Her apron, in bright green and red checks, declared the holiday season. She wore it every year when doing her Christmas baking. This year would be no different, except that she now resided in her own home and was expecting a child. Her thoughts delighted her, and she hummed a livelier tune. She finished spreading the gingerbread cookies out on the table to cool. Reaching for the blue ceramic bowl, she skillfully mixed the batter for the molasses cookies. “Madam, really,” Jonathan scolded entering the kitchen. “This is your rest period. I left you upstairs to nap, and here you are working.” Ever since Jonathan had learned of the expected child, he’d been impossible. He wouldn’t even allow Lil to lift a glass. He did everything for her and he was driving her completely out of her mind. “I couldn’t sleep, and I didn’t feel like resting. Besides, the Christmas baking needs to be done.”
