Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the small kitchen, a comforting scent that usually soothed Amelia. Tonight, it did the opposite. She watched Leo, her partner of five years, hum along to a song on the radio, his brow furrowed in concentration as he kneaded the dough. He'd always been terrible at baking, yet here he was, seemingly at ease.

Then came the words. "Du er nydelig," he mumbled, a perfect inflection. Amelia's jaw dropped. Norwegian. He'd been trying to learn her language, the one she’d always considered her own secret garden.

She stood frozen, the grocery bags slipping from her grasp. Apples scattered across the floor. Leo turned, his face breaking into a wide, sheepish grin. "Surprise?"