Love's Requiem

“Are you sure that’s all I have to do?” I asked my mom the morning of thanksgiving when I was about to make the stuffed cabbage.

“Yes, Isabella. Why are you making sarma anyway?” My mom asked me.

“Because, Alex’s mom wanted me to make something Hrvatski.” I explained.

“Shouldn’t she know how to cook it then?” By the way, in case you were wondering my parents still think Alex is Aleksandar Gaskarthovic.

“She’s American ma, his father is Croatian.” I lied.

“Oh, okay then.” She told me, as I felt Alex wrap his arms around me from behind. “I have to go, tell me how everything goes.” She continued.

“Okay, oh mom I forgot to tell you something important.” I exclaimed remembering I kept forgetting to tell her about Alex
coming to Croatia with me.

“What, what? You’re not pregnant are you?” She asked me, making Alex laugh as he overheard it.

“No, no don’t be silly. Alex is coming with me to Hrvatska for Christmas.”

“Really?!” She exclaimed.

“Yes.”

“Wonderful! I bet he’s excited.” She said happily.

“I think he is.” I told her. “Alright, I’ll let you go. Bye mom.” I said as she said goodbye and hung up.

“So?” Alex asked.

“What?” I said as I began peeling the cabbage leaves and washing them.

“How’d you cover up as to why my mom doesn’t know how to make stuffed cabbage?” He asked as he started cooking
as well.

“I said she’s American and your dad is Croatian.”

“Nice save.” He laughed.

Four hours later, we were almost completely done cooking. My stuffed cabbage came out amazing, or at least it looked
amazing. I was finishing up with making mashed potatoes while Alex was setting the table.

“Done!” He announced coming back in to the kitchen. “They should be here in an hour.” He told me.

“Alright, everything is done, so I’m going to go change.” I told him.

“Hey Bella?” He said taking my hand as I was walking out of the kitchen.

“Yeah?”

“I love you.” He said and kissed the top of my head.

“I love you too, Alex.” I smiled as I ran up the stairs.

I changed in to a pair of black pants, and an off the shoulders sweater in black. I straightened my hair and put on some light make up as I ran back downstairs just in time for the doorbell to ring.

“Perfect timing.” Alex laughed from the kitchen as I went to open the door.

“Isabella!” Alex’s mom exclaimed pulling me in to a bone-crushing hug.

“Hi Mrs.Gaskarth, how are you?” I asked her.

“I’m fine, how are you?” She asked as she came walking in with Alex’s dad and grandparents.

“A bit tired.” I laughed.

Alex came running in to the living room and welcomed his mom and dad, while I went back to the kitchen to start bringing
the food out.

“You cooked all of this?” Alex’s dad asked me.

“We both did.” I answered.

“So did you make a Croatian dish?” His mom asked me.

“I did” I smiled as I was heading back in to the kitchen with Alex to bring out the rest of the food.

“What did you make?”

“Sarma, which is stuffed cabbage.” I said putting it down.

“Well it looks great.” His grandma said as we all sat down.

Turns out, Alex and I got this whole cooking thanksgiving dinner thing in the bag. There were barely any leftovers and everyone loved everything. After we had finished cleaning up and I had begun making coffee and tea for desert, Alex and his parents were talking in the dining room.