"Babe!" Dashi called gently from upstairs, "Could you come here for a moment, honey?"
Johnathan made his way upstairs and found his wife resting in bed. Earlier, Dashi had informed Captain Barnacles that she wouldn't be going to the Octopod today due to her morning sickness, which he completely understood. She deserved the day off.
"Yes, love," Johnathan replied, concern in his voice. "What do you need?"
"I'm having one of my cravings again," Dashi admitted, her voice soft and weary.
His heart ached for her; he knew she had been struggling with morning sickness for a while, and he wanted nothing more than to ease her discomfort.
"Of course, darling," he said with a warm smile. "What are you craving today?"
"Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana Soup," she said, her eyes lighting up slightly as she mentioned it.
Johnathan's eyes widened in surprise as he quickly grabbed his phone.
"Okay," he said, trying to mask his uncertainty. "Would you like me to order it on Subereats?"
"No, I want you to make it," she said hopefully, "We have all the ingredients, don't we?"
He looked at her, then at his phone, realizing he had never made a restaurant-style soup before. But how hard could it be?
"Alright," he replied, his smile softening with determination. "I'll check to see if we have everything and look up the recipe. Will that work for you?"
"Yes..." she replied, relief washing over her face, "Thank you so much."
Johnathan leaned down to kiss her gently on the forehead, then headed downstairs to the kitchen, his heart set on bringing her some comfort through a homemade meal.
In a large pot, he began by sautéing sausages for five minutes, allowing them to brown and develop a rich flavor. With a slotted spoon, he carefully transferred the sausages to a plate, setting the stage for something special. In the same pot, he added butter, coaxing onions into translucence over medium heat, filling the air with promise. He then introduced garlic, sautéing it until the aroma enveloped him, and added chicken broth, water, potatoes, salt, and pepper, bringing it all to a boil until the potatoes were tender and ready to shine. As he stirred in kale and heavy cream, the pot transformed into a tapestry of colors and textures, with the sausages joining in the warmth. He let it simmer, knowing that something wonderful was unfolding.
He carefully filled three bowls with the homemade soup, lovingly garnishing each with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It was a moment of perfection.
"Brunch is ready!" Johnathan called excitedly as he elegantly placed the vibrant bowls on the sunlit dining table.
Megan came running downstairs, her laughter echoing through the hallway, with Dashi trotting eagerly behind her, his tail wagging in anticipation. As they reached the table, the delicious aroma of buttery soup filled the air, making their mouths water. They exchanged delighted glances, mesmerized by the colorful spread that promised a delicious start to their day.
"This looks absolutely delightful!" Megan remarked as she took her seat at the table.
"Thank you, John. This is truly wonderful," Dashi added appreciatively.
Johnathan meticulously prepared a warm dinner for his wife, serving her with the utmost care and courtesy, embodying the qualities of a true gentleman. As he presented the steaming bowl of soup, Dashi took a moment to inhale the rich aroma that wafted through the air. With a gentle sip from her spoon, she savored the perfectly balanced flavors of herbs and spices, a harmonious blend that danced on her palate, leaving her with a satisfied smile.
"What is your opinion?" Johnathan inquired politely.
"It's delightful," she responded gently. "I must say, it's far superior to what I've experienced at restaurants."
Megan had already polished off her serving and eagerly returned for seconds. As she settled back into her chair, a satisfied smile spread across her face.
"This is fantastic, Dad," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Thank you!"
"Anything for my girls..." Johnathan said with a warm smile, savoring his soup as he thought about how much they meant to him.
