Just Kidding | ✔️

Chapter 47: Cooper & Cookies

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Christmas Eve:
Tomorrow is the long awaited Christmas, the happiest day of most people's lives.

Nothing much has happened since drinking away my pain at Chloe's house last week. Although that pain, has managed to fade away since then. With a lot of rest, tea and sleep, the coughing fits and dizziness are an old friend of mine. I am bruising like a damn peach though. I blame it on the fact that the mention of food, sounds like nails on a chalkboard to me. I'm not getting enough iron or protein and it's starting to show.

Other than occasional coffee runs with Riley and Chloe or another visit to the pizza joint, my time has been occupied by Cooper himself. Speaking of which:

"So you can cook too? Where have you been all my life?" I sigh, watching as Cooper mixes batter and rolls out the cookie dough.

"Right in front of you actually." He chuckles, reaching out to spread dough on the tip of my nose. Without thinking, I take his wrist, bringing his hand to my lips and sucking one dough covered finger into my mouth.

Cooper doesn't say anything when I retract my lips from his skin. He just stares at me with a lustful shimmer in his grey eyes.

After a couple minutes when the cookies are all squared away in the oven, I hop up on the counter and sigh. "I wish you could celebrate Christmas with us."

"Tell you what," Cooper slaps his hands down on my thighs. "When next Christmas comes around, I'll join you."

My heart flutters at the thought of another Christmas with Cooper. "Y-you think we're still gonna be together by then? I mean college is tough and there's a lot of other guys and-and girls!"

Pulling my face between his hands, Cooper kisses the tip of my nose. "I don't want any other girl. Just you."

"Then I guess next Christmas it is." I smile, kissing his lips ever so passionately until the faint voice of a little girl cuts in and we're separating.

"Ew! Not on the counter!" Millie gags. Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail. Her outfit consists of warm fuzzy pajamas that she hasn't taken off in a couple days. All in all, she looks just as adorable as she usually does.

"Sorry little M." Cooper kneels down and wraps his strong arms around her, kissing her cheeks and forehead until she squeals in protest.

"Millie, it's time for your nap sweetheart." Lora strolls down stairs in a matching pajama set.

"Now?!" Millie whines.

"Yes now. You always take a nap at this time." Lora chuckles.

"But Cooper's here!"

Looking between her daughter, Cooper and I, Lora smiles. "Fine. You three can watch a movie then off to bed. How does that sound?"

"Yay!" Millie lunges for the couch, swinging herself over it until she's emerged in blankets and pillows.

"You two are okay to watch her for a little?" Lora asks. Fixing her messy bun.

"Of course." Cooper answers.

"I'll be back down in an hour or two. If she causes any trouble just send her up to bed." Lora says and once we're all settled into the couch, Millie snuggled between Cooper and I. Millie is the last one asleep.

I wake up when The Grinch is over and Lora is picking up Millie from Cooper's lap, walking her upstairs. I don't waste any time to migrate closer to my boyfriend, trying to wrap myself in his warmth as best as I can.

Thankfully he's awake enough to pull me closer to him and snuggle into me until it's an hour later Cooper has to leave.

"Don't go!" I yank on his arm as he starts towards the front door.

"I've gotta. I don't wanna be late for the trip, but I promise I will see you on New Year's Eve. Just a week away."

"I don't want you to go." I frown, taking an elongated whiff of his scent. I beg this moment will last a while but when he departs, my wishes are shattered.

"Trust me, leaving you is hell. But I begged my parents for this and it's the only time we can get Jase out of the hospital. He's excited," Cooper starts towards his car and I'm close behind. "But I'll be back for you in no time. Stay safe while I'm away, please."

With one more everlasting kiss, I send Cooper on his way. Watching him leave is like giving away half of my heart, letting it run off somewhere I can't reach. But I would never force him to stay anywhere for me. Especially now.

Cooper, Jase and his parents are all headed off to their beach house just an hour from here.

The sound of the oven dings from up ahead as I now shut the front door behind me. All thoughts of Cooper are long gone because now the scent of sugary goodness fills the air with holiday cheer.

"Cookies. . ." I hum, heading towards my future and leaving my past at the door. Already I'm feeling better.

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A/N: another short chapter for all of you. It's just a filler, I'm trying to get this done and ready soon. So forgive me if there isn't tons of detail or characters at times. Let me know what you think.