Dear diary, you heard me right. It’s nowhere near Christmas, but today was all about Christmas cookies. Jade came home an hour early from work for once, but instead of spending that time with me and the girls, she went out for drinks with Vincent’s wife Izabella.
I mean, I’m not upset about it. Nope, not at all.
Who am I kidding? I wish she was home, in my arms. I want to catch up with her. It seems like ages since we talked about anything substantial. Doesn’t she miss me at all?
I get that she’s working hard and needs time with friends. Is this at our expense, though?
I’m trying so hard to let it go. I invited Vincent and his kids Shona and Wes over. The kids wanted to make cookies. So here we are.
“Wes, you have the muscles of a bodybuilder, Buddy,” I said.
“Then why are you helping him roll that dough out?” Gigi asked.
It was an innocent question, so I hoped Wes didn’t take offense to it. Vincent laughed as he leaned against the counter.
“Easy, Tiger,” I said to my daughter. “He’s never done this before and, well, someone had to teach you once.”
“We’ve never done this at all,” she said, pressing a snowflake cookie cutter into her share of dough.
“Whoa, she told it like it is, man,” Vincent said with a snicker. “I think this dough is too tough.”
“What?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Says the guy who hasn’t done anything this whole time except point his rolling pin at everyone, giving orders.”
“You’re in a fine mood tonight,” Vincent observed.
“Sorry,” I grumbled, stepping back so Wes could take over. “Oh, sheesh!”
There were cookies in the oven, and no one had set a timer. I grabbed an oven mitt and yanked the range door open, then pulled the cookies out. They were okay on top, but burned black on the bottoms.
“Can we try some?” Shona asked.
“I’m afraid not. This batch is no good,” I said.
“Daddy, why are we using Christmas cookie cutters? It’s summer,” Gigi asked.
“That is because they were on sale at Dollar Corporal. I thought the beachy cookie cutters were far too expensive for what they were.”
Shona squealed, making me jump.
“Eww,” she said, “the baby had dog hair on her hands and it’s in the cookie dough now.”
“We don’t have a dog,” I said, as I took velcro-baby and inspected her hands. Sure enough, she was covered in dog hair.
“Wait a minute,” said Shona, as she held her own hands in front of her for inspection, “I think it came from me. It must be Grover’s fur.”
“Now, see, that’s gross,” Vincent said as he pulled his daughter to the sink. “I thought we told you kids to wash your hands.”
“I did, Daddy, but then I wiped them on my shirt.”
“Oh, boy,” Vincent groaned.
“What’s this racket out here?” George asked, emerging from his room like a hermit from a cave. “I smell something burning.”
“Nothing to worry about,” I told him. “We burned some cookies.”
“With you in charge, I’m not surprised. Vincent, this man burns everything.”
“Yes, that’s true, sir,” Vincent said with a grin.
By the time we were done with the cookie baking, washing up the kids and getting them settled in for a movie, the kitchen was a disaster. Someone had spilled part of a bag of flour on the counter which had partially made it to the floor, too. There were puddles of water on the floor even though all we washed were hands and faces. There were piles of dishes in the sink, and eggy handprints everywhere.
All we could do was stare at the Christmas cookie massacre in disbelief.
“I’m glad this is your house and not mine.”
I laughed a little despite it all. “The thing to do now is move.”
Our guests were long gone, and the girls put to bed by the time Jade got home. As soon as I saw her, I pulled her into my arms, all the negative feelings I’d had earlier in the evening gone. We went upstairs and started getting ready for bed.
“I missed you tonight, baby,” I said, embracing her again.
“You aren’t upset, are you? You seemed kind of edgy before I left with Izzy.”
All I wanted to do was kiss her. “Nah, of course not.”
All at once, she stepped away. “You’re lying. I can always tell when you lie to me because your voice does this weird thing.”
“Okay, okay. I was a tiny bit unhappy you were going out. It feels like I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“You know I’m working really hard, Kai. All I do is work.”
“I know, I know. I-I am not trying to be selfish with your time, it’s not like that. I just miss you. I miss the talks. The girls miss you, too.”
“Why do you do that?” she asked, her voice breaking, her eyes downcast.
“Do what?”
“You’re laying a huge guilt trip on me.”
“No, I mean, I didn’t mean it that way. You’re taking it all wrong.”
It was then, I heard Sophie crying from her crib. When I started for the door, Jade put her hand on my arm.
“She cries every night, and she knows you’ll go in there and get her.”
“I’m trying to be a good dad.”
“You need to let her cry it out. She needs to learn to self-soothe and put herself back to sleep.”
Jade went into the bathroom, and I sat down, staring at nothing. What had just happened? What was that fight even about? How would we find a balance between Jade’s job, the kids and our relationship?
My head was a jumbled mess, but one thing I knew for sure was that I couldn’t stand to hear Sophie crying any longer.
Velcro-baby and I snuggled on the couch the rest of the night into the early hours of the morning. I tried to tell myself everything with Jade would be okay. She was overworked, and I hadn’t made it any easier for her. I needed to try harder to understand what she was going through.
It was up to me to keep everything together so my wife didn’t have to worry about what was happening at home. That was the last thing she needed.
“Don’t worry,” I whispered to Sophie, “it will all work out.”
Special thanks goes to Bee (Poses by Bee, Stories by Bee) for the beautiful! You can find them here: Family Baking and Family Comfort/Love Poses.
Thank you so much for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting! I hope you enjoyed today’s chapter! See you next Saturday!
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Oh goodness! I laughed myself hoarse (for real LOLOLOL) over the cookie ordeal. Vincent, buddy, you were no help at all. 😀 But I agree. I’m glad it was Kai’s house, not mine. LMAO!!!
I can relate to the dog hair thing though. I used to have TWO Goldnes, as you know. I can brush and brush and brush them, and I still have enough hair on my floor to make several sweaters. Even with one Golden now, he’s still pretty prolific. Plus, Megan sheds like crazy at times, too. So yeah, I always have to inspect everything first. LOL!
On a serious note, I can understand Kai’s frustration. Jade is working way too much and then goes out to have drinks with Izabel. I understand her need to wind down, but she also needs to see that her family needs her. She and Kai also need to nurture their relationship or it’ll sour. A marriage is always a work in progress, and Jade is kinda out of touch with that.
Heck, it happens, regardless if it’s the husband or wife who’s he chief breadwinner. You just gotta take time for you and your partner or there may not be a partner to come home to at some point.
I remember reading some article in a women’s magazine about different styles of parenting and how Poles who came to France couldn’t understand not sleeping with your child to make them less dependant. It reminded me of the talk about velcro-baby now. I feel like Jade was tired and overreacted. He never tried to accuse her, probably she’s feeling guilty herself.
That’s really interesting about the differences in parenting styles. I think you’re right about Jade, she’s feeling guilty.
Wow, I’ve missed so much!
That aside, that kitchen mess sounded like my kitchen when my kids want to surprise me – I’m always more surprised with the mess than whatever food they prepare.
Thank you, Jina! LOL It’s the thought that counts, I reckon, but what wonderful memories.
Gosh, I totally understand where Kai is coming from, but him and Jade need to work on communication. I hate seeing them fight 🙁 Hoping they can resolve things soon and make some time for each other!
Thank you, Raymond. You’re so right about them needing to work on their communication. Hopefully, they can figure this out soon.
Awwww bittersweet update … families are complicated <3 Pass those cookies this way (no dog hair please LOL)
Thank you, Lisa! ❤ I’m afraid I can’t promise the no dog hair request. LOL
Could be worse! With my covid long hair I shed like an afghan hound and I live in fear of finding a hair (mine) in something I cook
Oh boy. The fear is real. I totally understand.
I was so glad to read and see your artwork again my dear friend. I hope you are doing well.
Thank you so much, my dear friend. I hope you are doing well also. Everything here is good. 🙂
I am glad my friend and you are welcome.
Loved the cookie baking. I need a few right now. And the tat on his chest! Amazing.
Thank you, Jacqui. I think I need a few right now, too, minus the dog hair. 😀
DOLLAR CORPORAL!! 🤣
LOL I went the easy way with that name change, 😂😂
I dig lol
As everyone else is saying, I think there’s more to it than just Jade being busy. I didn’t get the feeling that Kai was guilt-tripping her at all. Hopefully, they can get through this crisis. The cookie baking was so cute, though. 🙂 This was a lovely chapter!
Thank you, Louise. When I saw those poses, I knew I had to have a chapter with the cookies. lol I think you’re probably right about the problems Kai and Jade are having at the moment. Hopefully, it will be worked through soon.
The way I see it, they have the “traditional” roles reversed, with her as a breadwinner and him taking care of the kids. In the traditional setting it always leads to resentment from the homemaker partner and the kids preferring them to the one who works. Frequently, the marriage doesn’t survive. They do need a proper vacation. Something to shake up the routine.
Thank you so much, Violincat. You are definitely right about the role reversal. Let’s hope they can work this out before the resentments take hold. I think a vacation is a splendid idea!
Your writing pulls me into the story, Kymber. I feel for Kai. He’s trying so hard to be a good dad and loving husband. It’s hard to juggle a young family with other responsibilities. Hopefully, Jade realizes he simply loves her and misses her. This is so good!
Thank you so much, Jacquie. It is a great honor to hear this from you. 🙂 You’re right, it’s hard to juggle everything when you have a young family and are ambitious like Jade is.
Oh, real life is so hard! How do people even talk to each other? Every little statement gets misunderstood, and then there’s dog hair in the cookie dough, flour on the floor, and cookies burning in the oven! Realism! I love it.
LOL Thank you, Cathy. Real life is hard, it’s true. And the hair in the cookie dough ewww. 😀
I recognized those poses immediately! Bee is so talented and very happy they got put to a good use!
Now onto the story. Sooo. I tend to agree with Bee, there is more going on than Kai making her feel guilty. Clearly she isn’t happy with the way he is raising “Velcro Baby”. She always tells him not to hold her so much. Jade is likely jealous of their relationship or maybe she’s bitter she has to be the ‘bread winner’ and can’t stay home with her? I hope it’s not more than that and they’ll work through it.
Thank you, Audrey. Bee’s poses are amazing!
I think you’re right that there is an underlying reason for Jade’s irritations. Your reasonings are probably close to the heart of the matter. Hopefully, as you mentioned, they’ll work through these problems.
I think they both feel guilty. Jade and Kai aren’t spending time together, and Jade isn’t spending time with the girls. Mom and Dad need a vacation away together. Have grandpa George watch the munchkins.
Thank you so much. Now, there is a great idea! 😀 I think you’re right that they both feel guilty. They need to reprioritize.
OH! and the poses looked awesome! Thank you for using them!
Thank you so much for making them! I had a lot of fun with this chapter.
Is he laying a huge guilt trip on her, or is she feeling guilty all on her own??!! Isn’t that the real question here? And if she is feeling guilty on her own, then maybe it’s time she changed some things in her life. Love that he is a supportive husband! I would expect nothing less from him now.
Thank you, Bee. That’s a good question, and really it’s something they need to figure out. It’s hard having a young family and figuring out how to balance everything.