“That’s not how Mommy does it.”

His pint-sized assistant chef watched every move with her eagle eye and had done nothing but complain from the moment he’d tied her little red apron around her waist.

“Okay – what does Mommy do differently?” He wasn’t a fool, if he wanted to get out of this kitchen any time soon he’d have to fold. A strong man always knew when he was bested.

“She shifts it first.”

“Shifts it?” Baffled, he looked at his daughter quizzically.

She giggled. “Silly Daddy. Everybody knows you gotta shift the flour into another bowl before you put it in the cake batter.”

Making a comical face that left her rolling on the floor, he stepped over her writhing form and fetched another bowl. “Shift it, huh?” It made no sense, but then the kitchen wasn’t usually his domain. He dumped the mixture from the earthenware bowl into the big red plastic bowl. “There, happy now?” he asked, whereupon the pint-sized version of his wife climbed back onto her stool, dropping her head into her hands she shook it woefully and asked in a tone perilously close to a whine, “Is Mommy ever going to come back home?”


"Not soon enough," he mumbled pathetically, wondering why he had agreed to any of this in the first place. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy having time alone with his daughter. They had a regular playdate every Saturday, picking from an assortment of activites such as baseball or hockey games to hiking, biking or fishing. They had even been to a few children's plays. And if the weather wasn't cooperating, they cuddled in the den with a warm fire and threw in one of their favorite DVD's.

"You'll be fine," Sue had said, giving her husband a peck on the cheek. "Think of it as an extended playdate." And before he could begin to change his mind, she had scooted out the door and into Lucy's waiting car, leaving Jack holding the hand of a four year old angel, already babbling off an endless list of endevors for the two of them to undertake. Number three on the list....bake a cake.


"He's not listening to me." She spoke matter-of-factly, wriggling her way off her stool. Her blonde ponytail kept time to her march from the counter to the cupboard by the pantry. "It's in here somewhere. Do you see it? Oh. Right. Got it. Thanks." A few clatters and clanks later she emerged triumphantly from the baking pan cupboard, waving the ancient tin and screen "shifter" in the air. "Found it, Daddy." Skipping happily back to her post, she tossed it in the direction of the red bowl. "Now you can do it right."

Jack ran his hand through his hair, staring at the odd contraption. "Maybe you'd like to show me how this works, Sweetie." A fit of giggles from his pink-cheeked pixie of a daughter had him raising an eyebrow in question. "Something funny, Miss Emma Lee Hudson?"

"You look like Grandpa!" she squealed, pointing at his hair and doubling over again in mirth.

One glance at the dusting of white powder still lodged in the creases of his palm had the fumbling father rolling his eyes. Bet I'll have real gray hairs before the weekend is over. He glanced at the clock, hardly believing it only read half past seven. "How about a bath and a long bedtime story?"

"Daddy..." Emma pouted, pointing toward the bowl. "You promised you'd make a cake. It's Mommy's favorite recipe."

"It's a recipe for disaster, if you ask me," her daddy growled, deftly sweeping her from the stool and tickling her belly.

"It is not! It's one of Pammie's bestest cakes! Just ask Grace. She'll tell you."

Well ... Pammie's bestest cake recipe may just end up being re-written

I'm so excited to see this story, Jill!!!! This is going to be great and I can't wait for more!!!!!!

Em

SO CUTE! I love it so far, great job.

That's okay....he'd look great with gray hair too.

Great start!

Jill just for this I will share my few remaining strawberry chocolate crumble bars!

Well, YeeHaw! I'm glad to see a Jill story again!

Kim

that was so sweet more soon please jill
Lin

Emma is a spitfire! Watch out daddy! Very cute Jill! Love it!

jack with grey hair would still be drop dead hot and yummy

cath

I'm soooooo excited to find this here after my terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day! And I squealed when I read this which makes me wonder about this

kav

"Now Emma, we've been through this before." Jack harrumphed his hapless half-pint over his shoulder and headed toward the stairs. Despite the fact that Sue deemed it "normal" for their daughter to have an imaginary friend, theirs seemed to have a full-fledged feathered fleet, from what he could tell. He had given up on trying to keep their names straight, let alone personalities. He had been forgiven for stepping on wings and even for accidentally tossing a few of the unseeable seraphs into the garbage. He did his best to keep his daughter and wife happy in all things considered "little friends", except for the day Emma warned that one of them was going to "crack him upside the head wif a two and a four." After that, he insisted that they not be a part of their playdates, and to his relief Saturdays had been cheerfully cherub free. "Remember? Your little friends aren't allowed to be here when it's our time together."

"But that's just on Saturdays," she chirped, steading herself by latching onto the back of his shirt collar. "This is Fridderday."

"She's right. It is. And she's also right about the cake, if I say so myself," Grace sighed, closing her eyes as her lips sealed around another morsel of fine confection. "It's the bestest."

"Daddy, Grace just said 'It's the bestest.' See. Told you so."

Silencing the grumble deep within his chest, Jack planted a playful swat to his daughter's derriere before lowering her to the tile floor. "If you say so. Now, would you like bubbles in your bath, sweetie-pie, or just toys?" He dropped the drain in place and began to run the water.

"Toys...the pontoon boat. Grace likes to float on it."

"Only if you don't make too many waves. Remember the last sail? I was pretty seasick.... And after eating all of this cake....." Grace burped and hiccuped simultaneously, barely covering her mouth in time. "Excuuuuuse me," she giggled, fluttering over to the the towel rack to wait. "Sure wish Pammie was here. She could use a nice relaxing cruise."

"Daddy, what's a dipillmat?" Emma tugged her pink t-shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor.

Befuddled, Jack glanced over his shoulder before readjusting the water temperature. "You mean a diplomat?"

"Yeah. That's it." Pulling at the snap on her pants, Emma stomped her foot in frustration. "Daddy, help."

"Suck it in," he teased, poking her belly with his finger before releasing the waistband.

"Don't Daddy," she giggled, pushing his hand away. "My belly's not as big as Grace's....or Gabby's. Gabby's going to have babies....a whole flock! She's married to Cupid, you know."

"You don't say," Jack answered, wondering how the conversation had gone from the word diplomat to a flock of baby cupids. "So back to the diplomat thing....Did Mommy teach you that word?"

"Nope. Grace said Pammie is a dipillmat. And a good one."

"Oh." He watched as Emma tested the water with her big toe. "Temperature okay?"

"Yes. Grace doesn't like it too hot. She says it makes her hair go flat." Settling at one end of the tub, Emma gently set the pontoon boat on the water, being careful to make as few waves as possible. "There you go, Grace."

Jack shook his head. She made it all so believable. He couldn't remember much about being four, but he was certain that he didn't have any invisible friend, or if he did, he hoped it was at least life-sized. "Want me to stay?"

"Only if you promise not to drown Grace. She's not a very good swimmer, you know."

"No, I didn't know." He dug through the toys, pulling out a wind-up boat and a rubber duck, dropping them both into the tub.

Jill, this is wonderful! It looks like Jack definitely has his hands full with Emma and the cherubs.

Kim

Remind me not to eat or drink while I read




Don't drown, Grace !!!

I think Jack is getting off easy with cherubs. I once had an entire "team" (hockey, baseball, whatever the sport of the day) living at my house!

As for cake is it chocolate twinkie or white with lemon? Both are good!

Jill you are wonderful!

What an incredible imagination this little one has!

Very fun start, Jill!!! Absolutely precious scenes with Jack and his little girl, and I love to see the return of your cherubs!!!

Are the Cherubs back for real? I'm in like Flinn, baby....

Don't drown Grace, Turtle Boy...that would be bad...

Emma is sooooo cute...I just love her imagination! Jack you are going to have soooo much fun!

I love it Jill....awesome start!!!

CHERUBS!!!!!! *does a dance*

I'm sooo excited!!!

Gotta love a child's imagination... I'd like to think i still had that at sometimes... -sigh- then I have to wake up and be a grownup....

aww this is fabulous and great

Glad you're enjoying the return of the cherubs. For those that have no clue what that's about, they were introduced in A Quiver of Love and reappeared in Independence Day....both Challenge stories from last year that I wrote, although this is certainly a stand-alone story.
Anyway, just a snippet this morning. I have Bible School to get to.


"But Daddy!!!!"

Her inconsolable sobs wrenched at his heart, but he held firm. "Emma, it's bedtime and that's that." He pulled the covers back over her quaking form and tucked the edges securely under the mattress, pinning her in place.

"She'll catch a cold. Y-y-y-you got her all wet wh-wh-when you lifted me out and n-n-now she can't ff-ff-fff-fly and she's on the d-d-d-duck and it's slippery and if you let the w-w-water out and she falls off sh-sh-she could go down the d-d-drain and then I'd never see her a-a-again." Brown eyes glistened as more tears streamed down bright red cheeks. She ran her sleeve under her nose and sniffled hard. "Pppp...please, Daddy. Please let me go and get her."

Sitting on the floor, Jack closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against the side of the bed, frustration mounting by the minute. He'd read every "Strong-willed child" book he could find and none of them seemed to touch the tenacity of his daughter. You're so much like your mother. Sue! He knelt by the bed, stroking the damp locks strewn across the pillow. "Tell me something, Emma. If Mommy came home right now, what would she do?"

Emma sniffed and hoisted herself up as far as the covers would let her. "Mommy would say, 'Get Grace and dry her off. Nothin' worse than a sick cherub.'"

Chuckling at the solemness of her expression and the ability to sound amazingly like her mother, Jack rocked back on his heels and conceded. "Okay. Go take care of your friend."

"Thank you, Daddy." Emma threw her arms around her father's neck and hugged for all she was worth. Then, as if a cherub's life was really at stake, she flew from her bed and raced down the hallway.

"I pity the man you snare. He'll have about as much chance as...." The wail that interrupted his paternal pondering sent his heart sinking. "It's going to be a long night. Sue Hudson, you are sooooo going to owe me when you get home."

Uh-oh... there's nothing like a child's scream to make a chill run down your spine...

This whole post was just adorable.

I am loving this, Jill!!!! Emma is too cute... and I love daddy Jack

Em

Jill, you have made my morning!! The Cherubs are back!!!

I find it very amusing that the very cherubs Jack doesn't believe in are the very ones who got him and Sue together in the first place!! If it hadn't been for them, there is a strong possibility that we wouldn't be reading about little Emma!!!

I love Jack as a father!! I could just see him pressing his forehead against the side of the bed in frustration. Jack, remember, you have always loved Sue's tenacity!! Aren't you glad that she passed it on to Emma???

Now, what has happened to Grace???

Joy

That post definitely made me smile! I could see it all unfolding right in front of me.

Poor Emma! Poor Jack! That was wonderful, Jill. I'm glad the cherubs are back and I hope Grace doesn't catch cold!

Kim

I kind of feel sorry for JAck...but Katie is just sooo cute!

This is just too cute ... Poor Jack!

How come Grace doesn't know how to swim???


Jill, this is great!!!

Sad but true, Linny!

Having read this, I am off to get an introduction to the cherubs from the earlier stories!

Welcome, Eclipsse!
"Ahoy matey! Shiver me timbers and walk the plank." The tall cherub circled high above the tub before slowly descending toward the mangled mass of wet wings below, assiduously assessing the situation. "We're not playing Pirates of the Carribean here, are we?" she concluded, a trace of disappointment creeping through in her voice. "No swashbuckling, sword toting, parrot-carrying tattooed sailor whisking the love of his life off to sea?"

"Yo, ho, no," Grace managed to grumble, maintaining her death grip on the yellow rubber ducky's neck. "Just get me out of here, please. I've had all the fun I can stand for one day."

Trecey lit on the edge of the tub, skidding a little as her soles contacted the sloped slippery suface. "Whoa there. Jus' 'bout became the second 'gredient in your duck soup." She teetered for a moment, then settled on the edge.

"Not funny....or appetizing." Wrinkling her nose, Grace held back a sneeze. "I ha--ha--hate...." She paused, waiting for the irritating sensation to pass, or the expulsion to take place. "Ahhhhh chooo!." The force of her sneeze pitched the duck forward, sending it reeling as she scrambled to keep her wings out of the water and her feet on its back.

"Hang on, Grace." Reaching into her quiver, Trecey pulled out a silver arrow. "Need me some rope....." Her eyes quickly scanned the white-walled room, stopping at the vanity. "Flossed yet, today?" Humming to herself, she quickly flew over and began to yank out the waxed string. "Five little ducks went out to play, down to the river...." Catching a glimpse of a galled glare from a very soggy seraph, she dropped the singing. "What. You'd rather have 'Heave, ho, and up she rises'?" Two flicks of the wrist later, she tied off a perfect square knot and gave a hefty jerk on the arrow. "Aye, a pirate's life she was meant to live." Fluttering to a perch on the towel rack, she took careful aim. "Call me Ishmael, Moby Duck." Her unwaivering arrow hit the mark, rocking the bouyant polymer beneath her cupid companion. Uh oh."There she blows!"

Grace rolled her eyes and shook her head. "That's a little out of order, great white whale hunter. You're supposed to say that first."

"Most whales don't spring a leak." Trecey pointed to the plastic posterior where the silver projectile had pierced. Air bubbled out beside the shaft, and the duck slowly began to take on water.

"That's just ducky! Get me out of here, now!"

Hauling her in hand over hand, the plumed piratetress soon pulled her friend from the tepid water. "You gonna be okay?"

Grace shivered, attempting to wring some of the water out of her wings. "If I don't catch pneumonia, first." She sneezed again, teeth chattering and lips turning a shocking shade of blue. "I think dat..."

"I get the clue, Blue. We're outta here."

i have caught up on a few great post poor jack emma is one
strong willed little girl just like her mummy but she sure is a little darling
just hope she saved the cherubs im loving this more soon please
Lin

2 great posts, like mother like daughter and i don't think jack would have it any other way

cath

Just like always, your quick-witted humor is incredible!!!

You shot the ducky ??? And he's sinking ???

That was fantastic!

Too fun! I am absolutely loving this!

Grace is gone and Emma will think she went down the drain???

Poor Emma! Poor Jack trying to console her.

Oh my, I can't wait for more Jill. This is awesome.

This little girl reminds me of Emma.

I can't believe you shot the duck!

As for strong willed - Jack should live at my house as he hasn't seen anything yet!

Now about swimming Grace, pretty sure we could hook you up with some lessons...

Jill

This story is incredibile. Your imagination is...indescribable...I'm just shaking my head. I have not had an opportunity to read your other stories (except a few MS when I first started reading in Jan) and I can see I have missed out on wonderful reads about these little cherubs! My children never had imaginary friends, or if they did I don't remember,

and it is beyond my comprehension. The way you have the cherubs carrying on a conversation is amazing to me. Thank you for entering this challenge so I can read as you post and be treated to your wonderful creativity! And little Emma and Jack...I'm so touched by them, Jack's love for his little girl makes me cry with happiness!

And as someone else said, Jack with gray hair is just as good as the Jack with no gray hair!

Lynn

What an exciting rescue! i hope Emma doesn't think she went down the drain, though. I can just picture her little heart breaking at the mere thought.

I love this story!

Em

Oh what a delightful way to end my week! I had to catch up on a few posts thanks to my wretched internet and crazy work schedule BUT! I can't resist quoting my favourites...which would largely be all of it so far.

He did his best to keep his daughter and wife happy in all things considered "little friends", except for the day Emma warned that one of them was going to "crack him upside the head wif a two and a four." That sounds awfully familiar. Let me guess, that would be little Trecey, wouldn't it? She better mind her mouth when she's around the young'un.

After that, he insisted that they not be a part of their playdates, and to his relief Saturdays had been cheerfully cherub free. "Remember? Your little friends aren't allowed to be here when it's our time together."

"But that's just on Saturdays," she chirped, steading herself by latching onto the back of his shirt collar. "This is Fridderday." For shame, Jack...how soon they forget...well, not that he knew in the first place, but still.... I love Fridderday...do we get to eat fridders on Fridderday? Or just fridder away our time on Fridderday. Fridderday. Fridderday. Fridderday. Try saying that all together really fast.

"You don't say," Jack answered, wondering how the conversation had gone from the word diplomat to a flock of baby cupids. That would be due to the fact that Jill is writing this, Jack. You might consider buckling your seatbelt, with Jill at the helm, you're in for a bumpy ride.

"She'll catch a cold. Y-y-y-you got her all wet wh-wh-when you lifted me out and n-n-now she can't ff-ff-fff-fly and she's on the d-d-d-duck and it's slippery and if you let the w-w-water out and she falls off sh-sh-she could go down the d-d-drain and then I'd never see her a-a-again." That would be horribly trautmatic...for the duck even!
"Tell me something, Emma. If Mommy came home right now, what would she do?"

Emma sniffed and hoisted herself up as far as the covers would let her. "Mommy would say, 'Get Grace and dry her off. Nothin' worse than a sick cherub.'"
Amen. Sue is wise beyond her years. Now go that cherub!

Whoa there. Jus' 'bout became the second 'gredient in your duck soup. Then there's one line gems like this one and "Call me Ishmael, Moby Duck." Her unwaivering arrow hit the mark, rocking the bouyant polymer beneath her cupid companion. Uh oh."There she blows!" Oh Jill, I laughed until my stomach hurt! Tooo funny by far.

Hoorah for you again.

kav

This is wonderful...

However - I have a bone to pick with you...

I spent all last night reading the earlier adventures of the cherubs... so I have had no sleep, got absolutely nothing done, have at least three cracked ribs, one traumatised cat, a LOT less chocolate, and, because of the thickness of the walls, neighbours who are undoubtedly convinced that I either:
a- am a nitrous oxide addict and/or
b- that I am irretrieveably insane

[actually b- is pretty likely anyhow ]

Seriously - these stories should be on prescription as the best mood enhancer EVER!

Eclipsse, You are too funny....and insane for reading both stories in one sitting. I just re-read them and did it over two days....and my dogs jumped all over me every time I burst out laughing. I had forgotten the part about "certified swoon positions" and nearly peed my pants when I came across that....That and Marene putting the cold washcloth on the wrong cheeks.
Anyway, glad you enjoyed the stories and who knows...maybe your neighbors enjoyed your laughter. They say it's contagious!

I should have a post later tonight, folks. I was at a stock dog trial today with Kite's daughter, Twinkle. She got her started sheep title and one leg of her started duck title. And I have the evening to myself. Guess I'd better get writing!

Jill

That was an embarrassing moment ... if there was ever one

Moby Duck............Jill, you are marvelous!!!

Joy

Really looking forward to seeing what mischief the cherubs get upto in this story.

Can just imagine Jack struggling to look after a mini Sue, especially one with cherubs helping her out.

Soph