Dinner (RP for hornrimmed and no-bodyseesme)

[texan_housewife]

Sandra peered into the oven. The meatloaf was coming along nicely. And the mashed potatoes were done. And the vegetables. Everything was simple. She didn't want this to seem like a big deal. It was just Claude. Just a normal little dinner like they used to have. Well, yes, she'd sent the kids off with some money to go to the movies, but... Well,

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[no_bodyseesme]

He can't help feeling nervous about this. It's been years -- will he really be welcome in their home after the things that have happened? But Noah invited him, and while he's rude to most people, he refuses to be rude to the Bennet family -- or is it Butler, now?

He parks the rental and gets out, looking around for a moment or two -- and he's actually rented a car for this trip, because it's nearly impossible to get around in California without one. That, and if things should go bad in any way, he's not trapped waiting for a cab, which would be a bit on the lame side.

Then he walks up the path to the door, rings the bell and waits, trying not to feel anxious. He takes a deep breath and steps on the urge to go invisible despite feeling like every eye in the neighborhood is trained on him.

[hornrimmed]

Bennet's gaze focused on Sandra the moment she stepped into sight. She looked good. He knew she must be incredibly nervous, but it didn't show. He stood, intending to go to her side, but before he could, the doorbell sounded. "Do you want to get that, or should I?" he asked softly.

[texan_housewife]

Her fingers tightened around the doorjamb. "You go ahead, hon," she said softly.

[hornrimmed]

He nodded, then moved to her side, giving her a quick hug. "Don't worry," he murmured. "It'll be all right." He kissed her cheek gently and went to the door.

He opened it slowly and smiled. "Hey," he said softly, gesturing for Claude to step inside.