Lois and Carolyn, thanks for the beta...you’re the greatest!  

I would also like to thank everyone who previewed the chapters for me.
<hr>

Chapter 35 – Cinnamon Walnut Raisin Buns
Sunday Morning…(Day 63)


It was a typical Sunday morning at Debbie’s.  Something about last night made Debbie decide to make something special for breakfast this morning, so she eased out of bed and headed into the kitchen.  She put on her apron and pulled out an old recipe book, which once belonged to Vic.  

Somehow talking about Vic last night had been a warm memory, and Debbie wasn’t willing to let it go just yet. So, she decided that making the Cinnamon Walnut Raisin Buns with Caramel Icing was her way of keeping Vic closer for just a little while longer.  

She started the coffee to brew and then began to gather the necessary ingredients.  

With the recipe and ingredients resting on the table, Debbie took one more minute to cast her eyes upward to silently commune with her brother before she started. These weren’t lemon bars, which she could practically make in her sleep.  These buns were a very special recipe.

With Vic as her inspiration, Debbie quickly got the first pan of buns into the oven. 
 
Soon, the aroma of the buns permeated the entire house.  

Lindsay and Melanie were the first to arrive downstairs.  They quickly chatted with Debbie over a glass of juice and grabbed one of the first buns, without waiting for the icing.  They planned to share it on the way to their appointment with Elizabeth.  

Although they were in a bit of a hurry, they stopped long enough to explain to Debbie that they had an early morning appointment and then several errands to run.   After hugs all around, Lindsay and Melanie left Debbie alone once again, after assuring her that they would be back in time for dinner.

A few minutes later, Debbie started to dribble the caramel icing.  She was concentrating on creating a work of art, worthy of Justin, when a pair of loving arms engulfed her from behind.

“Carl!” she exclaimed, “I thought that you might be sleeping late this morning…especially since we had such an exciting night last night.”

“Like that’s fucking likely,” he teased, trying to imitate Debbie. “With the smell of fresh baked goods filling the house, I don’t think so.  In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Em showed up any minute too,” he added.

“This is just the first batch.  The girls even took one with them.   It’s been a long time since I’ve made this recipe.  I hoped, if I blew the recipe too badly, I could somehow hide the evidence,” she teased.

“Now when have you ever ruined a batch of anything?” Carl asked.

“This isn’t exactly something that I can hide under marinara sauce, you know,” she cautiously fired back, before she resumed her artistic endeavor of icing the buns.

Carl poured himself a cup of coffee and tried to steal the first bun that was iced.  “So what’s the occasion?  The last time you made buns, you told me the story about Daniel and Michael.  I must admit those buns were less elaborate than these.  So I ask you, what’s the occasion?”

“Something just told me it was time to make this recipe,” Debbie quietly admitted with a smile.  She then held her breath as she watched Carl take his first bite.

“These are wonderful!” Carl quickly professed, eliciting a smile and a thankful, upward glance from Debbie.

Carl quickly got up to grab a second bun and placed it on a plate for Debbie.  He then gently nudged her to sit at the table with him as he poured her a cup of coffee.

They were enjoying breakfast and reading the Sunday paper, when Carl grabbed a second bun for himself.  

“I know why you made these,” Carl said in between mouthfuls.  “You knew that I wouldn’t be able to resist them, and you just wanted to make me fat,” Carl said in mock protest.

“Carl!  How can you say that?” Debbie challenged.

“It’s obvious that you wanted to be sure that I stay fat and unappealing.  But, Debbie Honey, this is devious even for you,” he added. “Can I help it if Casey found me attractive last night?” he innocently asked.

“I knew that there was a lot of fucking eye action going on between the two of you.  Even Divina noticed it.  Danny didn’t want to tell Casey the truth.  I most certainly would have.  You’re not available, Carl…so get over it.  And if I want to fatten you up with buns, it’s my prerogative.  Divina would expect no less,” she added with a laugh.

“Divina is a very smart woman,” Carl added with a laugh, leaning over to give Debbie a kiss on the cheek.

At that moment, Emmett chose to breeze into the room.  “Who’s a very smart woman?” he asked, after over-hearing only the last snippet of the conversation before his arrival.

“Emmett, you have perfect timing.  I’m just about to take another pan of rolls from the oven.  Can I get you some juice or coffee?” Debbie asked.

“Coffee would be great…”

Debbie handed Emmett the cup of coffee. “You missed a wonderful evening last night.”

“Really?  Okay, Dish!” Emmett demanded.

“If you’ll excuse me, I think that I’ll leave the two of you to gossip, I’ll move to the living room to give you some privacy,” Carl teased as he stood up.

“You stay right there, Carl Horvath, I may need you to fill in the details.  There was so much going on last night; I’m afraid I can’t remember everything,” Debbie explained.  

“And you know that I want to hear each and every detail?” Emmett reminded them.

“Very well,” Carl agreed, seeing that he had no choice.  “Let me at least get some juice?”

“Here, let me,” Debbie insisted, taking the glass, filling it, and returning it to Carl.

Emmett began taking a first bite of his bun and a sip of coffee. “Debbie these buns are wonderful.”

“Thanks, Em.”

“So how was your evening?” Emmett proceeded to ask again.

“It was fucking great!  You know that we went to see Divina Devore at the Kit Kat Club,” Debbie reminded him.

“The Kit Kat Club,” Emmett repeated.  “I went there with Michael and Ted to try to convince the legend herself to appear at Teddy’s fundraiser, but that was years ago.  I’m sure her show is quite different now.”

“Divina truly strutted her stuff  last night.  We were her guest, so we had the royal treatment,“ Carl explained.

“And we had a waiter that kept making eyes at Carl,” Debbie couldn’t resist adding.

“Why Carl!” Emmett teased, hitting him gently on the arm.

“Of course, the audience demanded encores from Divina,” Carl recounted, quickly changing the subject.

“And then, she announced that she was returning to live in Pittsburgh,” Debbie added.

“So, then it’s official?” Emmett asked.  “I’d heard the rumors…I’ve read the blogs…”

“Yes, we heard it with our own ears,” Debbie confirmed.

“Of course, I noticed that her announcement warranted an article in the Sunday Supplement,” Carl said, handing over the page to Emmett.

“Pittsburgh’s own, Divina Devore, to settle in Pittsburgh.  I will admit, that just about says it all,” Emmett agreed.

“After the show, we were invited into her dressing room.  We had a great time, didn’t we, Carl?” Debbie continued.

“Divina was dressed in a robe that would have done you proud, Em,” Carl said with a laugh. “And as we talked, I notice how easily she floated between Divina and Daniel.  It was interesting to watch.”

“The last time that I saw her, she was acting the true diva after her performance, but her act was wonderful.  It’s good to know that she still has it,” Emmett said with a laugh. “Debbie, I can’t get over how good these buns are.  I just have to have another.” 

Debbie quickly obliged by placing another bun on Emmett’s plate.  Then she said, “Are you two only going to eat the buns?  Wouldn’t you like eggs or something to go with that?”

“We’re good, Honey,” Carl said.

“Me too… I’m fine.  After all, we do have to save room for dinner,” Emmett commented. “Just let me grab some juice.”  

Just there was a knock at the front door.  

Carl got up to answer and was surprised to find Hunter and Jenny Rebecca standing there.  

Jenny immediately lunged into Carl’s arms.

“Well hello there, Jenny!  Don’t tell me that you missed me, while you were spending this time with your dad?” Carl asked, wrapping his arms around the little girl.  Jenny merely giggled and wrapped her arms more tightly around Carl.  “So, Hunter, what are you doing with Jenny, and why are you out and about at this hour of the morning?” he asked.
  
“Something smells good,” Hunter quickly remarked as he headed toward the kitchen, practically ignoring Carl’s question.

“Hunter….” Carl called after him, knowing full well that he was now being deliberately ignored.

“Hi Debbie,” Hunter said, entering the kitchen and giving her a kiss.  “Something really smells good.  What are you making?”

“Cinnamon Walnut Raisin Buns…it’s from Vic’s recipe,” Debbie said proudly.  “Could I interest you in one?” she asked.

“I thought you’d never ask,” Hunter quipped, locating the cooling buns and quickly placing one on a plate.  Debbie offered him coffee and juice, but he settled for milk, which he got for himself. 

Once Hunter had everything that he needed, he settled down at the table to join the conversation in progress.  “So what did I miss?” he immediately asked, being as annoying as ever. “Go back to the beginning, so that I’ll know everything,” he insisted. 

Carl and Emmett smiled at each other, both of them thinking, <i>another convert </i>.

“We were just talking about Divina Devore.  It seems that they went to see her show last night,” Emmett quickly revealed, as a way to update him.

“You went to see my grandfather perform?  So how was it?  Tell me everything?” Hunter demanded.

“Never mind about your grandfather, what are you doing with JR?” Debbie demanded to know.

Hunter let out a deep sigh.  He was so hoping that this explanation was not going to be necessary.  

Seeing that there was no way out of this if he wanted to get back to the topic of his grandfather, he sighed with resignation.  Everyone waited for him to begin.

“Michael called me this morning and asked me to pick up JR and bring her over here,” he finally began.  There was some kind of drama during breakfast.  When I arrived, JR was upset and crying.  Michael was beside himself trying to calm her down,” he said with a laugh. “Jenny immediately clung to me.”

“What was wrong?  Is JR okay?” Debbie asked, approaching her granddaughter to check her for damages.

“JR is fine.  Michael tried to give her Cap’n Crunch cereal this morning.  Jenny wasn’t having any of it.  Michael couldn’t understand why his kid didn’t like HIS favorite cereal,” Hunter explained, shaking his head.

“Of course, you don’t like that horrible stuff,” Carl said to Jenny, tickling her under her chin.  “You like Cheerios, don’t you Sweetie?” he continued, reaching for the box of the preferred cereal on the shelf.  “Here you go,” he said, pouring a small stack on the table within her easy reach.

Jenny Rebecca immediately reached for her preferred cereal and happily started to enjoy the dry morsels.   She continually smiled at Carl between bites.

“Okay,” Hunter interrupted.  “Now that the crisis has been averted, will someone tell me about my grandfather?”

“What about him?” Carl asked mindlessly, still playing with JR and her cereal.

Seeing that he wasn’t’ getting anywhere with Carl, Hunter redirected his question, “Emmett?”

“I wasn’t there, Sweetie,” Emmett said in his own defense. “Carl and Debbie went to see him perform last night.  The report that I just received was that the show was spectacular.  There were many encores.  And the final note was Divina’s announcement that she was returning to live Pittsburgh.  That was such amazing news, that it even made the Sunday supplement.”

“There now,” Debbie interrupted, “You’ve heard it all in one fell swoop.  It was fucking amazing.”

“How is it that lately everything wonderful is happening when I’m not around?   I’m missing everything!  Without me, Molly spends the weekend at the mansion with Brian and Justin.  Now, you and Carl go to see Divina without me.  Hello, I’m a part of this family too,” Hunter protested.

“You’re too young to go to club, so get over yourself,” Debbie insisted, with a swipe on the back of his head for good measure.  “I’m sure you’ll get to meet your grandfather in due time,” she slyly added.  “By the way, are you coming to dinner?”

“Sure, I’ll be back in time.  I have a few things to do.  Rescuing JR wasn’t part of my Sunday morning line up for today,” he quickly added.  “Of course, the extra bonus of breakfast buns was too good to pass up.  Ben was whipping up some sort of tofu drink as I was leaving,” Hunter elaborated.

“So what do you think of the buns?” Emmett asked.  “Aren’t they divine?”

“This was a real treat.  Thank you, Debbie,” Hunter finally said, giving her a kiss.  “Don’t worry…I won’t mention to Michael or Ben what they missed.”

“That’s a good son,” Debbie said sarcastically,

“So my grandfather’s performance was great, huh?” Hunter mumbled again.  “You know, I met him for a few moments when he came into the comic book store to see Michael.  They talked, and then he left.  He and Michael look so much alike….same height, same chin, same eyes.  Do you think that he and Michael will eventually be as close as Brian and Gus?” he innocently asked.

“I have no idea,” Debbie said quietly.  “Everybody now knows the truth.  The rest is up to Michael and Daniel.  We can’t push on this one.  We need to let nature take its course.  Give it some time.”

“I will, but Michael has waited so long for this.  He’s going to be devastated if things don’t work out,” Hunter pointed out.

“Then you’ll have to continue to think positive thoughts and hope for the best,” Emmett suggested. “That’s what my Aunt Lula always said, and I think that’s good advice.”

Hunter nodded his acceptance of this suggestion.  “Well, let me get going.  I’ll see you at dinner.  By the way, where are Melanie and Lindsay?  I haven’t seen them.”

“They had something that they wanted to do this morning.  Don’t worry… they’ll be back in time for dinner, so, you’ll see you then, now won’t you?” Debbie asked again, trying not to give anything away.

“Yeah, I’ll be back.  You’ve never known me to miss an opportunity for a real meal,” Hunter added as he stood up and kissed Debbie goodbye.  He also kissed Jenny Rebecca on her forehead and received a smile in return.  Then, he was on his way.

The kitchen was pretty quiet after Hunter left…except for the private language between JR and Carl that consisted more of gestures and facial expressions and giggles, rather than any spoken sounds.

“I wonder what Lindsay and Melanie are doing to those kids up in Toronto?” Emmett asked wistfully.

“What do you mean?” Debbie immediately asked with some grandmotherly concern.

“Think about it….first, Gus stages a hunger strike to come here to Pittsburgh,” Emmett began. 
“Then Jenny stages a rebellion refusing to eat cereal to escape from Michael.  I just have to wonder what protest techniques Mel is instilling in those kids?” he teased.  Then he cast an eye over at Debbie.  “Of course, JR’s grandmother IS the president of PFLAG.   I’m guessing that protesting is in her DNA.  I can see that I’m going to have to keep a close watch on things,” he said with a laugh.  “If don’t want to miss anything.”

“Are you finished?” Debbie asked, with her hands now on her hips.

“Yes, that about does it,” Emmett added with a laugh.

“That’s good.   Since you’re finish with your morning commentary, I was wondering if you’ll help me locate a few things in the attic.  I’d ask Carl, but obviously he’s got his hands full at the moment, and I, personally, don’t want to be responsible for disrupting my granddaughter’s love fest.  So will you give me a hand?” she asked.

“I think that can be arranged,” Emmett joyfully answered.  “What are we looking for?”

“I’m looking for some old photo albums that I think I stored up there,” Debbie explained.

“Lead the way,” Emmett said, following behind her.