𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟯

Bake Sale

I lean against the kitchen counter scrolling through my phone, looking for the perfect cupcake recipe until I hear the sound of Leon's familiar footsteps exit his home office. I look up, smiling as he runs a hand through his hair as he enters the kitchen, one perfect brow arches at the multiple bowls and baking tools set out on the marble counter. 

"Hey," He mumbles in a drained voice, he's been working on reports all day and I know he hates it, "what are you up to?" His arms wrap around my waist as he pulls me to his side, his lips peck the side of my head as I nuzzle into his warmth and the inviting smell of fresh laundry mixed with his cologne. 

"Just doing some baking. Our daughter's having a bake sale tomorrow at school but she came down with a headache before we could get started. I told her to go sleep it off and I'd make the cakes for her." I reply, setting my phone on the counter now I've found the perfect recipe. Leon huffs a laugh, pulling back as he picks up the utensils and various measuring spoons. 

"We could cheat and I can go to the store and buy some cakes or something?" Leon suggests playfully. I shake my head, giving him a half amused look. I begin to grab the ingredients as Leon watches me, his eyes tracking my movements closely. 

"No it's alright," I murmur as I open the fridge, "I haven't done any baking in a while and I kind of miss it." 

"I miss your baking too, I've been on a cookie free diet for too long." Leon mumbles under his breath, looking momentarily disappointed, but then his lips quirk up again as he comes to my side and taps my phone to see the recipe. "Let me help you, you've been busy all day so let me make it a little easier." I nod, and we get to work, casually chatting about our day and some juicy neighbourhood gossip as Leon measures and pours in the ingredients, leaving me the job to mix. Eventually my arms grow tired so with a chuckle Leon uses his hips to nudge me out of the way to take over. I let out a small yawn, glancing at the clock and seeing it's late evening. 

"Careful you don't overmix it, if it's too runny the cakes won't be good." I say, grabbing the bowl from Leon. He holds his hands up in a surrender, eyeing the mixture up suspiciously. I huff, then point to the cupcake cases and tray. "Would you mind setting some out so I can spoon the batter in please?" 

Leon nods, but not before he swipes his finger on the edge of the bowl to gather some mix then licks it off. I watch, placing a hand on my hip as I wait for his reaction. His eyes widen before he lets out a delicious groan. "That's good honey." He praises. I beam up at him, using a different spoon I try a spoonful of the mix, closing my eyes as I taste the vanilla. Leon brings the tray with the cases over as I begin spooning the batter in, being careful to not overfill them. Once done Leon takes them from me and slips them into the oven, then sets the timer. I look at the mess, flour coats the counter and the last few drops of vanilla have somehow leaked onto the marble surface. I let my shoulders slump as I grab a cloth, but Leon shakes his head, pulling out a stool for me to sit on as he take the cloth. 

"Let me clean up, you deserve a little sit down." He murmurs softly, bending down to kiss my lips before he begins to tidy up. I watch as he puts the ingredients away then washes up and wipes the mess. Leon manages it in record time, then he takes the seat next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "You're the best mom for doing all of this for D/N, I know she appreciates you even if she doesn't tell you a lot." Leon says to me. 

My eyes fill with loving tears at the sudden but welcome words. I nod, smiling up at my husband. "Thank you Leon, it means a lot." I whisper, then I link our fingers together as I lean into him. We sit there in a comfortable silence, the kitchen soon warms up from the heat of the oven and the clicking of the timer is almost lulling, until it rings out to alert us that the cakes are done. I hop off the stool and grab the oven gloves, carefully I pull the cupcakes out of the oven and set them on a cooling tray, eyebrows raised at the perfect golden colour they've got. Leon lets out a hum of approval as he reaches for one, but I swat his hand away, tutting at him. 

"What?" Leon asks defensively. 

"They're still hot, at least wait until they're cool before you start grabbing for them." I giggle, sitting down again. Leon grins, shrugging just as our daughter walks into the kitchen, her hair's a mess and she's rubbing her eyes after her long nap, but thankfully her skin's less sickly looking and she seems okay. "Hey sweetie, how's your head?" 

"Better now." She mumbles, then her face lights up at the sight of Leon, she rushes to her dad, wrapping her arms around him as he pats her head, with one arm he pulls her onto his lap, holding her securely as she yawns, setting me off. "Are these for my bake sale?" 

"Yeah, we've just got to wait until they're cooler and you can help me decorate if you want?" I offer. D/N nods, then we all wait until the cakes are cool enough to decorate. Leon grabs one immediately, splitting it in half to share with our daughter as I have a whole one to myself. Leon bites his lip to hold back a grin as I stuff it into my mouth, so I stare him out until he gives in and chuckles. We all sit at the table as our daughter helps me make some water icing, then we all grab a cake and begin putting on some sprinkles and odd decorations I've got in the cupboard. 

Leon makes a few cupcakes that look like animals whilst I decorate mine to look like flowers, D/N just pours on a ridiculous amount of sprinkles, affirming us that they're fireworks. Leon and I praise her anyway, both of us smiling at each other, grateful for the domesticity of it and the love we all share in our home.