The quaint house sat peacefully in the countryside. Far enough from the town, but close enough to afford the necessities. The house had seen many years. Where it had once been occupied by a single man and his pet cat, it now held a new guest. Well, she wasn't so new anymore. It had been seven years since that day Ada came into Greg's life. And they had been an eventful set of years. Inside the house, Ada worked, the stove burning as she stirred a pot of soup. In the pan, she cooked some bacon. In short order, it finished cooking, and they were put into some BLTS. She tested the soup, tasting just a little sample.

"Just right." She said with a smile.

Setting the burner down to low, she turned around and called, "Morgan! Lunch!" No response, "Morgan?"

She moved away from the stove and looked about the room, entering the hallway and entering the living room, just as she did, she felt something against her foot. Looking down, she saw a toy car on the floor, haphazardly left there.

"Morgan," Ada groaned before picking up the toy and setting it on the counter. She must have told Morgan a million times to pick up her toys.

Wherever she was, she looked about the house, hoping to find a trace of her.

XXX

Her eyes watched her surroundings carefully. Nature in full effect. To her, it was the most glorious thing ever. She loved being outside, watching, smelling the flowers, watching the animals run, or fly by. She would just lose herself in the rapture of it all. Next to her lay her favorite toy: a snake doll. She loved snakes, they were her favorite animals. Why even at her young age she watched any nature documentary on snakes. Not that she understood some of the big words spoken in them, but she remembered key facts and she recited them to her mother and father. They would always beam on how they have such a smart little girl.

Suddenly, she heard something, a hiss.

She looked towards the source and just a few feet away from her, was a snake. Not just any snake, but an adder.

"Oh hello!" She greeted.

The adder flicked its tongue at the child's words.

"You're a pretty snake!" The little girl said leaning down.

Inching closer, the snake inched backward.

"Don't be afraid," The little girl said.

The adder hissed furiously as the young one approached. But that didn't deter the child. She merely moved closer, and the adder began to raise itself.

XXX

"Morgan!" Ada called. She had looked all around the house. Morgan wasn't in the living room, nor was she in her bedroom, "Honey where are you?"

She was scratching her head, she didn't stop to consider one other place. But no, Morgan wouldn't do that. Not without letting them know where she was going? Right? Then again, she had been so wrapped up in cooking she had failed to notice. She walked over to the screen door and sighed as she noticed Morgan sitting outside.

"Morgan," Ada sighed. She would have to have a talk with her about this.

Yet she could tell Morgan wasn't alone. Sitting close to her was a snake, but the alarm was what kind of snake it was. It was an adder! She had seen enough nature documentaries to know what it was.

"Oh God!" She exclaimed. Quickly she reached for a broom and flung the door open, "Morgan! Get away!"

The young girl looked up, taking her eyes off the adder. Ada hurried along and then as soon as she neared, she swung the broom sending the snake flying.

"Mummy, why did you hurt the snake?" Morgan asked. But Morgan faltered when she noticed the furious look upon her mother's face.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!" Ada yelled, "Don't you realize how dangerous adders are?"

Morgan felt intense shame, and took a step backward, "But Mummy it was a pretty snake,"

Ada, did everything she could to contain her anger, lowering it bit by bit, "Do you know what happens when an adder bites you?"

"Y-Y-You die?" Morgan whimpered.

"First an intense pain fills your body. You can't breathe, everything starts to feel cold, and then you're dead on the ground!" Ada said, giving her daughter a firm look.

Morgan looked up fearfully, a small quiver of the lip forming. Ada noticed this and for a moment, a realization hit her.

"Just...just go wash up for lunch," Ada instructed.

Morgan grabbed her snake doll and quickly scampered into the house. Ada stood there for a few moments. The realization that had set in had now taken full effect. She had lost her temper and unleashed it on her daughter.

"Damn," She muttered, before heading inside.

XXX

Morgan sat timidly in her chair, stirring her tomato soup. Her sandwich lay uneaten. Beneath her, Sooty meowed, the only sound breaking the silence. Ada likewise kept silent, barely eating, but she looked up to look at her daughter, and at that moment she felt guilt. She didn't mean to yell. It had just come out. But the very thought of her daughter's scared little face made her heart break.

"Morgan," Ada spoke.

Morgan numbly looked up at her mother and simply muttered out a, "Yes Mummy?"

Ada put her hands together, considering the right words to say, "Morgan, Mummy's sorry she yelled. It's just adders are dangerous snakes, and if one bit you, Mummy would be very sad. I only yelled because I was scared," Ada managed a smile, "Do you understand?" She asked softly.

Morgan took a few moments to consider her mother's words, but nodded and simply went, "Yes Mummy,"

"Good girl. Now finish your lunch,"

With that said, Morgan dug into her food.

"Slowly," Ada chuckled.

Being told that made Morgan slow down, but she resumed a quicker pace than before. Ada likewise did the same, enjoying the soup and sandwich. In no time they were finished, and the clattering of spoons gave out.

"Will Daddy be home soon?" Morgan asked.

Checking the clock, Ada replied, "Should be soon,"

Right on cue, the sound of the front door opened up.

"Ada? Morgan? I'm home!" Greg's voice greeted.

With an excited squeal, Morgan practically leaped from her chair and ran into the adjacent room. Ada smiled and followed after.

"Daddy!" Morgan exclaimed grabbing her father in a hug

"Hello there Morgan. How's my little girl today?" Greg asked.

"Oh, fine Daddy! Mummy yelled at me but it's alright, she said she was just scared," Morgan replied.

Greg paused and looked up to Ada who merely gave her a look that said "We'll talk later,". With his arrival set, Greg walked over to Ada and kissed her.

"How did it go honey?" Ada asked.

"Perfect! Talks are still underway, but I may get a deal for an animated series." Greg said hopefully.

"You hear that sweetie? If everything works out, they are going to make a cartoon out of your father's books!" Ada likewise said hopefully.

"Yay!" Morgan cheered, "Oh I would watch it everyday!"

The little family resumed their lunch and talked the rest of the way. The years had gone by in a flash for Ada. Why it felt like yesterday she stumbled into Greg's life an amnesiac. And now here she was as his wife and mother to their child. During that time, Greg had finally managed to publish his book, and it flew off the shelves and into the arms of children. Of course, the adult xenofiction crowd also took a shine to his books and a following was gained. They had managed to craft a good life for themselves, and Ada wouldn't have it any other way.

Soon it was nighttime and Greg tucked little Morgan into bed.

"Comfortable?" Greg asked.

Morgan yawned, "Yep," She replied tiredly.

"Want a story?"

"No, too tired."

"All right. Sleep, tight baby. I love you."

"Love you too Daddy. Mummy too."

Ada watched in the doorway with a smile upon her face. As soon as Greg rose, She headed into their bedroom and got ready. But before long, Ada found herself in the bathroom taking a pill. They had been prescribed for her condition. Nothing illegal.

"You alright honey?" Greg asked.

"Yes, just another migraine," Ada replied.

Concern etched on Greg's face, "You've been getting them more often," Greg noted, "Do you think we should schedule an appointment?"

"No, Greg I'm fine. It's probably just preparing Morgan for school."

Morgan would be starting school in three weeks. She had been registered and everything. Now all they had to do was play the waiting game.

"Look Ada I'm just worried about you, that's all," Greg said.

Ada got into bed and smiled at her husband, "I know dear. Trust me I've got it handled. Goodnight," She said as she leaned in for a kiss.

"Goodnight," Greg said returning the kiss.

As the two parents slipped into slumber, Greg couldn't help but worry about his wife. She had been having these migraines for a while, and though the doctor had prescribed her pills, part of him wondered if they were merely placebos? But he put those thoughts to rest, for now, awaiting what the morning would bring.