Everything I Wanted

Another Teaser - 28

Story stirred awake in her cozy loft, the afternoon sun filtering through the windows and casting a warm glow over her space. She stretched, still tangled in the remnants of her nap, and groaned softly as she ran her fingers through her messy hair. It wasn't much help; her bed head was relentless, as always.

The smell of something delicious wafted up from downstairs, immediately drawing her out of bed. She padded to the spiral staircase, descending slowly, the metal cool under her bare feet.

When she reached the bottom, she saw her mom, Laurel, bustling around the kitchen, a familiar look of concentration on her face as she stirred a pot on the stove. Story smiled warmly and approached her. "Hey, Mom."

Laurel turned, her lips curling into a playful smirk as she looked at her daughter. "Well, look who's awake. And look at that hair—still as wild as ever."

Story chuckled, running a hand through her unruly locks again. "It's not that bad, is it?"

"Oh, sweetie," Laurel said, laughing, "you've always been like this. I used to spend ages trying to tame that bed head when you were little."

"That's probably why I never wanted pigtails," Story teased, leaning against the counter.

Laurel shook her head, her eyes twinkling. "No, you were just stubborn."

The two of them laughed as Laurel turned her attention back to the stove, where she was making Story's favorite meal. Story peeked over her mom's shoulder, inhaling deeply. "You're seriously the best. I didn't even have to ask."

"Well, I figured you'd need some home-cooked comfort food after all your traveling," Laurel said, a hint of pride in her voice. "Besides, we're leaving for L.A. the day after tomorrow, and I wanted to have some time with just you and I before everything gets crazy."

Story raised an eyebrow, leaning against the counter. "It feels like I just got back."

Laurel nodded, stirring the pot. "I know, sweetie, but we've got a tight schedule. Promo starts right away, and your album drops in two weeks. It's crunch time."

At the mention of her album, Story's face lit up. "I still can't believe it's happening so soon," she said, excitement bubbling in her voice. "And I'll be back on tour with Billie when it drops."

Laurel paused, her expression softening as she turned to face her daughter. "That's going to be such a special experience for you, Story. Sharing that moment with people you care about is something you'll remember forever."

"Yeah," Story said, her excitement dimming slightly and her bottom lip slightly pouting. "But I'm going to miss sharing it with you, Mom. You've been with me through everything."

Laurel stepped closer, placing a hand on her daughter's cheek. "Oh, honey, it's okay. You're growing, and this is your time. You've worked so hard to get here, and I couldn't be prouder of you. And besides," she added with a wink, "I'll be cheering you on from here, like I always do."

Story smiled, her eyes glistening. "Thanks, Mom."

Laurel nodded and turned back to the stove. "Now, how about you grab the cutting board and help me out? I could use an extra set of hands."

"On it," Story said, grabbing the board and a knife. The two of them worked side by side, chopping vegetables and stirring sauces, falling into an easy rhythm. They chatted about everything and nothing—Laurel's plans while Story was away, funny moments from the tour, and their shared excitement for the album release.

By the time dinner was ready, the kitchen was filled with the smell of warm, comforting food and the sound of their laughter. Story couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment, knowing how rare and precious it was to have time like this with her mom.