Bikeriders Serenade

a bowl of comfort

A few weeks after Mia's recovery, Austin unexpectedly came down with a terrible cold, which worried his family since he was usually the one taking care of everyone. One beautiful, sunny Friday morning, after a restless night of sleep, Austin woke up coughing and groaning in pain. Lucy, who had been asleep beside him, sat up and gently asked, “What’s wrong, baby?”

Austin rubbed his forehead and replied in a hoarse voice, “I think I might have a fever, and my entire body hurts really bad.”

Concerned, Lucy reached over and felt his forehead. “Oh baby, you’re burning up,” she whispered. She then carefully slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom to grab the thermometer. After returning, she sat next to him on the bed, took his temperature, and sighed. “You have a pretty high fever, sweetheart. Stay here and rest.”

Leaving Austin tucked in, Lucy quietly made her way downstairs, where she found Lori, Timmy, Noah, and Mia cuddled up on the couch, watching cartoons. As soon as the kids saw her, they all chirped in unison, “Hi, Mom!”

Lucy smiled warmly at them and said, “Hey, I have a fun idea. How would you all like to go spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa?”

Timmy, looking a bit confused, was the first to ask, “Why, Mom? What’s going on?”

Lucy sat next to him and softly explained, “Daddy isn’t feeling well. He has a fever, and just to make sure none of you catch what he has, I think it would be best if you stayed at Grandma and Grandpa’s for a few days.”

The kids nodded in understanding, though a bit worried about their dad. “Can we see Daddy before we go?” Lori asked.

“Of course,” Lucy reassured them. “But let’s be quiet and gentle. He needs his rest.”

Lucy gently guided the kids upstairs to their rooms, helping them gather what they needed for their visit to their grandparents. Once everyone was ready, she quietly led them into her and Austin’s bedroom, where Austin was sitting up in bed, reading a book about the Roman Empire. As soon as they entered, the kids all said in unison, “Hi, Dad!”

Lori walked up first, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “How are you feeling, Daddy?” she asked softly, concern filling her voice.

Austin gave her a weak smile. “Not great, princess, but knowing you and your siblings are going to have fun with Grandma and Grandpa makes me feel a little better.”

One by one, the kids quickly took turns giving him a gentle hug, each whispering, “I love you,” before stepping back to let the others do the same. Austin’s heart swelled with pride and love for his little ones, even though he felt terrible.

Lucy then turned to him, her voice calm and reassuring. “I’ll be right back after I drop them off. I’ll also stop by the store to pick up a few things to make you something special to eat. Just rest for now, okay?”

Austin blew her a kiss and nodded, his voice hoarse as he replied, “Okay, be careful.”

With that, Lucy gathered the kids and led them back downstairs. After loading them into the car, she dropped them off at Austin’s dad and stepmom Vicki’s house, where they were greeted with hugs and excitement. With the kids safely settled, Lucy headed to the store to pick up ingredients for Austin’s favorite comfort food—his mom’s world-famous chicken noodle soup, hoping it would help him feel better.

Once Lucy returned home from dropping the kids off and picking up groceries, she unloaded the bags and made her way into the house. She found Austin lying on the couch, bundled up in a blanket, watching TV. A soft smile crossed her face as she approached him.

“Hi, baby. How are you feeling?” she asked, setting the grocery bags on the kitchen counter.

Austin looked up at her, his voice still raspy but with a hint of humor. “Hungry.”

Lucy chuckled. “Well then, I’ll get started on your special meal.”

Austin raised an eyebrow, curious. “Special meal? What is it?”

Lucy gave him a playful smile and a mischievous wink. “It’s a surprise.”

Austin shook his head and went back to watching TV, mumbling under his breath, “Crazy girl.”

Catching part of his remark, Lucy shot him a playful glance. “What was that, baby?”

Austin quickly grinned and replied, “Oh, nothing, just talking to the TV.”

Lucy rolled her eyes with a smirk, then began gathering the ingredients to make his mom’s world-famous chicken noodle soup, eager to bring him some comfort.

As Austin took the first bite of the soup, the familiar taste of his mother’s recipe brought a wave of warmth and nostalgia. The comforting flavor transported him back to a memory from his childhood.

---

Flashback:

A much younger Austin, around eight years old, lay on the couch in his family’s living room, feeling groggy and stuffed up from a bad cold. His mom, Lori, was bustling around the kitchen, her calm and gentle presence soothing even when he was feeling his worst.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, Mama’s gonna make you feel all better,” she said softly, her voice full of love as she stirred a pot on the stove. The warm, savory smell of chicken soup filled the air, and despite his fever, Austin’s spirits lifted just a bit knowing his mom’s special soup was on the way.

Lori soon returned, a bowl of her homemade chicken noodle soup in one hand and a glass of water in the other. She sat beside him, gently brushing his hair from his face as she handed him the bowl. “Here you go, honey. This always worked when I was a kid, so it’ll work for you too.”

Austin took a sip of the broth, the warmth immediately soothing his sore throat. “Thanks, Mama,” he whispered.

She smiled at him, brushing a kiss on his forehead. “You just rest, sweetheart. Mama’s got you.”

Her presence was comforting, and with every bite of the soup, he felt a little better, knowing that no matter what, his mom would always take care of him.

---

Present:

Austin blinked away the memory, feeling a familiar sense of comfort as he looked down at the bowl Lucy had made for him. The same love and care his mom had shown him all those years ago now came through in every bite of Lucy’s cooking.

With emotion in his voice, Austin looked over at his wife. “It tastes just like Mom’s. You followed the recipe perfectly.”

Lucy smiled softly, her eyes tender. “I’m glad, baby. I know how much it meant to you.”

Austin reached out, taking her hand. “Thank you, Lucy. I love you.”

“I love you too,” Lucy replied, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “Now, enjoy your soup. Rest up.”

As Austin continued eating, he couldn’t help but feel grateful. The soup wasn’t just food—it was a reminder of the love surrounding him, both from his mom in the past and from his wife now.