After the two ladies left the room, their significant others then left the table to follow them. I watched as my husband responded to their departure by walking out himself, retreating into the kitchen to collect himself. I could tell by the look on his face that he didn't like what had just happened, as the cat was prem.a.t.u.r.ely let out of the bag. I could tell he was hoping to get them to talk a bit more before letting them know his true intentions. David was in the kitchen leaning on the island trying to collect himself when I strolled in.

"Hey you," I said as I comforted him with a half hug from behind. "You alright?"

"I'll be fine," he replied, taking a deep breath. "Things are just not going exactly how I planned them to."

"When does it ever?" I countered, "Make adjustments and carry on."

"I don't know how," my husband said, "I didn't expect them all to turn down the position."

"They didn't," I replied, "Well, I actually think Nicholas did, but the other two were clearly gestures to save face. No one likes to think they got something only because someone else turned it down. That you were not a first choice."

"I see," David said, pondering the new data. "So you think it was just for show?"

"I think so," I said, taking his hand into mine. "But I wouldn't confront them about it too soon, as that will just come off as desperation on your part. Let them stew about it overnight and see who cracks first. If no one does, we'll burn that bridge when we get to it."

"I like it," David concurred, "We'll let it rest for the night and move on tomorrow."

"Picnic at our favorite peak?" my husband suggested.

"I was thinking of that too," I admitted, "Do you think the crew will be able to keep up with us?"

"Only one way to find out," David said, grinning. "You know how I love dragging people up there."

"Oh I do," I recalled, "I'll remember to pack the first aid kit."

"Should I tell them?" David asked.

"No, let them be." I suggested, "They're still a little shaken, so let's not stress them out any further. Let them sleep on it and we'll surprise them in the morning."

At that exact moment when I made that last statement, Nicholas came into the kitchen with some dishes in his hands. He was making an effort to help David clear the table.

"Sorry," Nicholas started, "Am I interrupting something?"

"Probably," I replied, "But we're done anyway. Right, dear?"

"Yes, I got them all." Nicholas confirmed.

"Well, we have a rule that covers this situation." I informed Nicholas, "Those who cook do not clean. You two can take care of this."

"Yes, Ma'am." Nicholas said, turning to David. "I wash and you dry?"

I left the men to take care of the dishes and strolled into the dining room to confirm that Nicholas had cleared the rest of the dishes as he had indicated. He even gave the table a good one over for good measure, which was nice of him. I walked into the living room and there was no one in there as well. Odds are the other men were upstairs, stroking the egos of their significant others and letting them know they weren't alone during these trying times. I wasn't in the mood to check on any of them so I walked over to one of the couches and picked up a poetry book from the coffee table and just flipped to a random page. After reading few pages, I put the book down and then walked over to my stereo, as I was in the mood to listen to something. I ran my finger across the compact discs I had lined up on the shelf beside it, and came across on that put a smile on my face. I took the disc out and put it on. It wasn't too loud, but at the same time it wasn't too soft either. I laid down on the couch and listened to the mellow tune as it bellowed out. I didn't give a f.u.c.k who heard it, this was my house. At the same time I was sending a coded message to David to let him know how I was feeling. He could always tell how I was feeling based on what music I listened to. I was curious to how this was being received as he did the dishes with Nicholas. Rather than check on them, I instead closed my eyes and hope that no one has the nerve to disturb me as I tried to relax...