Pepper gives a soft, amused hum, thinking of her mother just as fondly. Though Pepper's practical nature comes undoubtedly from her late father, the tendency to remain calm and steady under fire is pure Elaine -- until something really and truly shook their composure. Then it was just best to get out of the way.

She tips her head a little into the kiss, smiling. "Uh-huh," she replies to the question, trailing off into a quiet whimper as his hand covers her breast and squeezes gently through the fabric, the lace rubbing lightly against her nipple; a teasing hint of pink amid the fairly sheer white and yellow patterning. She lifts her free hand to cover his lightly on her breast, curving her back a little to bump her bottom against his erection, frustrated and aroused in equal measures by the fact that he's still wearing all of his clothes while she stands nearly naked. The picture they make in the mirror this way is so plainly erotic that it sends another jolt of heat down her abdomen, pulsing hotly between her thighs.

"Love you, too," she sighs, rubbing her cheek against his. "Happy birthday, husband-to-be."