Cassie said, blushing, "Mommy, sorry for the drool. But it does look glossy."
Hope chuckled softly at Cassie's comment, grateful for the lighthearted moment in the midst of such a scary experience.
"Don't worry about the drool, Cassie. You did what you had to do to save my life," Hope said, ruffling Cassie's hair affectionately.
Hope now felt too exposed in front of Cassie, "Will you help me up?"
Cassie said, eyeing her bra strap going down to her curvy breast, "Not until your wound is healed and it won't take much time."
Hope said, "But I am like this."
Cassie comfortably put her hand on Hope's shoulder, "it's me, mommy. There's no one. I am a grown woman. I can feel you "
Hope playfully pinched Cassie's cheek and said, "And don't forget, you're still my little girl, even if you're growing up so fast."
Cassie giggled and tried to swat her mother's hand away. "Mommy, stop it!" she protested, still laughing.
Hope chuckled and ruffled Cassie's hair. "Alright, alright. I'll stop," she said, a hint of mischief in her eyes.
Cassie and Hope were silent. Cassie couldn't help but steal glances at Hope's long legs.
Cassie blurted out, "Mommy, your thighs are perfectly thick and beautiful."
Hope raised her eyebrow, "What?"
Cassie assured her, "Not like that, mommy. I just think mine are slimmer."
Hope looked at Cassie's thighs and smiles. "They're beautiful, Cassie," she says. "But remember, your worth isn't defined by your body. You're smart, kind, and brave, and those are the things that matter the most."
Cassie's eyes were fixated on Hope's thigh, like she was gonna devour them.
Hope, noticing Cassie's eyes, said, "I should probably dress up. Feel better now."
Cassie interrupted her, "A proper massage is necessary to make sure the wound heals completely."
Hope eyed her, "This isn't an excuse to touch my thigh, right?"
Cassie clarified, "I am not a lesbian, mommy. Even if I was, you are my mother."
Cassie's mind was so excited to finally get her hands on Hope again, that she immediately jumped into it.
Cassie starts to gently massage Hope's thigh, her fingers aching to touch Hope's pink panty just once. But she couldn't cross a line or Hope would never talk to her.
"How does it feel?" Cassie asks softly.
Hope closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "It's still a little tender," she said. "But your touch helps."
Cassie continued to massage the scar, feeling the tension slowly ease from Hope's muscles.
Then Cassie began to squeeze Hope's thigh softly, she could feel her own heart rate increase. She didn't want to let go, enjoying the intimacy of the moment.
Hope knew where this was going. Hope said in a commanding voice, "Cassie, No."
