The morning sun filtered gently through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the bustling scene. The soft hum of family life filled the house, a comforting melody of clinking plates, quiet chatter, and baby babbles.
At the kitchen table, Jackson and April sat side by side, sipping their coffee and laughing quietly over a shared joke. Zola, perched in her high chair, was happily munching on bits of cereal, her tiny hands grasping at the spoon as she eagerly tried to feed herself. The mess was inevitable, but it only added to the charm of the moment.
Meredith stood at the counter, focused on a cake she was attempting to decorate for Zola's upcoming birthday. The cake was far from perfect, but her hands worked with determination as she smoothed frosting on the layers. The look on her face suggested she was in a battle with the cake, but she wasn't ready to give up.
Aria, bleary-eyed and still wrapped in the warmth of the morning, wandered into the kitchen. Her gaze immediately fell on the breakfast table, and without hesitation, she snatched a piece of toast, taking a bite as she glanced at Meredith's cake. She raised an eyebrow, an amused smile tugging at her lips.
"Morning," Aria mumbled around her bite, her voice a bit thick with sleep. She eyed the cake critically before looking at Meredith with a raised eyebrow. "Is it supposed to look like that?"
Meredith let out a long, exhausted sigh, her shoulders slumping for just a moment before she plastered on a smile. "I'm trying, okay? It's harder than it looks," she said, turning her focus back to the cake as she spread more frosting.
Aria couldn't help but tease, taking another bite of toast. "You know, you might need more than frosting to save that one," she said with a light grin.
Meredith shot her a look but didn't fight it. "I'm sure Zola will love it no matter what."
Aria leaned against the counter, watching her sister work. "I'm just saying, it could be a little more... presentable," she teased, stepping closer to get a better look at the messy frosting. "You want me to take over?" she offered with a chuckle.
Meredith shook her head. "No, no more cake disasters. I'll fix it. It's her birthday, I can't mess this up."
Just then, Alex walked into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and making a beeline for the coffee machine. The sound of the coffee maker sputtering to life brought a sense of calm to the space, and Alex stretched his arms as he surveyed the room.
"Morning," Alex mumbled, his voice still rough from sleep. He paused, eyeing the cake before glancing at Meredith. "What's going on here? That's your idea of birthday cake?"
Meredith's smile remained, though it was now tinged with a little frustration. "It's a work in progress."
Alex raised an eyebrow, still holding his coffee mug. "Right... well, as long as Zola's not expecting a culinary masterpiece."
Aria smiled, watching the two of them. "She's one. I'm sure she'll love it either way," she said, shrugging and taking a seat at the table next to Jackson and April.
Meredith set down the spatula with a resigned sigh. "You're right. I just wanted it to be perfect."
Alex, leaning against the counter, took a sip of coffee. He shot a glance at Aria. "You guys sound like a broken record," he said with a half-smile.
Aria rolled her eyes playfully. "Hey, it's not my fault that cake is, well, a disaster," she teased, leaning back in her chair.
April, laughing softly, added, "It's the thought that counts, Meredith."
"Yeah, but it's not just the thought," Meredith said, her voice still light despite her frustrations. "I want it to look nice for her. She's only going to be one once."
YOU ARE READING
Shooting Stars
Fiksi Penggemar"But he's Evil Spawn." "Don't you think I know that. I didn't wake up one day and suddenly decide I was going to be in love with Alex Karev." Being the daughter of a world renowned surgeon was never destined to be easy. The first born of the Grey tw...
