Perfect Preparation

Chapter 85: Cookie Call

Being called back to the kitchen by the sound of beeps, Nina carefully pulled out a tray with freshly baked cookies.

Kaila leaned in wanting to see them closer before she felt an arm wrap around her torso pulling her backwards.

"No, the pan is hot Kaila. Stay here to let it cool off first." Nina warned cleaning their mess up from earlier while Kaila stood in place with a pout on her face staring at the delectable goodies in front of her.

"Now?" She asked hopeful jumping up and down on her toes.

Nina held her hand above the pan feeling the immense heat still radiating off of it. "A little longer darling, go back and play and I'll just call you when there ready to be decorated."

"No wanna do it now!" Stomping her feet and crossing her arms, Kaila made it clear she wasn't going to move from her place in the kitchen.

But Nina wasn't going to let her get away with it that easily, instead she just rolled her eyes continuing to clean while making sure Kaila didn't move an inch the entire time.

"Now?" She asked less than five minutes later.

"No Kaila, go to the living room before I decorate them by myself." The tall woman threatened pointing the little girl out.

With her face to the floor Kaila dragged her feet out plopping down in anger on the living room floor.

Finally after twenty faithful minutes, Nina called Kaila back to the kitchen where she had taken the cookies of the hot pan and laid them out on plates. To one side had different tubs of icing and on the other had all kinds of sprinkles.

Replacing the apron over her outfit Nina let Kaila go wild with the decorations, letting her imagination run wild.

"All done," Kaila announced locking the left over icing from off her fingers.

"Very good," Nina grabbed her hands and wiped them clean along with her mouth, "go stand by your high chair and I'll let you have one."

Giggling hysterically Kaila ran over to her seat bouncing in place while Nina plated a single cookie. She helped seat Kaila down, and placed her plate on top of her table.

It wasn't long before the trio upstairs came down to the strong warm scent that filled the bottom floor.

"It smells delicious!" Mallix cheered racing wide eyed over to the cookies.

Kaila giggled shoving a piece of cookie into her mouth.

"These are beautiful cookies, did you make these precious?" He asked seeing them different colored shapes on the tray.

Kaila tried to speak but no words came out, instead she just shot crumbs from her mouth out.

Lain laughed walking over and grabbing a napkin to clean her little girl up. "Well I'll be going now." James suddenly said waving bye to his brother and Lain. He caught a glimpse of Lain helping Kaila clean some of her mess up and couldn't help but stare.

Lain noticed the uneasy look on Kaila's face, turning around she saw James. Clearing her throat harshly he was brought back to reality. As he was walking over to the door he couldn't help but look back at Kaila. He was so glued to their interactions that he was oblivious to the fact that Nina was standing in front of him.

Not paying any attention the two of them crashed together nearly falling onto the floor of it wasn't for Nina who caught her grip before she lost her balance.

James turned meeting her gaze when suddenly the two of them paused. They just started quietly at one another, the only thing that broke their silence was a loud gulp from James.

"S-sorry about that Nina," he scratched the back of his head lowly, moving around her to the door.

"It's...fine" she barely had time to respond before he was at the door. He opened it and took one step outside before turning around taking one last long look at Nina.

Shaking his head off he turned around leaving, shutting the door harshly behind him. Nina cleared her head turning back to see Kaila was now shoving cookie into Lain's mouth with a smile, and Mallix was licking his fingers clean of the crumbs of the cookie he just devoured.

"S-so," she paused having her voice cracked to her surprise. After clearing it she continued, "so what kind of changes did James have for you guys?" She felt her legs shaking, it wasn't going to be long before they gave out on her.

After she took a seat at the table besides Kaila, Mallix grabbed a glass of water and took a big gulp before answering. "To make it quick he was just telling us that we've got more interviews and press conferences coming up. And another business trip we have to attend to so I can promotion my next book, and Lain can promote her new line."

"But they won't be long trips, well only be gone a week at most. And you and Kaila will be coming along so there's nothing to worry about those." Lain added finishing the cookie left in her mouth and turning back to Kaila. "These were delicious, you need to spread this gift and have others taste this too."

Kaila smiled widely at the remark before an idea suddenly hit her, "can Tera, Bri, and Rae try some too!"

"Uh...who?" Lain curiously asked looking just as lost as her husband taking a seat besides her.

"It's a few friends she made a while ago while I took her out on a picnic. Remember I gave you there number." Nina reminded Lain who suddenly had the memory wash over her.

"That's right, I meant to call them to talk to the a few days ago. But with the hearing and paperwork all happening I guess it just slipped my mind." She finished talking to her friend. "If that's what you want baby, I'll see if they can come over and have a little play date."

"Yes!" She couldn't contain her excitement. It had been a while since Kaila had felt so excited to have friends over and she was happily ready for it.

"Ok then, I'll see when they can come over." Lain smiled taking Mallix cup from in front of him and drinking away.

He laughed seeing the cup was now empty, "sure go ahead have some. I don't mind sharing."

Everyone laughed hard, "hey sharing is caring babe." Lain's defended handing him back the empty cup.

"Oh! I shared cookie with mommy!" Kaila smiled feeling like she would make Lain proud by saying so.

"You did...and it was very nice of you to do so cutie. Especially since the cookies were so delicious." Lain smiled back.

"And the heart shaped ones were adorable, were they for us?" Mallix asked.

Kaila nodded blushing slightly, "that was so sweet of you precious, does Aunty Nina get the diamond one?" He asked again.

Once again Kaila nodded, and Mallix clapped his own hand. "I'm great at guessing."

Not realizing Kaila did that, Lain stood up and walked over seeing the plate of decorate cookies. She turned around back to the table of friends and laughed at her husband.

"Really babe, guessing? Then why does this heart cookie say Mommy on it and this diamond one say Aunty on it? Or is it just a coincidence there labeled?" She laughed.

He cracked up upon being caught, "ok fine maybe I didn't guess, but still there cute."

After laughing at his lie, he helped Kaila out of her seat and sat her down with Aladdin playing. Meanwhile everyone else spent the next hour running through all the serious business talk of what was to come and be expected.
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Let me know what you think. Thanks Lexx signing off