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“Can I get you some coffee or tea? Hot chocolate?” Shell asked over her shoulder as she stowed Cassie’s coat in the front closet

“Oooh, I’d love some tea if you’ll join me Warm me from the inside out”

Shell smiled “Sounds perfect to me Just pretend you don’t notice the state my kitchen is in”

As they entered Shell’s kitchen, Cassie let out a laugh “I see you tere engaged in your traditional Christ”

“Hey, I told you to ignore that!” Shell filled the red tea kettle then set it on the burner

“Sorry, Shell, I refuse to ignore the state of your kitchen This is exactly how a kitchen should look at Christaze across the kitchen island “Have I ever told you what a wonderful mother I think you are, Shell?”

“A, Cass, thank you And yes, you have More times than you probably should”

She reached across the island and grabbed Shell’s hand “No, honey, I’m serious You’ve never once let the circumstances of her conception color your treatment of her Not everyone could do that” With a soft smile, Cassie looked around the house “The home you’ve created here with Copper is perfect I’m so happy you two found your way to each other I’ve always loved you, Shell From the first moment your mama let me hold you You were two days old, chubby-cheeked, and bald as a cue ball And for such a tiny thing, you sure could scream”

Both wohed “You’re sentimental today”

Soed “Must just be the season You’ve been through so the sweet, loving mother you were always meant to be”

“Cassie…” Shell’s voice thickened with emotion as she blinked back unshed tears “Thank you”

“You’re very welcoirl As any other kids you have will be”

Shell’s face fell, and she lost the battle she’d been so fiercely fighting since the day Copper dropped his bomb Tears exploded from her eyes

“Shell? What’s wrong, sweetie?” Cassie’s eyes widened

God, sheinto random hysterics

The tea kettle chose thatwhistle

“Oh, gosh, I’m so sorry,” Shell said as she dashed at her eyes while turning toward the stove The gesture was useless Now that she’d started, she couldn’t seem to stem the flow of tears

Cassie rounded the island then batted Shell’s hands away froot the tea,” she said as she turned the knobs to off “You go sit”

With a heavy pit in her stomach, Shell did as instructed and made her way to the kitchen table littered with trays of cooling cookies There was barely enough roos Cassie arrived with only a few seconds later

Shell’s tears still hadn’t begun to abate by then