They got to mixing the muffin batter first, and she listened to the tricks to getting fluffier results. Hand mixing only, long strokes to not over mix, then letting the batter rest for at least fifteen minutes. Which they put aside while they moved on to the frittata.
“I like using fresh roasted peppers,” Grace said. She moved to the gas stove, turned it on and put the red peppers on it. “Just keep an eye on them, Ethan, and keep turning them as they get grill marks, then we’ll peel the skins off. Nora, you and I can wash and dry the spinach.”
She was doing everything she was told, watching what Grace did, or following instructions while Grace watched.
Fifteen minutes later, the mixture of peppers, spinach, eggs and seasonings were in a cast-iron skillet and in the oven. With five minutes left on that, they’d fill the muffin tins and switch the foods over.
“Is it better to use brioche bread?” she asked when they started on the French toast.
“That or challah, which isn’t as easy to find. I made this for you last night.”
“It’s fresh bread?” Ethan asked.
“Hey, I don’t skimp,” Grace said, grinning. “Ethan, cut it into thick slices. The whole loaf. Nora, you’re going to mix the batter for that. Then we’ll soak them and Ethan can cook them while you make the filling.”
“What’s the filling going to be?”
“Cream cheese, sugar, and the same berries as in the muffins.”
“I’m so glad we ran longer than normal this morning. Now I know why Ethan did it and then rushed us out the door before we could have our normal big breakfast.”
“We are getting it now,” he said. “Then plenty of leftovers to bring back.”
“You two run together?” Grace asked. “No, thank you. I sweat enough in the kitchen. Which I’ll need to slow the weight gain down.”
She put her hand on her flat belly.
“Are you pregnant?” Ethan asked.
“Yes. Just out of the first trimester. We started telling everyone a few days ago, but I’m assuming it hasn’t reached you.”
“No,” he said. “Congrats.”
Nora saw Ethan’s expression light up once again with the talk of kids.
It wasn’t one of the talks they’d had. She knew he’d want them, so she was happy with that. Not all men did. Another problem she’d discovered dating recently.
Thirty minutes later, Grace was out the door and she and Ethan were sitting at the table and sampling everything that was done.
“This is so good,” Nora said, diving into the French toast. She was saving a muffin for later, but this and the frittata were getting demolished by them both.
“It is,” he said. “Now I know what to make for you some morning.”
“The same,” she said. Maybe it was time to ask him about kids. It seemed he brought everything else up first and she needed to show she was all in as much as him. “I saw how excited you got over Grace’s pregnancy.”
“I’m happy for her. Most of my cousins are married and having kids right away. I think part of it is that no one got married in their early twenties. Most are in their early thirties. The women might be younger for some of my cousins, but not always that much.”
“I’m five years younger than you. I’ll be thirty in a few months. I thought I’d have kids by now, so I can understand the rush when someone is married.”
“So youdowant kids?”
“Of course. I’m not sure why you thought I wouldn’t, but I guess I understand it more. I’ve found more men don’t than do now. Or they are on the fence either way. I can appreciate that but also wonder if their being on the fence means it’s really no, but they’d compromise.”
“I don’t think there should be compromise with kids,” he said.
“Me neither. I know my father wanted a child, but I think he would have been happier with a boy.”
“That shouldn’t matter either. My brothers never cared. If Eli had another girl, he’d be over the moon. Adrienne is his little shadow.”
