Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Slate, Holly)

[Slate Cummings]

Slate had called his mom during lunch to let her know Holly would be joining them for dinner. He wanted things to be perfect for the night, which also meant the younger two kids be on their best behavior.

"Just nothing with onions in it, she doesn't like onions." Slate explained to his mother, almost panicking.

"Fine, Slate, fine, no onions. Besides tonight it's baked chicken, broccoli rice casserole, tossed salad, and a choice of either blueberry cobbler or apple pie with ice cream for dessert."

"It all sounds good." That seemed to seal everything until from the living room erupted an argument over who's turn it was on a game.

"C-Can't we lock those two in the garage or something?" Slate complained.

"Slate, I'll deal with the Hekyll and Jekyll, you go and get Holly. Everything will be fine, stop worrying!"

Slate drove to pick up Holly. To say he was nervous about this was slightly under exaggerated. He parked and went up to the door. He was greeted by a housekeeper.

"Please come in, Miss Holly will be down shortly."

Slate thought and chuckled a little, the last Miss Holly he had heard of was from Georgia with a reputation. Thankfully his Holly wasn't like that.

[hollyknowles]

Holly glanced in the mirror one last time, knowing that Slate was going to be there soon. He had invited her over for dinner, insisting that she had a full meal done by his mother since they'd agreed to do a dinner out for Prom. It wasn't a huge deal, HOl had been over there for dinner and stuff before. Still she wanted to at least look nice. She'd chosen a knee length wine colored halter dress, not too dressy, not too casual.

Hearing the doorbell ring, She grabbed her jacket and bag, walking down the steps as she heard Martha, her housekeeper tell Slate she'd be down shortly. The only thing she was nervous about was his parents knowing taht they had slept together. "hey..no chuckling at my staff...Martha's known me since I was in diapers.." She grinned, walking over and kissing Slate on the cheek. "Are we ready?" She asked, looking to Martha. "If my parents return, I am out for the evening." She was answered with a nod before she turned back to her boyfriend.

[Slate Cummings]

Slate watched Holly come down the steps. He grinned, he felt like the luckiest guy right now. "You look great, as always!" He said as she crossed to him giving him the peck on the cheek.

"I wasn't laughing at the help, just something she said is all." Slate knew Holly wouldn't like being compared to a madame.

"I'm ready, I just hope the house is still standing when we get there, I think World War 3 was about to erupt between my siblings." Even though he liked his idea of locking them in the garage, he knew very well that wouldn't happen.

"I hope your hungry, Mom out did herself for a weeknight. She just figured better do it big now since we'll be dining out on prom night." He escorted Holly to the car and helped her inside.

He noted she said she would be out for the evening, as exciting as it was to think she'd sleep over he didn't want to plan on that.

Once he was in the car and on the way back home, he asked. "So where would like to eat at on prom night?"

[hollyknowles]

Holly beamed at him when he complimented her. Yes she knew she looked good, but it was always that much nicer to be told as such. "I know..she's called me Miss Holly since I could walk.." She grinned.

"Aww...you shouldn't be so rough on them..just..lock them in the garage or something." Holly smirked, putting her jacket on as they were heading outside. "I love your mom's food but she didn't need to overdo it just cause I'm coming over.." Still, it was nice to be appreicated.

"Where to go for dinner.." She pursed her lips in thought. "There's this really good Italian place over near the beach..and the smell of the ocean as you eat...and the sunset.." She smiled, looking over at him as he drive. "It's not a huge place so we should be able to still get in."

They arrived at Slates house not too long after that, and got out of the ar. "Should we put on hazmat suits before we go in?" She teased.

[Slate Cummings]

Slate gave Holly a curious look. "You just read my mind about the younger two. I'm sure they'll be given a lecture before we get there but still at nine and twelve there's no telling what they'll talk about." Slate mused. "That's one thing about southern women, they like to find any reason to cook a big meal, this was one of those times to my mom."

"Oh yeah I know the place you mean, I'll do the reservations tomorrow. I can't wait to see you in your dress." He glanced over at her with a sly grin on his face.

As they pulled into the driveway, he laughed at Hol's comment. "As long as the house is still standing, I think we'll be safe." He got out of the car then went and got the door for her. He took her hand, "You ready?"

[hollyknowles]

Holly smiled. " Did I really?" She asked. She really had no problem with Slate's younger siblings, they liked to tease and have fun, but they weren't bad kids at least. All of the Cummings children were raised really well. "They shouldn't have anything to talk about...right?" She cast a glance at her boyfriend cautiously.

She grinned when he mentioned her dress. Her dress was nothing short of amazing. It was pink and black, tight and he was going to die! "You are gonna have to wait till Saturday night to see my dress..and no i won't give any hints about it." She grinned evily.

Slate was such a good guy, she felt very lucky to have him. He had all these lovely southern manners, like opening doors that she really enjoyed. "Yeah...let's go.." She answered, lacing her fingers with his With mock frightened looks on each of their faces, the couple headed toward the front door and inside, prepared for the onslaught of his family, barreling toward them.

[Slate Cummings]

"The only people who know what happened between us is my folks. No need to worry about KC and JD saying anything, other than the usual juvie kissy face comments." Slate grinned.

Slate could only imagine what the dress would be like. Granted Holly could wear anything and make it look wonderful.

With her hand intertwined with his, they carefully entered the house, which was quiet except for the tv. The two kids looked up and both quietly said hi to Slate and Holly before resuming their program. He arched an eyebrow in suspicion.

"Let's see whats going on." He led Holly to the kitchen which smelled wonderful. "So Mom who are those Stepford kids in the front room and where did my brother and sister go?"

"I said no video games for a month if they kept up fighting. Now give your mother a proper greeting."

Slate let go of Holly's hand for a brief moment, to hug his mother. "I'm home mom, and I have Holly with me." This was a regular doing in the family.

"Hello Holly, glad you joined us tonight. Did you need anything to drink while dinner finishes?" Mom was a step ahead of her son.

[hollyknowles]

Holly had to admit silently at least, that she was nervous about his parents knowing about their..incident, but they hadn't blown up at Slate over it, which was a good thing at least. She hoped they didn't bring it up at dinner, especially with the boys around! She grinned over at Slate as she watched his expression as he tried to picture her dress.

She replied to the younger boys when they greeted them upon walking into the house. She grinned over at Slate knowingly. "Garage.." She mouthed as they headed into the kitchen. It was nice to smell actual home cooking for once, and not just the good smells from the cook in the kitchen like back at her place. Her parents were rarely home these days, which was fine with her, Hol was self reliant.

"Mrs. Cummings.." She smiled, at ease with the woman. "Water or soda, whatever you have is just fine, thank you..." She answered. "Everything smells amazing...can I help you with anything?"

[Slate Cummings]

"Oh no thank you dear, I appreciate the offer though. You enjoy your time together." She smiled at Holly before checking the casserole. Slate went and filled a couple of glasses of ice water for Hol and himself. "Its no offense to you, but my mom runs her kitchen like a ship." Slate couldn't resist a dig at his mom. "Granted the ship is Titanic."

Slate's face met with a dishtowel. "Keep that up and I'll have you doing the dishes tonight, mister!" his mom scolded him with a playful smile.

"C'mon lets go sit outside in back, we have a nice swing now. You can take the people out of the south but not the south out of the people." Slate stated. He took Holly by the hand and led her to the backyard. He sat and patted the seat next to him. "This is a nice way to relax, back in Georgia we'd have nights when we'd actually sleep outside on the front porch. I know that sounds pretty rednecked but think about it, its just you, looking up at the moon and stars."

[hollyknowles]

Holly took the glass of ice water that Slate had handed her, trying not to snicker out loud at his comment. The snicker turned into a full out laugh as Mrs. Cummings nailed her boyfriend with a dishtowel in the face. "We can do the dishes Mrs. Cummings..it's no problem." Holly assured her. Slate suggested that they go outside for a bit, which Hol was good with.

They curled up on the massive porch swing, it was one of the super nice ones with the cushions and awning. Hol tucked in next to him, her head on his shoulder. "It's not redneck..it's nice." She told him. "This is nice..your moms nice..your siblings..usually nice.." She grinned, leaving a kiss on his shoulder gently.