I sat on the couch with Mia beside me nuzzled perfectly against my side as we read one of her favorite books, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. She loved it every time we read it in class and according to Rob, she insisted he purchase her a copy of her own. Of course he had, there's not much he wouldn't do for her.
Rob was at a late afternoon practice and had asked me to watch Mia. Well, he hadn't really asked it was more like I insisted after his babysitter fell through. I knew Mia couldn't go to a Patriots practice and I knew if Rob missed practice Belicheck would have his head on a platter. He could've called Sheila but again with the whole platter thing. It would be the icing on her cake to feel as if she proved Rob couldn't handle more responsibility when it came to Mia. I'm his girlfriend, or at least I think I'm his girlfriend, but anyway; thats what I'm here for. To support him.
"Again! Again!" Mia cheered happily as I closed the book, as cute as the story is I could only handle so much. I found it funny that she got such enjoyment out of such a silly story.
"Again?" I asked almost hoping she'd change her mind but I had a feeling I wasn't going to be so lucky.
"Yeah!" She nodded only cuddling her stuffed mouse closer to herself. Leave it to Rob to not only purchase her a book but a stuffed mouse to match.
"I have a better idea." I set the book aside and looked over at her, her curious little eyes following my every move, "What do you say we make chocolate chip cookies just like in the story?"
Mia thought for a minute before nodding her head in agreement, "We can make cookies. I like cookies and daddy likes cookies and you like cookies!"
Well, that didn't take as much convincing as I had expected now I just hoped Rob had all the ingredients I was going to need. I'm sure it's not often a bachelor finds himself in need of baking supplies but I was willing to see what I had to work with.
Mia followed me into the kitchen and I began to rummage through the pantry and any cupboard I felt Rob would deem suitable for storing such supplies. I had almost all of the ingredients but the one thing that was missing was the most important.... chocolate chips.
"Well miss Mia, it looks like we don't have any chocolate chips." I placed my hands on my hips as I looked at my ingredients spread out on the counter.
"But those are my favorite and daddy's favorite..." She pouted as she dropped her head in disappointment.
I felt awful for getting her all excited to make cookies before I even checked out the ingredient situation. I could run to the store but I was not wanting to go out into the cold New England air, especially with the ice storm we were expected to have.
Her head quickly popped up and her eyes lit up as she took off running towards her room. I listened carefully to make sure everything was okay but she quickly returned holding a candy dispenser.
"I have chocolate!" She handed me the plastic red M&M dispenser filled with M&Ms.
"Oh yeah?" I laughed at her as I peaked inside the lid, there was more than enough to pull of this cookie mission, "Looks like we're making m&m cookies!"
Mia grabbed a chair and pulled it towards the counter as I got everything situated. I couldn't help but wonder if this was something she got to do with Sheila and I mentally noted that I would make sure to have moments like this with any daughter I may have in the future. Personally, I loved all the memories created in the kitchen with my mom and my Nanna.
"Have you ever made cookies before?" I looked at Mia sliding the bowl in front of her and she shook her head.
"Mommy says it's for growned ups."
"Well, sometimes that's true." I smiled, I couldn't really say what I think, not to Mia anyway, "but today... making cookies is for Mias."
She giggled as I dotted her nose with flour. I don't know why I find it surprising Sheila doesn't share these moments with Mia but at the same time, she's wound very tightly and comes off as needing everything to be done perfectly. Making a little extra mess while baking may not be at the top of her list. Regardless, I was just happy I could share this moment with her.
She was so concentrated as she filled the measuring cups, her little tongue hanging out of her mouth as if it was going to help her focus. I had to chuckle, often there were times I found myself doing the same thing. She was taking this task very seriously.
"Good job Mia." I praised her for the time she put in to making sure she didn't spill anything as she dumped the ingredients in the bowl one by one, "Now here's the fun part."
I held up the electric mixer, Mia's smile only growing as she eyes the contraption. I handed it to her and before I could finish plugging it in she had turned it on letting out a scream as flour flew everywhere.
My eyes widened in shock as I stood in the middle of the kitchen covered in a mix of dry baking goods. I looked over at Mia who had an innocent grin on her face and we both broke out into laughter. I was going to have one hell of a mess to clean up but it would be worth it.
I tidied up a little bit before reaching for the mixer again, this time making sure I was ready to guide Mia in her mixing duties. It was safe to say the ingredients had been blended successfully and we were one step closer to enjoying the fruits of our labor.
"Not too big, just a small ball like this." I showed Mia how to shape the perfect cookie as I placed it on the cookie sheet, "We're making cookies for a mouse not a giant."
Mia giggled as she rolled the dough in her tiny hands, "We're making cookies for daddy and he needs big cookies."
I smiled at her, she was too cute and while her comments were funny they were innocent and that's what made them so sweet.
"Can I make one really big one for daddy?" Mia looked at me hopeful.
"One big one." I agreed grabbing her a separate cookie sheet for baking purposes and lightly misting it with cooking spray.
"All I get is one?"
Mia and I turned to see Rob standing in the door way, his large body resting against the frame and a smile on his face.
"Daddy! I maked you a cookie." Mia announced proudly as she bounced excitedly on the chair that held her up.
"You did huh?" Rob smiled at his daughter as he made his way into the kitchen to greet her, "Me love cookies." He did his best Cookie Monster impression and Mia broke into a fit of giggles as he tickled her belly.
I smiled at the exchange between Rob and Mia as I attempted to keep rolling out cookies and getting them ready for the oven, "Mia why don't you go wash your hands in your bathroom so we can get cleaned up for dinner?"
"Okay!" Rob helped her off the chair and she cheerfully departed the kitchen.
"You are a natural." He engulfed me in his arms from behind, his voice sounding gentle and sincere, "Look at you all domesticated and stuff."
"Baking cookies?" I turned to look at him laughing softly at his comment. I was sure Rob hadn't been with a girl long enough to learn of her domestic abilities or maybe he really did hang around with girls that were incapable.
"Yeah!" Rob answered boldly, his ever present smirk on his face, "And the way you are with Mia... It's sexy."
It was safe to say I was blushing and I giggled nervously. Rob closed the space between us as his lips met mine, his hands grabbed my bottom and he lifted me onto the kitchen counter in one swift motion. He was definitely using ten Mia free minutes wisely and I wasn't going to complain over a brief make out session with him. I'd be lying if I said the sexual tension between us wasn't intense, I requested we take things slow due to my uncertainty and he obliged. Although times like this he made it tough, he always said and did the right things and it was proving to be an even bigger challenge as the days went by.
