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Dinner at Sibio Bistro
 
It was a usual busy night for the Bistro. Sammy hollering from the kitchen at times to keep the other chefs working correctly as well lads fetching this and that. Tony manned the small bar, chuckling under his breath as he placed a few choice wines on Franny's serving platter. Serafina was out taking orders and would be over shortly for drinks of her customers. There was a table set aside for the McAndrews and their guest as reserved. Franko was well aware of those that would be coming in shortly as he manned the door in greeting those arriving.

Paige was to meet them at the Thistle where Jon waited all duded up for a change. Oh, he got a lot of teasing for it too as he wore a suit jacket of dark blue, pants of the same linen material, dress shirt and a silver silk vest. His brother would be here any moment as well the lady Paige. A surrey borrowed set out front with a lad old enough to be the driver sat in wait. A pair of dapple greys under his command.

She realized the era was different, and dressed accordingly; gold silk dress to mid calf, laced up the front, she could almost pass for innocent, if one didn't know her. Or she didn't speak, ever, which was never going to happen. "You're going to choke if you pull at the collar much more." No sympathy for the poor man, she was such a sweet little thing.

Jon wouldn't have long to wait for his brother. Joe had dressed up as well, taking some ribbing from the men who worked for him. Suit of black with subtle pinstripes, a vest of royal blue and a pristine white dress shirt. He heard Paige and chuckled, then bowed. "Paige, you look lovely, and right on time too." He looked at Jon and just grinned. He'd tease him later about being dressed up.

Which had Jon grinning as he loosened the tie. "I wont tell if you wont.." like making a deal. "You look splendid in gold." And she did as he was down the steps as she arrived. "We're all dressed up, how about we go out for dinner?" Like none of this was planned. Dimples said it all with the widening smile while he opened up the carriage door. "Oh, here is Joe, he can come too, what do you say?" Twinkle in blue eyes evident with the remark. "He's all dressed up too!" Like a surprise.

"Neither of you may tell, but I plan on rambling it to anyone that will listen." They weren't off the hook, even if they both agreed. "He complimented me first, I think he gets to decide if you can come along." It was pick on Jon night, subject to change when she switched sides randomly.

"Well, if I don't allow it, he might sulk and that wouldn't do, would it?" He smiled then offered to help her into the carriage. "Do you think many will listen?" It would be a night to remember hopefully. He waited for Jon to follow Paige before he too, took a seat. "And Jon is right, gold suits you very well. Then again, so do the bright colors you favor." He had noticed, but it would be hard not to.

"I think he can come along, if he behaves.." about to help her within but Joe stepped up to the plate in seeing to it. "Paige has the ears of many, hundreds, thousands even. We best watch our step." Once they were within the surrey he followed suit, taking a seat and tapping on the side so the lad had them on their way to the Bistro. "You did say you like fine Italian cuisine?"

She took his hand for help up, settling as easily as if it was second nature, which it was. "I don't think I have anyone's ear, I simply speak loudly." For a little person she had good lungs. Joe got a single dimpled smile for the compliment, and Jon got stared at. Stare. "That's a trick question, yes?"

"Of course it is, they're all trick questions tonight." Giving off a wink as they made their way through the streets. It wasn't far to go and soon arriving at the Bistro. They could have walked for the distance but a finer way to arrive than wind blown as the wind came up from the sea and port.

He chuckled again then looked at Jon as he spoke before turning back to Paige. "It's going to be that kind of night I think." Not that he minded but it could get confusing. He glanced out the window, taking note of some of the folks who were out and about. "And it's a perfect night for a dinner out."

The window or two guys in suits? Wasn't a hard call for the keeper; her attention stayed inside on the company, plus it was better to keep an eye on them. "I don't know if I should drink a lot, or bypass it completely and keep my wits." The latter sounded less adventurous, and she did tend to like adventure.

"That would depend upon how much you like wine. They have the finest Italy offers. I think keeping ones wits is over rated and this would imply that one loses them when drinking, indulging, guzzling, getting soused, pickled and so forth. Here I thought my wits improved..." putting on the facade of a frown in comprehending such a thought as not drinking. Except the twinkle was still there in blue eyes to give him away. Arriving at the scene, well, front of the Bistro, Jon was out first and a hand offered to Paige in helping her down. "Sicilian cuisine if truth be told." Remembering the comment about Sicily and Italy.

"Depends on how you mean your wits improve." He gave Jon a look. "Your singing voice definitely improves. I'm not so sure about wits however." He smiled at Paige as he waited for her to step down. "And if you feel you're unable to travel back, we can see that you have a room in the Thistle. We'll both be staying there tonight as well." And in spite of that, the Thistle was quite safe.

"You give good piggy backs when soused." One hand reached to pat his arm consolingly before taking his hand for help down. "As long as it's good food I never much worried over sects, none of them would have wanted me anyway." Easily spoken truth without a hint of resentment. Skirts were shaken out, an imps grin to Joe. "If you're both staying there I'd be safer trying to stumble home." Clearly teasing.

"Indeed that I do," giving Joe a look right back over Paige's shoulder as she stepped out. Wicked one before slipping back to the norm. "So it is a deal, you get soused, you get a piggy back ride to the Thistle when that part of the night comes. No need to rush it. We haven't eaten yet. Haven't even gotten into the restaurant!" At this point he laughed finally, good rolling belly laugh as they headed up the steps, the driver taking the surrey to the nearby area to wait. "Although I cannot commit in giving a piggy back ride all the way to the northern tavern. Unless Joe and I take turns. Oh, it is very good food." Pausing the step before the door as usually it swung open, last he recalled.

"And if you get soused, Jon, I'll find some sturdy lads to drag your arse back to the Thistle while I escort Paige wherever she wishes to go." That sounded good to him. He gave a nod to himself as if it were all settled as they made their way to the restaurant.

"And if you get soused, I'll return the favor." Like now it became a challenge!

Franko was the reason the door opened and as the three approached, he wasn't lax in his duties. "Good evening, and welcome." He smiled as he motioned with his hand. "Your table is waiting." He would guide them to it once they were inside.

"What if you both get soused? Do I have to find someone to drag you both around? I doubt you'd like it if I tried." Pausing briefly, head tipped. "I take that back, you probably would." Amused huff, sending a dimpled smile to Franko, and actually waiting for one of the guys to lead.

Sammy was in the kitchen, shouting orders and keeping the chefs under him working correctly with the orders coming in and being sent out, the doors swinging with the constant motion, always moving in the busy bistro.

Joe was the elder here so he would be the one to lead and follow Franko. At the table, Paige would find a lovely bouquet of flowers from the two brothers, a mix of roses, mums and daisies. There was also a single red rose for her, compliments of the Sibio brothers. He waited to help her sit, standing behind a chair.

"Of course we would, or you could just use us as mattresses, roll us in together." Dimples returned with the flash of a smile as they escorted her behind Franko to her table. Everything was as it should be and he would take up the other seat aside her, putting her between the two tall men. He too would wait until she was seated before taking up his seat.

"If I'm rolling around with you two I'll need to drink." The wording was purposeful, so said the double dimpled smile. When Joe held the seat she slid in gracefully, leaning to inhale the flower scent, and likely try to suck up the color. That she was going to be sandwich between them seemed to amuse her. "See, this is why I tried to talk you into one at a time, I'm a dwarf now."

Tony was over once the McAndrews and their guest were seated at their table. A vintage Prosesecco di Conegliano. "I hope you will enjoy your meal," white cloth folder over one arm as he poured a small amount in Joe's glass, being he seemed to be the older one. Though hard to tell with so many of them. It would be his tasting to decide if the wine was up to his expectations.

Franko barely kept from chuckling as it seemed the lady knew the brothers well. He waited for the three to sit then bowed slightly as Tony took over and returned to his post at the door.

"There are some that would envy that situation." So he'd been told before. Seating himself as he took up one of the menus. "Paige, this is Antonio of the Sibio brothers. Franko showed us in and Sammy, well you can hear him in the background. He's the chef."

Probably on cue, but luckily it was in Italian and muffled by the doors and walls.

"A pleasure to meet you, Sammy." The Italian muttering caught her attention, tempting her to call back, but she behaved. Kind of. "I like my men one at a time, I'll let others do the envy." Dressed innocently in gold and her mouth gave her up yet again; still not shy and demure.

"Evening, Antonio." He watched him pour the wine, then brought it up and swirled it in the glass. He sniffed the aroma then nodded and tasted the wine. "Excellent. Thank you." He tried to pretend to not hear Sammy as he grinned at Paige's comment. "One at a time is better, I agree." Waggling his brows at her.

Franny was their waitress and made her way over to the table with a basket of breadsticks, warm from the oven as well as glasses of ice water. "Good evening. I'm Franny and will be serving you tonight. I'll return shortly to take your orders."

"Sammy, he is the one in the back, I am Tony," bringing a smile to the more stoic serious features of the Don Sibio. With the acceptance he saw personally to pouring their glasses then headed back to the bar to see to the other orders being waited upon.

"Nice to see you're still Joe under that suit, you are too prone to being shy. I have to work on that." Not an insult by any means, given with a beaming smile. Promptly wrinkling her nose in a grin at Tony. "Beg pardon, can I blame it on distracting company?" Sounded good to her.

"Sort of like that song about the dragon and virgins, instead of gulping them all down at once.." then set to deciding what he wanted to eat this night. "I'll have the Chicken breast Cacciatore with a side dish of baked Ziti, Sicilian style." No flies on him in getting his order in. He was hungry. "The usual salad, bread and so forth." Making it easy for the lass, obviously he liked food and was not real picky.

Well, she didn't have to wait long, did she? Franny smiled then looked at Paige and Joe.

"Dragon and virgins?" Well aware asking was likely to get one, or both, singing. Wine was taken up to sip while she looked over the menu. They both had the advantage of knowing the food already, she knew her Italian. "I'll have the fettuccine Alfredo, please." Smile tipped up to the girl.

"Si. And you?" She smiled at Joe once she had written Paige's order down.

"You want me to sing, I can tell," grinning Paige's way as he started right in. They might throw him out! "A dragon has come to our village today. We've asked him to leave, but he wont go away. Now he's talked to our king and they worked out a deal. No homes will he burn and no crops will he steal. Now there is but one catch, we dislike it a bunch. Twice a year he invites him a virgin to lunch. Well, we've no other choice, so the deal we'll respect. But we can't help but wonder and pause to reflect."

"I think I'll have the Shrimp Marinara over spaghetti and a side order of Gnocchi." He looked at Jon and started to laugh, shaking his head.

And in order to not interrupt, she merely nodded and collected the menus. There would be a dessert menu available if they wish to have dessert. Off she went to turn the order in.

Sammy was singing an old Sicilian love song in their native tongue between taking the new orders and setting each of his chefs to take care of certain ones as he saw to the main courses.

Joe got a look, clearly waiting for him to join in, seemed she was serious on not letting him get shy. "Do they have virgins shipped in from other towns?" More wine sipping, able to drink that better than the stronger stuff.

"That's the crux, they don't need to as they outfox the dragon... guess how!"

"They send him male virgins and he runs screaming?" He said guess!

"Close..."

What a mix. Tony and Jon. He laughed then looked at Jon. "Are you going to sing it out for her?" And now he was laughing out loud. And yes, he'd join in if Jon started to sing the answer.

So he continued with the song, but made sure not to bellow it out. That took restraint, "Do virgins taste better than those who are not? Are they salty, or sweeter, more juicy or what? Do you savor them slowly? Gulp them down on the spot? Do virgins taste better than those who are not? Now we'd like to be shed you, and many have tried. But no one can get through your thick scaly hide. We hope that some day, some brave knight will come by. 'Cause we can't wait around 'til you're too fat to fly."

Thankfully she wasn't sipping when that verse came out; snorting wine up one's nose was not very lady like. In fact, she set the glass down until they were done, just to be on the safe side.

Smart woman!

This part gave the answer and would be the last of it unless Joe wanted to sing the Dragon part. "Now you have such good taste in your women for sure, They always are pretty, they always are pure. But your notion of dining, it makes us all flinch, For your favorite entree is barbecued wench. Now we've found a solution, it works out so neat, if you insist on nothing but virgins to eat. No more will our number ever grow small, we'll simply make sure there's no virgins at all!"

That part wasn't as bad as the sweet and juicy! "That sounds like something the two of you would come up with." Trying an accusing glance between both, and failing to stomp the smile down.
 
-c-

"If you like songs, I could serenade you all night. I stole Seamus' satchel of them." He was a kissing bandit many years ago and now could become the song bandit. Probably a lot safer than the other proved when he kissed a lass his brother Patrick was in love with.

He chuckled and shook his head. "Honestly we didn't. It just so happens that's Jon's favorite song." He would sing the Dragon's Retort another time but instead he gave Jon a disbelieving stare. "You stole Seamus' songs. He'll be after your hide for sure." Not really but it sounded right.
 
"If you're going to serenade me shouldn't I be hanging out a second story window for you to climb up, and fall off, of? I'm not letting you climb my hair though."

"Your hair isn't long enough to climb," like taking the whole idea seriously that had a little flaw in it, the length of her hair. "Only if you throw rose petals down to us."

With the end of the song, Franny returned with the salads and then was off again. It wasn't too much later than she came back pushing a cart with their food. She carefully placed each order in front of Paige, then around to Joe and finally Jon. "I'm supposed to tell you that we liked the song." She said with a wink before she was off again.

Tony was keeping an eye on them and had set Franny's serving plate with another bottle of the wine.

"She said you climb and then fall off of the window." Clearing that up because he was a good brother like that. "You know, if you wanted to become a wandering bard, you might make good money, Jon."
 
"You do?" Surprised with the lass' words. "What did you say your name was again .. wait.." trying to catch her attention as she was heading off, "leave your number written on a napkin..." teasing of course which she would probably catch onto. Then back to Joe. "Aye, I climb, I fall ... on you!"

"Us? Do you two do anything alone, or are you like chicks that have to go to the washroom in pairs?" She was too dressed up for either of them to smack, hopefully. Her hair was too short, resting just below the small of her back in its normal untamed mass.

"No. If I'm going to serenade a lass, I'll do it without me brothers." He laughed. "Honestly, we do manage on our own most of the time."

Not too dressed up to put over his knee. "Here I thought you wanted a date with us both, at the same time, like the encounter. I can leave," starting to stand but then his food was being delivered. "Ah, after I eat then.." sitting back down and digging into his salad, washed down by the fine wine.

"What time should I expect you?" Poor Joe, put on the spot. Jon, while she might be small, got a dark hand to his arm, ready to yank him back if need be! "I may be smaller than you, but I can still kick your backside." She sounded like she meant it.

"You mean butt into it with those horns that show now and then..?" Grinning as he spoke up after swallowing the bit he had in his mouth. Came with a wink too.

Mock gasp, looking to Joe with wide eyes. "Are you going to let him get away with that?" Pitting one against the other was sure to fail, which did nothing to stop her from trying. Always an excellent hole digger, she needed to keep practicing.

"See..." waving a finger at Paige, "she didn't deny it!"

"I do me best singing at midnight." He paused to consider. "Is the time at your home the same as the time here?" He managed to look confused. "She has horns?" He leaned slightly as if he making an attempt to see then laughed.  "No, she didn't." And he finally started to eat his own meal. Another thing the brothers all had in common ... they enjoyed their food.

She leaned towards him so he could look; nothing but a bunch of dark wavy hair. "Yes, it's the same time, I think." She was Italian, eating and talking, though not with her mouthful, went hand in hand, along with pleased little sounds around each bite. Not even quiet while eating, what a shock.

There was something, though Jon was not really socially savvy for spending most of his time at the lumber mill. He was not totally blind and hid most by a seemingly outgoing personality. A thought, a glance before he was finishing up his salad and sitting back to enjoy the rest of his wine until he started on his dinner. Then a refill would be in order. Next he was digging into his main meal with relish. You'd not hear much from him unless directly addressed and he had to answer.

Quiet Jon was never a good thing, it gave him time to think. Slanted glance his way, sipping wine to wash down a bite. "You're up to no good."

Miri practically had to kidnap her beloved cousin to get out of the kitchen of the deli, and out into the streets. She had a knack for charming her family for doing whatever she wished since she was practically the 'baby' of the Cohen clan. She held onto Kizzie's arm as she lead her through the lamp lit streets towards the busiest spot in town. She hadn't sent note head that they were coming, and she hoped that they could fit them in. She donned a light blue gown with a ruffled white lace neckline for the occasion. Her brown curls hung loosely to frame her pixie face, and they enhanced the features there. She opened the door and led Kizzie inside.

Which had him with a heads up, taking the moment to let the bit be washed down. "I think I'm out of practice in getting into trouble." Would she believe that? Perhaps a hint of truth laced his words.

Tony had gotten the note and had Serafina set a table for four, though only two were coming. Perhaps they might meet some friends or a gentleman or two might ask to join them. He was around from the bar leaving it in the hands of Sal who finally was up from the cellar in seeing to more bottles of the wine. "You are the Cohen sisters?" Though that part was not so clear, they seemed like sisters.

She reached over to feel his forehead. "Is that possible? Maybe I need to get a pair of horns to butt into you, get you back on track." Glancing back for the waitress. "She didn't even scold you for asking for her number, hm."

Franko was there to open the door for the ladies and then as Tony took over, he was back in place, greeting those he knew and taking care of their payments as they left.

That had him grinning at Jon. They both worked too much during the warm months. "Is everything still going well? Tyg and ... " He had to think for a moment. "Nathaniel is it, with the walking tree stump?" It had been a long time since he had seen any of them. "She probably doesn't have a number?"

"Just tie a black scarf around me eyes with holes, that might revive me but then you may get kissed as well every other poor lass in the restaurant tonight."

Kizzie struggled against the pull on her arm, but then gave up as soon as she saw her cousins desperate look. She smiled slightly as she pretended to be angry for a moment before she decided to fuss over her dark green form fitting gown that she felt was entirely too much for this tiny outing but Miri insisted. She always got her way! She'd have to learn her secrets. As she enters through the door, she dips her head before lowly speaking with her eyes fluttering to adjust to the light "Shalom."

"Careful, I may kiss back." She had nothing black, but offered him her napkin if he wanted to make shift one. "Tyg will hound me for details, and Nathan is doing very well, though busy with his plant experiments."

"Well, there were some that had some years ago.." slowly grinning before he was back to his food as the conversation with Joe took over. Paige might not get the time to eat between them. He shook his head to the offer of the napkin, "has to be black," like there was a criteria for all this. "Besides, you're going to need it," dipping glance to her food before he was back again to his.

Paige was good at eating and talking, working in a bite after each question she asked. Thankful wink for being able to keep it, resting it along her crossed legs to save the gold silk. "I'll buy you a mask." Side murmur while waiting on Joe's next question or comment.

"Shalom, good evening, buona sera, you have brought your appetites tonight?" With a glide of a hand in the direction he would escort them, "your table is waiting."

It wasn't the whole of the conversation. Just his curiosity. "Maybe we should find black material so you have something to really tell her." He looked at Jon, wondering what would happen if he started that 'trend' again.

Miri flashed a big smile as she heard the pair being addressed as the Cohen sisters, "Sure. That is us." She said as she gestures Kizzie in front of herself before moving in line behind her as she stares around at the ornaments and  decorations. "You must've received my note. I was afraid I'd have to cancel. She took forever to get out of the deli," She teases with a glint of mischief in her eye as she speaks to him.

His brothers would kill him this time if he kissed another one of them had an interest in? Death wish it would be.

Nose wrinkling grin for the idea of black, the color lover in her twitched at the though. "Who said it has to be black? Why can't the kissing bandit be in purple?"

"Maybe scarlet red?" There was an idea, though at the time he also disguised himself as Joe, when he use to drink to the tune Joe couldn't remember if he had done it or not in one of his stupors when accused. At least Joe had cleaned up his act after that, so there was a lot of good it brought about.

"I remember when he was kissing everyone and running, he's always been the mischief maker, and then claims I'm the one with horns." Prim little sniff, lips twitching dangerously.

"That's 'cause I left mine as a present to you.." grinning but was quick to lean in with a kiss to her cheek and back. See.. he still had the skill of hit and run.

Her mouth fell open slightly as she blushed as she shook her head with enough fury to make the thick brown braid down her back flick over one shoulder. She immediately covered her face as if she were bashful before muttering low again, "Thank you."

It certainly had, and he'd know the difference now. "He had to keep up the bandit image." He laughed. "And the pranks go on and on." They still needed to get Seamus back for all his jokes! "Scarlet red, with a red silk lined cloak? And a wide brimmed hat with a red feather." Getting into the color thing.

"Still a chicken about it, too." For his hit and run routine. "Maybe I'll be the kissing bandit in red." Like no one would guess who the black women in red was. She gave the idea thought over a few bites of the main course.

"Si, a lady is expected to be late to keep those in wait guessing and in awe when they arrive." Seeing to each of their seats as he was trying not to laugh hearing the conversation at the McAndrews table across from theirs. They could actually get into conversation with each other if they wished. "Franny will be seeing to your table shortly."

They were suppose to get Eddie, who was as good as Seamus, to trap Seamus. They'd all be in deep if Seamus and Eddie teamed up against the rest of them. There was something he nearly forgot, had heard, which he addressed to Joe. "Collin got back with Lah." In case he hadn't heard. "Married." So it was completely getting back with her.

As soon as the two were settled, she was over with the menus and a basket of bread for the table. "Good evening, ladies. Would you like to start with a drink?"

She glanced between the two, content to let the names float around, even if she didn't know them. Both men had nice voices, it wasn't a hardship to sit between them and listen.

"Think how much mischief you could cause." He grinned at Paige. "You'd have to be quick." Like Jon had been. He couldn't remember if any of the lasses had tried to retaliate after or if they were too shocked. But then Jon had his attention. "Married again? That's grand. Collin is the youngest of our brothers. He and Lah had been married before, had two children, parted ways and it seems they're married again." He smiled when he saw the two young women.  "Evening Kizzie, Miriam. This is Paige Nevin, a good friend of ours and some of our other brothers." He wasn't sure which ones she knew to be honest.

Then he explained to Paige, "Collin is our youngest brother. A lot of wanderlust when he was first married to the Queen's daughter Lah. Took off, many years filled with turmoil involving some of our other brothers that almost got with her instead. She never did though and he finally grew up and came home, the two found they still loved each other which is good for their twins they had years ago." That was the story in a nutshell.

Miriam quickly spoke up for the two of them, "We'll both have some mulled cider." She smiled brightly up at Franny. "And I think we both want your Chicken Marsala. We heard it was good from our Bobe." She continued to smile as she  heard her name being said. She turned her gaze towards Paige before greeting her with a genuine grin. "Pleasure is ours! You have good company if you are friends with McAndrews."

He stepped aside so that they could greet each other.
 
She'd probably met most of them over the years, but with all the clans around these parts they got jumbled together. Warm smile to the two girls, head inclined lightly. "Good evening to you both." Jon's summery got a pleased smile. "Sounds like it worked out well then." And with two younger girls in the mix she turned more towards Joe and lowered her voice between them when she returned comment on the kissing bandit,  unwilling to corrupt innocent girls, if they were. "I never, ever, have been quick at kissing, nor do I ever plan to be. If I ever am please smack me." Hot blooded Italian, he should have expected that one.

He stood as he greeted the two ladies. "A pleasure to see you both again. I'm sure you will enjoy your meal as I'm finding the food to be as delicious as the last time I was here."

"Indeed," She agrees as she smiles politely at Paige. "I would greet you in our normal fashion, but I'll let the boys for it for me." She was Kissie Kizzie after all. She glances up to Franny as she too smiles in her direction, "Yes, if you please. I'll have what she is having."

Jon was better at explaining the situation than he was but they had nearly answered at the same time so Paige had it in stereo. He leaned slightly then laughed. "I will, I promise." And Jon had taken care of the greeting which had him laughing again.

"This is her normal fashion." As once more he leaned to place a kiss to each of Paige's cheeks this time before straightening back.
 
-c-

Miriam couldn't help but crack up laughing as Jon leans in for the two girls to do their greeting for them. "Just like in ol' country," She says in a thick accent on purpose.

His lips had the most practice, like riding a bike? He hadn't kissed, or more stolen one, in six years? Wow, not a great thought to realize.

"Jon, that's twice." Sounded like a warning in her tone, and the smile was just short of dangerous.

"Blame those two on the lovely lady, that is how she greets everyone." Feigning innocent. Like Jon could even look innocent?
 
Kizzie turns towards Miriam to mutter low with a big grin, "A metsieh far a ganef." She waggles her brows before picking up a piece of bread to break.

"Your horns aren't as well hidden as mine, I'm not blaming them." Scolding him for trying.

Guilty!

She was laughing as she headed to turn in the order. Mulled Cider brought along with salads for the two young women. It was nice to have such a lively group here tonight.

"A meatball for Gandoff?" Was that what he heard? "Are you having spaghetti tonight?"

"What is a Gandoff?" She asks innocently as she hears the question. "No meatballs for someone we do not know."

While he was here, Tony saw to taking the finished bottle and replacing it with another before heading back to the bar.

"Third times the charm?" He grinned at Paige before he leaned back and enjoyed the wine.

"Just as well, he'd probably turn them into frog tails or eat them all himself." Continuing the teasing.

Despite all the talking she was doing a good job of cleaning up the fettuccine, no light bird eater was she. Wine came up empty, which had her giving Joe a hopeful look, glass tipped his way. "Third time is something." Hummed.

Third time for him he got decked by the sound of it!

He'd have to tempt fate to find out!

Last time he tempted fate, he got decked by two brothers, took them both to knock him out. He woke up tied to a chair with lip stick and makeup on him. He only eyed Paige for a moment with hard to read thoughts!

She gave him such an innocent smile, all dressed in gold silk, she couldn't look any more harmless if she tried.

No, she looked like rare sunshine in gold which had a slow smile rise before he was finishing off his meal.

A truly evil ray of sunshine, that made muted chicken noises at him before turning to see if Joe had the wine. Turning away helped cover the deep dimples, too.

He did and poured it into her glass as he gave Jon a look. He had been challenged!

There were challenges and then there were other kinds of challenges that might not be appropriate in spite of all the teasing. He felt this was one of those and not really a challenge in that way or he would see to it with a flourish.

She did well to not notice any looks, or pretend not to anyway. "Thank you." Murmured to Joe, amused, before leaning back to sip. "Now that you've followed through, and we've had dinner, I won't see you for another year?" Asking both, dimples still etched in deep.

The doors to the kitchen burst open as Sammy himself came carrying a tray with a delicate dessert of Tiramisn cheese cake, fresh cherries in a light syrup to drizzle over it all. He was to the table as it was set, motioning to Franny to see to the dishes in cutting it up. "Welcome as a guest this evening, this is on the house. I hope you all have enjoyed your meal," that was the best compliment to the chef. One that had the apron and hat on as head chef yet didn't take away from a muscular masculine body and face.

"I hope it doesn't take any of us that long. I happen to like our growing friendship. You know Charlie as well?" Now there was the gleam of mischief as they might conspire to tease that lady in a good way too.  Though Sammy had arrived with cheese cake no less. "I can only speak for myself, my meal was delicious!"

"It was a little slice of home." Even answering him in Italian, with a kiss of her fingers to boot. Jon was heard, and she'd answer once she finished complimenting the chef.

Tony was smiling to himself as he saw the two ladies out, each given a rose as they too had spoken on enjoying their meals. That he would relate to Sammy later on.

"Excellent as always, Sammy. " He smiled as he spoke. "Never been disappointed when we come here." And he looked at Paige. "Hopefully not. We've been lectured about working too much and staying hidden away in the mountains." And staying away meant there'd be plotting by their sister-in-laws!

Paige got one of his big grins. He recognized seeing her from the MT many years ago. It was slightly possible she might remember him. He wasn't liked at first for some actions misread, took that realization before they realized he wasn't really a smuck but a good guy.

She did recognize him, now that he came out of the kitchen! It made the smile grow wider, pleased he found a place to settle after all. "Tell them both they have to come back more, so I can visit here again." Let the chef beat the big brothers down, cheating shamelessly.

"Si, they will come back and will have to bring you again. You cannot live without some of our fine Sicilian cuisine, it would not be human." Giving her a wink of big brown eyes and a certain charm the brothers all had.

"It would be a sin." Agreeing nod with a mock sigh, scowling at both brothers. "It's decided, you have to come out of hiding much more often, or I'll be forced to hunt you down." They were terrified of the little woman in gold, right? She was imposing and stuff.

"That I cannot deny, we need a dose every so often or we shall indeed perish." Which he gave a mock scowl back Paige's way before followed by a flashing smile, dimples and all.

Absolutely terrified. See how they were cowering? "Especially of the cheesecake." Which happened to be Joe's favorite.

"I'll share mine with you if you promise to come back soon." Holding her cheesecake hostage. Jon needed a 'dose' so she gave him a pinch. It was a dose of something!

Imposing as a hissing, spitting wet kitten. Adorable if anything. "Aye, especially of the cheesecake, I could be bribed to do just about anything." Which he dug in once his slice was served. The pinch had him squirm but he didn't lose his mouthful.

"Promise." He gave her another grin, dimples and all. He agreed with Jon on that.

Before Joe got his slice she forked some up and offered it over, willing to feed him a bite since he promised! Praise for a good answer, she wasn't a fool.

And one he accepted quite happily. He even got a look of pure pleasure as he chewed. Then he dug into his own slice.

"You know what is said about a woman who feeds a man cheesecake..." making it sound mysterious. "He will be hers forever, devoted, waiting on her hand and foot."  Slow grin his brother's way. Waiting that moment.

He near choked and stared at Jon.

"You shouldn't have dug into yours so fast, I could have had you both." Finger snap for the 'miss'. "Besides, I can't picture either of you waiting on anyone hand and foot. Do I look like the sort to enjoy that?" Nose wrinkling up with a grin, finally getting in her own bite.

"Got to be fast or caught.." laughing out loud this time around. "Besides, you couldn't handle two of us so one will be enough, cheesecake man." Though it was his favorite too, he hadn't mentioned that. Yes, he was going to get Joe in the thick of it. "What kind of man do you like, Paige," actually serious as his tone changed to match. He was genuinely curious and showing another side of his real personality.

"Who says I can't? I'm Italian." Like that changed everything. His next question actually stumped her. Stumped silent! She mulled it over with another bite of cheesecake heaven, fingers tapping along her leg.

He waited nearby as he was enjoying listening to the rapport between the three. Good sense of humor they all possessed. Soon, quietly, he headed back to his domain to see to the meticulous cleaning of his kitchen, a ritual that went on every night after the meals were done.

He just shook his head, not saying a word, nope and worked on that slice of cheesecake until it was gone. Then he sat back to enjoy the wine and listen to Paige's answer. Though he did grin at Jon since he had stumped her!

"I think my answer would be too long." She offered Joe another bite of hers, fork offered up, since he finished his first.

He studied her for a long moment only to be followed by a slight dip of his head. Time to enjoy his wine as the evening wound down.

She finally scared them both?! "Truly, someone with a good sense of humor that can like me for who I am, all of me, not just parts of me, and I'm not an easy person to like." Sheepish grin with a lift of her shoulders. "If he can beat me in a spar that's a bonus." Something in her tone said that didn't happen often, wistful smile with thoughts of her sword.

Bite accepted and chewed as he considered. "That's not a bad start." He studied her though. "You seem to have plenty of friends. How can you say you're not easy to like?" That had him curious, though the spar part had him chuckling. "There's an Irish legend about a woman like that. Or was it beat her in a race?"

He set his empty glass aside as he spoke up on what she had to say. "That is how it should be. Loved as you are. I don't know you in that way to agree or disagree you would not be an easy person to like. I know, in  the least, I like you as a friend." Though the last had him pause with a laugh to follow. "So one be warned that possesses more an interest to hone up on their sparring skills.."

"Is this another song coming?" Amused glance between the two. "I do have a lot of friends." Agreeing nod to that. "I'm set in my ways, I've no desire to change into some romantic lass, I enjoy a good spar, running bad guys through, going on adventures, tasting life and all its colors." She warned them it was a long answer. "I'm all of that, and more, as a lover, which can be too intense, I suppose." Clearly still not shy!

"I think the older one gets and enough relationships that list gets longer. Knowing what you wish not, helps you to know what you do want. Bravo." And her being intense didn't surprise him either.

"There's nothing wrong with any of that." He laughed and looked at Jon. "I don't know if there is a song that would suit, and I like you as a friend as well. Anyone who'd want to change you to a romantic lass would be missing a lot I'm thinking. One should be accepted for who they are."

"I've always known, and rarely change." The smile went with easy truth. "I'm a bastard duchess by birth, and earned my title as Knight." More proud of the latter, clearly. "And you two? Jon likes anything in a skirt, or so he likes people to think."
 
"I only know sad love songs," which had him starting one, "He remembers the first time he met ‘er. He remembers the first thing she said. He remembers the first time he held her and the night that she came to his bed. He remembers her sweet way of singin’ Honey has somethin’ gone wrong? He remembers the fun and the teasin’ and the reason he wrote ‘er this song."

"He looks for reasons to sing, doesn't he?" Leaning a bit to murmur to Joe, amused.

"So I like people to think, otherwise I would have been married off a long time ago. Women are less interested in a skirt chasing man." Though he continued the song, "I'll give you a daisy a day, dear. I'll give you a daisy a day. I'll love you until the rivers run still and the four winds we know blow away. They would walk down the street in the evenin’ and for years I would see them go by and their love that was more than the clothes that they wore could be seen in the gleam of their eye." There was meaning in this song, underlying as it were that spoke on how a relationship should be in the long run. "As a kid they would take me for candy and I loved to go taggin’ along. We'd hold hands while we walked to the corner and the old man would sing ‘er his song. I'll give you a daisy a day, dear, I'll give you a daisy a day, I'll love you until the rivers run still and the four winds we know blow away."

"Aye, most of m'brothers are like that. I usually don't sing unless I'm drunk." He kept his voice low so he didn't interrupt. "Come to think of it, I'm probably the only one who doesn't."

"Maybe that's why I always think of you as shy. I was sure I scared the bejeebers out of you." Dimples popped out again, voice kept low so she could listen to the song.

They would more worry if he became quiet, which he tried before. "Now he walks down the street in the evenin’ and he stops by the old candy store and I somehow believe he’s believin’, he’s holdin’ ‘er hand like before. For he feels all her love walkin’ with him and he smiles at the things she might say, then the old man walks up to the hilltop and gives her a daisy a day." A silent pause as the words of the song came lowered, almost hushed as he looked away towards one of the darkened windows. "I'll give you a daisy a day, dear. I'll give you a daisy a day. I'll love you until the rivers run still and the four winds we know blow away." Luckily, he was done. Poured himself another glass of wine and went quiet.
 
That was a sad song, pretty in its own way. His turn for a hit and run, though she bypassed the cheek area and tried to sneak a kiss in before he got the wine. No being sad after a fun evening!
 
-c-

Which had him turn and crash noses.

"Well sung, Jon." And one of his favorites. He shook his head and continued. "Not so much shy as quiet. When I was drinking heavy, I tended to be short with people. I'm still cautious." And watching the two of them had him laughing.
 
And had her hand come up to protect her nose. "See? Fast kissing is bad, Joe!" As if this was the reason never to do it.

Fast he could be as the attempt was made. "If you attempt anything you should give it your best, no matter what is it or not do it at all." He was up, scooping her up into his arms and tipped her to the side. Lips seared over hers in a passion he kept buried inside. Oh, he had it, just rarely showed it. Kiss her well, kiss her complete that left both with a needed draw of a breath when done. Not all too soon, not overly long.

"You can't be short with me, you're nearly a foottttt..." Trailed off with a startled sound when she was scooped up. Didn't take her but a few beats to catch up, and she gave as good as she got, with passion she never kept buried anywhere, fingers raking the back of his neck and hair, a steady thrum in the back of her throat. If he was foolish enough to catch his breath she took the lead and kissed -him-, letting him hang on. She had given him warning!

He was no slouch and would return what was given, met and more. Nibbling suckle that explored the fullness of her lips thoroughly, sweet the nectar deliciously explored before lifted. Arm still enclosed as blue eyes met the dark depths of hers. "You do that well, indeed." Smile lifting as well dimples dipping as he eased from the hold. "Another glass of wine?" Lifting the bottle as he would pour her some more as well his glass and his brothers.

Whoa! He let out a low whistle and picked up his glass, drinking the wine down after holding it up in a salute to the two. Once Jon made the offer, he held his glass out.

She nuzzled her cheek along his jaw while she caught her breath, fingers loosing their hold on his hair. Didn't pull any out, thankfully! "You're not too bad, when you aren't in a hurry." Dulling her compliment down, couldn't dull the smile though. Her glass was out of reach so she gestured to it, refill offer accepted.

Good thing.. she didn't want to give him an inflated ego, but actually that would not happen. "I broke my six year streak of no kissing." Hoping that didn't show!

"You really should kiss more, it's a pity to waste such talent." There went the ego boosting.

"Soon as I get my scarlet mask," grinning as all drinks were filled and he lifting his, "here's to being single, drinking doubles and seeing triples." Down the hatch it went.

And glad he was that he hadn't been drinking when Jon said that. But there was a toast worth drinking to!

"If you're seeing three of me you've had way too much to drink." Toasting and drink though, without any wheezing!

"Then we can get our brother Seamus or Eddie here and share!" Grinning as the glass lowered and the bubbles had his nose twitch.

"Sláinte! Not seeing three yet."

"Oh nooo, out with two of you is enough, I'm not trying to keep up with four." The very idea was enough to have her draining her glass, shoulders hunching up with a shiver.

So Paige had her limits! Smart lass too. "I don't think I could handle two more of my brothers in sharing too." Laughing it off as glasses were refilled again.

"Who said I was willing to be shared?" Backing the conversation up a few steps. "I'm small, not a ball to be passed around." Remembering the sandwich hug and grinning over it.

"I don't see you being used as a ball, no. And no, we're not willing to share with them either." With those two, they'd end up in trouble.

"Aye, exactly my point. Though it brings back a memory of a lass that was only this high," which his hand was down to about two feet off the ground, "and she enjoyed being tossed between us, literally."

"Was she two?" Guessing. Joe was still sitting, so he got sat on, couldn't have him feeling left out, and he said he wouldn't use her as a ball.

"Our twin nieces liked it too." He chuckled. "Of course, they're grown up now and too old for tossin'." As Paige sat, he put an arm around her waist.

"No, I think some kind of dwarf, she would roll up into a ball so we could toss her."

"I get tossed around most nights I go to the Tavern. In the trough, bushes, mud puddles." Nose wrinkling grin, mulling over the why's of it again.

"Is that place anything like it use to be now that it has come back to life? I remember when Maggie O'Brian and Bailey use to tender it." Then again there weren't any modern nexus messing with it either. He and his brothers use to hang out there along with many others.

"Not like it was, no, but some nights are still fun, lacking the drama of which gay boy is dating which gay boy. Come to think of it, doesn't much matter what type of man I like, they're all little boys that like boys. I'm a lot of things, but a boy isn't one of them." Glancing down at her unimpressive chest. "Even if I don't have Rhydin jahoobies."

"Are they as thick as they used to be. The gay boys?" He had to pause then repeat. "Jahoobies. That's one I've not heard." He looked at Jon to see if he had.

"Of all the influxes, in my personal opinion, that ruined the place. Tainted it, made it a drama sandbox for little lost boys." He could take the modern, even learn from it but the other, no, that was the pits. The last had him laughing, "isn't what you got but how you use it," like said to males with little willies.

"That's a Tyg word." Grinning over her shoulder to Joe. "Anything more than a handful is a waste." Agreeing nod to Jon. "I have no desire to have them inflated larger than my head, it would make walking and sparring impossible."

"Aside being bad for your health unless you use them as lethal weapons to bludgeon your enemies with. Though a man might die with a smile on his face."

"I'll slice him gut to gullet, it's much more satisfying." Cheerful little violent streak she had.

"Here lies Joe Smoe, death by jahoobies. He died with a smile on his face even the undertaker couldn't wipe off."   Best he go quiet again!

Another glance back at Joe. "You're a Joe, is that how you want to go?"

He was laughing at the thought of that nice little note on a tombstone. "I heard tell they have surgery to inflate them. Would that be like a balloon, full of air and a pin would deflate them?" No, Jon was being funny! "No, I'd rather die an old man, content with my life than go out by jahoobies."

"There, see, jahoobies are not all they are cracked up to be."

"Chicken." She tried to make chicken sounds but was too busy laughing at the image of an undertaker wiping faces.

"Nor inflated..." watching Paige had him laughing with her, her expression priceless.

Her hands moved in some silent conversation, as Italians tended to do, nose twitching back up with one image or another. Eventually she tried to swat at Jon for starting it all!

Which only had him laughing harder that he didn't even pretend to move away from the swat. It was good to see her laughing for it meant she was having a good time.

"I'm picturing him having to cut off lips and glue them back on, Jon McAndrews!" Scolding and laughing didn't work well.

They had the folks in the Bistro laughing too and Joe had to wipe his eyes from laughing so hard, especially after Paige's last. "Upside down to take the smile away!"

"Or twisting his lips around so they made a frown?" That would be just as tricky.

"What if he put the wrong lips back on?" Mr. Potato Head morgue style.

"Would give him a new look. Aunt Matilda turns to sister Violet, look dear, he looks even better dead than he had been alive. His lips much fuller, amazing what they can do for you in the morgue."  Worse, he affected a higher voice as much he could for these two biddies having a conversation at a wake.

Please don't expect Joe to speak for a few moment. He was laughing much too hard. He could see the old dearies holding that conversation!

Faith enough that Joe wouldn't drop her, given he was huge next to her, she crossed her legs in a swish of silk. "Then she'd complain she missed out on years of good kissing!"

"Be a popular mortician, wouldn't he?" He managed to get that out.

"From jahoobies to face transplants, and people think *I'm* the strange one." One hand gesturing between the brothers, blaming them. "Are you wearing suspenders?" Out of the blue random, another good reason not to drink, they were bad influences!

"So kiss while you can and not worry about your jahoobies," like there was suppose to be a moral to all of this! Unfortunately it was also getting late and the place quiet though they had not been asked to leave but allowed to stay and enjoy themselves. Kitchen was quiet. Franko was still near the door and Tony by the bar and the waitress had cleared off their table in the interim leaving the bottle of wine though.  "Under the vest, how my pants are being kept up." Went with wearing a suit. "Oh," pause, "wait," pause, "are you asking Joe?" Being she was on his lap as if he just noticed.

Clearing tables was a good sign, enough to get her up on her feet and offering a hand down to Joe, which looked hysterical given their size difference. Her other hand was trying to pull up Jon's vest to peek. Good thing about being female, you didn't get slapped for sneaking peeks!

"Suspenders? Aye." That was a switch from the previous topic and had him hesitating for a moment. He watched her trying to peek under Jon's vest and chuckled.

They were there, under the vest, and keeping his pants up just like he said. Though they would not really fall down if the suspenders were snapped opened.

"Either or, actually." Everyone had fetishes, suspenders were hers, and she'd had enough wine to indulge herself! Happy little sigh, petting one strap briefly, and to redeem herself she snapped it before loosing him. Never happened!

He staggered a few steps back in a dramatic act, "I'm wounded, not sure I'll live." Hands over where she snapped the suspenders as if they could bring about his demise. "Make sure they make my lips bigger so Paige will look upon me and say, man, he could have kissed even better with those!"

"You kiss just fine, Mr. Bandit, but if he doesn't do a good job on you I'll run him through." Puffing up, very unimposing in gold silk.  Joe wasn't off the suspender hook, she was simply waiting for him to stand up, then a hand would sneak under his vest to do the same; pet then snap, with another happy little sigh, far too easy to amuse. "Two visits in a row you've gotten me drunk, McAndrews." That covered them both, and again the warning tone was there, just like it had been with 'two kisses', making it a flat out challenge to try again, thus making sure they'd be back sooner than later. She was good at playing dirty.

So he was over to sweep her up into his arms to carry. "Now you'll not have to worry as you will be seen to your destination." It would take a lot to get a McAndrews drunk though it had been accomplished on occasion.

He finally realized she had been holding a hand out and made a show of standing, as if she were really taller and helping him. He did tower some. "There, Jon, now you know you'll look good. " And Jon saved him from the snapping?
 
He ruined her snapping?! She tugged him to get him to lean back so she could snap. It was a law of suspenders. "At least you know the way to my house this time."

So he leaned as she was still holding onto Joe's suspender? If she let it go now... wow.

Maybe she'd tow Joe along by his suspender, get the old man moving.

That would do it!

Jon could lead them all out for the ride back. Conga line with a twist.

They'd make quite an impression, Jon carrying Paige who was holding on to Joe's suspenders.

And Franko would be holding the door for them so they wouldn't have to worry about that part of it.

Franko got a beaming smile, all dimples, on their way by. "Thank you, it was wonderful." Called back while carried off. Never a dull moment with the brothers.

"You're very welcome. Come back again." It certainly had made their evening lively.  And since they had made arrangements for the payment earlier, they didn't have to make any stops.

As well Tony to see them out and then they would be closing up the place for the night. A good one.

They would be singing too on the way home!

Yes, they would. Maybe The Scotsman!
 
-e-

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