A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Cooking isn't hard, you know. I'll teach you. And while we're at it, I'll show you a few recipes I know that are a little more...well, restorative. If he can't keep much down, maybe these will help. I'll add something to boost his appetite, too."

Calliope let out a long sigh. She stared out the window at Hudson, feeling a knot in her chest.

He knew his own fate now. He knew he could go at any time.

What could he possibly be thinking right now?

Maybe, she thought, he wasn't afraid of dying. But she was sure he wasn't ready to leave Lance behind, or everything else he cared about.

"Okay." Lance wiped away his tears, his voice trembling. "Callie, are you sure there's nothing else we can do?"

"At this point, I really don't have any better options." Calliope lifted her head. "I've reached out to everyone I know. No one has a solution. So our best bet is just to make sure he's comfortable, keep him as happy as we can."

"Mood really matters, you know. If he's in good spirits, that can help him hang on longer. And Lance, you have to look after yourself, too. The way you feel, he feels it, too."

"I know." Lance nodded.

Calliope brought Lance into the kitchen. She didn't cook herself, just guided him

things up quickly, maybe because he was putting his whole heart into

but grin

you, Lance! You've got a real knack for this. Shame you never tried cooking before. You could've made a heck

the three of them sat

to really enjoy the meal. He ate more

chicken onto Hudson's plate and said, "Slow down, will you? No need to

up, a smile tugging at his lips. "Funny. That's exactly what I used to say to

huh? So, what do you think. Can you tell this is Lance's handiwork?

"No kidding?"

told me what to do, but I did all the work. See? I could totally survive on my

gave him an enthusiastic round

three of them sat out in the yard, soaking up the