The last of the herbs had been sprinkled over the potatoes, ready to be placed in the oven once it finished preheating. You glanced up at the doorway of the kitchen as a faint humming grew closer; a few seconds passed before Elana appeared.
A soft smile adorned her features, she walked into the kitchen and placed a kiss to your temple - her eyes glanced around the countertops at the various trays and bowls holding the components of dinner. She turned back to look at you, a single brow raised and a teasing glint in her eye, “Who knew the homicide ADA could cook up such a feast?”
You shook your head in disbelief, an eye roll softened by the grin you were unable to contain. “It’s almost as though I have other skills aside from those I use in the courtroom.”
“Oh, I’m well aware of that,” her tone huskier than previously, gaze sweeping over you briefly.
It took great self control not to blush at her remark. The beep from the oven offering you a temporary reprieve from your faltering self-composure. You placed the trays into the oven.
Tonight you were going to meet her sons for the first time—Daniel & Jonah.
Jonah, her eldest son, was in his last year of college. He was studying mechanical engineering, something you knew very little about and were eager to ask him all about. Elana had described him as the more reserved of the two, though incredibly protective of those he held dear.
Daniel, Elana’s youngest, had just started his college journey. He had chosen to study Earth and Planetary sciences. According to Elana, Daniel was also somewhat reserved, but only when first meeting people - once he got to know people he was rather outgoing.
“You know I only have two sons, right? You’ve cooked enough for half the sitting judges in Manhattan.”
You having turned around just in time to see Elana placing an olive stolen from the salad bowl into her mouth. She shot you a wink and began getting the cutlery out of the drawer.
A knock at the door is heard and Elana squeezes your hand on her way to let them in. “They’re going to love you honey, I’m sure of it.”
Nervous wasn’t the right word to describe how you were feeling in that moment. There was an underlying hope that they’d like you, and that did elicit some low-level worrying but more so you were quite looking forward to meeting your partner’s sons.
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“Mom, I’m serious,” Daniel stated, as he did his best to not succumb to the blush that threatened to paint his cheeks. “Sierra really is, just a friend. You haven’t interrogated Jonah about any potential romances.”
Jonah paused, his fork midway to his mouth. “That’s because she knows I’d tell her if I was seeing somebody new.”
The elder boy smirked before adding, “It’s not like I had a secret boyfriend for a whole year in high school.”
Daniel lost the fight at the last remark. His face now nearly the same shade as his ginger curls.
To save the boy further embarrassment you decided to jump in, “Oh, I can top that. I was so nervous about telling my parents about my first girlfriend Julie, that I told them the reason she was always over was because she was tutoring me in physics and calculus. My parents thanked her parents at graduation for how much she’d helped me, only to be informed by her mother that Julie never took physics class.”
That got a chuckle out of the others at the table.
“How long was she ‘tutoring’ you for?” Elana asked
You winced slightly before answering, “The beginning of sophomore year all the way until we graduated.”
“And your parents really had no idea?” Jonah questioned.
“Nope,” you shook your head, “I received a very long lecture that evening.”
As the rest of the meal was eaten, the conversation ebbed and flowed through a range of topics including Jonah’s classes, Daniel’s success on making the soccer team, and somehow made its way to cartoon dogs - more specifically, which was “the best” of them all. For such a left-field topic, the boys provided quite in-depth pitches.
Jonah, of the opinion Courage reigned supreme, argued the dog’s loyalty and that despite his anxious tendencies still defended his owners from the paranormal.
Daniel proposed Muttley, from the point that dogs are so often good-natured, and given his acts of scheming & villainy paired with his iconic mocking laugh - he, was the ultimate cartoon dog.
When it was Elana’s turn to express her opinion, she did so with such grace and poise. Her prosecutor days shone through as she presented her case for Snoopy. You are unable to avert your eyes as you admire your partner so entrenched in her element.
As she makes her closing remark, she raises a brow in your direction as though challenging you to disagree.
You take a moment to consider, ultimately unable to deny the challenge, “Not to go for the most obvious answer, but Scooby Doo is clearly the winner of best cartoon dog. Solving mysteries, his impulse decisions fuelled by fear saving the day time and time again. Not to mention his insatiable appetite, capacity to speak and loveable personality. No cartoon dog comes close to Scooby.”
“Let me help you with those, y/n,” Jonah offers, standing from his chair and picking up a few plates.
“Thanks.” You smile at the tall, auburn haired boy.
Jonah accepts the dishcloth you hand him, and the two of you begin working in tandem on the dishes.
“You really love her, don’t you?” Jonah questions.
You don’t need to think about your answer. “I really do. Your mom is an incredible woman.”
“She is,” Jonah agrees, nodding his head with his eyes focused on the glass he’s drying. “Our dad, he’s a decent enough dad, a good dad… but he wasn’t a great husband to her. She deserves to be happy, to be appreciated and to be loved.”
You didn’t quite know what to say to that; Elana absolutely deserves those things, but how on earth do you respond to a statement like that?
Fortunately Jonah speaks again before an awkward lull could intrude.
“Mom is brighter than she’s been in a long time, so thank you for that.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Jonah but I appreciate what you’re saying, it’s clear you and your brother really care about your mom.”
Handing Jonah the last plate, you moved to dry your hands, taking a breath you continued, “I want you to know that I have every intention of caring for and loving her. I don’t take for granted the fact that I get to be a part of her life, nor do I take for granted getting to meet and to know you and Daniel.”
You & Jonah make your ways into the living room.
“Did’ya really pick Raiders of the Lost Ark again, doofus. We’ve watched this movie like 50 times!” Jonah flicks his younger brother on the forearm on his way to the armchair.
“It’s a classic! I can’t help that you have bad taste.” Daniel shot back, his hands moving rapidly in an effort to convey his point.
Elana made a sound that could only be described as the point between exasperation and amusement. You having to bite your bottom lip to contain the chuckle threatening to spill over the brothers antics.
The familiar tune of Indiana Jones begun to play as you settled into the available space beside Elana.
She reaches for your hand, interlacing her fingers with yours and laying them to rest on her lap.
As your gaze moved over the three, a warmth settled over you. Being welcomed into this little family was more than you could’ve ever hoped for.
The credits begun to roll, Elana paused the film, and everybody stood up from their places.
“Well, we best be off,” Jonah declares, hands searching his pockets presumably for his car keys. “Thanks for dinner mom, y/n.”
“Of course, let me know when you’re both free so we can do this again soon.” Elana replies, a warm smile directed at her sons.
Both boys hug their mother and to your surprise, Daniel embraces you as well. “It was great to finally meet you, y/n.”
“You too, Daniel. Good luck for the game next week.”
“Thanks!” His grin not dissimilar to his mom’s as he shrugs on his coat.
Jonah, already halfway out the door, waves and nods at you. “See ya, y/n. Bye Mom!”
“Bye Jonah,” You and Elana call out in sync.
As the door shuts behind the boys, you speak, “You’ve raised some incredible young men, Elana. I’m really glad that I got to meet them.”
“Thank you honey, they seem pretty taken by you as well.”
Elana links her arms around your neck, she’s positively beaming and your heart seems to swell to twice its size, threatening to burst right out of your chest.
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You hear the taps groan and the rhythmic drumming of water gradually subside, signalling the last chapter of your novel for the evening.
As you get to the last paragraph the door to the ensuite opens. Elana walks out, tossing her clothes into the laundry basket as you place the bookmark in between the pages.
“So…” Elana spoke as she settled back against her pillow, “What did you and Jonah talk about whilst you did the dishes?”
“Why are you really asking?” An amused expression painting your features.
“His offer to help was a pull aside, wasn’t it?” Though phrased as a question, it was clear the judge already knew the answer.
“Without the threats that typically go along with those - more or less,” You offer in return.
Elana winces, a silent chuckle and soft shake of the head accompanying the expression. “Of course he did.”
“It wasn’t a bad thing, not like the kind that comes with our jobs,“ You shrug. “More so, showing that he cares for you, and making sure I’m going to do the same.”
“Whilst I’m a little mortified my son pulled you aside, I’m happy tonight went so well.” Elana’s tone, one of slight embarrassment morphed to one of contentment.
“Me too.” You agree, scooting closer to press a kiss to the apple of Elana’s cheek before wrapping your furthest arm around her middle and laying your head to rest upon her shoulder.
A pleased sigh escaped her at your actions. The older woman placed a kiss to your forehead for good measure.
Tonight, surrounded by her three favourite people - Elana felt a joy and a comfort so immense, she couldn’t place a moment in her past that had lived up to it.