Going Up | ✓

Guilt - (15)

Guilt.

'Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!' Oliver yelps, dashing towards me.

I smile lightly, crouching down so we're on the same level. 'What is it, little man?'

'Can I please add the sprinkles?' he gives me those blasted puppy dog eyes. 'Please, Mommy, please!'

I chuckle, reaching down to ruffle his hair. 'Of course you can,' I respond warmly. 'Look in that cupboard there and you'll find the sprinkles. The chocolate ones,' I point at the cupboard that holds all of my baking things.

He cheers and yanks open the cupboard, locating the chocolate sprinkles. 'I found them!' he grins proudly, making his way back over and climbing onto the countertop.

'Hey,' I frown at him, shaking my head. 'You're not supposed to be up there.'

He just grins cheekily before looking at the chocolate cake beside him that we've spent all morning slaving over. 'Can I put these on?' he shakes the sprinkle tub.

I roll my eyes. 'Yes, you can, but be careful. Don't put too many on, okay?'

He does though, of course he does. They spill all over the counter and he looks at me guiltily. 'I'm sorry,' he mumbles.

I just laugh lightly, scooping them up in my hand and shrugging. 'It's okay,' I reassure him, putting the spare sprinkles back onto the cake, smiling in admiration at our handiwork.

'Mommy!' Oliver tugs my arm. 'Can I take a picture? Please?'

I laugh lightly, handing him my phone. 'Of course you can, but after that, we should probably get going, or we're going to be late.'

He quickly snaps a picture, before handing it back to me. I exhale, wondering how on earth he's so comfortable with phones. He's only six, for goodness' sake.

Not long after, we're in the car on the way to my parents' house for Sunday lunch. I smile lightly, turning the stereo on. I love going to their house every Sunday for lunch.

We arrive at their house and I let Oliver out of the back of the car, smiling as he rushes up the steps to see his grandparents.

I can't say how lucky I am with him getting on so well with them. Grandparents are very important, I believe, and mine certainly were to me.

The door opens and Dad scoops Oliver up into his arms, grinning. 'Hello, little man, it's good to see you!'

Oliver grins back, wrapping his arms around Dad's neck and resting his head against his shoulder. 'It's very good to see you too,' he responds.

Dad looks over his grandson's shoulder and spots me making my way up the path with the chocolate cake in my hands. 'Hey, Poppy,' he greets me easily.

'Hi, Dad,' I smile. 'I brought a chocolate cake that Oliver and I made this morning.'

His eyes light up at the sight of the cake. 'That looks incredbile,' he compliments me appreciatively. 'I love chocolate cake.'

I laugh easily. 'I know you do, that's why we made it.'

'Grandad, I want to go and see Granny,' Oliver announces, running off when Dad lets him out of his arms.

'How are you, Pops?' he asks, pulling me in for a brief hug. 'Did you have a good day yesterday?'

I nod, smiling as we walk into the house. 'I did, thank you. We went out for lunch, which was really nice.'

'And what did you do in the evening? Stay in and watch a film together, or something?' he enquires, following me into the kitchen where Mom is talking to Oliver.