AFFECTION

THIRTY NINE

39

HOPE WELLINGTON

Dear husband was in the kitchen, wreaking a havoc, and if he was any less, dear son was destroying whatever remained.

I sighed looking at the two of them, wearing aprons that said- Daddy Wellington and Baby Wellington. David pranced around the kitchen as if he was going to make a world famous recipe, and Oliver sat on the kitchen island, holding a bowl, and mixing something, that looked like chocolate. His face was smeared with it, his hands often replacing the spoon in his hand.

He was diligent at his work, making me feel proud of his focus. But I was also a bit concerned about wiping this mess after they are done.

"Dadda! Choco Choco! Done!"

David turned to him and kissed his forehead, "You are such a sweet helper. Now let Dadda pour this chocolate in the batter."

The chocolate, whatever little was remaining in the bowl was poured in the supposedly batter mixed by David.

I was leaning on the kitchen threshold because I wasn't allowed to go in.

"Are you done Oli? Let's go. I'll clean you up."

Oliver shook his head, "No mumma...Dadda...Oli...cake!"

"David! Atleast look at the pan on the stove...you haven't checked it for quite a while now."

Startled at the realisation, he left the bowl containing batter and then turned to the soup he was cooking. He stirred the pot a little, "I think it is done."

"Close the gas then!"

He did, and then turned to where Oliver was sitting. He took a tissue, a box already finished, and another one on the line, "Let me clean you... otherwise your mumma is going to eat me alive."

Oliver also forwarded his mouth, pouting, and pulling more tissues from the tissue box to help his dad.

Once the cake batter was in the oven, they decided they were done. The chaos of the last three hours had finally subsided.

"Let me change his clothes.", I forwarded my hands to take Oliver, who happily complied.

David gave me a cheeky grin, "While you are at it, help me change too."

I rolled my eyes and he followed the both of us to the washroom. I removed Oliver's clothes, while David removed his own. Making him sit beside a wash basin, I cleaned his face and then changed his diaper.

"You enjoyed cooking with dad?"

He nodded cheekily, squeashing his duck in his hand, and I heard a snicker from behind me.

I didn't have to turn to look at him, because there was a mirror in front of me. He was standing shirtless, in his usual white sweatpants, looking everybit of drool worthy. I just wasn't drooling as that would be embarrassing. He was already looking at me though, a small smile on his lips. I had to raise my eyebrow at him, "Why are you smiling like that?"

In answer, he only sighed and hugged me from behind. His sudden touch made a tickling sensation at the side of my stomach making me chuckle.

"Can't I smile looking at my wife?"

I nodded, unfolding Oliver's onesie, "You can. But there must be something notorious going on in your mind. I can smell it from here?"

He rolled his eyes, "You should be glad I have notorious thoughts about you."

I shook my head, and focused on the little man who seemed to be struggling with the onesie.

"Mumma no! No see!"