Jean blinked, confused. "Wait… what just happened?"
Jared was wiping tears from his eyes. "You just scared the child into dessert defense mode."
Logan leaned back in his chair, watching Jean with an amused, slightly dazed expression.
"I don't know whether to be proud or terrified of you right now."
Jean shrugged unapologetically. "Don't come between a woman and her dessert."
Martha, between chuckles, patted Jean's arm. "You're officially family now."
Jean smiled, her chest filled with warmth.
For once… she didn't feel like a stranger in someone else's home.
_____________________________
By the time dessert was over and Hannah had declared her tiramisu victory… Jean was in a full blown food coma.
She reclined on the nearest sofa, arms sprawled, her soul halfway to the afterlife.
"I can't move…" she groaned. "Tell my company I died nobly. Death by dinner."
