A Simple Apron (One Night Stand, Book 2)

Chapter 9: An everlasting first impression

I don't remember seeing a first name for Dr. Julien in the fandom so I'm naming him Mark because I love his voice actor so much ♥

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The entire house smelled like heaven. Just a peep into the hallway and the mouthwatering aroma of fried chicken and vegetables invaded Lou's nose and senses.

He'd known Jay had arrived a while ago. Lou remembered hearing the distant doorbell as he went over that one song that was resisting him. He'd been too caught up in his creative process to come down at that moment, but now that the song was ready —for a first rehearsal, that is— he walked himself out of the studio to greet the boys.

Lou found them in the kitchen, laughing and joking while Jay added the final touches to whatever was in the skillet and Cole... 'supervised' him.

The singer couldn't help but let out a half-embarrassed-half-pitiful giggle. His son had many talents and strong points —cooking was not one of them.

Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

Lou wasn't an awful cook per se, but he wasn't as amazing as his deceased wife either. He admitted he had all the patience in the world for acting, singing, and dancing. But cooking... not so much.

Leaning on the open door to the kitchen, Lou stared at the two boys inside, his eyes moving tenderly to one another. Jay might not be his biological child, but Lou loved him just as much. If he and Cole hadn't met each other back in the days, Lou didn't know what would have been of his son when they lost Lilly. Jay had been his force, what kept Cole with his feet on the ground and helped him move on and stay positive even when there was no obvious reason to be. For that and many more things, Lou would be forever grateful for the quirky brunet coming to their lives many years ago.

"I don't know what we're having, but my stomach already craves it," Lou announced himself.

"D-Dad!" Cole jumped, almost dropping the vase he was holding. These last few days, the boy seemed on edge, and Lou had no clue why he acted like that.

Jay turned around, his smile shaky too as he motioned to the nearby bowls filled with colorful peppers, onion, and other greens. He promptly returned his attention to the pan, stirring the contents one last time before shutting down the stove and pouring the hot chicken meat into another bowl.

"Fajitas," the boy grinned.

"That's nice." Lou then looked at Cole. "Just remember to leave some meat for us, son."

"Dad! I'm not a kid anymore!" Cole shrieked, cheeks darkening.

"Yet I still have to chase you to eat your veggies like one."

"How can anyone call purple lettuce a vegetable? It's not even green!"

Both Lou and Jay laughed at the whine they've heard for years.

"I'll go set the table," Lou said before walking out of the kitchen.

♦️♦️♦️

Not even a second after his father disappeared, Cole leaned on the countertop, releasing a long sigh. He reached a hand up to his forehead, massaging it to ease the tension, but it did little.

Jay leaned in and brushed his lips against Cole's cheek in a tiny kiss.

"Breathe," the boy whispered and drew back to gift him one of his loving smiles.

Cole nodded and did as he was told, grabbing Jay's hand and squeezing it for a few seconds. His hands were tiny compared to Cole's, but he felt Jay's love and adoration thick in every pore, seeping into him through their touch and transforming into confidence —or trying to, at the very least.