Chapter 15: To be Anne or to be Amy.

After getting all the clothes for Anne, she and Daniel stop at the grocery store to refill his kitchen. Although Daniel reassured the slime mother that she needn't worry about the cost too much, he can't deny that buying clothes and food would push a pretty hole in his account. That said, with all the commissions he has lined up, he knows he'll be fine overall.

Especially since Anne would be helping him with his backlog!

'That's right...it's like an investment. She'll be helping me out from now on, so it's important to make sure she lives comfortably.'

Amidst such thoughts, Anne lowers her head, once again reminded how much trouble she's causing. After all, grocery shopping was not part of Daniel's original plan.

"Daniel, I-"

"Nope! You've already apologized. Besides..."

Looking at the slime girl's downcast face, Daniel leans forward to kiss her head, causing her to perk up and gasp. He grins. "I have to make sure my assistant is well fed, right?"

Anne stares at her son for a moment before squinting. "I should be glad you're so forgiving, but...why does it feel so demeaning?"

Daniel coughs. "Nonsense! Anyways, don't worry so much."

The slime girl hums suspiciously before helping to grab items to put into the cart. Her mood slowly improves, but at one point, the artist is about to grab his favorite guacamole chips when she stops his hand, looking at him sternly. "Hold up, mister, what are you doing?"

Daniel is momentarily confused before remembering Amy disapproves of him eating unhealthy stuff. Undoubtedly, his astronomer-mother's influence on Anne causes her to disapprove similarly; however, this time, he isn't a child who can be barred anymore. Knowing this, he smirks.

"Getting chips of course."

"No, you can't!" she rejects, leaning closer to him, "Haven't I told you? They're just going to rot your brain!"

The artist snorts and shakes his head silly. "Well to be exact, it wasn't you who told me. Anyways, that's the kind of exaggeration that you'd make to a kid. Some chips every now and then is still okay."

"It may be, but you can easily do without! You should grab stuff that will help you focus! Eating this is a trap that causes you to want to eat more!"

"It's true," Daniel agrees with a light-hearted hum. "That's what the salt does for you."

"Then, if you know-"

"Still adding it to the cart."

Nonchalantly, he breaks away from her hold and places the bag of chips into the cart. At this outright refusal, the slime mother pouts and tilts away. "Fine, see if I care!"

"Clearly, you do, but I'm glad that girlfriend is so health-conscious."

Anne shivers, trying to hide her delight. "G-girlf-No! I see what you're trying to do! Is this how you treat your own moth-I mean, me?"

Despite saying that, Anne can't help to tug closer to her son, bumping her head across his shoulder. Daniel chuckles lightly in response while wrapping his arm around her. "I don't know, it's kind of fun to be honest."

Although she knows he's teasing her, Anne recognizes that Daniel doesn't really treat her as a mother. She understands it well since she's not Amy, nor does she want to be his mother in a biological sense either. After all, she wouldn't be able to love him as much as she has thus far.

But she does wonder, would he be happier if he got Amy instead of her?

Once at home, Anne helps bring in and organize all the groceries. As she does, Daniel begins talking about a new ground rule.

"Alright, Anne," he addresses, forgetting they're alone. "Just another reminder: If you become really hungry, like in the morning, let me know first...well, if you can."

While placing a cereal box into his pantry, he flinches as he hears the slime girl hold back a sad cry. "I-It's mama! W-we're alone, aren't we?!"

Daniel clears his throat. "Ah, that's right. Sorry mom. Still, do you understand my concerns?"

"Yes, I'll be careful about food," the slime girl answers in resignation, then sighs. "Honestly though, am I really not mom enough for you to forget?"

Daniel flattens his lips, feeling a little guilty.

'I probably shouldn't have teased her so much,' Daniel thinks before answering.

"I mean, think of it this way. It's hard for anyone who gains a new mother to suddenly have to be forced to call them mom, even if they're on good terms."

"That's..."

Anne struggles to find an excuse as she places a carton of milk into the fridge. Since she's a lot more mature regarding knowledge and society now, she can't deny that it's awkward for many children, especially step-children. Realizing this, she feels guilty herself because she's been so insistent.

"I get your point, Daniel but I thought...well, I'd be somewhat like Amy to you, even if a little."

Daniel hums. "You are, but the same time, you're a person of your own. Isn't that what you told me? So, there's no need for you to compare with Amy!"

As Anne closes the fridge door, she tugs her blouse with one hand. Honestly, she's not sure whether to feel good about that or not, but it further makes her question whether Daniel would be happier with his actual mother's presence.

"Then, why have you been okay calling me mom when we're alone?"

Daniel shuffles some cans on the shelves. "Because I recognize that my mom is a part of you, even if you two aren't the same."

The slime mother's eyes widen a little.

"In any case," Daniel continues. "I'm not so hung up on that as long as it's between us. I promise I'll try to address you more consistently."

"Ah...I see."

Anne smiles a little but remains confused about how to feel. Maybe this relationship just needs more time to mend? Alternatively, perhaps it's harder for him to see her as his mother since she doesn't look and act like Amy.

She's not exactly sure why she developed differently from Amy despite having nearly all the same memories, but there's enough information assembled to fix that. She could easily shift her appearance to look exactly like the researcher and mimic her personality if she wanted. Even if she wouldn't be his real mother, it should make him happier, right?

She nods to herself. 'Maybe, I should transform into Amy...and not only that, I transform into a version before the stress of work and cancer treatments took a toll on her. Would that...be alright?'

As she questions further, Daniel exits the pantry and watches his dear slime mother deep in thought. He breathes easily, wondering what she could be thinking about.

Although it's only been less than a week, he's come to enjoy her lovable personality and cheer. If it weren't for the connection to his real mother, he might've rejected her out of fear. But now, he wants to see where his life with Anne takes him, for better or worse.

He's about to continue grabbing more items to fill the pantry before his phone starts ringing. Picking it up, he sees Mary as the caller ID. Of course, she did say she'd call.

Sighing, he moves away from the kitchen and answers his phone, leaving Anne alone as she decides, pulling her arms up with determination.

After some emails Daniel had to send out, there wasn't much to do but go to sleep. Speaking of, he looks at his current bed and frowns, reminded once more that he needs to figure out how to rearrange his space to better support his slime mother.

Stretching from his computer chair, he stands up to prepare for bed. Before that, he takes a peek into his work area, where Anne is doing some final touches on her self-portrait. Seeing her so focused, he can't help but smile.

He clears his throat to grab her attention. "Mom, don't forget to turn off the lights when you're done."

Anne looks back and beams. "Alright! Mama is almost finished and she'll join you!"

Daniel hums, proud to see that she's so focused. Although he questions how she's gotten scarily good with oil paints, he's pleased she's so interested. This is just one aspect showing Anne being an individual and not just a copy of his star-loving mother. He can't even imagine Amy trying to paint like Anne has done.

Washing up and changed, he eventually settles into his bed. It isn't long before Anne finishes and enters as well. She takes her fresh shopping bag of clothes with her and excitedly enters his bathroom.

Hearing the shuffling of clothes, the artist gulps, figuring his slime mother will change into potentially exciting wear. He did tell her to make it a surprise, but perhaps he's setting himself up for a long night.

'Shit, this is no good. If it's like this, I'll keep expecting things from her,' he admonishes himself, ashamed. It's presumptuous to think his slime mother would always keep him close so intimately every night. Plus, she shouldn't need to feel like she should please him daily.

As he corrects his line of thinking, he turns the other way and closes his eyes. He doesn't want to give Anne the wrong idea or set unfair expectations. In fact, he wants her to enjoy herself more rather than what might please him. The painting was a start, but it all began because Anne felt she needed to understand his passion.

However, this is naive thinking of a son who underestimates the slime mother's dedication, despite witnessing how far she's been willing to go for him. This becomes evident when the bathroom door opens, and Anne speaks softly to him.

"Daniel?"

His face flushes as he wonders what sort of sexy wear she has decided to pick; however, as soon as he faces his slime mother, his heart stops, and his pupils' contract.

Long brown hair, neatly trimmed bangs that split off to the side, olive eyes that stare lovingly into his own, and a welcoming button nose that wiggles as she smiles. This star-loving mother before him looks exactly as he remembers in his youth before her health began to decline in her thirties.

"M-mom...?"

Daniel doesn't know what is happening, but for the moment, he nearly forgets this is Anne. However, his mind is reset once he catches her red and black lingerie set that enhances her curves. Seeing his mother in such an alluring manner has never crossed his mind, yet, here she is. Her nightwear comes with a black bra that covers half her chest, a pair of black panties with red floral sewing around the edges, and a red lace screen fluttering down from her bra and surrounding her smooth belly.

Anne sits by his bedside with a serene smile. "Is there something wrong with my face? It looks like you're seeing a ghost."

Daniel swallows as his throat turns dry. He blinks a few times before snapping out of his stupor. "W-what are you doing, mom?"

Mom as Anne or Mom as Amy? Daniel's not sure if there's supposed to be a difference now.

His mother chuckles smoothly, walking over to the light switch. "I just wanted to relive some old days with my favorite star, that's all. Come on, you don't have to stare at me so needlessly."

She turns off the lights, leaving only the lamp near the bed on. Her body becomes an outline in the dark until she reaches the lamp's vicinity, creating a warm glow across her face.

The subsequent shuffling into his sheets causes his heart to race faster with anxiety and confusion. He's unsure what to feel about this sudden transformation, but it's raising troubling emotions that he isn't prepared for.

He's about to open his mouth, but nothing comes out as his mother caresses his cheek. "My god, how many years has it been since we slept together? Not since you were scared at night of the thunderstorms, I think. You used to hug me so closely, but when I talked about the movements of our galaxy, some of the planets we discovered in the observatory I work at, and the many suns, you would become so intrigued that you'd forget about the storms of the night."

Daniel exhales shakily, tears building in his eyes as her words rattle the years he spent to move on. "Mom, please...this isn't..."

He can't find the words to finish, still unsure whether he's speaking to Anne or Amy. It's totally different from when Amy came through Anne, appealing to him as if she were possessed. Now, it feels like his mother has actually come back to life.

The mother brushes through his hair and softly hushes him. "Daniel, it's okay. I know this is sudden, but just know that I'm always here for you. Come here, my star."

She pulls her son closer, pulling his face into the depths of her soft chest. As she does this, tears flow from Daniel's eyes. He shivers, suppressing a quiet sob.

'Stop, this...isn't right!'

"I love you, Daniel."

'You're dead! You can't be here!'

As if reading his mind, the slime mother closes in to kiss his head and rubs his back soothingly. "I'm here now...it's okay. Since much time has passed, you'll have to be the one to tell me tales of new stars, isn't that right? I'm sure it'll be fun."

Daniel shakily wraps his arms around his mother's waist, pushing away his doubts. He holds her tightly so that she may never leave again. Maybe...this is okay. Amy is a part of Anne, so what difference does it make if she decides to become the mother he was born to?

As he questions, various memories of his time with Anne floods him.

'Mama...not same! Daniel is...mama's son. Mama wants to...spend close...to son! No...excuses!'

'Hu hu! See? Mama can now properly walk! ...Wait, don't test me!'

'Mama wants to understand you better! So, I refuse to become a workaholic like Amy was!'

'You mean they didn't build a giant satellite for the black hole? Phooey!'

'This is so fun, Daniel!'

'G-gorgeous? H...hehe!'

...

Is this really okay?