Chapter 36
Reese
Brenton’s eyes follow my finger as it trails across the screen of my laptop. “Add a half cup of milk. Cream the mixture on low speed until smooth.”
“Add a half cup of milk. Cream the mixture on low speed until smooth,” he echoes as he grabs the milk in the measuring cup sitting on the counter beside him.
I’m actually trying to kill two birds with one stone—teaching Brent to bake and to read all at once.
#BabysitterGoals
I tap him on the tip of the nose. “You are just the cutest thing,” I say with a laugh as he pours the liquid into the batter. He grins right back at me.
Today is Leo’s birthday and had it not been for a talkative, little snitch strapped into my backseat on the way home from preschool. His daddy specifically ordered Brent not to tell me that it was his birthday. But actually, I think it was just a ruse to get me to bake for him because we both know that keeping secrets isn’t Brent’s strong suit.
It worked. And now, Brent and I are racing against the clock to whip up a cake before Leo gets home from work.
“Can I try?” he asks motioning to the mixer in my hand.
“Sure.” I help him climb onto a stool to reach the counter. One tiny hand holds the mixing bowl firmly on the counter. His other hand grips the mixer. My hands cover his to make sure he doesn’t lose control of the equipment. “What’s next?” I ask my little helper.
His eyes travel back to the computer. “Add the…” he hesitates as he sounds out the word, “…eggs one…at a…time!” Proud eyes connect with mine as he looks up at me, awaiting my approval.
“Great job, Brent! You read that all on your own!”
“I did! I read it all on my own!”
“So proud of you!” I lean down and plant a kiss in his hair.
Right then, the back door slides open and Leo sticks his head inside. “What are you so proud of?”
My heart skips a half dozen beats at the sight of him. Flushed cheeks, disheveled hair, stubbly chin with a smudge of sawdust. His big frame fills the doorway as he toes off his work boots.
This is nice. It feels right. Having him come home after work and find me in the kitchen, baking with Brenton. It feels like a family. I know that we aren’t one. But it feels like it. Sometimes, I close my eyes and pretend that that’s what we are.
“I just read the recipe all by myself,” the child says excitedly.
“Yep, he did,” I confirm.
“Good job, buddy!” Leo gives Brent’s shoulder little shake and smiles at him. Then, he looks at me. “So, is there any reason in particular that you two are baking today?”
Brenton looks up at his dad. “It’s your birthday, silly.”
Leo’s big palm covers his mouth and he pretends to be shocked. “It is my birthday. I completely forgot!”
“Yeah, right,” I mutter under my breath and Leo just laughs.
“Daddy, you better help if you want to get any cake when it’s done,” Brenton advises sagely.
Leo’s expression goes solemn. “You know what? You’re right.”
He comes up behind me and his hard body presses against my back. He extends his arms and envelopes both me and Brent in his embrace. He kisses his lips to the ridge of my cheekbone.
I love him…
The sudden thought causes me to jolt and I lose my grip on the mixing bowl. It spins on the counter like a top before crashing to the floor. The blades of the mixer continue to spin, pelting cake batter all over. There’s cake batter on every surface of the kitchen.
The three of us freeze and look at each other. And we burst out laughing.
I yank the cord out of the wall and the mixing paddle eventually stops spinning but the mess has already been made. Brenton hops up onto the counter. He’s scooping batter from the countertop and licking it off of his fingers.
I want to tell him to stop but Leo has me pinned to the counter and he’s licking batter off of my face. I’m screaming, trying to squirm out of his arms because it tickles. It’s hopeless. I’m a captive.
Brenton finds the whole thing pretty damn amusing. He slaps a spatula of cake batter to my cheek so his daddy has even more to lick off. He’s giggling so hard.
“I’m gonna get you back, Brenton!” My threats fall on deaf ears. He just continues enjoying his batter. I spin around, doing my best to fight but it’s useless. Eventually, I just give up.
The laughter carries on, filling the house, filling my heart. Yeah, this is definitely what a family feels like.
After a long while, Leo’s laughter fades. His expression becomes grave, concerned, maybe even a little bit afraid.
Searching his face, I cup his cheek. “What is it?”
“You make me happy.” His anxiety seems to deepen when he admits it.
“Is that a bad thing?” I caress his shoulders, trying to get him to relax.
I see the guilt in his eyes. “I just never thought I’d be happy again.”
Brenton pipes in. “It’s good to be happy, daddy.” The little boy looks at me. “I’m happy, too. We’re all happy together.”
A smile stretches Leo’s mouth despite his hesitation. I put a kiss on Brenton’s forehead. Then, standing on my toes, I lean closer to Leo and seal my lips over his.