"Mama," Angelina enunciated loudly as she crouched in front of Freddy's highchair. Her braids were cascading down the back of her old Queen t-shirt. Her sweatpants were riding low on her hips, and she was watching their son with an intense gaze, trying to get him to focus.

"Dada," Freddy said enthusiastically before swinging a spoonful of mashed pees into his mother's face.

George sat up quickly and coughed to cover up his laugh.

Angelina shot him a dark look as she wiped the green mush off her cheek.

It was Saturday, and he'd left the store manager in charge today so he could spend time with his family. Now that it was January, the Christmas rush was over, and George could enjoy his down time before he headed back to the shop to start experimenting again. He'd almost perfected a potion that would turn wearers hair any color they wanted. He'd yet to convince Angelina to try it, but that was on his list of things to do today. Judging by the look on her face, though, he had a lot of buttering up to do before he asked that.

Freddy had started to pick up words in the last month. Normally, he just jabbered nonsequential nonsense, but sometimes, he'd pull something from his aquarium of words to fling at his parents. Mama was not a part of that aquarium.

"I don't know why I even bother," Angelina muttered, standing up and heading over to the sink. Their kitchen was a bright space, with light Holly cabinets and sky blue wallpaper. A large window over the sink let the sunshine creep over the table. The fridge was pressed back against the wall near the doorway to the dining room with the stove parallel to it. They'd have more room if they hadn't put a small table in here, but George couldn't get used to the idea of eating in the dining room. This space felt more familial to him. They only used the dining room when they had company over.

Freddy happily went back to his peas, rambling on about 'ba,' and 'ta,' and 'ha,' oblivious to this mother's annoyance. While Angelina washed her hands, George leaned over and wiped some of the peas off his son's cheek. He was a cute little bugger. His birthday was next month, and it still amazed George how quickly he'd grown.

His hair had just been cut a few days ago, and Angelina had it smoothed down against his head today. His skin was now a few shades lighter than Angelina's, more of a russet brown. His eyes were a mix between Angelina's deep mahogany and his light hazel, but he still had the same rounded corners that George did, as well as the same crooked grin. In his not all biased opinion, he had the prettiest kid out of all his siblings, and he would argue that fact until he stopped breathing.

Freddy reached for him then, grinning to show off his two new front teeth. George lifted him out of his highchair and fixed the baby in the crook of his arm, then stood up to look for a rag to clean him up with. Angelina beat him to it. Leaning her back against the edge of the sink, she beckoned him over to her, wet rag dangling between her fingers. When Freddy was in reach, Angelina gently began to wipe his sticky hands off as he babbled loudly.

Something like pride filled his chest as he stood there, letting Angelina wipe off their baby. He'd never imagined being this domestic with anyone. Of course, he'd imagined having kids, and when he'd started seeing Angelina, he'd imagined having them with her. It had never been a clear picture though. It was always diluted, like an image in water; he was able to see it, but nothing more. It could never compare to the bliss that was currently filling his heart.

"You're a contrary little thing," she said, shaking her head.

"He gets that from you," George said.

Angelina shot him another dark look. As she sat the rag on the counter, Freddy reached for her and Angelina lifted him from the crook of George's arm, sitting him on her hip. Reaching behind her, the baby smacked the window over the sink, his eyes glued on the snow outside.

"Little cold for you, isn't it?" George said.

"Dada," Freddy said as he banged on the window again. He looked over at George before banging on the window again.

"Well, Dada, sounds like you should get him ready to go outside," Angelina said smugly.

George pinched her side for that cheeky remark. Laughing, Angelina swung away from him, Freddy squawking loudly as he was pulled away from the window. Quickly, George lounged after her, barely managing to avoid the kitchen table as he did so. By now, Freddy was giggling as he watched his dad chase after him. She almost made it through the kitchen door before George caught her around the waist and hauled her back into his chest.

Angelina giggled as he buried his nose into her neck.

An overwhelming feeling of joy crowded his lungs while Freddy giggled madly and Angelina leaned back into him, the biggest smile on her face. He tried to find words that would express how happy he was in this moment, how grateful he was for both of them, but nothing was sufficient enough. There were no good words for how he felt about his family in their little house on this perfect Saturday.

"I love you," George finally said, pressing the words against Angelina's neck and trying to burn them into her skin so she'd know how much he meant them.

"I love you, too," she breathed. Her free hand found the back of his hair, and she gently messaged the back of his head. "C'mere."

George dragged his nose up her neck, along her jaw, until he found her mouth.

Angelina's hand tightened in his hair.

"Ma."

Angelina pulled away from him with a shocked gasp. "You said it!" she yelled happily as she turned back to their son.

"Traitor," George muttered with a grin.