Ch 19. A Relaxing Morning 

Leo's eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the morning light filtering through the blinds. The first thing he noticed was the empty space beside him, the sheets still warm but the pillow now cold. A faint scent of perfume and sweat lingered in the air, Manjula's scent, hinting she had been nearby not long ago. The warm steam still hanging in the room told him she had used the master bathroom for a quick shower. He stretched, savoring the quiet and warmth of the morning, his mind drifting back to the night they'd shared. A satisfied smile crept onto his face as he got up, dressed, and made his way down the hallway.

Entering the living room, his curiosity was quickly answered. He found Manjula gently coaxing her kids to put on their shoes and gather their things. Her voice was soft but insistent, guiding them with a gentle authority. She glanced up when she noticed him, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes before she quickly looked away, as though the memory of last night was still too fresh to acknowledge openly.

"Leaving so soon?" Leo asked.

Manjula hesitated, glancing back at her children before speaking. "You've already done so much for us, Leo. I don't want us to bother you anymore." She offered him a polite smile, though her gaze didn't quite meet his.

Leo shook his head, giving her a warm, easy smile. "You're no trouble at all. Besides, it's going to be a long day, and you'll need your strength. Why don't we have breakfast together? I can whip something up. And you're welcome to help if you'd like."

She considered his offer, glancing back at her children. "I… well, if you're sure."

"Trust me, it's no problem," he replied, waving off her concerns. "Besides, I insist. A good big breakfast is just what we need to start the day right."

After a moment, she relented with a soft nod. "Alright. Thank you, Leo."

As she instructed her children to behave, she moved toward the kitchen, and Leo followed behind. Just as they reached the kitchen doorway, one of her sons tugged on Leo's sleeve, his bright eyes hopeful.

"Can you put on the next episode of Naruto? We were watching the test with the scary man last night."

Leo chuckled, amused by the child's thick Indian accent, which was still thick despite growing up in America. "Sure, kiddo," he said, quickly setting up the next episode for them. Once they were engrossed in the animated world of Naruto, Leo made his way back to the kitchen.

He found Manjula already at work, cracking eggs with practiced ease. She looked completely at home in his kitchen, her sari sleeves rolled up slightly, exposing her slender arms that were all over his body the previous night.

Unable to resist, Leo came up behind her, one hand gently wrapping around her waist while the other gently squeezed her ass. He leaned in close to her.

"Mind if I lend a hand?" he murmured, his breath brushing against her ear, his voice warm.

Manjula's cheeks flushed, her fingers momentarily freezing on the handle of the pan. She glanced down, biting her lip with a shy smile.

"I'd... like that," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Glad to hear it," he replied, grinning as he released her, though he lingered close, his presence comforting by her side.

They fell into a comfortable rhythm, working side by side. She cracked the eggs and passed them to him, while he whisked them effortlessly.

After a few moments, Leo broke the silence. "So… about the kids. Have you thought about what comes next? Now that things are… changing?"

Manjula's smile faltered a bit as she poured batter onto the hot pan. "I haven't decided yet. They're my whole world, but I don't want to change everything so suddenly for them. I'm not sure how they'll cope."

Leo nodded, watching her carefully as he stirred the eggs. "Look, Manjula, you've been the one keeping everything together for so long, always putting yourself second. Like I said, It's time to focus on you for a bit. They're still young, and it could be a chance for Apu or some family to pitch in. He hasn't done much so far—now he can start. Leave them with him for a bit while we get you situated."

She frowned, worry etched into her face. "But… if they feel abandoned, I don't know if I could forgive myself."

"Hey," Leo said softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. He turned her gently to face him. "You're not abandoning them. You're just giving yourself a chance to come back even stronger. Sometimes, stepping back lets you be there even better in the long run."

Manjula looked down, chewing her lip as she mulled over his words. After a moment, she glanced up, a hint of gratitude softening her features.

"You're right. I… I need time to figure out who I am outside of just being their mother. Just… some time for me."

Leo smiled. "Exactly. They'll be safe and loved while you take the time you need. And it's okay to let yourself have that freedom."

They continued cooking in a peaceful silence after that, the comforting sounds of sizzling batter and clinking utensils filling the kitchen. There was a synergy between them as they worked, passing ingredients and utensils to each other seamlessly. Leo couldn't help but notice how natural she looked in his kitchen, as if she'd always belonged there.

As she poured another scoop of batter, Manjula glanced at him, her eyes soft. "Apu never helped me in the kitchen like this," she murmured, a hint of sadness in her voice. "This… feels different. Nice."

Leo gave her a small smile. "There's a lot you've missed out on, Manjula. And there's so much more for you to experience."

She looked at him, really seeing him for the first time: the confidence in his movements, the ease with which he made her laugh, the gentle strength in his touch. In her eyes, he was… perfect. Good with her kids, skilled in the kitchen, and…so good at sex. Maybe she can experience more in her life by first doing even more with him, she thought.

When breakfast was ready, they called the kids over, and together they sat around the table, sharing a meal. The children animatedly recounted their favorite scenes from Naruto, their voices filling the room with laughter and excitement. Manjula stole glances at Leo every now and then, their eyes meeting in quiet moments of shared feelings.

After they'd finished eating, Manjula began gathering her things, moving slowly, almost reluctant to leave the calm, warm bubble they'd created here. As she reached for her bag, Leo stepped closer, his voice soft.

"Hey," he said, catching her attention. "If you need support, I could come with you to see the lawyer. It's a lot to handle alone, and I'd be glad to be there for you."

Her eyes widened with gratitude and surprise. "You… you'd do that for me?"

"Of course," he replied, his tone reassuring. "You're going to need every advantage you can get. And who knows? Maybe there's more you could gain from the settlement than just the obvious."

A glimmer of hope filled her gaze as she nodded. "Thank you, Leo. That would mean a lot to me."

They shared a lingering look, a quiet understanding passing between them. She gave him one last smile before heading to the door, her children trailing behind her, each of them turning to wave goodbye to Leo, their shy smiles filled with gratitude.

As they stepped outside, Leo leaned against the doorway, watching her walk down the path with her kids. 

[A/N]: Sorry, those two days quickly turned into a week. I haven't abandoned the story nor have I abandoned you guys. Very sorry. Also this chapter is really short, the shortest I've ever written (1.2 k words), but I really just needed to write and publish something so I can get back in the habit and bring updates fast again. Just let me cook. I won't let you guys down. Also, I went to simpson land in universal studios last night and it was fun. Also tell me what you want to see!