Picture Perfect

Chapter 40: Mickey Mouse Pancakes

          "I appreciate this so much man," Jesse says walking into Chase's house, setting down his two kids.

          "Don't worry about it. You've got enough to deal with," as Chase's two run off with Jesse's.

          Pulling up to Chase's house about an hour later, putting her car in park, checking her makeup and hair before getting out and walking up to the front door. As she rings the doorbell, she steps back looking out at the farm, hearing children squealing and footsteps.

          "Hey come on in," Chase smiles wearing khaki shorts and a V-neck shirt with his restaurant logo on it stepping back so Deagan can step in.

           She walks back in, Chase's daughter and Deagan's niece and nephew run past them. "I wish I had their energy," she says shutting the door behind her.

          "Yeah I know come on in," as Chase and Deagan walk into the living room as they are playing, Taylor sitting at the kitchen counter eating.

          "He's so cute," Deagan laughs, sitting down beside Taylor.

           "Hi," Taylor smiles to Deagan.

          "Hi, I'm Deagan, I'm your daddy's friend."

           "I'm Taylor," he says putting out his hand.

          "Nice to meet you Taylor," Deagan smiles, shaking his little hand. A very well-mannered little boy.

           "Nice to meet you too," Taylor giggles.

           "Why don't you go play with your sister?" Chase suggests.

          "Okay daddy," Taylor says getting off the chair and running off.

          "Great kid," Deagan smiles. "Really well-mannered but I guess I'm not surprised."

          "Well thank you, I hope you're hungry," Chase exclaims.

          "Definitely," running a hand through her hair, watching Chase.

          Setting out a plate of food in front of Deagan, her mouth begins to water with the heaping amount of food on the plate. The meal consisting of quiche with jalapeño bacon, gouda cheese, tomatoes and onions and some hash browns.

         "I have whole wheat Mickey Mouse pancakes too if you want some of those," Chase winks.

          "Oh yes bring out the Mickey Mouse pancakes," Deagan laughs.

           "Alright," Chase laughs and sets the stack of pancakes down and sits down beside her.

          "This looks good," Deagan smiles, digging into the delicious food.

          "Thanks," Chase digs in as well.

            They sit around eating their breakfast, the kids running around from time to time squealing, Myah more than anybody. She finishes up, gathering up the empty plates as Chase continues to eat.

         "Sit down," Chase smiles, taking a sip of his orange juice.

          "What? No, it's okay. It's the least I can do," Deagan winks, walking to the sink.

          "You came over to help, relax," Chase smiles.

          "Cleaning up is helping you," Deagan leans against the counter looking at him.

          "Touché," Chase shakes his head, a big smile on his face.

           After a few minutes, Chase walks over joining her at the kitchen sink. They finish the dishes, Deagan grabbing a dish rag and wiping down the counter, brushing past Chase.

           "So umm how long are you gonna be in town?" Chase asks, wiping off his hands.

          "That I don't know. I'm supposed to leave tomorrow morning, but I told my agent I was going to take a mini vacation. You know spend time with my family after what just happened," Deagan says moving back to Chase.

           "Yeah I gotcha," Chase smiles leaning against the counter and crossing his arms.

          "Yeah," stepping back running a hand through her hair. "Well thank you very much for dinner. I should probably start heading back to my hotel."

          "You don't need to stay at a hotel. I have an extra room here."

          "You have your own little family, I don't want to intrude," Deagan says, always remembering how kind and thoughtful Chase has always been.

           "You would never be intruding," Chase smiles a little.

          "Well maybe I will take you up on that, but tonight my room is already paid for," says Deagan.

          "Well do you have a ride?"

          "I can call a cab," Deagan smiles.

          "Just borrow my other car," Chase suggests.

          "You're being difficult," Deagan smiles.

          "I'm sorry I was just trying to be helpful."

          "Are you sure?" Deagan asks, asking about the car.

          "Yeah, of course, I have two, and I'm only one person," Chase smiles.

           "Okay," Deagan nods, "Well thank you. I guess chivalry isn't dead."

          "Well here it isn't," Chase smiles walking over and grabbing the car keys and walking back over to Deagan. "I'd drive you, but I can't leave the kids," Chase says handing the keys to Deagan.

          "Oh no, it's okay. I don't want you to wake them just because you feel like you need to give me a ride home. It's okay."

          "Okay well, I guess I will see you tomorrow then."

          "Umm yeah maybe," Deagan smiles, walking to Chase's front door.

          "Alright well, I'll see you then,"

          "Thank you again," Deagan says as she gets in the car and heads to the hotel.

          "You're welcome. I'll see you later," Chase says watching her pull out. After watching her disappear around the corner, he locks up the house and heads to bed. When Chase walks into his room, he sees Taylor passed out in the bed where Chase's wife slept. Sighing, he slides into the bed wrapping his arm around his son, Taylor cuddling into Chase.