My Mafia Marriage

19

Once we got home, after getting everything ready for our plan, Lil got called in for mafia work, so she had to leave. I put all of my clothes away and went into the kitchen to get something to eat, needing food after not eating for so long.

When I got closer to the kitchen, I immediately heard Ace and Tiana arguing over something. I sighed with a smile on my face, shaking my head at these two children.

"What did you do to her, Ace?" I ask as I walk into the kitchen.

"He ate all of my cookies," Tia whined, pointing an accusing finger at him.

I gave Ace a pointed look as he winked at me with a smirk on his face. Glancing over at Tiana I can barely contain my smile. She has her arms crossed over her chest with a cute little scowl on her face, glaring at Ace with all the hatred her little body could muster. Biting my lip to hold in my laughter, I turn my attention to Tia.

"That's okay, princess. We can make more cookies and not give Ace any," I assured her.

Tia's eyes lit up at my words. She nodded her head excitedly as she smiled at me, making her cute little dimples appear. Ace scoffed and dramatically put his hand over his chest, acting offended by my comment.

"That's not fair!" Grumbled Ace, playing into the dramatics.

"Yes, it is you, butt!" Tia scolded.

I burst out laughing at Tia's little outburst, not expecting that type of comment to come from her. Ace's jaw dropped, also shocked and slightly offended by Tia's outburst.

Before they began to argue again, I started to pull out the ingredients needed to make cookies, gesturing for both of them to come help.

"Nat, the maids can make her some more cookies. Don't worry about it."

"I'd rather do it, Ace. I love baking. Plus, it'll make me feel better after... what happened."

Ace gave me a look as if I was crazy for choosing to make something myself, rather than have someone else do it for me. I'm honestly slightly offended by how shocked he is. I don't like to be pampered, and he knows that. Not to mention, I've never had someone do things for me before.

I used to be the one forced to do simple things anyone could easily do for themselves. I won't make others do that for me, ever. No amount of money in the world could make me abuse the power I have over people like Brett and Mike did to me.

As I began making the cookies, Ace and Tia stood on either side of me seemingly very interested in what I'm doing. I warmly smiled at them for their shyness and pulled a chair up for Tia. Picking her up, I placed her on the chair so she could see what I'm doing.

Tia stood on the chair watching me mix the ingredients with her head slightly tilted, focusing on my every move. Ace stood beside me with the same focused expression on his face. I couldn't help but smile while looking down at the ingredients I'm mixing feeling at peace.

Baking helps clear my head and allows me to make my favorite things in the world, sweets. Baking was one of the few things that helped me get through my past life. Not only do you get rewarded with a sweet treat when you are done, but you can also let your imagination run wild.

Baking helped me feel free in a sense, much like reading. It allowed me to focus on something other than my horrible life. I would float away into my little world, enjoying the peace and false sense of freedom while I could.

Not to mention the serene feeling I get from now baking next to people I consider friends. This was what I would dream of when I baked. Freedom, family, friends, and love.