Within The Shadows.✅ (WLW)

26 | Icing

BEEP

"Shit!" I run into the kitchen as the fire alarm goes off.

It has been a month since I came back from my 'getaway' if you want to call it that. Anna knows I am back, but no one else yet.

Today is Alex's birthday, and like the very very stupid person that I am. I offered to bake him a cake.

Look do not get me wrong; I can cook you a 5-course meal, but do not ask me to bake a cake. So, as you can guess, it burnt.

'But why are you baking a cake for Alex's birthday?' You may ask.

Well, my dear beloved friend, Aiden, and his husband, but mostly Aiden. Have decided they want to meet Ava, and Anna but you get the idea.

And to be honest I am nervous and excited. Ava loves kids and I just know that she is going to adore Alex. But I also know that we did not end things well the last time we saw each other.

*Ring*

"You burnt it didn't you?"

"Hallo to you, my best friend in the whole wide world."

"Wow, so now I'm your best friend?" Anna says but I can hear her smile on the other side of the phone.

"Hey, you were always my best friend, and you know what that is. And to answer your first question, yes I did."

"Why don't you just make a cheesecake? That is what you are good at?" Did my best friend just say I should make a cheesecake for an 8-year-old boy's birthday?

"Alex is 8 Anna, he can't not have a cake!!!"

"Fine, I'll make him a small cake. But I still want a cheesecake for tonight as payment."

Anna is an amazing baker; you know that hidden talent that we all have.

So, when all fails Anna saves the day.

Finally agreeing to make a cheesecake as well. We say our I love you and goodbye.

After I have thrown, the burden piece of what was supposed to be a cake, away. I mixed all the ingredients for the cheesecake.

After that, I popped it in the fridge to set and started with the food. Just as I was making sure everything was ready for later, I heard my phone ring.

"Hey gurll! So, I just called to ask, if Tay could come with me tonight?" Aiden asks. Tay, short for Taylen, has been Aiden's best friend since like forever. He also went to stay with her when his parents kicked him out because he came out gay. Fucked up, I know.

"Oh my god. Yes of course!" I say excitedly.

"SEE TAY, I TOLD YOU SHE WOULD BE FINE!" Aiden shouted without taking the phone away from his mouth.

"Dear lord, don't shout over the phone A," I say putting the phone to my other ear.

"Oh my God. I am so sorry Mel, but I have to go. We will see you later K."

After saying goodbye to Aiden, I head up to get dressed.

Since it is a bit cold outside. I picked a checkered flannel with a pair of jeans and a pair of ankle boots, leaving my hair down in its wavy state. I look nice but not too nice for a birthday dinner.

I was making sure everything was ready for the guests. The table was set, the food was ready, cheesecake was in the fridge. When I heard Anna walking into my apartment.

"Okay so I didn't know how to ice the cake so I didn't, so maybe Alex can, to make it fun? Kids like decorating stuff, right?" So, one thing you have to know about Anna is. She does not like kids, she tolerates them, but she does not like them, and she also never wants kids.

Sad, I know, how can you not want a little bundle of joy, running around?

"Anna, that's a great idea." Damn, I should have thought about that.

*Knock knock*

"Good because your guests have arrived."

A couple of minutes later, everyone was here, and as I suspected Ava could not leave Alex alone. She even helped him decorate his cake, I could not help but smile at them, covered in icing and Ava and Alex laughing.

Of course, like the universe want to punish me, Ava me caught staring. But instead of smirking, she gave me a genuine actual smile.

And in that moment, I wish it were us. Me and her, with our child.

After dinner, it was time for dessert.

"Hey, a, would you mind helping me with the dessert." I could see almost everyone giving me a suspicious smirk.

Well here goes nothing.