Back to normal

Laura lay in the bathtub for as long as she dared. The cold water shocked her system and, more importantly, her traitorous brain into functioning correctly. After toweling off, she got out and took stock of what she was doing. It was time to stop the cuddles and the closeness between them. She was letting things go to far.

"Are... you okay?" Laura asked as she exited the bathroom. Dan had a strange look on his face she wasn't familiar with.

"Yeah, just making a decision is all," Dan answered.

"Oh? What did you decide?" she asked, wondering why he was so introspective all of the sudden.

Dan sat up and smiled up at her. "I want..." he said as he looked her in the eyes. "Pancakes, if we have any mix," he finished with a big smile.

Laura blinked. She gave a little laugh and smiled. She was overthinking things. "I think I can do something along those lines," she said as she moved toward the kitchen, her wet feet slapping on the cold floor.

Dan got up and followed her. She put on the new apron and raised an eyebrow at him when she noticed him just staring at her. That look was back, on she'd seen before, but never on her son. It scared and... excited her.

"Thank you for cooking," Dan said as he hugged her back before letting go.

Laura shivered, her whole body swaying for a moment before she got her legs under control. "I need to cook. You're welcome," she muttered after a few seconds. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.