[ there's a moment where elena just studies fondly the sight before her. her smile tugs wider a fraction as the puppy stumbles over its own paws, before it inches closer to ethan. lifting itself on its hind legs, it sets two of his paws on ethan's lap, as though studying the cookies that he's placed off to the side. ]

I can't imagine anyone not liking you, Ethan. That goes for puppies, as well.

[ they have a lot of memories sitting in between them. nearly three year's worth of them. but there are also other memories, memories they've lived off on their own. they're different people to the ones that found themselves in chicago, and her chest aches a little at that thought, too.

she smiles fondly at him, touched by his concern. the softness quickly shifts to amusement as he points that finger at her. elena will take that cookie he hands over to her with eagerness. ] You won't hear me complaining. I've honestly never had cookies that were yummier. I feel honored to have the very first batch.