"That's a lot of cupcakes" (Fluff ahoy!)
A heavenlyaroma greeted me as soon as I stepped through the door. Vanilla, chocolate… somuch sweetness that it was almost overwhelming.
Ohgod, practically every surface in our kitchen was covered in baked goods. Severalkinds of Cardassian pastries on the table, scones perched on top of our bakingunit, a cake sitting on a chair.
Andcupcakes. Cupcakes everywhere. Whywere there so many cupcakes? I inspected the batch on the nearest counter,seeing that they weren’t all decorated. The finished ones were adorned with littleEdosian orchids drawn with icing.
Therewas no sign of Garak, though. Shaking my head, I went to the window and peeredinto the garden. There he was, standing next to his flowers and staring at themwith a ridiculous intensity.
Icracked the door open, not wanting to let too much heat inside. “Elim,” Icalled.
Hewhipped around to face me, smiling widely. “My dear! You’re home.”
“Hi,love. What are you doing?”
Heslipped back inside, stopping just long enough to kiss my cheek. “Oh, you know.This and that.”
Baffled,I followed and watched as he resumed decorating. “That’s a lotof cupcakes.”
“Yes,well…” Garak made a face, inspecting the color of icing he was using. “I’m notsure if this is close enough. What do you think?”
“Elim,were you out in that heat just so you could see if you were correct about whatcolor your orchids are?” I asked, exasperated. “Are you trying to give yourself heat stroke again?”
“It’snot that hot.” Seeming satisfied withthe color, he went back to what he was doing.
Thatstill didn’t answer my primary question. “Why are there cupcakes everywhere?”
“There’salso scones, beloved,” he answered absently. “I’m well aware that they’re oneof your favorite foods. They’re one of mine as well, of course. These onesturned out quite admirably, I think. Why don’t you have one?”
Irubbed my forehead, amazed at how much he could still confuse me after all thistime together. “I’m glad you made scones, but why are you baking this much?”
Garakturned to me, widening his eyes dramatically. “My dear Doctor, have youforgotten that we’re getting married tomorrow?”
“Ofcourse not,” I chuckled, reaching up to stroke his cheek. “I just wasn’texpecting the house to turn into a bakery.”
“Ahyes, I suppose I understand how that would be confusing.” He looked around thekitchen, as if really seeing all his work for the first time. “I may have goneslightly overboard.”
“It’sa little excessive. We’re not having all that many guests.”
Heblinked at me. “How was work?”
“Workwas fine.” Undeterred by his evasion attempt, I returned to my originalquestion. “How exactly did the cupcake explosion happen, Elim?”
Igot another signature “you’re such a pest” look in response, along with adismissive hand wave. “Wouldn’t it be a rather disappointing, dull weddingwithout baked goods? Really, Doctor. What sort of weddings have you been goingto?”
“Spitit out, Elim,” I said mock sternly, leaning against the counter.
“My dear Julian, it’s the responsibility of ahost to provide adequate nourishment for their guests.” There was that damnedinnocent smile again.
Hehuffed at me. “Oh, very well. You really are persistent.”
“Ithought you liked my persistence.” I teased, coaxing him away from the cupcakesand joining our hands. “Now, come on. Tell me what’s troubling you.”
“It’snot so much troubling.” At my unconvinced look, he relented. “I admit, I’m abit anxious.”
“Aboutgetting married?” I asked, concerned. Although we’d been together for years, Iknew he still had some commitment issues, as well as a tendency to catastrophize.
“Ohno, Julian.” He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine and then touching hischufa to my brow. “It’s not that at all. I ammildly concerned that a wedding offers a perfect chance for an assassinationattempt, but I have no fears about marriage itself.”
Witha chuckle, I gave him another kiss. “What is it, then?”
Heheaved a sigh and pursed his lips. “Just my usual fussiness. Are the outfits Idesigned good enough, is the garden ready, have I ensured that we have adequatesecurity… I’m sure you get the general idea.”
“So…”I glanced at the cupcakes again.
Garakgave a soft laugh, no longer looking so stressed. “I suppose the cupcakes werea way of coping with the anxiety.”
“Well,that’s a particularly delicious way of coping with anxiety.” I combed myfingers through his hair, and he closed his eyes. A cool hand came up to cup mycheek, thumb stroking across my close-cropped beard.
“I loveyou, my dear Julian,” he murmured. “Please never stop being your persistentself.”
“Ilove you too, and I promise.” I pulled him closer for another kiss, and then embracedhim. “The wedding will go fantastic. The outfits you designed are absolutelystunning, the garden is completely ready, and your security arrangements aremeticulous.”
Hegave a soft hum, nuzzling against my neck. “I appreciate it.”
Holdinghim a little tighter, I smiled. “Let’s have some of those cupcakes.”
