The smell of freshly cooked bacon hits me the moment I stumble out of Emily's bedroom. My stomach rumbles in response, reminding me I barely ate anything before my shift last night. I follow the scent, still half-asleep and wearing only my boxers and a wrinkled t-shirt.
Emily stands at the stove, her white hair pulled back in a loose braid that catches the morning sunlight streaming through the kitchen window. She's humming something soft and melodic while flipping pancakes with the precision of a professional chef. When she hears my footsteps, she turns toward me, and I swear the entire kitchen brightens. Her smile is dazzling, her blue eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that makes my chest ache with how much I love her.
"Good morning," she says, abandoning her spatula to meet me halfway across the kitchen. Her arms slide around my waist as she rises on tiptoes to press a soft kiss against my lips. "I was wondering when you'd finally join the land of the living."
"What time is it?" I ask, my voice still rough with sleep.
"Almost eleven," she replies, returning to her pancakes with a graceful pivot. "But don't worry. I figured you needed the rest after last night."
Heat floods my face as memories of our activities flash through my mind. Emily catches my expression and winks, her smile turning mischievous.
"Coffee's fresh," she says, nodding toward the pot. "Sit down, and I'll bring you a plate."
I pour myself a mug of coffee and slide into a chair at the kitchen table, watching Emily move around the kitchen with effortless grace. There's something different about her this morning, she practically radiates happiness, humming between stolen glances my way. Each time our eyes meet, her smile grows impossibly wider.
Emily appears beside me, sliding a plate loaded with pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs in front of me. Her hand lingers on my shoulder, squeezing gently as she leans down to press a kiss to the top of my head.
I'm so entranced watching Emily that I don't notice Holly until she drops into the chair across from me.
Holly looks unusually chipper this morning, her eyes bright behind her glasses. She flashes me a smile that's far too wide to be genuine, her gaze flicking between Emily and me with calculated precision.
"Good morning, Daddy," she chirps, the title landing like a grenade between us. "I heard you kept Mother quite satisfied last night."
I nearly choke on my coffee, setting the mug down with enough force to slosh liquid over the rim. Emily goes completely still beside me, the spatula frozen midair.
I let out a long, weary sigh. Just when I thought we might be making progress.
Holly leans forward, her smile never faltering. "I couldn't help but notice Mom didn't shower before you two started... performing your little celebration." Her voice drops to a theatrical whisper. "Does that mean you enjoyed sloppy seconds?"
"Holly!" Emily's voice cuts through the kitchen like a whip crack.
I stare at Holly, mouth hanging open in shock. She meets my gaze with an expression of mock concern, her eyes wide with feigned innocence.
"I'm just worried about Daniel," she says, leaning forward with her hands clasped together. "What if he catches something?"
Emily's spatula clatters onto the counter as she whirls around. Her eyes dart to mine, genuine concern flashing across her face.
"Danny," she says softly, reaching for my hand across the table. "I require screenings from all my… special privilege clients, and I get tested monthly." Her fingers squeeze mine reassuringly. "I promise I'm clean, baby."
"I believe you," I say immediately, turning my hand to grip hers. The sincerity in her eyes leaves no room for doubt.
Holly looks at me, her expression unreadable behind those wire-rimmed glasses.
Emily's shoulders tense as she turns toward her daughter. "Holly, when are you going to stop being so rude?" She shakes her head, disappointment evident in her voice. "Danny doesn't deserve this from you."
Holly runs her fingers through her ponytail, looking directly at Emily. "I agree," she says, her tone suddenly shifting to something gentler. "He's just a boy in puppy love with you."
The words sting, but I keep my expression neutral. She's not wrong. Holly sighs dramatically, turning her attention to her mother.
"Mother, do you have any appointments tonight?" she asks casually.
Emily hesitates, her brow furrowing slightly. "No," she answers cautiously, clearly suspicious of this sudden change in conversation.
Holly's blue eyes shift to me, studying my face with an intensity that makes me uncomfortable. "What about you, Daniel? Are you working today?"
"No," I reply, taking another sip of my coffee to hide my confusion. "Day off."
A smile spreads across Holly's face, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. There's something calculated about it that puts me on edge.
"How about I cook dinner for us?" she offers, her voice light and cheerful. "The three of us. Together."
Emily's entire demeanor transforms instantly. Her eyes widen with surprise before lighting up with unmistakable hope. "Really?" she asks, unable to keep the excitement from her voice.
I watch the exchange silently, my stomach knotting with unease. This sudden shift feels wrong, too abrupt to be genuine. Just minutes ago, she was mocking us, and now she wants to play happy family?
Holly nods, her expression softening as she turns to Emily. "Perhaps it's time I try to bury the hatchet with you, Mother." She reaches across the table, her fingers stopping just short of touching Emily's hand. "We can't keep going like this forever, can we?"
Emily looks like she might cry, her blue eyes shimmering with emotion. She seems filled with desperate hope. It makes my chest ache to see how much she wants this reconciliation with her daughter.
"I'd like that," Emily whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "I'd like that very much."
I force a smile, trying to match Emily's enthusiasm, but I can't shake the feeling that something's off. When Holly glances my way, I catch a flicker of something cold and calculating behind her glasses before it vanishes behind another smile.
"Great," Holly says, standing up from the table. "I'll run to the store later for ingredients. I'm thinking something simple but nice. Carbonara, maybe? With a salad?"
"That sounds lovely," Emily replies, reaching out to squeeze Holly's arm. "I'm so excited."