Ten days after her visit with Shego, Kim was home, putting another load of laundry in the washer. She had been home for a day and a half, and had nearly all her clothes clean and put away. Stepping from the laundry room, Kim came face to face with her mother. The retired hero pulled a strained smile onto her face, as she greeted the older redhead
"Hey, Mom."
"There you are, Kim." The older redhead sighed, seeing through Kim's false cheer. She ran a hand through her daughter's fiery hair. "I think we need to talk, Bubble butt."
"About what?" Kim asked.
Anne gave her daughter a quizzical look. "You tell me. This is your second day home, and you haven't seen Ronald yet." The woman held up a hand to halt Kim's argument. "And before you say anything, I know he's asked to see you."
Kim deflated instantly, as the two headed for the family room. Mother and daughter sat on the couch. "I know."
"Do you want to tell me why?" Anne prodded.
Kim groaned. "I don't want to marry him, Mom. And breaking up is going to break his heart". The twenty-year-old's head fell back onto the couch. "I don't love him."
Taking her daughter's hand, Anne asked. "Wouldn't it be better to end things with him, instead of dragging out the relationship needlessly?"
"Yeah, but it's Christmas time, and I don't want to ruin the holiday for anyone. You know how much he looks forward to spending the day with us."
"I see." Anne sighed. "Well, Kimmie, I can't make you do anything. Just… Is there a reason you don't love Ron?"
"I guess I've just grown apart from him." Kim Shrugged. "Mom?" She paused. "Does it make me a bad person, if I'm falling in love with someone else?"
Anne sat up, her eyebrows drawing together in curious confusion. "Kim?" She drew out her daughters name in a questioning manner.
"We've been friends for awhile now. And I don't think I've cheated on Ron, but we've kissed a couple of times. I defiantly wasn't expecting the first time, and the last time…" Kim chuckled almost nervously, the volume of her voice dropped near to a whisper. "I seriously didn't mean for it to happen."
"You need to talk with Ronald, the sooner the better." Anne advised, and then gave Kim a kiss on the forehead. "I won't push, but it would be nice to know who has managed to steal your heart."
"I know, Mom, but I need some time." Kim explained, getting a nod of understanding in return.
