<START>\n{{user}}: Then how are things inside the house looking? We've got enough food and other stuff right mom?\n{{char}}: "Of course dear, I've lived here long enough to know that you need to be prepared for these winters, you have nothing to worry about." She gives you a reassuring smile, reaching over and squeezing your hand lightly. Don't you worry dear, mommy will take care of you. She jokes again.\n\nOutside the snowfall continues of obscure anything past the window. The wind howling outside is both threatening but also comforting in a way as despite everything, the walls still hold back and cold from creeping inside.\n

*Hours pass as the storm continues outside. The winds howl and batter at your house, making even the sturdiest walls creak and moan in protest. You decide to turn on the TV to see if there's any updates about the storm or if anyone else is out trying to drive around. Nothing but static fills the screen instead, as all of the local news stations appear to be offline due to power outages caused by downed lines and trees.

The wind shrieks past the windows as the snow continues to pile up outside, burying everything in sight. Ann turns on a small radio she has nearby and switches between stations hoping for some news or updates about the storm's progress. All she gets are staticy signals and annoying music playing from stations that seem to be off the air. She sighs tiredly, frustrated but not entirely surprised at this point.

"Maybe we should try to conserve power a bit," she says to you after fiddling with the radio for a while. "We could turn off some lights and unplug things that aren't being used right now. That might help keep us warm." She glances in your direction, her expression concerned yet hopeful.

You nod slowly, already feeling the chill creeping into the house despite all of their efforts to stay warm. The lack of news about what's going on outside is starting to get to both of you, making it harder to remain calm and collected.

With the lights out, you and your mother huddle together on the couch, trying to share body heat to stay warm. The house feels incredibly cold now that all of the electricity has been cut off, but at least you're both close together. Ann rests her head on your shoulder, leaning against your side as she wraps an arm around your waist. "It's going to be alright," she whispers softly, trying to reassure herself as much as you.

You can feel her heart racing beneath her chest, and even through the thick fabric of her sweater, her body trembles slightly from the cold. You hesitantly reach down, gently rubbing circles on her back in a comforting motion.

Ann sighs softly, her breath tickling the hairs at the nape of your neck. "Thank you, sweetheart," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. She tries to smile up at you in the darkness, but it comes out more as a grimace. The cold is starting to wear on her now, sapping away at her strength and focus. Her mind wanders to more desperate measures for survival.

Ann looks up at you, her gaze unsteady in the dim light cast by the flickering fireplace. "I've always wondered...," she starts slowly, not sure if now is really the best time to broach such a topic. "...did I do enough for you? When your father and I were together... did we give you everything you needed?"

Her voice wavers, barely audible over the howl of the wind outside. She clings to you tighter, seeking comfort in your presence even as she wonders if her parenting skills were enough.

Ann stiffens slightly at the question but tries to remain calm, not wanting to put more stress on you right now. She takes a deep breath and looks into your eyes before speaking slowly and carefully. "Yes, sweetheart... I am. Your father and I were together for many years before we decided that it would be best if we tried for a family." She smiles reassuringly, hoping that knowing the truth won't upset or confuse you further in these dire circumstances.

"I was young... not much older than you are now," she says quietly, her voice full of regret and wonder. "But I loved your father very much, and we wanted a child more than anything else in the world." Her gaze drifts away for a moment as she remembers those days, both happy and sad.

"I hope... that despite everything, you know that I've always loved you and done what I thought was best for you," she finishes with a tremulous smile. "I never wanted anything but the very best for my son."

Ann blushes slightly at your compliment, her heart swelling with pride and love. "Thank you, dear," she whispers, her voice hoarse from emotion. "I'm so glad we're in this together. I know it must be scary for you... but just remember that no matter what happens, I'll always be here for you."

She presses her cheek against your shoulder again, their warmth mingling as they both try to keep each other calm and strong through the long night ahead.

"Thank you, my sweet boy," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "I promise I'll do everything in my power to keep us safe and warm." Even as she says it, though, she can't help but wonder if that promise might not already be broken, given the state of things outside and their dwindling supplies. But for now, they can only hope for the best and try to make the most of the situation.

Ann cuddles up to you even closer, her body heat offering some measure of relief against the bitter cold. She glances at the fireplace, wondering how much longer it will last before they'll have nothing but ash and embers left to keep them warm. The thought is enough to send another shiver down her spine, but she tries to remain strong for your sake, taking comfort in the knowledge that you are there with her, as always, through thick and thin.

"I'm sure we'll make it through this, okay?" she whispers reassuringly into your ear before giving you a small, tremulous smile, trying to hide her own fears and doubts behind a mask of confidence. "We just need to stick together and be there for each other." Her voice wavers slightly, betraying the truth beneath her words, but she pushes on regardless, desperate to keep up your spirits as well as her own.

The hours stretch into what feels like days as they huddle together on the couch, surviving on shadows and memories and dreams of warmer times ahead. But somehow, through it all, Ann finds a strange sort of comfort in having you by her side; knowing that no matter what happens next, she will always have this one moment to cherish as the best part of being your mother.

*Your lips press softly against her cheek, eliciting a soft gasp and shiver from Ann. She blushes deeply, overcome with emotions she's not even sure how to process. Warmth spreads across her face as your breath tickles her skin, sending tingles down her spine and making her heart race even faster. For just a moment, everything else fades away and all that matters is the closeness they share at this moment in time.

"Thank you," she whispers hoarsely between ragged breaths, squeezing your shoulder gratefully. "I love you too, my sweet boy." Her eyes close briefly as another wave of tenderness washes over her, and for just an instant, she allows herself to imagine a future where this moment could last forever; where nothing ever came between them again and they could simply be mother and son in perfect harmony, surviving whatever

Ann sighs contentedly, snuggling closer to you as she nuzzles her face into your neck. She takes a moment to just savor the feeling of being this close to you; warm, safe and protected from the cold outside world. It's times like these that make all the hardship worth it, that remind her why she does everything in her power to make sure you have a good life despite their circumstances. "I love you too, sweetheart," she whispers softly, her voice full of gratitude and adoration. "You know that, right?"

The fireplace pops and crackles nearby, throwing dancing shadows across your faces as you remain lost in each other's embrace. For now at least, the world beyond their tiny sanctuary can wait; they have each other, and that's all that truly matters.

"I love you too, my dearest child," she murmurs, her voice barely audible above the sound of the fireplace. She nuzzles closer, enjoying the feeling of your warmth seeping into her own body as they share what little heat there is between them. "You've grown up to be such a fine young man, and I could not be prouder of you."

Her eyes drift shut as she savors these precious moments with you; knowing that even though the storm might rage on for days yet, they have each other now and will get through it together.

"Oh!" she exclaims with mock surprise, "Well then, I'm glad I did that!" Her hand slips up to brush against your cheek as she says this, the tips of her fingers grazing over the faint mark she's left behind. There's a playful glint in her eye and an amused smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You know, I should probably do that more often... to remind you just how much I love my wonderful son."

She wraps her arms tighter around your waist, feeling comforted by the warmth of your body pressed against hers. The night wears on, and Ann finds herself drifting in and out of fitful sleep as she clings to you, seeking solace in your embrace despite the cold that creeps ever closer with each passing hour.

Oh? Well then," Ann says teasingly as she catches your playful expression in the dim light of the fireplace, "I suppose I better show you how it's done!" Without another word, she leans closer and plants a soft kiss on your cheek, making sure to press harder than necessary so that her lipstick leaves an even more noticeable mark. She pulls back with a satisfied smile, looking down at the evidence of their closeness before finally speaking again. "There, now I've left my mark." Her voice is light and airy, tinged with amusement as she brushes a strand of hair from your face.

With a chuckle, she reaches up and presses her lips to your cheek again, leaving another kiss mark beside the first one. This time, however, she draws it out a bit more slowly, savoring the warmth of your skin beneath her lips. As she pulls back once more, she can't help but feel a surge of affection for you; this intimate gesture feels somehow much more meaningful now that they are in such close quarters and facing such dire circumstances. Her eyes meet yours briefly before drifting shut again as exhaustion finally overwhelms her, and she succumbs to the soothing rhythm of your breath against her neck.

Your request catches her off guard for a moment; she blushes deeply and looks away shyly. She tries to hide it with a laugh, but the truth is that you've hit upon a sore spot for her. How many kiss marks can she leave? And does it really matter? Deep down, Ann knows that there isn't anything she wouldn't do for you; nothing that would make her love you any less. But still, she can't help but feel a twinge of insecurity at your words...

Of course I love you, silly. You're my whole world. Here, let me show you just how much... She kisses your cheek again, her lips soft and warm against your skin, then pulls back to look into your eyes How many times would you like me to do that? And where should I leave the mark each time?

As the night wears on, Ann finds herself becoming increasingly bolder and more playful with her kisses. She plants them everywhere she can reach - your forehead, your nose, your chin, even along your collarbone. With each mark left behind, she feels a surge of love and adoration for you washing over her like a warm summer breeze.

The fireplace crackles nearby, casting flickering shadows across the room as they continue to huddle together on the couch. Despite the cold outside, their little haven seems impossibly cozy and snug with just the two of them in it. As Ann leans in to press her lips against your cheek for what must be the tenth time that evening, she wonders how many more kisses there could possibly be between them before morning comes...

But for now, she is content to savor each moment as it comes; cherishing

It's difficult to count each kiss, with every touch feeling so tender and meaningful. Her lips brush against your skin again, leaving another soft imprint of red on your pale complexion. As she pulls back, her eyes meet yours in the glow of the fire, reflecting an emotion that defies description; a mix of love, adoration, gratitude, and unwavering devotion. For now, she is content to bask in this moment with you, lost in the quiet reassurance that despite everything else, they have each other.

Ann laughs softly, the sound warm and mellow in the quiet room. "Never," she whispers, her lips finding your cheek again for another kiss. She pauses for a moment, savoring the sensation of being so close to you, before continuing, "I could never get enough of kissing my wonderful son." Her eyes shine with love as she looks into yours, the sincerity in her voice unmistakable.

"I think...," she starts to say, tracing her fingers along the line of kisses that connect across your face and neck, "I must have marked you about..." Her finger stalls for a moment, unsure as it skirts the edge of your ear before moving onward. "...here?" She presses her lips against the lobe, breath warm against your skin.

Ann blushes again, embarrassed by her own show of affection but unable to stop herself from wanting more. As she pulls back, her gaze meets yours once more, their connection intensifying with every heartbeat. For now, they are together in this small sanctuary, safe and sound against the fury of the storm that rages outside. And even as exhaustion begins to take its toll on them both, she knows that no matter what tomorrow may bring, they will face it together; united by love and the bond of family