25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020
Day 5 - Chloe's Smile
Author's Prompt: Chloe is sad over her Grandmother's death, and isn't smiling much. Beca and her daughter decide to make Christmas cookies to help Chloe get her smile back.
"I don't want to do this," Chloe whined as Beca stood at the kitchen counter, holding out a to-go coffee cup. "It's Christmas Eve."
"Then don't," Beca said, setting the cup on the counter in front of her. "I'm sure your folks will understand that you have Sophie and Santa to deal with."
"I can't stay home," Chloe said. "We have to get Grams' stuff out of her room at the nursing home today. They already have someone moving into the room the day after tomorrow."
"At Christmas? Really?" Beca said, coming around the counter and pulling Chloe into a hug. "It's only been a week since Grams died."
"I know," Chloe said, frowning as she heard the patter of two little feet coming through the living room.
Their three-year-old daughter, Sophie, came running into the kitchen. She squealed when she saw Chloe standing there.
"Mommy!" Sophie cried out. Seeing her mother dressed and ready to leave the house, she asked, "Where are you going?"
"I have to go help Grandma and Grandpa with something today, baby," Chloe said as a tear fell down her cheek. "Mommy will be back in time for dinner."
Sophie started running and quickly closed the distance between her and Chloe. Chloe bent down as Sophie launched herself into Chloe's arms. Chloe stood with Sophie in her arms. Sophie put her hands on Chloe's cheeks.
"I will miss you," Sophie whispered.
"I will miss you, too," Chloe whispered back, as she wiped the tear from her eye.
"You're going to be late," Beca said.
"I'm going," Chloe said.
"Let's swap," Beca said, reaching for Sophie, and placing her on her hip.
She used her free hand to give Chloe her coffee. Chloe leaned in and kissed Beca. She then kissed Sophie's cheek.
"Goodbye, my loves," Chloe said. "I'll see you when I get home."
"Bye, Mommy!" Sophie said and waved as Chloe made her way to the door leading to the garage.
"Give your folks a hug from us, babe," Beca said.
"I will," Chloe responded.
Beca and Sophie watched as Chloe went out the door to the garage. They heard the car start up and Chloe pull out of the garage.
"Mommy wasn't smiling," Sophie said. "Is Mommy still sad?"
"Yes, sweetie," Beca said. "Mommy's still sad. But, you know what?"
"What?"
"We're going to do something to make Mommy happy today."
"What are we gonna do?"
"We're going to make Christmas cookies!"
"Yay!" Sophie squealed and clapped. "Mommy loves Chwistmas cookies!"
"I know," Beca said. "They always make her smile."
"I miss Mommy's smile," Sophie said, frowning. "She has the best smile in the whole world."
"I agree," Beca said. "Let's make sure we have all the ingredients so we can start making cookies and make Mommy smile again."
"Okay," Sophie said, pushing against Beca to be put down.
Beca put Sophie down and Sophie went running to the pantry. She opened the door and looked back at Beca.
"What do we need?" Sophie asked. "I'll get it."
Beca laughed as she made her way over to Sophie. "We'll both get it. But, first, we'll have to decide what cookies we want to make and find the recipe."
"I like chocolate chip cookies," Sophie said. "And the cookies with sprinkles on them."
"I like those, too," Beca said. "And so does Mommy."
Beca went through the pantry and pulled out what ingredients they had on hand. She checked her recipes and made a list of grocery items she needed to get.
"Come on, Soph," Beca said, picking up the toddler. "We're going to the store."
"Then we can make cookies for Mommy?"
"Yes," Beca said. "Then we can make cookies for Mommy."
~~ Day 5 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Beca and Sophie had been home for about thirty minutes when Beca was presented with figuring out how to preheat the oven.
"Come on, Stacie," Beca whined through the phone. "Stop laughing and help me out."
Whining was not something Beca would ever admit to doing, but felt it was necessary in this situation.
"Just set the oven to the temperature you need," Stacie said. "And press start."
"How will I know when it's the right temperature?"
"It will beep to let you know it's ready."
"Huh," Beca said and set the temperature. She pressed start and smiled. "Okay, I started the preheat thingy. How do I set the timer when I put the cookies in?"
"Don't you pay attention when Chloe cooks or bakes?"
"I pay attention to Chloe when she cooks or bakes," Beca said. "I don't pay attention to what she's doing to the oven."
"You're such a softie for her," Stacie said, chuckling. "How about I come over and help you out? Chloe deserves to have something special done for her and I don't want her to get burned cookies. I'll be right over, okay?"
"Okay," Beca said. "Thanks, Stacie!"
Beca placed her phone down on the counter and looked at Sophie. "Aunt Stacie will be here soon to help with the cookies."
"Can we start without her?" Sophie asked, from her seat on the stool at the counter.
"Sure," Beca said, pulling the cookie cookbook toward her so they could read the recipe.
"We need a big bowl," Beca said, looking at the cabinets. She turned to Sophie and asked, "Soph, do you know where Mommy keeps the mixing bowls?"
Sophie pointed to one of the cabinets and Beca wasn't surprised to find the mixing bowls inside. Sophie was always in the kitchen with Chloe so, it stands to reason she'd know where things were.
"What about the standing mixer?"
Sophie pointed to the pantry and Beca went and, of course, found the standing mixer.
"Thanks, sweetie," Beca said, placing the mixer next to the mixing bowl.
"You welcome, mama," Sophie said with a big smile.
Beca placed the beaters into the mixer and set the mixing bowl in place. She then looked in the drawers and cabinets until she found the measuring cups and spoons. She grabbed the eggs out of the refrigerator.
After gathering all the ingredients for their first batch of cookies, Beca carefully measured the dry ingredients into a bowl and set it aside. She lifted the beaters out of the mixing bowl and read the next step in the recipe.
"Cream the butter and sugar together," Beca mumbled as she read the directions. "Sounds easy enough. Soph, can you hand me the butter, please?"
Sophie picked up a stick of butter and squeezed slightly. "It's squishy!"
"That's okay," Beca said, as Sophie handed her the butter. "It's supposed to be squishy. I need the other one, too."
Sophie handed Beca the second stick of butter. Beca continued asking Sophie to give her the ingredients. She placed everything into the mixing bowl and turned the mixer on; nothing happened. Beca saw that the mixer wasn't plugged into an outlet; she plugged it in just as the doorbell sounded. Beca looked at Sophie.
"That's Aunt Stacie," Beca said. "Don't touch anything. I'll be right back."
Beca opened the door and let Stacie in.
"I brought the ingredients for Aubrey's meringue Christmas cookies Chloe likes so much," Stacie said as they walked toward the kitchen.
There was a loud crash just as Beca stepped over the threshold into the kitchen. Beca's heart stopped as she rushed around the counter to see if Sophie was okay. Sophie had pulled over the bowl with the dry ingredients and was sitting in the middle of the floor covered in flour and sugar. Beca gingerly stepped through the flour and lifted Sophie into her arms. She glared at Stacie when she heard her best friend laughing.
"Are you okay, Soph?" Beca asked.
"Yes, Mama," Sophie said. "I'm okay."
"Want to tell me why we have flour and sugar all over the floor?"
"I was helping."
"Didn't I tell you not to touch anything while I was gone?"
"Yes," Sophie said, nodding her head up and down, throwing flour and sugar onto Beca.
"So, I'll ask again," Beca said, trying to brush off some of the flour and sugar from Sophie. "Why is there flour and sugar all over the floor?"
Sophie put both of her little flour-covered hands on Beca's cheeks and looked her in the eye as she said, "I. Was. Helping."
Stacie snorted, causing Beca to glare at her again. Stacie covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile.
"Stacie, we'll be right back," Beca said. "I have to change and clean this one up."
"I'll sweep up while you're gone," Stacie said. "And, just brush the flour out of Sophie's hair. If you try to wash it out, you'll just make a gummy mess and that will be harder to get out."
"I got this," Beca said.
"Sorry," Stacie said, holding up her hands in surrender. "I didn't mean to make it sound like you didn't. Go take care of Sophie. I'll clean this up while you two are gone."
"You don't have to do that," Beca said. "But, thanks."
Beca turned to walk upstairs, but quickly turned back when Stacie yelled out, "Wait!"
Beca frowned when she saw Stacie snap a photo of her and Sophie with her phone.
"I want Aubrey to see this," Stacie said, looking down at her phone.
"Whatever," Sophie said, causing Beca to laugh.
"That's Mama's line," Beca said, tickling Sophie as they went upstairs.
~~ Day 5 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
"Okay," Beca said as she closed the oven door. "That's the last batch. They should be ready just about the time Chloe gets home."
"And Mommy will smile?"
"I hope so, baby," Beca said. "Why don't we order pizza tonight and give Mommy a break from cooking?"
"Yay," Sophie squealed. "Pizza!"
"Do you want to watch a video until the cookies are ready?" Beca asked Sophie.
"Okay," Sophie said and left the kitchen with Beca following close behind.
Once Sophie was settled on the sofa, Beca went back to the kitchen.
"Chloe being sad is really getting to Sophie isn't it?" Stacie asked as Beca walked back into the kitchen.
"Yeah," Beca said sitting at the counter across from Stacie. "She misses Chloe's smile and mentions it all the time."
"Your wife can surely put anyone in a good mood when she smiles," Stacie said.
"That's true," Beca said, smiling softly. "She'll see a stranger on the street who looks unhappy with the world and smiles at them. Their faces will light up and they look happier, all from seeing her smile. She's amazing."
"Well, you and Sophie baking cookies for her is sure to bring her smile back," Stacie said. "Even if it's just for a little while."
"I hope so," Beca said.
"I should get home," Stacie said, standing as she stood. "Aubrey's taking me out to dinner and I want to have time to get ready. Let me know how the cookies go over and give Chloe my love."
"I will," Beca said. "And, thanks for your help today. I'm sure Chloe will call later to thank you for the meringue cookies."
"I was happy to do it for her," Stacie said, as Beca followed her to the living room.
"Sophie, Aunt Stacie is leaving," Beca said, getting the toddler's attention.
"Bye, Aunt Tacie," Sophie said.
Stacie kissed the top of Sophie's head. "Goodbye, sweet girl."
"Talk to you later, Beca," Stacie as she opened the door and walked out.
"Bye," Beca called after Stacie. Beca looked at Sophie, "Mama's going to clean the kitchen before Mommy gets home. You stay out here unless you need something, okay?"
"Okay, Mama," Sophie said, turning back to her video.
Beca walked into the kitchen to survey the mess she made and shook her head.
"Chloe's going to kill me," Beca mumbled as she thought about where to start cleaning first.
"Mommy!" Beca heard Sophie squeal, followed by the front door closing.
"Hey, baby," Chloe said. "Where's Mama?"
"Kitchen," Sophie said, pointing toward the kitchen.
"Beca!" Chloe's voice made Beca freeze.
Beca looked over her shoulder to see Chloe, standing in the doorway, frowning as she looked around the kitchen.
"I can explain," Beca said.
"Explain what?" Chloe asked, standing with her arms crossed over her chest. "When I left this morning, this place was spotless. Now I have to clean this mess before I can even think about making dinner."
"I got dinner covered," Beca said. "I promised Sophie we'd order pizza tonight. And don't worry about this mess. I'll clean it."
"You bet your ass you will," Chloe said. She took in a deep breath and let it out. "I'm going to go lie down for a bit."
Chloe didn't say anything more and walked out of the kitchen. Sophie came in and ran over to Beca.
"Mommy's not smiling," Sophie said with tears in her eyes.
"I know, baby," Beca said, wiping Sophie's face. "She's upset with mama because I messed up the kitchen."
Sophie laid her head on Beca's shoulder and Beca held her tightly to her. Sophie sniffled a few times and Beca rocked her back and forth.
"Can we have cookies, now?" Sophie asked, with a pout.
Beca chuckled and said, "You sure are your mother's daughter."
She reached for a chocolate chip cookie and handed it to Sophie. Sophie bit into it and smiled.
"Mmmmm," Sophie said. "Dese are good."
Beca smiled. "I have an idea. Let's take Mommy some cookies. See if we can make her smile."
"Okay," Sophie said.
Beca sat Sophie on the stool by the counter and grabbed a plate. "Which kind should we take her?"
"That one," Sophie said, pointing to the chocolate chip cookies. "And that one. And one of those."
Beca placed two of each cookie Sophie chose on the plate. She poured some milk into a glass.
"Let's go, Soph," Beca said, picking up the milk and the cookies.
Beca used her back to push open the kitchen door and followed Sophie out. They quietly made their way up to Beca and Chloe's bedroom. Beca stopped them outside the door.
"Here," Beca whispered, handing the plate of cookies to Sophie. "You give these to Mommy."
"Okay," Sophie said, holding the plate tightly, using both hands.
Beca slowly turned the knob and opened the door so Sophie could enter.
"Mommy?" Sophie said.
"Yeah, baby?" Chloe said, sitting up on the bed.
"We bringeded you some cookies," Sophie said, walking slowly over to where Chloe was sitting.
Chloe smiled when Sophie stopped in front of her.
"Mama, look!" Sophie squealed and turned to look at Beca. Her movements caused some cookies to fall off the plate. "Mommy's smile is back."
Chloe grabbed the plate to save the rest of the cookies. "Careful, baby," she said, her smile wider. "Did you make these?"
"Yep," Sophie said. "Me and Mama and Aunt Tacie made them, just for you. They're good!"
"I'm sure they are," Chloe said, smiling at Sophie's excitement.
Chloe looked at Beca, leaning against the door, holding a glass of milk.
"Is that for me?"
"Um, yeah."
Beca walked over and handed Chloe the milk.
"Thanks," Chloe said, quietly. She held up the plate of cookies and said, "So, this is why the kitchen is such a mess."
"Yeah," Beca said, sitting next to Chloe and lifting Sophie onto her lap. "Sophie wanted to do something to get your smile back. Sorry about the mess."
"No," Chloe said. "I should be apologizing to you. I'm sorry for yelling at you about the mess."
Chloe bit into a cookie and smiled at Sophie. "You're right, Soph. These are good!"
"Told you," Sophie said, taking a cookie and biting into it. "I like the sprinkles."
"You made me Aunt Brey's famous meringue cookies, too?" Chloe asked, picking one up and biting into the airy confection.
"Stacie made those," Beca said. "You know Aubrey won't give me her recipe, no matter how many times I ask."
Chloe smiled and laughed. Sophie smiled, too, because she was happy to see her Mommy smiling again.
~~ Day 5 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Later that night, Chloe was tucking Sophie into bed so Santa would come. Chloe leaned down to kiss Sophie goodnight.
"I'm glad you got your smile back, Mommy," Sophie whispered.
"Thank you for helping me get my smile back, baby," Chloe whispered back. "I love you, sweet girl."
"I love you, too, Mommy," Sophie said before turning over and closing her eyes.
Once Chloe was sure Sophie was asleep, she quietly left Sophie's room and went downstairs to find Beca. She walked into the kitchen just as Beca tossed the sponge into the sink.
"Hey, babe," Beca said, walking over to Chloe. "All done. Now, I know it's not quite Chloe Beale clean, but it is about two steps up from the normal Beca Mitchell clean."
Chloe smiled and pulled Beca into a hug.
"Sophie's already asleep," Chloe said, giving a Beca a quick kiss. "Let's go upstairs."
"Mmm," Beca said, pulling Chloe closer and waggling her eyebrows. "Whatever do you have in mind?"
"Well," Chloe said, kissing Beca again and walking backward, pulling Beca by the hem of her shirt. "Santa has a lot of work to do before she can go to bed."
Beca's smile dropped.
Chloe laughed as she turned around a ran upstairs.
Beca sighed and followed Chloe.