Chapter 12 – Mickey Tries to Cook

"Look, Look. Do you see it?"

"Yes, I see."

"It's so cute and small."

"Indeed it is."

"And how fast its tiny heart beats..." like two lovebird the mice chirped in the doctor's office. Mickey laid on the bed, hand in hand with Minnie, staring at the ultrasound screen. Both of them had tearful eyes as they watched their offspring, cooing about its tiny feet and hands. Clearly heard the rapid heart throbs.

"As I see everything looks great." noted Dr. Wulf, examining with the eyes "Every organ is on the right place, so do the limbs. Now we can determine its gender too." Mickey changed a look with his mate before he slowly shook his head.

"We'd like to keep it as a surprise, if you don't mind." said and kissed Minnie's hand, who nuzzled her beloved's cheek. Oscar rolled his eyes and scribbled something into his notes.

"If you want... And how do you feel, Mr Mouse?"

"Just perfect. Finally my appetite is normal..." grinned Mickey.

"More than normal." noted Minnie with a chuckle "You eat a bit too much."

"Maybe its a problem? I'm eat for two." the male sat up and patted his belly before he pulled wown the shirt. "And I'm full with energy."

"That's normal in your condition. Now you just need to stay healthy and put on some weight."

"Haha, you can count on me, doc." smirked Mickey, huffing as he hopped off the bed. Minnie helped not to lose his balance.

"Good, then slowly you can join a course either." told him Oscar, writing some data into his notes.

"Courses? What kind of courses?" raised his brow the male.

"Maternity courses, of course." sighed the doctor "There they teach you for the new life before the baby arrives."

"Ha? I already read those damned books. I don't need any kind of lessons, a-ah! I won't go, no way!" protested Mickey immediately, shaking his head stubbornly.

"Hyay, why you make my job harder..." muttered to himself Oscar, rubbing his temples with two fingers "It's recommended for every woman who's expecting a child. They will show everything you have to know. And I don't accept no as an answer."

"But I say, heck n-"

"We go!" interrupted Minnie, tugging her mate's arm "Of course we will be there, right, Mickey?" glared at the male with a sour look. Mickey pouted and hunched his shoulders before he let out a sharp sigh.

"...yeah..." grumbled the answer through his teeth.

"Excellent. I'll do the registration for you. Soon you can go and join the class. Here's the address." Minnie snatched out the small card.

"Thanks doc, we will be there." waved the girl and they left the clinic.

"I can't believe you accepted it." frowned Mickey on the passenger's seat.

"Of course I did. We need some lesson like that."

"But there we will do nothing but huff and puff like whales on the coast."

"Who said this silliness? Just not your brother?" raised a brow Minnie, then sighed "Listen dear, I know this is against your ego, but please, we just want the best for you and the baby."

"I know..." lowered his head the mouse, softly caressing his abdomen "Just whenever I think this can't be worse, it always does."

"I know, but I'm with you. Remember, I'm your partner who protect your butt." winked at him Minnie with a kind smile. Mickey finally chuckled.

"You're right. What should I do without you, dear."

"Hm... nothing?" joked the girl, grinning at her mate.

"hey! I'm not that dummy!" nudged her Mickey laughing, reassured from the previous decision.


In the following dawn Minnie was awakened by some loud noise, that even made the bed shake a little. She shut her ears and turned around to face with the source. Mickey slept on his side with legs pulled up, hugging his own pillow. His mouth was open, shimmering stream of saliva flew out of the corner, wetting the 'tortured' cushion on a spot. Sometimes he let out a soft groan or mumble as he moved a little.

Since his tummy was too big, he needed to change his sleeping position. Mickey loved to rest on his tummy, digging his nose into the warm pillow, but the baby 'forced him' to sleep on his side, that was unfamiliar and uncomfortable for him. And, to make things worse, the newest side effects of pregnancy appeared on him.

First one was the snoring. Minnie never heard such beastly noises from the male, like in the past few days, giving her long, sleepless times. The second of the many trouble was that damn peeing urge. Poor boy, no matter if he wanted or not, nature called him in every half an hour, giving him the great ability of 'homerun' from the saloon to the toilet. Beside these annoying little problems he felt really happy and energetic.

Minnie watched his cute face and smiled. Gently caressed Mickey's cheek, then crawled closer, resting her head right next to his belly. Softly pressed her face against the skin, listening every little noise that might belong to their baby. She closed her eyes and, trying to not awaken her mate she began to hum a sweet melody for the offspring. She heard about this in the guide they read. Soft words and music calms the baby.

She couldn't help, but for a moment Minnie wished if she can feels what Mickey goes through. One hand touched the male's abdomen, the other was placed onto her own, caressing them at the same time. Minnie tried to imagine the baby growing inside her belly.

She didn't notice, but Mickey was wide awaken and watched her with sad eyes. He felt sympathy toward the female. If he could he would change the situation with her. He wanted to make her happy somehow, anyhow...

He heard as Minnie let out a little sigh and got up slowly. She dressed up and left the room quietly. After the door closed Mickey sat up and stared into the semi-dark.

"Oh Minnie..." muttered sadly the male, resting a hand on his belly "I wish I could help you..." he then got an idea. Slowly he sneaked out the room and went downstairs. He found Minnie in the kitchen, sitting by the table, twirling her coffee mused.

"Morning." greeted her Mickey as he stepped behind the female, wrapped his arms around her tiny frame. Minnie twitched startled.

"M-Mickey! M-maybe I awakened you?" stammered the girl, afraid he might saw the previous scene in the bedroom.

"No, you didn't." reassured her Mickey with a nuzzle "I just didn't find you in the bed, so I came down to see you."

"Oh... I see..." exhaled the female, but tried to avoid the eye contact with her mate.

"Something is wrong, dear?" asked the male, noticing her cold emotions.

"Nothing. I'm fine..."

"You sure?"

"Yes, but if you don't mind... I have to go to work." Minnie gently forced his hands off her waist and stood up. Before Mickey could say anything she grabbed her pack and rushed to the door, almost bumping into a newcomer.

"Woah, morning." jumped behind Oswald, startled by the girl.

"Hi Oswald, bye Oswald..." she didn't care about the rabbit, Minnie jumped into the car and drove away, leaving the confused boys behind.

"O-kay... now what is her problem?" raised a brow Oswald as he entered. Mickey lowered his head.

"I think it's my fault." he said "She's sad because she can't have the same feelings I do. I'm ashamed."

"Don't be." touched his shoulder Oswald "Ya do this for her happiness, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, still..." they went into the kitchen, where Mickey began to make breakfast for himself "It's not cool seeing her like this. I want to make her happy somehow."

"Do ya have any ideas maybe?" the hare leaned his back against the table.

"I wish I would have any..."

"Hmm... now if you stay at home all say, why not make her something great? Women love when their mate cook a romantic meal for two." suggested Oswald.

"I don't think Minnie would like my cheese-ham-ham-tomato and cheese sandwich." sighed Mickey, munching his breakfast.

"Then ya have to try something different! I help ya." offered his help the rabbit and walked to the shelf, picking out a cooking book "Lemme see. We need something easy, yet delicious, like... this!" pointed at one recipe, showing it to the male.

"Pasta?" raised a brow Mickey.

"Sure! It's not a big deal to cook. And I'm sure Minnie will be happy if she sees the meal." told him Oswald. The mouse hummed for a second, then nodded with a smile.

"You're right. Let's do it."

"Good. I help ya with the prepare. We need... pasta, meat, tomato, sauce..." the rabbit read the recipe aloud, while Mickey checked the fridge and the cupboard for ingredients.

"I found some pasta, but we don't have any tomato or meat."

"Then we have to go to the market." stated the rabbit-

"To the market? Oh no way..."

"Remember bro, ya do this for Minnie."

"Ugh, you're right... Then give me a minute... I have to change." groaned Mickey and went upstairs. When he returned Oswald couldn't resist a snort.

"Don't. Say. A word." hissed the mouse, putting his hands onto his waist. He wore one of those baggy young mother dress with trousers and bow. Even his lips had some rouge and a pretty necklace.

"Wow bro... ya kinda cute." chuckled the rabbit.

"Just shut up and gimme a ride!" shoved his shoulder Mickey angry.

"Okay, okay, sorry, but... wow. You really look like Minnie. Even the make up..." Oswald continued the giggle.

"I must. If I don't want the others recognize the switch. Now shall we go?" Mickey picked up a pretty purse and went outside. Oswald kept up the snickering on the way they rode to the city's market on his scooter.

When they arrived to the market Mickey smoothed his dress and went into the building, alongside with the rabbit. The mouse was a bit nervous. He didn't really went outside without his mate. His hands trembled a little on the shopping cart he carried along.

"Hey, are ya nervous?" raised a brow Oswald as he walked next to the mouse.

"Of course I'm nervous." whispered back Mickey "I wasn't here since I... you know..." his eyes moved from left to right, searching for the ingredients.

"Don't worry. Ya'r Minnie right now. Nobody will be suspicious."

"I hope..." muttered the mouse, when his cart almost knocked into another one "O-oh sorry!" yelped the male, then recognized the other customer.

"Minnie! Ah good to see you." it was Ortensia with, at least five bunny kid bouncing around "...and Oswald. I thought you're at work."

"I do. I'm just taking a break and help Minnie out a little." fidgeted the rabbit "S-she wants to cook something for her mate and asked me for a ride."

"Ah I see... Then if you have this much time, you can come and help me too." glared at him Ortensia with sour eyes. Oswald hunched his shoulders.

"Y-yes dear..."

"Daddy's being scolded. Daddy's being scolded." chanted the bunny children laughing.

"Ha-ha, verrrry funny. Can you do the rest alone, Minnie?" turned the male to Mickey.

"Uhm yes. Can I borrow your scooter?"

"Sure, just not crash it." sighed Oswald and gave him the keys "Well... see ya..." waved and followed his family. Mickey glanced after them, then sighed with a soft smile and he also continued his tour. He quickly bought the ingredients and, with Oswald's scooter drove home. Took the food onto the kitchen table and put on an apron.

"Alright, let's do it." opened the cookbook and began to work.

Less than a half hour later he deeded to admit, making food is hard, even the easiest pasta. He almost chopped his finger as he cut up the vegetables. The meat was burnt, the pasta was over boiled. In the evening the whole kitchen was a war zone. But he finished. Just in time. He placed the meal onto the dining table, decorated with candles, two glassed, flowers to give a look of a romantic dinner.

"This will be nice." smiled Mickey on the result, then he heard the door open.

"I'm home." sounded Minnie's tired voice. Mickey rushed into the hall and embraced his mate.

"Welcome back dear." nuzzled her the male "How was your day?"

"Kinda... slow." muttered Minnie. She avoided the eye contact again.

"Then I hope you're hungry, cause I made you dinner." said Mickey and gently pulled her to the dining room. When she saw the table, Minnie's jaw dropped for the first time.

"T-this is for me? B-but why?" stammered, but Mickey, without answer settled her down and he sat on the opposite side.

"Try it." kindly urged her the male. Minnie blinked at the strange looking pasta, then grabbed her fork.

"Well... bon appetite." said and took the first bite. For a very long moment she froze, then, with a grimace she swallowed.

"Is here something wrong?" asked curiously Mickey.

"Ehm... n-not bad... maybe a b-bit salty..." forced a smile the girl. Mickey also took a small piece to taste it, but spit it out in the very next second.

"Ugh, it's gross!" groaned angry, then his face turned sad and desperate.

"N-no it isn't." Minnie tried to reassure him.

"But yes it is! Dammit!" Mickey's eyes filled up with tears.

"I-It's alright Mick..."

"It's not alright. I...I wanted to male you happy, but I screwed it." sobbed the boy into his palms.

"Happy? Mickey dear, what are you talking about?" glanced at him Minnie confused.

"I saw it. I...I saw you sad... in the morning a-and I felt guilty... for stealing your happiness." Mickey touched his belly "T-that's why I wanted to make y-you happy... with a meal... but I ruined everything."

"Oh Mickey..." Minnie's heart almost teared apart. She quickly avoided the table and embraced her mate "I'm very sorry. Indeed I was sad, but now I'm fine. Please don't cry." caressed his fluffy head and ears.

"B-but..." whimpered into her clothes the male "I failed..."

"No you didn't. Your kindness made me happy."

"R-really?" blinked upon her Mickey with red, tearful eyes. Minnie nodded and smooched his nose.

"Yes. Thank you so much, Mickey. You're the best." the male sniffed, but finally a soft smile appeared on his cheek. Minnie wiped the tears off and kissed him lovingly.

"You know what? I'm hungry for your favorite 'cheese-ham-ham-tomato and cheese' sandwich. Shall we make one?" Mickey cheered up and kissed her back.

"Right away, my love."

End of Chapter 12.