Mother? (Darcy Ann Styles)

Love?

I sat fidgeting in the kitchen chair, my homework lay finished in front of me. My mother narrowed her eyes as she stared at me. "Mom how does it feel when you kiss dad, does it feel like love?" I blurt out. "Oh silly, that's something movies make up it's just a little spark, there's no fireworks or anything like that" she tells me. "Oh" was all I could get out.

The phone rings and she walks off to answer it. "Honey can you drive over to Uncle Niall's house and pick some paperwork up for me?" she calls in a sing-song voice. "Sure" I say heading out to my car. As soon as I reach there house, I relax. I love going there, Niall's wife, Christine decorated it to feel homey and it does feel like home. I pull into the driveway and out comes Christine with flour on her hands, her cooking apron on and a big smile. She greets me at the door was with a mothering smile and gives me a hug, being careful not to get flour on me. As soon as I step into the house the smell hits me, I can tell she's been baking all day. "I was just finishing up Niall's sandwich, would you like one to?" she asks washing her hands. My mouths waters, "Yes please" I say trying to keep my stomach from growling.

Two delicious looking sandwiches are already finished toasted a golden brown. She pulls four pieces out and proceeds to make two more sandwiches, "Oh one is fine, Aunt Christine" I tell her. She lets out a musical laugh, "I know Darcy, honey I made two for Niall, so he doesn't eat mine" she let's out another chuckle. "Aunt Christine what does it feel like when you kiss Uncle Niall?" I ask, wondering if she'll give me the same answer as my mom. "Why sweetie did a boy kiss you?" she asks innocently. "No, I was just wondering" I say tugging at my skirt. She closes her eyes, "It feels like . . . like in that moment that I matter, that I'm worth something" she smiles. "It feels like chocolate too" she laughs again we both do.

She slides a plate over to me. I take the sandwich and take bite, it taste great. "Christen, love is the food ready,yet?" Uncle Niall asks coming into the kitchen, kissing her gently on the cheek. He walks over to the stove where a rack of cookies are cooling and swipes two. "I saw that" Christine says. "They are delicious as always" he says shoving the other cookie in his mouth, "Do we have any-" He starts. She places a glass of milk in his hand. "Thanks" he says. I smile watching them, it's like marriage never hit them there still so in love.

Little Liam comes running into the room his face red, his eys brimming with tears.He grabs onto Christine's legs tightly. She picks him up and begins to cradle him in her arms, softly singing "Hush little baby don't you cry cause momma loves you like an apple pie" She smiled while she sang gently rocking him. "I love you Liam" she finished and kissed his head, the connection between the three was so strong, it filled me with hope. "Here are the papers" Niall said handing me a vanilla folder.