Chapter 28

Elizabeth got up and put the mixing bowl in the sink, then checked the oven timer. "10 minutes left."

"You know, that was pretty scary," Lucky muttered, still sitting at the kitchen table.

"What? Me licking the bowl? Lots of people do it, you know!"

He laughed. "No, not that, although one of these days you're going to die from salmonella poisoning, but that wasn't what I meant."

She continued to look at him, waiting for him to explain. "Okay, so what was so scary?"

"Us, before, making the brownies. Do you realize how 'married' we were acting? Man, my dad would have had a field day with that!"

She sat down across from him. "Really? Why do you say that?"

"Think about it, you were cooking and asking me for the ingredients, and at the same time we were talking about budgets and having kids and stuff. We didn't even realize we were doing it, either."

She chuckled. "You know, you're right. That is scary. Maybe this project is getting a little too realistic! I'm afraid to find out what the next part is going to be!"

The timer dinged and she got up. "Dinner time!" she joked, going over to the oven. She grabbed a pot holder and pulled out the brownie pan.

"Smells good," Lucky said, still sitting at the table. "How long before we can eat?"

She laughed. "You have to let them cool first, silly." She reached over to turn off the oven and accidentally brushed her arm against the edge of the pan. "Ow!!!"

"What? What happened? Are you okay?" he asked, jumping up and rushing to her side.

She blew on her arm. "I'm fine, I just burned my arm on the pan. It's no big deal. I'll just run some water on it."

"Here, let me see," he said, gently taking her arm and turning it to look at the burn. "Where does your grandmother keep the first aid kit?"

"Um.. I think there's one in the bathroom," she said through clenched teeth, trying to ignore the searing pain.

He could hear the pain in her voice and looked up. Her eyes were watering, and she looked like she was in agony. He smiled comfortingly and touched her cheek. "It'll be okay. I'll hurry back."

She returned his smile, thankful that he was there, as he rushed out of the room. She looked down at her arm. The burn wasn't that bad, but it hurt like nobody's business! She sat down at the table and continued to blow on it until Lucky returned.

"I guess it helps to have a grandmother who's a nurse. This first aid kit has everything!" he exclaimed, rushing back into the room. He pulled a chair next to hers and sat down, pulling her arm closer. "This might sting a little," he muttered, pulling out the burn cream. She braced herself for more pain, but he was so gentle that she hardly felt a thing. A few minutes later, he had the burn bandaged like a pro.

"That wasn't too horrible, was it?" he asked, hoping that he hadn't hurt her.

She smiled. He had treated her so lovingly, it was hard to imagine that they spent most of their time together arguing. Her skin was still tingling, and it wasn't from the burn. She was surprised at how his touch had affected her "No, it hardly hurt at all. You're good at that."

He laughed. "I'm a doctor, remember?"

She couldn't help laughing, even though she was still in pain. Even with the cream and bandage, it still stung. Lucky could see it in her eyes, and felt terrible. He got up and brought the now-cooled pan of brownies over to the table. "Have a brownie. It'll make you feel better," he said, cutting a big piece for her.

"I wish it would. This thing stings like crazy."

"It will, at first. Give the burn cream some time to work. In the meantime, eat!"

"Yes, sir!" she said jokingly, and took a bite of the brownie. "At least they're good. Aren't you going to have one? I thought you were starving!"

He grinned. "I was just waiting to make sure they were edible. You're still alive, so I guess they're safe." He cut another brownie for himself and started to eat, ignoring the evil glare she was shooting at him.

""I went through all that trouble and pain to make these, and you have the nerve to say they won't be edible?" She threw a crumb at him.

"Oh, you're lucky this isn't my kitchen, or else you'd have a food fight on your hands, missy!" he threatened, tossing a crumb back at her.

She laughed. "Well, since I would be the one who would have to clean it up, it's a good thing we're civilized enough not to throw food." She grinned and threw her wadded-up napkin at him instead.

"Now you're asking for it!" He grabbed his napkin and threw it at her. She stood up and ran into the living room in an attempt to escape, but he chased after her. Somehow they went from throwing napkins to tickling each other, and the next thing they knew, they were on the couch. Lucky had her pinned and looked down at her, still laughing and out of breath. She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with laughter as she continued to tickle him.

"Okay, okay, uncle!" he gasped, letting go of her. He gazed into her eyes for a moment and smiled. She smiled back, her eyes fixated on his. They just stared at each other, their giggles slowly fading away until there was nothing but silence between them.

Realizing that if he didn't say something, he was going to kiss her, he quietly cleared his throat. "I got you to forget about that burn, didn't I?" he asked softly.

The second the words were out of his mouth, a sharp pain shot up her arm. She grimaced. "I had, until you reminded me of it!"

"Oh, sorry. Is there anything I can do?" he asked, his eyes still locked on hers. She shook her head, a look of anguish on her face. "Lucky?" she asked quietly.

"Mm-hm?" he answered, unable to tear his eyes away from hers.

"You're crushing me," she gasped, snapping him back to reality.

He jumped off the couch quickly. "I'm sorry! You okay?"

She laughed. "I'm fine, now that I can breathe. Come on, let's go finish those brownies. Just promise you won't throw anything at me this time!"

"Hey, you started that one, don't put the blame on me!" He followed her into the kitchen, both of them still shaken by what had happened between them earlier. They managed to finish the entire pan of brownies, then cleaned up the kitchen.

"Wow, it's getting pretty late. I guess we should turn in," Lucky said, looking at his watch.

Liz stifled a yawn. "Good idea. Do you want the bathroom first?"

He shrugged. "You go ahead. I'll finish up in here." She hurried up the stairs as he finished putting away the clean dishes. A few minutes later she yelled down that she was out. He went up and washed his face, then found some mouthwash to use, since he didn't have a toothbrush. Eating half a pan of brownies right before bed wasn't the greatest idea when you couldn't brush your teeth later!

He came out of the bathroom and knocked on her door. "You decent?" he asked jokingly.

"Yeah, come on in," she answered. He opened the door and went inside. Liz was sitting on the bed, brushing her hair. She was wearing a big t-shirt and some sweatshorts this time. He noticed that she had spread a sleeping bag out on the floor next to her bed.

"I take it that's for me," he joked.

She shrugged. "It's all I've got, sorry." She climbed into the bed and pulled the blankets up around her neck.

"You mean you're not going to burrow under them like you were the other night?" he asked, unable to help himself.

She rolled her eyes. "I only do that when I'm alone." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she immediately regretted them. She knew he wouldn't be able to pass that up.

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you don't always sleep alone?"

"Very funny. I didn't mean it that way. I'm a girl, you know. We have slumber parties and stuff. Also, I used to share a room with my sister. It didn't last very long, because we got on each other's nerves so much."

"Well, then my being here won't feel that different!" he joked, turning off the light and sliding into the sleeping bag.

"You're not that bad. Thanks again for helping me with that burn. I can hardly feel it anymore," she whispered.

He smiled in the darkness. "My wife was in pain, what else was I supposed to do?"

She groaned and threw a pillow at him. "Thanks!" he said, putting it under his head.

"I take it back, you are as bad as Sarah!"

He laughed. "I'm just kidding, do you want the pillow back?"

"No, you can use it. I have enough. Good night, don't let the bedbugs bite."

"What?"

She moved onto her side, facing him. "It's something my mom used to say when we were kids. Sorry, it's a habit."

"Oh, my mom always used to say 'dreams of gold'."

"Dreams of gold...that's sweet. Good-night Lucky," she said softly, already drifting off to sleep.

He rolled onto his side so that he was facing her bed and smiled. "Dreams of Gold, Elizabeth."

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