Mom's humming in the kitchen, and I swear I catch her hiding a knowing smile behind her coffee cup as we emerge from the basement. The smell of pancakes fills the air, and Eli's stomach growls loudly.

"Perfect timing," Mom says, sliding a stack of blueberry pancakes onto the table. "I trust you two worked up an appetite?"

We enter the kitchen to find what can only be described as a smorgasbord of food. Mom's gone all out—pancakes, eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, hash browns, and what looks like homemade cinnamon rolls. It's enough to feed a small army.

"Mom, why did you make so much?" I ask, staring at the feast before us.

She smiles that knowing smile of hers. "I knew you'd be hungry. And there'll be leftovers for nights on end," she adds with a wink. Knowing my mother, she always knows more than she lets on, so she must be onto something. But I'm so hungry that I decide to eat now and think later.

Eli's already grabbing a plate like she's been here a hundred times, serving herself with comfortable familiarity. "How did you know where the plates were?" I ask. "Did Mom show you the other day?"

"No," she says simply, piling scrambled eggs onto her plate. "I just knew."

I smile and serve myself too. We both sit down with Mom at the table and start eating, the food tasting even better than it looks. The Gear 5 Luffy hoodie's sleeves keep falling over Eli's hands as she eats, making her look adorably frustrated every time she has to push them back.

"Sooo," Mom says expectantly, though her bright demeanor never wavers, "is there anything anyone wants to say?"

Eli and I look at each other, the events of yesterday crashing back into our consciousness. We sigh in perfect unison. Mom laughs, the sound warm and understanding.

"We can just continue breakfast and not talk about it. Food is worth enjoying." She pauses, her expression growing slightly more serious. "But you'll have to come clean either today or tomorrow, and no later than that. I can't keep playing the fool for them. You're both old enough to understand that you have to bite the bullet at some point. No more delays."

I resign myself to this truth with a nod, and Eli responds with a quiet "Fair enough." The weight of what we need to do settles over us, but somehow it doesn't feel as heavy as it should. Maybe it's the comfort of my mother's kitchen, or the way Eli keeps sneaking glances at me over her coffee cup, or just the simple fact that we're facing it together.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"Your pancakes are amazing," Eli says to Mom, breaking the momentary tension. "Is that cardamom I taste?"

Mom's eyes light up. "Yes! Most people don't catch that. It's an old family recipe—"

"Passed down from your grandmother who learned it from a traveling merchant in Belfast," Eli finishes, then freezes with her fork halfway to her mouth. "Was that close?"

Mom doesn't seem surprised at all. Instead, she gives Eli that same look from the other night—like she's reading tea leaves in Eli's soul. "Some things," she says softly, "we know before we know we know them."

I watch this exchange with a mix of wonder and confusion. The synchronicity between them is almost scary, but in a beautiful way. Like watching two instruments naturally find harmony without sheet music.

"Speaking of knowing things," Mom continues, getting up to pour more coffee, "Sarah's mother called this morning. I told them you were safe but needed time. They didn't like that answer much."

My stomach tightens, but before I can respond, Eli reaches under the table and squeezes my hand. The gesture is so natural, so perfectly timed, that I almost forget to be anxious.

"What about..." I trail off, looking at Eli. We haven't even discussed how to handle her situation yet.

"My fiancé?" she finishes, her voice steady. "He doesn't know to look here. None of them do. My phone's still at the bridal shop, probably blowing up with messages." She turns to Mom. "I should probably let my family know I'm safe too, but..."

"But you're not ready," Mom finishes, nodding. "That's okay. The universe has its own timing." She gets up and starts clearing plates, but pauses by Eli's chair. "Though I should warn you both—Sarah's family is... persistent. They might show up here."

"Today?" I ask, my anxiety spiking again.

Mom shakes her head. "No, not today. But soon. They're giving you until tomorrow morning to 'come to your senses,' as they put it." She makes air quotes with her fingers, her expression suggesting exactly what she thinks of that phrase.

"And if I don't?" The question comes out smaller than I intended.

"Then you'll face it together," Mom says simply, looking between Eli and me. "Like you're meant to."

Eli's still holding my hand under the table, her thumb tracing small circles on my palm. The gesture is so intimate, so comforting, that I find myself relaxing despite everything.

"We should probably figure out our next steps," Eli says thoughtfully. "I need clothes that aren't a wedding dress or borrowed anime merch—though I'm definitely keeping this hoodie forever." She tugs at the Gear 5 Luffy design with her free hand, grinning.

"Oh! Speaking of clothes," Mom disappears into the laundry room and returns with a small duffel bag. "I thought these might come in handy." She hands the bag to Eli, who opens it to find a selection of casual clothes that look exactly her size.

"How did you...?" Eli starts, pulling out a simple black dress that could have been made for her.

Mom just smiles that mysterious smile again. "Let's just say I had a feeling they'd be needed." She starts gathering the breakfast dishes. "Now, why don't you two go get dressed properly and figure out your game plan? I'll handle cleanup."

Eli and I look at each other, still wearing our matching One Piece merchandise like kids playing at rebellion instead of adults about to face the consequences of our actions. But when I meet her eyes, I know - really know - that this is right. Even if the next few hours are going to be the messiest time of my life.

"At least we're in this together," she says softly, tugging at the sleeve of my One Piece shirt.

"Yeah," I manage a smile. "Same crew."