She placed the plate in the center of the table and served the girls.  “Well, I guess we better eat then,” she said.  Both girls smiled at her, and then began to eat.  He looked at her.  She was such a good mother to not only her own daughter, but is as well.  Moving in together was the best thing he could have done for Emily.  She had badly needed a loving female role model.  Lily had generously stepped into the role without reservation.  She always showed the same loving-kindness to both girls.  He greatly admired her for that.

      “Are your pancakes alright?” she asked him, breaking him from his thoughts.

      “Yes,” he answered.  “They’re great.”

      “You haven’t even taken a bite,” she stated with a grin.

      “I know, but I already know they’re great,” he replied with a wolfish grin, and then proceeded to take a huge bite.  She chuckled, and continued to eat.

      _______________________________________________________________________

            She had two hours to herself after the Seth left to take the girls to school and go to work.   As she went around picking up, her mind drifted to her thoughts from last night.  She was sure he loved her, but how could she go about proving it to him?  She thought the idea to give up sex was a good step. Taking the physical part out of the equationwould help her think a bit more clearly. She hoped. 

            However, she couldn’t get the “What if” out of her mind. What if he didn’t love her?  What if his feelings really only were as he said?  This was a relationship built out of mutual respect, passion and convenience.  Was it possible that’s all there was on his side?  She had no doubt as to her own feelings. She knew she loved him, but she began to doubt his feelings.

            Before she knew it, the time had come to get ready and head off to work.