The following morning arrived quietly. Sunlight streamed through the bedroom curtains, filling the room with a warm golden glow. Seraphina woke to find Lucien's side of the bed already empty. She smiled to herself, he was usually the first one awake. A faint aroma of fresh coffee drifted upstairs, she slipped into a light sweater and walked toward the kitchen.
Lucien stood at the stove, turning pancakes with careful concentration. He looked over his shoulder when he heard her footsteps.
"Good morning." He said.
She smiled. "Good morning."
He placed another pancake onto a plate. "I hope you are hungry."
She walked closer. "I always become hungry when someone else cooks."
He laughed. "That is a convenient habit."
She looked at the table. Fresh fruit, coffee, juice, and breakfast had already been prepared. She folded her arms.
"You have been busy." She said.
"I wanted today to begin slowly." He said.
She studied him for a moment. "You are acting differently."
