Sitting in front of Jace's house, I don't know if I should actually be here. I mean it was a good idea in the moment, but now I feel like I'm intruding.

But if this is the only way to get answers, then I'll have to swallow the discomfort I'm feeling and find the courage to execute this plan.

Taking a deep breath, I cut the engine off my car and walked to front door. I rang the doorbell. I really hope this is a good idea.

I stood there for a minute or two with no answer. I probably should have called first, but that would have defeated the purpose of this visit.

This was a spur of a moment decision. I figured Jace wouldn't be home, but I had to at least try.

I was just about to walk back to my car, when the front door opened surprising me and revealing a woman. She was about my height, her medium brown hair was up in a ponytail. She was dressed in light washed jeans and a white t-shirt. She looked about the same age as my mom and she was beautiful. I saw similar feature that Jace has on her. You can tell that this woman was his mother.

Her brown eyes held surprise. "Can I help you?" She asked politely.

Excuse.

I need an excuse!

"Um." I started. "Uh, I'm Leah. One of Jace's classmates. I was just wondering if he was home? I uh- " Think Leah! "We have an assignment to work on."

The woman smiled happily. "Oh no sweetie! He's not home as of yet, but please come in. I'm his mother."

"Oh, um I don't want to intrude. I can ju-" but I couldn't finish the sentence.

"Nonsense!" Jace's mom exclaimed. "Jace hasn't had a friend over, other than Ian and Luke in a long time. Please come in." She beamed.

I couldn't turn her down.

She was just too happy.

I stepped into the house as she closed the door behind me. She led the way into the kitchen and offered something to drink.

She placed a glass of lemonade in front of me as I sat on one of the stools at the counter. "Thank you, Mrs. Emerson."

"Please, call me Charlotte." She smiled. "Mrs. Emerson makes me sound old."

I nodded with a smile.

"I'm sorry the kitchen is in a bit of a mess." Mrs. Emerson said as I look around the room to see a few pots and pans on the stove and veggies of sorts on the counter with containers of spices in between. "Today is one of few days I'm actually off from work. I wanted to do something a little special."

"That's sweet." I told her. "Mother's cooking is always the best."

She smiled at the statement as she picked up one of the spoons and stirred a pot. "I'm sorry that you came all the way here and Jace is not home."

"It's okay, I wasn't sure that he would be. I was hoping to have a stroke of luck." I took a sip of lemonade and was shocked.

Whoa.

This is so good!

"I take it that you like the lemonade." Mrs. Emerson said with a grin.

"It so good!" I told her taking another sip.

"I'm glad. It's freshly made."

Mrs. Emerson placed a plate in front of me, on it was a cinnamon roll with a glorious anomie of icing on it. "Try this.

I grabbed the cinnamon roll and took a bite.

Oh.

My.

God.

I was taken to heaven and back. If I could go above that I would. That's how damn delicious this thing was.

Mrs. Emerson laughed at my expression. I'm sure I was wide eye and mouth dropped. "And that is what I was looking for."

"You made this from scratch also?" I asked will taking another delectable bite.

Mrs. Emerson nodded. "It's kind of a hobby you can say."

"If your cooking is always like this, how is Jace not fat? Because trust me, I sure would be."

She laughed again. "Honestly, he's rarely home and the same with myself. Work keeps me busy for most of my days. So on my days off I try to do something special."

Just as I was about to inquire on Jace's lack of being at home. The front door opened.

"Mom!" I heard a young voice shout.

"In the kitchen, honey!"

In walks a boy, about ten years of age. His features resemble Jace, from eyes to nose to even hair color.

"Who are you?" He asked as his eyes landed on me.

"Be nice." Mrs. Emerson sternly said. "This is Leah. One of Jace's friends."

"Really? Jace doesn't have much friends." He said narrowing his eyes towards me.

I arched a brow. A little sassy. Just like his brother.

"Yeah, sometimes I wonder why I stick around." I told him.

A saw a hint of a smile on his lips. "Jace can be well, Jace."

"Agreed. Not quite sure if that's good or bad sometimes." I told him truthfully.

Jace's brother chuckled. "I like you." He said walking over to the counter and grabbing a cinnamon roll off the tray and taking a huge bite out of it.

"Sam, why don't you help me finish up cooking?" Mrs. Emerson said looking up from the stove.

But Sam was long gone. Only a single crumb was left behind.

"I guess that's a no." She muttered. I could feel her disappointment.

"Do you mind if I help you?" I asked.

"Oh no sweetie! It's fine. I've got it handled. I can't ask you to help with this."

I jumped off the stool and walked over to the stove. "Actually, I want to see all these delicious recipes you have. Plus my service is not free. My payment is a meal."

Mrs. Emerson smiled brightly. "Deal. I could always use the extra help."

She handed me the wooden spoon for the pot and guided me in what spice to add and which veggies to cut. She was very well versed in the kitchen. She flowed in it like it was an elegant dance. This was more than a hobby for her. This was a passion.

We ended up making a roasted lemon pepper chicken, scallop potatoes, pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes and who can forget dessert, raspberry chiffon cake.

And my mouth was watering.

Mrs. Emerson shared stories as we cooked. She told me how she always wanted to own her own restaurant ever since she was young, but it was just a dream. She mentioned how when Jace was younger he use to love cooking with her. He was always next to her cutting veggies or stirring the pot. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes.

It seems like things have changed.

She told a story of one time when she was making cookies and young Jace wanted to make his own cookies. Let's just say his cookies turned into cookie brittle and he cried for two days.

I'm so teasing him about that.

I was helping set the table when I glanced over to a photo at the side that was on an accent table. It looked like a family photo. A young Jace, no more than 7 or 8, Sam who looked like a baby, Mrs. Emerson and a man who was the spitting image of Jace all sat in grass, laughing and smiling. They looked happy.

The man. He looks familiar.

It's like I've seen him before.

Other than the fact that Jace looks like him. He seems familiar.

Mrs. Emerson notice I saw looking at the photo. "That was the last family photo we took."

"You guys look so happy." I told her and I set the forks down on the table.

"It was a happy time." She said smiling with sadness. "It's just unfortunate we won't get those times again."

I was just about to inquire more when the front door opened.

"Mom?" A deep voice called out. " I didn't know you were home today." The voice said getting closer. "What ar-"

Jace entered the room stopping mid sentence. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Leah, what are you doing here?"

I smiled sheepishly.

"Leah is joining us for dinner." Mrs. Emerson said placing the main course at the center of the table.

Jace arched a brow towards me and I shrugged my shoulders.

Welcome home, Jace.