Chapter 148

They stood like that for a moment, bodies pressed close, the noise of the city a faint hum in the distance. Then Abigail pulled back slightly, her eyes warm. “How was your day, baby? What did you get up to while I was gone?”

Emma smiled, sliding her fingers along the countertop as she spoke. “It was actually really nice. I cleaned up a bit, watched a few music showcases from last year I wanted to see what kind of stuff the students at the academy are doing. I’m trying to get a feel for what I’ll be teaching once my classes start next week.”

Abigail’s expression brightened. “Oh yeah, that’s right your first classes are coming up. You excited?”

Emma nodded, her smile widening. “Yeah, I am. Nervous too, but mostly excited. It feels good to be getting back into it. Guitar and piano 101, plus helping with the vocal performance workshops… it’s going to be a lot, but I’m ready for it.”

Abigail leaned on the counter beside her, eyes full of quiet pride. “You’re going to be amazing, Em. Those students don’t even know how lucky they are.”

Emma looked at her, soft and adoring. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” Abigail said, brushing her thumb across Emma’s knuckles. “You light up when you talk about it. You were born for this.”

Emma’s heart fluttered a little at that. “You always know what to say.”

Abigail chuckled and kissed her gently. “Only because it’s true.”

Emma smiled into the kiss, then pulled away with a small sigh, rubbing her belly. “I didn’t realize how tired I was until you got home.”

Abigail tilted her head. “You want to eat now, or relax first?”

“Let’s relax a bit,” Emma said. “Maybe sit on the balcony for a while before dinner?”

Abigail nodded, her voice soft. “Perfect.”

She picked up the strawberries and set them on a tray with two glasses of sparkling water, then took Emma’s hand. Together, they walked toward the balcony, where the city stretched out below them in a thousand shades of gold and rose.

Abigail moved toward the kitchen, rolling up the sleeves of her hoodie with a small, focused smile. She opened the fridge and scanned the contents, humming under her breath before pulling out ingredients chicken, vegetables, eggs, butter, and cheese.

“Alright,” she said, setting everything down on the counter. “You, my love, are getting my signature chicken alfredo. And yes,” she added with a grin, “I’m making the sauce from scratch.”

Emma perked up immediately. “From scratch? Look at you, chef Abby.”

Abigail laughed, glancing over her shoulder as she filled a pot with water. “You know I like to show off when you’re watching me.”

Emma hopped up onto the counter across from her, the marble cool against her legs. She wore one of Abigail’s old T-shirts that fell to her thighs, her hair now down and brushing against her shoulders. The smell of garlic and butter was already filling the air, mixing with the faint floral scent from the vase of roses Abigail had brought home earlier.

“You look good when you cook,” Emma teased softly, kicking her feet a little.

Abigail smirked, stirring the pan. “You just like watching me work.”

“Maybe,” Emma said, pretending to think about it. “Or maybe I just like watching you in your element.”

Abigail looked up for a second, their eyes meeting through the faint haze of steam. “This counts as my element?”

Emma grinned. “Anything you do with that much focus and confidence does.”

Abigail chuckled, shaking her head but smiling as she added the chicken to the pan. The soft hiss filled the air, followed by the rhythmic scrape of a wooden spoon. Emma leaned forward slightly, chin in her hand, watching the way Abigail moved steady, sure, completely in her flow.

“So,” Emma said after a moment, her tone light. “You never told me what made you pick that song you were working on earlier.”

Abigail’s shoulders lifted in a small shrug. “It just… came to me. I was thinking about everything school, you, the baby, us and it turned into a melody. I don’t have words for it yet, but it’s soft. Kind of like you.”

Emma’s smile turned tender. “You’re going to make me cry in the kitchen, Abby.”

Abigail turned around briefly, brushing a lock of hair from her face, her eyes warm. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Emma laughed, covering her mouth. “You’re terrible.”

“Terribly in love,” Abigail shot back, turning just in time to toss the pasta in the pot.

Emma watched her for a moment, quiet, the sound of boiling water and sizzling chicken filling the silence. “You make this house feel like home, you know that?” she said softly.

Abigail turned off the stove and faced her, leaning her hip against the counter. “You and the baby already did that the day we moved in.”

The words lingered between them, tender and true.

Emma reached out a hand, and Abigail walked over, sliding between her knees. Their hands met first, fingers interlacing before Emma leaned forward to kiss her. It was slow and sweet, the kind of kiss that made time blur.

When they pulled apart, Abigail smiled, brushing her thumb over Emma’s cheek. “Dinner’s almost ready, baby.”

Emma smirked faintly. “You sure you don’t want dessert first?”

Abigail laughed quietly. “You already had chocolate-covered strawberries, remember?”

“Those don’t count,” Emma said with a wink.

Abigail kissed her again,  her voice teasing. “You’re impossible.”

The pasta had finished boiling, the noodles soft and ready. She turned off the heat and drained them carefully before pouring them into the pan of creamy sauce. The soft hiss of contact filled the air as she stirred it all together the golden chicken, the ribbons of pasta, the silky sauce clinging to every strand.

Emma watched from her perch on the counter, her chin resting in her hand, eyes tracing every movement with quiet affection.

Abigail gave the pan one last stir, satisfied, and switched off the burner. “Perfect,” she said softly to herself.

Then she turned, wiping her hands on a towel, and crossed the kitchen back to Emma.

Emma’s eyes followed her the whole way, her legs swinging lazily off the counter until Abigail stood between them again. Without a word, Abigail slid her hands around Emma’s waist and leaned in, their foreheads brushing before she kissed her slow, tender, with the faintest smile against her lips.

Emma hummed into the kiss, her hands resting on Abigail’s shoulders, fingers curling against the fabric of her hoodie.

When Abigail finally pulled back, her voice was a low murmur against Emma’s lips. “Dinner’s ready.”

Emma smiled softly, still close enough that her breath warmed Abigail’s cheek. “You sure? Because I was kind of enjoying the appetizer.”

Abigail chuckled quietly, her thumb brushing along Emma’s jaw. “I promise the main course is even better.”

Emma tilted her head, a playful spark in her eyes. “We’ll see about that.”

Abigail grinned and kissed her once more quick this time, teasing before stepping away to grab two plates from the cabinet. She dished up the pasta, the sauce glistening under the warm kitchen lights, and slid one plate across the counter toward Emma.

“Here,” she said. “Extra sauce, just the way you like it.”

Emma smiled, the kind that reached her eyes. “You really do pay attention.”

Abigail looked back over her shoulder, her expression softening. “Always.”

Emma watched her sit down across from her, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the city outside and the quiet clink of forks as they started to eat.

The first bite made Emma close her eyes and sigh happily. “Okay,” she said after a second, “you win. This might be your best batch yet.”

Abigail laughed. “Told you.”

Emma pointed her fork at her, smiling. “And this is why I keep you around.”

Abigail leaned forward on her elbows, smirking. “Not because you love me?”

Emma’s grin softened, her voice gentle now. “That too.”

They sat there for a while, the city glowing behind them, the warm kitchen light wrapping them in its golden haze. Dinner felt easy, unhurried the kind of moment that didn’t need to be anything more than what it was. Just them.

When Emma finished, she set her fork down and looked at Abigail, her expression soft. “You know, you really are the best part of my day.”

Abigail reached over, taking her hand and kissing it. “Right back at you, baby.”