Love and Gouda: FFM #7 2025

[rainstardragon]

“Behold! Life Giver, I have produced nourishment!” Jubilant crowing rose from the kitchen.

 

She turned at her desk to sweep her eyes over her teenage daughter, well ensconced in her goth phase. Oven-mitted hands clutched the rice, broccoli, and cheese casserole. “Smells good, elder spawn.”

 

The smile on her child’s face made the silly exchange worth it.

 

“I used Grandma’s recipe. I think I got it this time.” The black lace at her chest swelled with pride. Shoulders pulled back. Even better, the gaze that met her mother’s eyes was once again confident.

 

“Let’s try it then. I can see how much work you’ve put into it. Do you remember Grandma’s secret ingredient, Edel?”

 

“Love, or the shredded Gouda?” Edel giggled.

 

There it was, the tinkling sound Nora had missed for so long. Her daughter was actively blooming again after the events that had clipped her wings and rendered her flightless. She adjusted her wings to avoid stepping on her own, then rose and swept over to wrap her arms around her daughter. “Both. Both, my little chick. I’m so proud of you.”

 

Edel minced her way to the table and placed her creation to on the trivet. “I miss you, Life Giver’s Life Giver. I love you Grandma.” She dished up three servings. Edel placed a portion at the empty chair where a picture of her grandmother sat, Mavis in front of her favorite diner. Her semi was in the frame, decorated with the holiday lights she put up every year. It was the most recent they had of her, taken just the day before the snowstorm that took her and six other trucks out on their gift delivery run. She picked it up and kissed it. “You went out a hero, even if those Toys for Tots didn’t get to the center.

 

Nora bit her lip. “She’s proud of you. If you hadn’t been there that day...”

 

“I know. The other five would have frozen before help could have responded. It still hurts, Mom, but I’m glad I was able to be with her on her last run. Last in more than one way.”

 

Nora nodded. “She’s a full angel now. Now we just keep trucking until we’re called home too.” She took a bite of her serving. “Mmmm, just like she used to make. It tastes of love and Gouda.”