"Oootouuusaaan!"

Yuuri looked up at the sound of his daughter's delighted voice coming towards him. He hurriedly put down the mixing bowl he was holding in order to catch the small body hurtling towards him. She hit him full-on, almost knocking him off balance. He gasped for air as his daughter's bright face looked up from his stomach and beamed. "Hi, Otousan!"

He couldn't stop a chuckle from escaping his lips as he answered, "Hello there, Aki. Can I help you with something?"

She shook her head and squeezed him more tightly around the middle. "Nope. I just love you."

Instantly, his heart melted. He bent down and kissed her on the top of her dark hair. "I love you too."

Swaying a little, she asked, "Can I stay here and watch you? I'm bored."

"Sure, I suppose so. I'm just making some cookies."

"Okay!" Letting go of her otousan abruptly, Aki skipped over to where Makkachin was supervising the work and began petting the poodle.

Yuuri gave them an affectionate look before turning back to the counter. As he cracked some eggs, he asked, "So why are you bored?"

Aki answered from behind him, "I dunno. There's just nothing to do. It's so boring being all alone."

Yuuri glanced at his daughter quickly, and saw that her face did indeed look a little morose. He felt a small twinge at the sight. He knew that being an only child was probably tiring for her sometimes. He certainly had been grateful for his sister's company when he was a child. Well, at least most of the time. He replied carefully, "You'll see your friends at school tomorrow, won't you?"

A sigh. "Yeah, but I'm bored right now."

"Is Papa busy?" The two of them were usually thick as thieves, pulling pranks or watching some corny old movie together.

A pout came through the little voice as Aki answered, "He has work to do."

"Aah, I see. That is upsetting."

"Yeah."

"Hmm. Do you want to help me mix the cookies, then?" He turned around to look at his daughter.

"Yeah!" She jumped up from where she had been petting Makkachin, excitement plastered all over her face.

"Okay, go wash your hands while I finish combining all the ingredients."

"Hai!" She scrambled over to the kitchen sink, pulling her plastic stool into place so she could reach the faucet. She dutifully used soap and hummed a short song to herself as she scrubbed before rinsing off her hands. Kicking the stool over next to Yuuri, she hopped back up on it and expectantly held out her hands.

"Just a second, I'm putting in a few last things." Yuuri added salt and vanilla, then scooted the bowl over so it was in front of the excited little girl. "Here you are. Remember to start slowly as you mix so you don't get the flour everywhere."

"Okay!" With exaggerated care, Aki began swirling the mixing spoon in the bowl, slowly combining the cookie dough.

As she mixed, Yuuri's husband entered the kitchen. Yuuri smiled at him as he came over and kissed first his spouse and then his daughter. "Are you done with your work then?"

Victor nodded, making his silver locks sway into his eyes. "Da. I just needed to make a couple updates. Sorry I couldn't play with you, printsesa." He bent down so his mournful eyes were level with his daughter's dark brown ones.

She puffed her cheeks at him and turned away. "Don't bother me right now. I'm busy mixing."

Victor laughed brightly. "Oh, I'm sorry, malyshka. I didn't mean to distract you. I'll bother Otousan instead." He shifted his body so he was directly in front of Yuuri. He smiled disarmingly and wrapped his hands around Yuuri's waist. "So, sakharok, how are you?"

Yuuri felt the corner of his mouth prick up despite himself. "I'm fine. We're making some cookies."

"Just fine? Maybe you need some love so you can feel better." He grinned, and Yuuri felt his stomach flip over. He pressed his body slightly into his spouse's and murmured agreement.

"Hmm, maybe I do."

"Close your eyes, muzh moy. I'll give you a surprise."

Obediently, Yuuri shut his eyes and waited expectantly for the kiss he wanted. But instead of a sweet pressure on his lips, he felt something moist rub against the end of his nose.

Frowning, he flicked his eyes open and saw the mirthful face of his husband. Stepping back, he reached up a hand to his face, saying, "Vitya, what did you do?" His hand came away from his nose smeared with cookie dough. He stared at it as Victor's eyes sparkled with laughter.

"Vitya!"

"Yes, that's me!"

Yuuri grabbed a paper towel to wipe his nose off as he grumbled, "What is wrong with you? Crazy Russian."

As he was giving an extra swipe to make sure his face was clean, Aki's little voice piped up, "I'm done mixing the cookies, Otousan! I'm going to watch some TV." She hopped off her stool and dashed out of the kitchen.

Yuuri smiled after her. Aki never seemed to walk anywhere. She was always in such a rush to live life. He turned back to his husband, who was standing between him and the mixing bowl. Trying to summon up a frown, he said, "Can you pass me the bowl? I need to get the cookies on a pan."

"Sure, lapochka." Victor thrust the bowl into his spouse's hands. Yuuri looked down at it, and yelped. He nearly dropped the bowl, but luckily Victor's hands were still on it, and it was caught in mid-air.

Yuuri scrambled backwards, looking apprehensively into the bowl. "There's a spider in there! Get it out!"

The silver head dipped down over the bowl. "Oh, you mean this?" Victor fished a hand inside and lifted out a plastic toy spider.

As Yuuri stared wordlessly at the toy, Aki's voice called from the living room, "Did you find the surprise, Otousan?"

Victor snorted in laughter at the question, and Yuuri focused his ire entirely on him. "Geez, that kid is just like you!"

Victor widened his eyes in mock innocence. "Wonderful?"

Yuuri glared at him. Victor tried again.

"Charming?"

The glare deepend.

"Light of your life?"

Yuuri let out a huff and walked past his husband out of the kitchen. As he exited, Victor's voice called after him.

"SUPER COOL?"

A smile pulled at his mouth against his will. Even if his family was crazy, it was still his…surprises and all.