The afternoon sun filtered through the living room curtains, casting a warm, golden glow over the well-worn furniture. Elizabeth, her hair swept back into a loose bun, moved with an elegance that defied her age. She had a knack for making even the most mundane tasks seem graceful, and today she was dusting the family photos that lined the mantelpiece.
The house had seen its share of life. Six children had grown up here, each leaving their mark on the walls and the memories.
Elizabeth smiled as she paused at a picture of young Emily, her eldest, a mischievous grin on her face, chocolate smeared on her cheek. That child had always been a handful, just like her husband, Trevor.
Speaking of Trevor, Elizabeth glanced at the clock. He was due any minute to help with a project Glen had left half-finished before jetting off on another business trip. She felt a flutter of anticipation that wasn't entirely due to the impending help with the project.
She heard the man door in the garage open and close, signalling his arrival, punctual as always. Elizabeth took a deep breath, ran a hand over her blouse to smooth any invisible wrinkles, and turned toward the door across the welcoming kitchen.
She could feel her heart fluttering. The firm tone she used for so many family meetings and heart to heart chats required her to make sure that she did not let on that this was something she had considered in her secret fantasies. She had fantasised about Trevor for so many years. She wanted to savour every second of his company.
The kitchen door creaked open, and in walked Trevor, his short brown hair slightly dishevelled from the breeze outside. He had the kind of casual charm that made people feel instantly at ease. "Hey, Mom," he called out, setting down his toolbox by the hutch just inside the door.
She'd been "Mom" to him since he and Emily were married. His calling her that had always added a little spice to her fantasies.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Trevor, so glad you're able to help. Thanks for coming over today." Elizabeth crossed the kitchen to Trevor, her hips swaying slightly with each step. She stopped just a few inches from him, close enough to smell the faint scent of his cologne--a mix of pine and something earthy. She felt a warmth spread through her, a sensation she hadn't felt in a long time. She could tell that Trevor felt it too, or maybe she was just so swept up in her own feelings that she was imagining things.
Trevor shifted slightly, his eyes meeting hers briefly before darting away, a nervous gesture that betrayed his usual calm demeanour. "No problem, Mom. I couldn't leave you high and dry with this project. You know me, always ready to lend a hand. Especially for my favourite mother-in-law," Trevor replied, his voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate in the quiet room. There was a warmth in his words, a subtle undertone that made Elizabeth's heart skip a beat.
Elizabeth chuckled, a soft, throaty sound that seemed to fill the room. "Oh, Trevor, you always were a charmer. But I must admit, it's nice to have some help around here."
Trevor quickly fixed the issue with the upstairs bathroom, his hands deftly tightening a few screws and replacing a worn-out seal. The satisfying sound of the water running smoothly through the pipes filled the house. Then they both sat at the kitchen table for an early afternoon snack. The kitchen, with its large table and worn wooden chairs, seemed to be the heart of the home, a place where conversations flowed as freely as the coffee from the old percolator.
Trevor poured them each a cup, the aroma of the rich brew mingling with the scent of fresh bread and jam that Elizabeth had set out. He sat across from her, his eyes meeting hers with a intensity that made her heart race.
"Thanks for the snack," Trevor said, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. "How's Grandma Harriet?" Trevor asked, his tone light but his eyes never leaving hers, referring to Elizabeth's mom who lived upstairs in the family home. She'd moved in a couple of years earlier after the death of her second husband. Elizabeth and Glen had renovated a couple of bedrooms and added an ensuite bathroom so that she had her own space. At 89 years old, she wasn't moving very fast these days, requiring a walker or cane even in the house, and the stairlift from the main floor up to her quarters.
Elizabeth smiled, taking a sip of her coffee before answering. "Oh, she's as feisty as ever. Keeps me on my toes, that one. But I wouldn't have it any other way." She paused, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. "You know, Trevor, I've been thinking.
Life's too short to waste time on things we're afraid to do. If I've learned anything from her when I was a girl I've learned to never be coy and conceal my needs". Elizabeth knew she was diving into waters where she could either shipwreck or navigate the perfect currents. Her eyes widened slightly as she spoke, her voice soft but carrying a weight that made Trevor lean in slightly. She had his interest, he was a captive audience for his mother-in-law.
"I've always admired your courage, Mom. You've always been so direct, so... brave. It's one of the things I love about you," Trevor said, his voice barely above a whisper. He took a sip of his coffee, his eyes never leaving hers. Elizabeth could see the pulsating vein in his neck, a telltale sign of his heightened emotions. Or his growing excitement. She felt the electricity in the room. She could see how nervous he was but she felt that she was able to keep her calm, although the warm feeling in her chest was increasing. This was a lot of fun.
Elizabeth felt a rush of warmth at his words, a mixture of nostalgia and something more primal. She leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving his. "And what about you, Trevor? What have you been thinking about?" Elizabeth asked, her voice a husky whisper. She could see the flush creeping up his neck, the way his breath hitched slightly. She knew she was treading on dangerous ground, but the thrill of it was intoxicating.
Trevor looked down at his coffee, swirling the liquid absently. "I've been thinking about a lot of things, Mom. About how much I appreciate having you in my life. About how beautiful you are." He looked up then, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her breath catch in her throat.
Elizabeth felt a surge of adrenaline. She stood up, her chair scraping loudly against the vinyl floor.
