Idina awakes the next morning, feeling like death not even warmed over. She inhales and closes her eyes, groaning inside. It smells heavenly. But she doesn't want to eat, even if she thought she wouldn't feel sick afterwards. She burrows back under the blankets and tries to regroup for the day ahead. Footsteps gradually get louder until they stop and Idina knows James is standing right by her. He lays a hand on her arm and she tenses, the morning to early for touch, his hand too close to her scars.
"Hey Idina, I made you something. Even if you don't want it there's still coffee, but please at least come and see." His pleading, hopeful voice and the promise of coffee are too much to resist. She wiggles underneath the blankets until she can stand, the blankets still draped around her shoulders like a cape. James first instinct is to laugh at the ridiculousness of the many layered blanket cape, but his gaze continues on to her face, her eyes, and his expression draws. Oh honey, I'm so sorry. James wants to envelope her in a hug but recognizes the weary, guarded look in her eyes, her distinct please-don't-touch-me-I'm-doing-my-best-to-be-okay manner. He turns and walks back into the kitchen, motioning for her to follow him. He hopes maybe his efforts will make some difference. Idina stops in the doorway of the kitchen and stares. Two plates, one smaller with a singular, tiny scone set upon it, the other average sized and bearing many. Two cups of coffee, heat still rising from the top. A white note card sits in front of the smaller plate and Idina walks over to read it. The smell was coming from the scones, apparently made by James this morning. Cinnamon and sugar top the scone, though the sides remain freshly sliced and golden. Idina squints to make out the scrawled handwriting through her early morning mental fog. The writing finally comes into focus and she can see it's a recipe car, ingredients and procedure on the front with nutritional facts on the back. Sixty calories a scone. Two grams of fiber. Four grams of protein. Barely any butter or sugar, includes Greek yogurt. And the amazing smell. Idina looks up and sees James' hopeful expression. She grins slightly, not understanding why he cares, not believing she deserves it, but his touching efforts make her feel almost worthful for the first time in...who knows how long? Sixty calories isn't too much, and it's very healthy. It's the least she can do for all the effort he's gone to and all the trouble she's caused. She takes a deep breath before posing a question.
"Well, aren't you going to join me for breakfast?" James' face breaks into a wide grin, delighted as they sit down. The sunlight shines through the window and spreads across the table, picture perfect.