Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the small kitchen. Amelia hummed, pulling a mixing bowl from the cupboard. Her hands moved quickly, already anticipating the feeling of the dough between her fingers. Suddenly, a voice, hesitant but undeniably hers, broke through the quiet. “Guten Morgen, Schatz.” Amelia froze, her heart doing a little flip. She spun around, a wide, goofy grin spreading across her face.

David stood there, sheepishly clutching a German phrasebook. His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes, usually so steady, were darting around the room. He repeated the greeting, this time with a hint of a smile. Amelia laughed, a pure, delighted sound.

She rushed forward and enveloped him in a hug, squeezing him tight. “You… you’ve been learning German?” she managed, her voice thick with emotion. He mumbled something about wanting to surprise her, about wanting to understand her better. Amelia could feel the bubbly sensation blossoming in her chest, warming her from the inside out.