girls to bed. Thanking Melody she helped take the cups and glasses into her kitchen area then told the girls to come say goodnight. Both put their new toys away in the boxes, carefully collecting up all the residual wrapping paper. They crawled over to nibbles, whispering 'nite nite' to the now sleeping hedgehog, then got up and came over to Melody, hugging her tightly. At the door Lana hugged Melody while David shook her hand, still a little uncertain as to protocol in these matters given she was his superior Officer, thinking that maybe a hug would be acceptable the next time they all dined together.

"Goodnight Melody, and thank you so much for a lovely meal." Lana said as they parted company ...

Melody smiled "It's my pleasure. If you want to meet for a coffee and a chat sometime, my door is always open."

Back in their own quarters, Lana put Mackenzie and Mia to bed, it was all she could do to pull their dresses over their heads before they dropped onto their beds. Deciding they could sleep in what they were wearing she pulled each of their quilts up and kissed her Daughters 'goodnight' ... In the living room David had poured them a brandy each.

"It was a good night." Lana said, accepting the offered glass as she dropped down beside David .......

OFF :

Lieutenant David Tan
Chief Operations Officer
USS Merlin

Lana Tan
Mackenzie Tan
Mia Tan

Lieutenant Commander Melody Jones
Executive officer
USS Merlin

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