"Dinner is ready~" Mom's cheerful voice floated out from the kitchen, warm and familiar like always.
I turned my head just as she walked out, carrying a large tray loaded with bowls and plates of steaming food. The smell of home-cooked dinner filled the living room.
"She's still sleeping?" Mom asked softly, glancing toward the couch as she set the tray down on the dining table.
"Yeah…" I answered before I glanced at Lily, curled up peacefully beside me, completely unaware.
"Wake her up, sweetie. It's not good to sleep on an empty stomach." Mom said, glancing over her shoulder with that familiar caring smile before turning back toward the kitchen.
She still hadn't changed out of her yoga outfit. The tight grey top clung to her sweat-damp skin, stretched tight across her massive breasts, while the high-waisted pants hugged her wide hips and squishy thighs. She moved hastily, clearly worried about getting dinner ready for us.
"Lily… hey, wake up. Dinner's ready." I nodded quietly and gently shook Lily's shoulder. She stirred slowly, rubbing her eyes with a soft yawn.
"Mmm… Big bro…?" Her voice was sleepy and adorable as she sat up.
"Yeah, come on. Mom made dinner." I said, helping her stand. She leaned against me sleepily as we walked to the dining table.
Mom had already set everything out. The warm, familiar smells filled the room. We all sat down together: Mom across from me, Lily right beside me like always, still blinking away sleep.
"Here, eat up while it's hot." Mom said softly, serving generous portions onto our plates with her usual motherly care.
"I'm sorry it took so long tonight." We started eating in comfortable silence at first, the clink of spoons the only sound. Lily perked up after a few bites, smiling brightly at the food.
"Alex, have you seen my apron? I can't find it anywhere." Mom asked suddenly, her voice laced with mild surprise.
The question hit me like a jolt. My hand froze halfway to my mouth, spoon hovering in the air. Mom glanced between me and Lily, then continued eating as if nothing was wrong. Lily stiffened beside me for a split second, her cheeks flushing pink, but quickly lowered her head and kept eating, trying hard not to look suspicious.
"Ahem… I... I don't know." I lied quickly, my voice steadier than I felt. I didn't want Mom scolding Lily for secretly wearing her apron to bake cookies without permission. It wasn't that Mom forbade her from cooking, Lily was the little princess of the house, after all. But Mom would worry endlessly about her getting burned or making a mess, and she'd scold me even more for not stopping her when I knew.
"Strange… I always hang it right there in the kitchen." Mom murmured in a puzzled tone, her brow furrowing slightly as she took another bite.
I kept my head down, heart pounding, while Lily did the same beside me. The dinner table suddenly felt far too quiet and awkward.
"Where is the apron?" I whispered to Lily, my voice barely audible as I leaned in close, my shoulder brushing against hers.
"Couch." she whispered back, tilting her head toward me until her soft hair tickled my cheek
"What are you two whispering about? Should I know something?" Mom's voice cut through the air, sharp but curious. Both of us flinched hard and sat bolt upright, hearts hammering.
"I-it's nothing." I stammered, forcing a casual shrug.
Mom set her spoon down, her expression turning serious as she looked straight at me.
"Alex… were you cooking something before I came home?" She asked, her tone firm and probing, eyes narrowing slightly.
"What… No!" I blurted out, my voice far too loud and panicked. The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
"Really? That's strange… I'm sure I cleaned the kitchen properly today," Mom said, her voice calm but laced with quiet suspicion as she continued eating.
"I wonder why everything was messed up, with bowls and ingredients left scattered here and there." She tilted her head slightly, giving me a long, puzzled look.
'Fuck… she knows.' The realization hit me hard. From the way her eyes lingered, the slight tilt of her head, I could tell she already knew everything and was just pretending to be clueless, waiting for me to crack.
"I-I'm sorry, Mom… I lied. Lily was baking cookies." I admitted, my voice low and guilty.
"Hnn? Big bro, why did you tell her?!" Lily jumped up from her seat, cheeks puffed out in an adorable pout as she glared at me, looking utterly betrayed.
Mom's gaze flicked between us, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips as she watched Lily's reaction.
"Wait mom you knew it?" Lily looked at me and mom for a few time before realising.
"Wait, Mom… you knew it?" Lily looked back and forth between me and Mom, blinking rapidly as realization dawned on her cute, round face.
"I'm your mom, sweetheart. I know everything that happens in this house," Mom replied with a soft, knowing smile, her voice warm and teasing but full of that gentle motherly affection.
"Wha… I-I'm sorry, Mom! I won't do it again. Please don't yell at me." Lily said quickly, her voice turning small and apologetic as she shrank back in her chair, cheeks flushing pink.
"Relax, both of you. I'm not going to scold you or anything. It's fine." Mom said with a light laugh, waving her hand gently.
"Really?" Lily and I spoke in unison, both of us surprised, eyes wide as we stared at her.
"Sit down properly. I'm in a good mood today." Mom said, still smiling as she gestured to our chairs.
To be continued...
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