Prompt: Veronica Mars: "After disaster strikes, the important thing is that you move on." -'Veronica Mars'
Dinner went smoothly at the Hummel household. Watching Kurt chat animatedly with his father, no traces of his earlier tears, made Kathleen smile. She just hope the mood wouldn't be ruined by dessert. Kurt had insisted on baking his dad's birthday cake by himself and the seven year old's first efforts had been far from perfect.
The kitchen had been a disaster area - powdered cake mix, a broken egg, and a half a bottle of vegetable oil having ended up places other than the mixing bowl. Kurt and the mixer had then had a battle, the results being cake batter on everything in the immediate area, including Kathleen and her son. Kurt had then set the timer wrong, resulting in the cake burning on the edges. The decorating job left something to be desired to, but Kurt had put his heart and soul into that cake so the mess had been worth it, including making her son take an early bath. Kathleen hoped Burt could hide any adverse reactions to it.
"Is it time for dessert yet?" Kurt asked, looking expectantly at his mother.
Though Kurt hadn't quite cleared his plate, Kathleen decided to let it go this one time. "Yes, I think we're ready for dessert. Do you want to go get the cake?" she asked, wanting a moment alone with her son.
"Yes," Kurt said, hoping own from his chair and scurrying for the kitchen.
"Don't run in the house," Burt called after him, Kurt immediately obeying the command.
"Your son made the cake himself this year," Kathleen said softly as Kurt disappeared into the kitchen. "I do know it's a little overcooked, but he tried his best so please try to smile no matter what it tastes like?"
Burt felt a wave of trepidation at the announcement. "Smile no matter what. Got it." Burt replied, not wanting to hurt his son's feelings no matter how the cake turned out.
Soon Kurt was walking back into the room carefully carrying the cake. "Happy Birthday, Dad," Kurt said happily as he placed the cake in front of his father.
"This looks great, Kiddo," Burt exclaimed though what he really wanted to do was laugh at the cake with the frosting that looked like a stormy ocean, shaky print lettering and crooked candles. "Did you do it yourself?"
"Except for putting it in and taking it out of the oven. Mommy didn't want me to burn myself."
"You did a great job," Burt told him as Kathleen started lighting the candles, discreetly straightening them as she went.
A short time later, Happy Birthday had been sung, the candles blown out, and three pieces cut.
"This is great, Kiddo," Burt said, after taking his first bite of the cake. And though it didn't taste the best and he had found an egg shell in it, the cake had been baked out of love and Burt would cherish it because of that.