It was Jessica's first trip home since spending the semester away at college. It was also the worst blizzard in recent memory. Most importantly, it was also when Jessica first began to lactate.
The whole thing started late one night after Jessica had just finished watching a movie in the living room. Mom came down the stairs to the kitchen, wearing a long silk gown and had a "freshly fucked" look, which Jessica refused to speculate on at any length.
"Can't sleep?" Jessica asked, greeting her Mother in the kitchen.
"I'm making your Father a hot chocolate before bed," Mom replied. "Can I make you one as well? I bought those extra puffy marshmallows that you like."
Jessica smiled, "I'd love a cup."
Mom reached inside the fridge for a normal container of milk. With her other hand, she reached for a small jar, which also appeared to contain milk. Both were brought to the counter as she reached in the cabinet for two mugs.
"What's in that jar?" Jessica asked, puzzled. "Did you add sweetener to that one?"
"Oh, it's nothing. It's something for your father and I."
Mom poured milk in the mugs, using the regular container for one, and the jar for the other. Jessica's curious nature got the better of her as she watched her Mother.
"You're acting weird," Jessica noted. "Is that laced with cocaine or something?"
"Very funny. You know we only take drugs created in my lab."
"What's in it? Come on, tell me."
It was just like old times, Jessica leaped forward and grabbed the jar, with no resistance from her mother.
"Give that back, Jess," Mom said in an attempt to be stern.
Jessica laughed. "Why? If it's nothing, then I'll go ahead and have a taste."
She opened the jar, brought it closer to her lips and pretended to drink it.
"I doubt you'd want to do that," Mom said with her hands on her hips.
"And why is that?"
Mom raised her eyebrows. "Because that's my breastmilk."
"What!? Really!?" Jessica promptly returned the jar to the countertop.
"Keep it down," Mother hushed. "I promised your father I wouldn't tell anyone. This isn't something you should know about."
Jessica sighed. "Breast milk?"
"Yes, breast milk. Why is that such a shocker to you?"
"Mom, you're 46."
"I know," Mom replied. "And I'm also testing a new drug my team developed in the lab. It's a fast acting hormone designed for nursing mothers who need help producing adequate lactation."
Jessica's eyes lit up. "Oh, interesting. Why didn't you say so?"
"It's a long story. I'll explain the whole thing tomorrow morning. In the meantime, it's late, and your Father is expecting his hot chocolate."
"So am I."
Mom reached into the cabinet. "Then let me finish."
As Mom placed the cocoa powder and marshmallows on the counter, Jessica was suddenly struck by the obvious.
"What a minute," she said, sharpening her gaze at her Mother. "Why the hell are you and Dad drinking it?"
Mom asserted her dominance. "Watch your language. You may be a college girl, but you're in my house tonight."
"Sorry, Mom. Why are you and Dad drinking breast milk?"
Instead of answering the question right away, Mom put three spoons of cocoa powder in each mug of milk and stirred; licking the spoon when she was done and put it in the sink.
"Let me microwave this first," Mom said, putting the mugs in the microwave before turning her attention back to her daughter. "I'll explain things in further detail tomorrow, but let's just say that I don't like wasting things."
"Do you drink it too?"
"You are relentless, Jess, much like I was at your age. I guess that's why we're both in the research field. We're curious, by nature."
"Damn right," Jessica said. "Especially when two adults are using breast milk in hot chocolate, when there's a perfectly fine bottle of milk in the fridge."
"Will the truth put you at ease?" mom sighed.
"That would be nice."
Mom looked her daughter straight in the eyes. "Your Father enjoys my breast milk. He always has. And I enjoy feeding him. Happy now?"
"Oh god," Jessica said, briefly putting a hand over her face. "Why did I even...?"
"Hey, you asked. And you're old enough to hear that."
"So Dad likes the taste? Or he likes where it comes from? I mean... is it a sexual thing?"
Mom nodded. "It's a common fetish for men and women."
"Yikes."
"I know, shocking."
"Both of you like it?" Jessica asked. "I mean, both of you enjoy the act of... you know... this. I can't even say it anymore."
"I've already answered that. Your Father and I are adults. This is what we like."
"Is this why you created the drug in the first place?"
Mom emphatically shook her head. "Heavens no. Everything I do in the lab is to help people, in this case, nursing mothers. Now, if it happens to have an additional benefit, then why not? I'm testing the drug firsthand and enjoying the benefits that come with it."
"Which is milk."
"Lots of milk," Mom brazenly added. "It makes my nipples really sensitive too."
"Jeez."
As the microwave finished, mother took the mugs out and placed them on the table. Then she added two fluffy marshmallows on top, which quickly melted into the rich drinks.
"This one's yours," Mother said, pushing a cup over.
Jessica gladly accepted it. "Thanks for serving me the right one."
"Trust me, you don't know what you're missing," Mom said, picking up her cup of breast milk hot chocolate, blowing some of the steam away, then taking a small sip. "Now if you'll excuse me, your Father is waiting."
If there was one thing mom was right about, it was that they'd need to have a long conversation tomorrow. Mom went upstairs with her cup, and Jessica couldn't help but wonder what else she and Dad would be doing in their bedroom.
***
Dad's office was closed because of the holidays and shitty weather. After breakfast, he went back to his room and continued his work writing a detailed financial report for a client. Jessica and her Mother stayed in the kitchen to clean up and do dishes. But of course, they had an ulterior motive for wanting to stay together.
"I decided a few months ago," Mom said as she put the last dish away. "Just after you left for college. It was sort of an impulse decision. The idea came to mind because, no offense, you wouldn't be around anymore. We suddenly had more freedom and it dawned on me that I could test my own product."
"So you walked around the house with your breasts bare?"
Mom sarcastically rolled her eyes. "Yes, since you've left we've walked around the house butt naked. In all seriousness, no, I didn't walk around with my breasts bare. I was dressed in my normal clothes for the most part, except I wore a nursing bra."
"And you needed a breast pump too, I'm sure."
"Well, only if your father wasn't around," Mom said with a subtle eye raise of one eyebrow.
Jessica shook her head. "I still can't believe that. Is that something all men are into?"
"More than you'd think."