𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 │ 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐖𝐎

A WEEK LATER, EMBERLY WAS  downstairs having breakfast with her family. The kitchen was warm with the smell of pancakes and syrup, the steady hum of morning conversation filling the air. She stood at the kitchen counter, adding some fresh fruit to her plate—strawberries, pineapple, and a few slices of apple. Since getting cleaned up and feeling more like herself, her appetite had returned, and she was back to enjoying the foods she used to love. The sweet, fresh flavors brought a small, simple comfort.

Mark was at the stove, flipping another batch while Jessica leaned against the counter, shaking her head at the way he drowned his plate in syrup.

"You want some pancakes with that syrup?" she teased, arms crossed.

Mark smirked. "You think I'm gonna let my hard work go to waste? Syrup's the best part."

Evelyn snorted, stabbing a piece of pancake with her fork. "Debatable."

Mark stood at the stove flipping pancakes with his usual ease. "You sure you don't want any eggs, Em?" he asked, casting a glance her way. "I make a mean scramble, you know."

Emberly smiled lightly, balancing her plate. "I'm good. But I'll take a pancake."

Evelyn, already at the table with her phone in one hand and a fork in the other, piped up without looking up. "His pancakes are hit or miss. You're risking it."

Mark shot her a playful glare. "Excuse me? These pancakes are perfect."

Evelyn smirked. "They're alright."

"Don't test me, Ev," he teased, flipping one onto a plate with a little extra flair. "You'll be beggin' for seconds."

Jessica, sitting across from Evelyn with her coffee, watched the banter with a small smile. "Are we still debating on who's a better cook? I thought that was over."

Emberly slid into the seat next to Evelyn, picking at her fruit. "Honestly," she said, throwing her sister a side glance, "I'd take Mark''s pancakes over your... what was it? That TikTok recipe? The soup? The salty one?"

Evelyn's eyes widened in mock offense. "First of all," she said, setting her phone down dramatically, "i did everything as the recipe said. I just... don't think i measured everything right."

"Didn't measure everything right," Emberly echoed with a grin.

Mark laughed, setting a plate of pancakes down between them. "I rest my case."

Jessica sipped her coffee, watching them with a warmth in her eyes. Moments like this, simple and easy, were what she held onto the most. "Well," she said, "at least we know where the cooking genes went."

"To me," Mark said with a proud grin.

"To no one," Evelyn corrected.

"Hey!" Emberly looked at her. "I have them. You're the one who got the shorthand of the stick."

Just then, there was a knock at the front door, breaking through their easy laughter. Emberly placed a pineapple in her mouth, as she raised up from her seat. "I'll get it."

She walked to the door, her sock-covered feet barely making a noise. She unlocked the door and pulled it open.

"Surprise!" Lisa screamed as soon as the door opened and she saw the face of her niece.

Emberly blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Aunt Lisa?"

"Well, damn, don't just stand there, my dear niece. Give me a hug!"

Emberly hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and embracing her aunt. "I wasn't expecting to see you so soon."

Lisa pulled back slightly, a knowing look in her eyes. "Why not? I told you I was coming."