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Post by MAUREEN ABERDEEN on Oct 28, 2012 21:56:40 GMT -5
“What was horrible? What did you see?” he probed softly and Maureen sniffled, shaking her head as though she didn't want to say. She could still hear the distant sound of waves crashing and rain beating furiously on the wooden vessel, the sound of her mother crying out to her father and the way his lips tingled on her forehead. "The boat." She practically whispered sounding more like a child than the adult she was. "I was on the boat.." She admitted and she knew Drew would know which boat she meant. There was only one boat that would be able to bring Maureen to tears like that. "I remembered everything, it's all there.. it was terrible." She insisted, feeling like the incident itself wasn't that dreadful but knowing that had been the last time she'd seen her parents alive left a sickening feeling in her stomach. Why couldn't she have remembered something more lovely? Something with Maxi or Drew or Jamie and his many siblings?
Slowly Maureen got a hold of herself, still sobbing but not so heavily anymore. She pulled away from Drew a little, still sitting very close to him, only inches away. "There was a storm. The rain was so thick we couldn't see the end of the boat. They couldn't get the sails in and then we hit something and there was a hole in the hull." She explained, feeling herself get worked up again. She sniffed back her tears, her breathing labored slightly. Maureen brought the back of her hand to her eyes and wiped her tears away, keeping her gaze away from Drew as she recalled the tale. "The boat started to take on water and I rushed up to tell my parents and then the boom snapped and swung around and hit me." Her fingers danced to the thin line across her forehead, grazing the scar that she'd developed from the head wound the Aberdeen's had found her with. The wound she'd gotten from the boom. It was in the exact spot it should have been which only upset her further. "That's it, that's all I remember." Her voice was so soft, cracking from the tears she was shedding and the labored breaths she was emitting.
Maureen turned her sapphire eyes back to Drew, helpless and vulnerable as an infant. Her shoulders drooped pathetically as she pouted at the handsome man in front of her, as though hoping he could save her, but from what? From the past she just now remembered? "Maxi's going to hate me, isn't she.." She whimpered, suddenly fearing her sister would despise her for not doing more to save their parents. "Oh God.." She cradled her face in her hands once more, feeling as lost as she had as a child with the Aberdeen's. If she had been paying attention she would have never been struck! They could have all survived, she'd been stupid and careless! "What am I going to do, Drew?" She whimpered as her body shook with more tears.
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Post by DREW SOLOMON on Oct 29, 2012 1:31:29 GMT -5
“The boat. I was on the boat…” Drew did need to ask what boat Maureen was talking about. There was only one that she could be referencing. He felt his heart drop into his stomach as he watched her. “I remembered everything, it’s all there…it was terrible.” That was the one thing he hoped she never remembered. Maureen didn’t need to remember the last moments of her parents’ lives, of her life before the Aberdeen’s. When she pulled away, he still kept a hold on her arms, his green eyes intent on her sobbing, tiny frame. “There was a storm. The rain was so thick we couldn’t see the end of the boat. They couldn’t get the sails in and then we hit something and there was a hole in the hull.” She paused to sob and wipe at her tears and all Drew could do to help was run his warm hands up and down her arms. “The boat started to take on water and I rushed up to tell my parents and then the boom snapped and swung around and hit me.” He watched as her thin fingers came up and ran across her forehead, tracing a faint line he hadn’t seen before. Even in the dim light, though, being as close as he was, he could see there was a scar on her forehead. The boom hit her there. That’s why she couldn’t remember anything until now. Why did this have to be her first memory? “That’s it, that’s all I remember.” The way her voice trembled and cracked only broke his heart further, and he moved one hand up to her hair again to comb his fingers through it. What could he do to comfort her?
When her eyes came up to his, they were so big and blue and teary that he felt he was drowning in them. It made his stomach lurch just as his heart ached with the need to wipe those sad tears away. “Maxi’s going to hate me, isn’t she…Oh, God…” She cradled her face in her hands, and he was completely lost. Why would Maxi hate her? Why would anyone hate her? “What am I going to do, Drew?” She was trembling with her tears and he gathered her up in his arms again. “Shhh…Maureen, it’s okay. Nobody will hate you.” His voice was soft and reassuring once again as his arms simply kept her shaking little body tight against his own steady one. “It’s not your fault, Maureen. What happened to your parents is no one’s fault. I’m so sorry that had to be what you remembered. But Maxi would never hate you. She’ll cry and be upset when you tell her, but she won’t hate you for what happened. More likely she’s going to want to comfort you because you had to be witness to that.” Just like he did. Drew’s arms tightened around her, holding her for a long minute as his hand rubbed up and down her back gently. Poor Maureen. He’d been witness to his mother’s last moments as well, but he didn’t feel it was nearly as traumatic as what Maureen had been through. His heart also ached for what Sean and Margot McManus went through though, watching in horror as the boom swung around and smacked Maureen in the head, knowing that the ship was going down. It made tears burn in his eyes to think of it, their last decision to make sure that Maureen got out alive and watching her float away. He buried his nose in Maureen’s hair to think of it, not daring to tell her about the vision he’d just had, knowing it would only upset her further.
Finally he nudged her back and took her face in his hands, making her look up at him with those beautiful blue eyes. “Please don’t cry, Maureen. No one blames you for anything and I’m sure if your parents were here and put in the same situation, they would do it again to save you. You couldn’t have stopped it, any of it. What’s important is you’re alive and you’re safe now.” His thumbs swept across her cheeks, smudging the tearstains there. “You’re safe.” He pulled her closer and pressed his lips to her forehead without thinking, wanting only to stop her frightened tears. After kissing her forehead, he pressed his own forehead to hers, feeling heat rushing to his face as he did so. He didn’t want to pull away, though and he continued to watch her eyes as his thumbs brushed over her cheeks again. “Please don’t cry.” Before he could really stop himself, he leaned down and kissed her cheek too, the salty taste of her tears left lingering on his lips when they sprung back. He felt pulled to kiss her until the tears stopped. It made his face burn and his heart pound, but he would do anything to stop her crying. Why did it hurt so much to see her cry? Even though he felt uncertain about his actions, he didn’t want to apologize for them. Her sobs were calming and he felt maybe it was working. Still watching her, he moved to kiss the other cheek before he moved his forehead to hers again. “I can’t stand seeing you cry…” he all but whispered, a touch of awe in his voice. He just couldn’t explain the way his whole body hurt to know she was in pain. It wasn’t because he saw her as a little sister—he didn’t feel this way when Maxi cried. Yes, it hurt to see her tears, but not like this. This was definitely more than that, especially with how his heart was pumping at the moment. Was it so hard to believe that he was developing romantic feelings for her? No…she was beautiful and sweet and she should never have cause to cry. If kissing her could stop her tears, that’s what he would do…what he had done. He was practically holding his breath for when she would push him away, but for now he was in a sort of trance, determined to stay until she was comforted.
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Post by MAUREEN ABERDEEN on Oct 29, 2012 11:49:12 GMT -5
She felt like a child once more as Drew pulled her up into his arms, snuggling against him as she wept. "Shhh…Maureen, it’s okay. Nobody will hate you.” His voice was soft and reassuring but she was convinced that Maxi wouldn't see it that way. Surely she would hate her! “It’s not your fault, Maureen. What happened to your parents is no one’s fault. I’m so sorry that had to be what you remembered. But Maxi would never hate you. She’ll cry and be upset when you tell her, but she won’t hate you for what happened. More likely she’s going to want to comfort you because you had to be witness to that.” She choked another sob, clinging to Drew as his words attempted to reassure her, but Maureen shook her head. "If I'd been paying attention.." She sobbed and then sniffled, "Maybe they would have.." She gulped back the tears that choked her, bringing her hand up to wipe at her eyes and nose once more, embarrassed that Drew had to see her like this. He hardly knew her! Only.. that wasn't true at all. He knew her well; better than she knew him.
Not even Maureen could deny how comforting his hold was on her. Drew was big and warm, and his strong arms cocooned her in a way that genuinely made her feel safe and she felt herself ease once more despite the terrible guilt she felt. When he nudged her face back she sniffled and looked up reluctantly, embarrassed about what a mess she was. “Please don’t cry, Maureen." He cooed, cradling her face and making her gulp. How could she not cry? She'd lived the last twenty five years in ignorance and now the truth was out and it hurt. God, did it hurt. "No one blames you for anything and I’m sure if your parents were here and put in the same situation, they would do it again to save you. You couldn’t have stopped it, any of it. What’s important is you’re alive and you’re safe now.” His thumbs swept across her cheeks and she could feel the damp tears under his touch, making her sniffle again as she tried to not be hurt by the images. Maxine would have been better off if she'd died instead of their parents. Then she would have had a normal life! “You’re safe.” "But.." She started to protest, but his warm lips on her cheek hushed her, and then they slipped to her forehead. Maureen shut her eyes, focusing on his soft, comforting touch. She felt so...at home.
“Please don’t cry.” He begged in a hushed voice, his forehead pressed against hers and his thumbs wiping her tears away. She felt her whole body ease, almost hypnotized by his caress. His lips were on her other cheek now and she was drawn to him, just as she had been to Mr. Aberdeen when she was a girl, only it was different now. Drew wasn't her adopted father.. And the feelings there weren't the same. “I can’t stand seeing you cry…” he all but whispered and her heart began to hammer in her chest. She felt loved. She felt like Drew genuinely cared about her, that him seeing her cry truly hurt him. She looked up into his face, mere inches from her own and hesitated for a second, sniffling before she pushed her face slowly to his. She hovered close for a second, her hand reaching up and barely touching his cheek as she pushed her lips gently against his, allowing them to linger there for a second, showing him how moved she was with his concern. She didn't stay there for long though, pulling away a little and sliding her arms around his neck and pushing her face into the crook of his neck. "Will you stay with me?" She begged as a child might, her small frame still curled up against his. "Please?"
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Post by DREW SOLOMON on Oct 30, 2012 13:57:48 GMT -5
Maureen’s eyes were gazing into his and Drew could feel how hard his heart was pounding in his ears. Her eyes were hypnotizing and even though part of him was screaming that he shouldn’t be so close to her or feeling the way he was for her, he couldn’t move. And then she did. Gently, her hand came to his cheek and he just froze in place as she moved her face forward. It felt like he just watched her getting closer for eternity. Finally his eyes slid shut and her lips pressed to his. Her lips were so soft and warm and his heart was beating so loud, he would be shocked if Maureen couldn’t hear it. When she pulled away, his face followed absentmindedly, wanting nothing more than to stay close to her. It felt like the first time he’d kissed a girl, adrenaline rushing through him and making him lightheaded. Maybe it was because it was Maureen that he felt like this. Her arms came around his shoulders and it was like he could breathe again. Instinctively his own hands rested on her back though he was still in a daze. “Will you stay with me?” She sounded so much like the little girl he used to comfort when she was upset. “Please?” Could he say no? Nope. He was physically incapable of saying no to her. Wrapping his arms around her with a sigh, he rested his chin against her shoulder. “Of course I’ll stay.”
With that simple assurance, he released her and scooted onto the bed, his heart finally slowing in his chest. What did that kiss mean? Would it happen again? He wanted it to happen again. He wanted it to happen over and over and over again. Maybe it was weird considering he’d thought of her as a sister for years, but she wasn’t his sister. She was Maxi’s sister and his childhood friend…and now his crush. There was no denying he had a crush on her. That one kiss was enough to convince him of that finally. He lay back on the bed and smiled over at her, motioning for her come lay with him. As she did, he reached out and brought her close, her head rested against his shoulder and her arm draped over him. He pulled her close, his arm covering hers over his torso, his other arm curled over her back into a sort of hug while he tucked her head below his jaw. She was so tiny and frail and he just wanted to keep her safe…especially so he could get more kisses. He wouldn’t ask what that kiss meant for them, though; not right now anyway. It was late and he just wanted Maureen to go back to sleep and put the whole nasty memory behind her, at least for tonight.
“I’ll be here all night, okay Maureen? If you have any more bad dreams, I’ll know.” He hoped she wouldn’t have any more bad dreams though. He hoped she would drift off and rest easy until morning. And at least if she woke, he would be there to comfort her now. Even though he still felt shy about kissing her, he planted his lips on the top of her head once more before easing back against the pillows. He could think about those kisses and what they meant later—right now he was ready to fall back to sleep.
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Post by MAUREEN ABERDEEN on Oct 30, 2012 22:02:47 GMT -5
Even though she kissed him, she was glad when Drew wrapped his arms around her. It hardly registered as odd in her mind. She had a brother and kissing him would be weird, but Drew wasn't really her brother. She supposed TJ wasn't her brother either, but she saw him as one, unlike Drew. Drew was just safe, and somehow her heart remembered him. She felt comforted by his presence, and kissing him just didn't feel wrong, at least in her current state. “Of course I’ll stay.” He assured her softly and she nuzzled her face against him in a silent gesture of appreciation.
Maureen let Drew move more onto the bed and when he motioned for her to snuggle up against him she didn't resist. She curled her body up against his, her head nestled on his shoulder like a pillow while her willowy arm draped over his muscular torso. Drew pulled her in closer and she felt completely safe enveloped in his embrace. She felt like she could stay there forever, and for the first time since she woke, she felt like everything might be okay.
“I’ll be here all night, okay Maureen? If you have any more bad dreams, I’ll know.” She nodded, sighing as the tiredness trapped her once more. She had calmed down significantly though her face was still damp. She sniffled softly before speaking. "Thank you." She croaked softly feeling him pulling the blankets up over them. Maureen felt safe and her fears eased. The sound of the crashing water was far from her thoughts now as sleep threatened to take hold of her once more. It didn't take long for her to drift back to sleep, the tears and anguish she felt expending all her energy.
Mornings in Scriptor Bay were unlike mornings anywhere else it seemed. She missed the sound of birds chirping and light dancing through the curtain cracks onto her face. When she did rouse from her slumber the room was still pitch black and someone was cradling her. Memories from the middle of the night flooded back to her and she recalled the nightmare and then the way she'd kissed him. Maureen bit her lip, fidgeting slightly in her position still tucked close against Drew, who had kept his promise and held her near all night, keeping her safe and warm. She turned her head up to look at his sleeping face, biting her lower lip. Her movements must have roused him though, because she saw him move a little, and in the very dim light of the room she saw his eyes flutter open, his face turning down to meet hers.
Maureen felt that gaze all the way down in her stomach. They weren't a couple, not even close, yet they were curled up together like one who had been together for years. Feeling self conscious about the close quarters, Maureen wiggled away, sitting up and looking down at Drew, though not gazing into his face. "Sorry for last night." She offered gently. "It was nice of you to come, though.. and to stay with me. Really, I appreciate it, but.. goodness, I'm so embarrassed!" She let out a nervous sort of laugh, looking away more. "I don't normally invite strange men to sleep with me. Not that you're strange! I mean.. you're like my brother, right? Or.. no, we said that we were starting over." She bit her lip again, unsure what she should say. What could she say?
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Post by DREW SOLOMON on Oct 31, 2012 15:53:30 GMT -5
Drew’s dreams were confusing and disjointed, but pleasant all the same. All he knew was he was warm and comfortable with a soft weight on his shoulder. It wasn’t until that weight on his shoulder started to move that he stirred from his slumber. He blinked his eyes open before he looked quickly down at the head still rested against him. Big blue eyes greeted him and he felt a jolt rush to his stomach, making him a little breathless. Maureen had a nightmare. She kissed him. They cuddled up and went back to sleep. He swallowed hard but gave her a kind smile. Even early in the morning she looked lovely and the way his heart was jumping gently was enough to get him wide awake. His heart began to slow immediately, though, when she pulled away, watching as she sat up beside him. She looked embarrassed and as reality slowly set in, he had to admit he felt the same. They had kissed; Drew had kissed Maureen McManus and it hung in the air like a big, awkward pink and purple polka-dotted elephant. More importantly, though…he’d liked it. He wanted to do it again…All of this ran through his mind as his green eyes watched her silently from his pillow.
“Sorry for last night. It was nice of you to come, though…and to stay with me. Really, I appreciate it, but…goodness, I’m so embarrassed!” He could see how flushed her cheeks were getting as she gave her nervous laugh and he had to smile at how cute it was. But really, how could he not come to her aid last night? “I don’t normally invite strange men to sleep with me. Not that you’re strange! I mean…you’re like my brother, right? Or…no, we said that we were starting over.” He smiled more and finally pushed himself up, running a hand over his messy, short hair. “Well, from what I hear, I am pretty strange.” He gave her a wide half-smile, slumping a little as he sat beside her. Though he went silent for a moment, his eyes didn’t leave her. How could he not admire her, even with the bedhead she was sporting? She wasn’t just beautiful, she was cute as she stared at him with those big, anxious eyes. He cleared his throat and looked down at the bedspread for a minute. All he wanted to do was kiss her. She’d already done it right? And if he did it then that would just show that he was okay with it! Or would it just make him look like a horndog? Could it hurt to try? He scratched his slightly stubbled chin with a shy sort of smile, making up his mind.
“And I’m no expert on siblings, but I’m pretty sure brothers and sisters don’t do this.” With that he swiftly leaned into her and kissed her gently. His lips lingered against hers for a long moment before he eased more into the kiss, his lips just barely parting hers. It was a chaste but adoring kiss and Drew felt his heart freeze in his chest for as long as his mouth was pressed to hers. One hand came up and cupped her cheek, keeping her close as he felt himself float right up to the moon with her kiss. By the time he pulled away, it felt like he’d been without air for an eternity and he was left somewhat breathless. He opened his eyes slowly and gave her a boyish half-smile. “You look beautiful today.” It was a somewhat random statement, but it was the first thing that popped into his head, and he truly meant it. His smile grew wider as he realized how out of the blue those words may have seemed and he had to be amused at his own nervousness. He’d just kissed her again. The man couldn’t be happier.
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Post by MAUREEN ABERDEEN on Nov 2, 2012 8:07:27 GMT -5
Maureen bit her bottom lip as Drew sat up, that sweet smile on his face. She had to admit she liked the way he grinned. There were no hidden meanings there, and he seemed so genuinely kind. “Well, from what I hear, I am pretty strange.” She gave him an amused bashful look. He wasn't that strange. No more than her. His eyes were on her and she continued to watch him, still chewing on her bottom lip until he cleared his throat and looked away, making her do the same. “And I’m no expert on siblings, but I’m pretty sure brothers and sisters don’t do this.” She turned her head to look back at him curiously when his lips collided with hers.
It was a simple kiss. There was nothing sensual about it, but it made her feel dizzy and confused. It wasn't that it was unwelcome or unwanted, but it sure left her feeling a little unsure. Excited, but unsure. Drew had just kissed her. On the lips. Hadn't she done the same last night? Last night was different, though...wasn't it? As his hand gently cupped her cheek she felt her heart stop. No, last night wasn't any different. She'd kissed him, and he'd wanted to do it again. She simply sat there in shock and allowed him to, knowing she wanted it, but also fearing the implications of it. He wasn't her boyfriend. She wasn't in the market for a boyfriend, and if she was she certainly wouldn't want someone who lived so very far away. Wasn't that why she and Simon had ended things? Plus there was the added bit about Drew knowing all about her past, a past she still couldn't fully remember though she was sure she would be unlocking more memories as time passed.
He pulled away and Maureen's eyes opened to look into his twinkling eyes, her heart beating once more, this time all the way up in her throat. “You look beautiful today.” She gulped, simply staring into his eyes, unsure what to say or do or think. It was such a random, sincere thing to say and as his words settled in her mind she felt her cheeks turn hot. "Thank you." She managed to choke out, biting her bottom lip once more and hiding a bashful smile. "I.." She didn't even know what to say to him. Were they do date now? She needed to talk to Maxi! Oh, Maxi... Maxi would have a field day with this! And the dream.. she needed to tell her the dream... It was a lot of feelings swirling in her and she squirmed on the bed. "I should see how Maxi is." She said hoarsely, looking up at Drew and blushing, not wanting to hurt his feelings, but too unsure and afraid of her own at the moment. 'Um.. I think my phone's, uh.." She touched her pocket, still feeling it in there and she let out a nervous sort of laugh, smiling bashfully as she scooted to the edge of the bed. "Here it is." She breathed, her cheeks pink as she slid off the edge of the bed, loosing her footing a little, but catching herself before she fell. She threw an embarrassed smile at Drew and let out a shy sort of laugh as she made her way to the door, bumping into the dresser as she went and then nearly colliding with the partially open door. She threw one last shy look at Drew before disappearing from the room and moving down the stairs as fast as her legs would carry her without tumbling head first.
The phone call to Maxi proved to be fast and embarrassing, and she was glad she had stepped outside to have that conversation. Maxi was doing much better that morning, if not still very sore which was good. She told her she remembered something but didn't elaborate, wanting to do so in person. The memory was still painful and now in the morning light a little dimmer than it had been when she'd woken in the middle of the night. Then she told Maxi about the kiss, or rather the kisses which got a very enthusiastic response, and then a scolding for making her laugh while she was trying to recover. Maureen promised to come to the hospital with more details soon, but she knew she should get back to Drew before he thought he'd frightened her off for good.
When she found him, he was in the kitchen and Maureen hung in the doorway for a second, watching him until she caught his eye, making her blush all over again. "Um.. did... did you want to have some breakfast? I could cook if you wanted.." She offered, feeling anxious at the feelings he was stirring up in her. He was genuinely kind and so handsome. What woman wouldn't want to be with Drew Solomon? But he also knew her better than she knew herself which was a little frightening. But then again, maybe that would be the best thing for Maureen.
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Post by DREW SOLOMON on Nov 5, 2012 22:49:28 GMT -5
Maureen’s face was turning beet red and Drew wondered if it was from embarrassment or lack of oxygen. “Thank you.” At least she was polite! But was she thanking him for the compliment, the kiss, or both? From the bashful smile she was biting back, it didn’t seem like she was upset by the kiss, which only made him return the bashful smile. But why wasn’t she saying anything? “I…I should see how Maxi is.” Maybe he scared her…maybe she just didn’t know how to let him down. No, that couldn’t be right! She kissed him first… “Um…I think my phone’s, uh…” He looked around to see if he could spot it for her, feeling a little lightheaded now that he was actually breathing again and coming back to reality. Right now, if he looked at her, he might start blushing. “Here it is.” He looked back and saw her touching her pocket with a breathless sort of smile. His own smile returned but was interrupted when she nearly fell off his bed and he moved to catch her. Fortunately she caught herself, giving him an embarrassed smile as she moved toward the door. Eventually she made it out of his room in one piece but not before running into his dresser and the ajar door, and he had to bite back a laugh as she smiled so shyly for him. It was obvious she was flustered and he hoped it was in a good way. He was flustered too, but more filled with an excitement that left his heart racing. How long had it been since he’d actually liked a girl like this? The last person he ever expected to have feelings for was Maureen McManus/Aberdeen, but with the whole sequence of events, there shouldn’t have been any surprises left. At least he could say his feelings for her were genuine and deeply felt. For a couple minutes he just slipped back onto the bed, grinning like an idiot and staring at the ceiling. Nothing could have ruined his mood at this point—well, unless she told him she wasn’t interested in what he had to offer. There was that possibility…but then why had she kissed him? It was all so confusing and, yes, a little disturbing considering how long he’d known her. Didn’t this happen with childhood friends all the time, though? The difference here was she was like a little sister at one point…but it had been twenty-five years! Time and distance had changed their whole dynamic. He decided he was brooding too much and he should change his scenery, distance himself from the warm feelings the thought of Maureen evoked in him. His feet carried him to the kitchen where he pulled out a carton of orange juice and poured himself a glass. He could hear Maureen on the phone, but he didn’t understand what was being said between the sisters. It was better that way—no doubt he would come up and he wondered what Maxi’s reaction would be. Grossed out? Happy? Both? Who knew, but he was certain he would in the next couple days. He leaned against the counter sipping his juice as his hand absentmindedly rubbed over his short hair slowly. Maureen didn’t make a sound when she came in the kitchen, but he looked up and finally caught sight of her in the doorway. Man, she was beautiful…and cute the way she blushed. Though he wanted to kiss her again, he simply smiled and remained where he was. She seemed nervous enough as it was. “Um…did…did you want to have some breakfast? I could cook if you wanted…” If he wanted? Who wouldn’t want her cooking? He smiled wide and stood straight again, setting his glass on the counter. “Breakfast sounds great, thank you.” Together they decided what she should make for breakfast, gathering the supplies required before setting them all on the counter. It felt so good to have her in his kitchen, cooking with him…it felt like home. “So what can I do to help?” -------------------END THREAD-------------------
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