Black Pepper

Keeping Brian on her hip as she tried to clean grape jelly off the kitchen counter, Laura was interrupted by the ringing phone. Answering it and holding it between her chin and shoulder, she smiled when she heard Nate's voice. "Hey, Babe."

It was almost lunchtime and he hadn't taken anything with him this morning so that's probably why he'd called. She opened the fridge and grabbed the Mayo to make some tuna sandwiches. Hearing about the chicken noodle soup though, she paused, then put the Mayo back. "Oh no... He looked so tired last night, I was worried he was coming down with something. Of course I can make some soup."

She scrunched up her nose and looked in the fridge again before moving to the cupboard. A trip to the store might be in order. Stopping mid-thought though, she set Brian in his high chair to give her arm a break while continuing her conversation with Nate. "If...you were sick... do you think you'd wanna hang around the Elite? I mean..." She bit her lip, not sure why she felt so sorry for Garret. He was a grown man after all, and certainly knew how to take care of himself. But...when he was here...there was just am emptiness in his eye that struck her soul. 

"Why don't you bring him home with you? I'd hate to leave him in Rick's unamused hands. And he seems to... I don't know...find something here he needs. Besides...I think he could use some family time til he's better. Unless you think it's a bad idea. You know him better than I do."

Kirk rolled his eyes but smiled. "Shoulda known you'd choose the option that would make me work the most." He grabbed the eggs and set them by the stove, then came over to the counter where she was sitting. 

Reaching around, he opened the cupboard behind her. "Watch your head, Goofy. Want black pepper in yours?" His arm came up beside her head to reach the spices. "Or maybe we should go with something mild because you're already too wired." 

He ruffled her hair before retreating to the stove and grabbing a frying pan. "Orange juice in the fridge. And grab the green peppers." He smiled big. "Please."

Seeing Ashlee, Travis smiled before finding a seat on a hay bale. "I think I'm starting to feel better. I can actually walk the speed of an old man today."

A kitten wandered over and crawled up Travis' denim pantleg to stare at his face. Grinning, he picked her up to cradle her on his chest and pet her as she purred. "Hey, Cutie," he crooned. 

Looking up at Ashlee, his smile returned. "So...you're up at the crack of dawn huh? Every day?"