"Not half bad?" Luke answered incredulously, parking the practice bike and turning to face his mother as he took his helmet off. "That was practically perfect! I followed every rule. I'm a good driver, Mom." He smiled, trying to inspire confidence. "I'm ready. But I'll keep taking lessons if that's what you want." Anything to keep his mom happy. And to keep the bike. Both of these things were very important.
Luke's grin widened when he caught sight of his mom's set up. "Aww you really went all out, Mom!" He hugged her quickly and kissed her on the cheek, actions which should've indicated to Lily that she really had nothing to worry about: here Luke was, on the eve of his eighteenth birthday, and he still wasn't too proud to kiss his mother on the cheek. ... At least, when he wasn't public.