80

Kaleb's pov

" Kaleb."

A soft touch to my face made me twitch away, wiggling my nose when something tickled the tip. I

swatted it away and let out a loud dragged out yawn. My body was exhausted and my lids were way

too heavy to bother fluttered open to see who's trying to wake me up.

"Honey, wake up." The voice is soft and very close. Mom.

" Just five more minutes." I whined drowsily. Her next words made my eyes to snap open as though

I was just bit by a snake.

" Today is Bailey's birthday. Aren't you going to show her what you did for her?"

As I straightened my spine and blinked to adjust my blurry vision, I looked down at the countertop

and realize I had fallen asleep in the kitchen. I winced, lifting my hand to the back of my neck,

rubbing away the ache.

Shit this is going to hurt for days.

" What time is it?" I asked, a yawn cutting in halfway through my question. I rubbed my eyes and run

them over the kitchen space. Everywhere was filthy with ingredients scattered around. Burnt cakes

were either tossed in the bin or thrown across the counter.

The floors.....let's just leave this out.

" It's seven fifteen. I figured you'd want to wake up after going through so much trouble to prepare

for her birthday." Mom smiled and looked around the kitchen. The smile turned into a wince.

" When did you catch some sleep?" Her brows furrowed as she looked back at me worriedly.

I shrugged, blocking a yawn with the back of my hand on my lips. " I think I must have fallen asleep

around four a.m." I narrowed my eyes as I made a quick mental check. " Or maybe it was five?"

Mom lips part as she peered at me in disbelief. " Did you really stay up so late to bake a cake?" She

took a step forward and rubbed her thumbs under my eyes, the gleam in hers glint with worry. " You

even have dark circles under your eyes. "

I smiled, closing my eyes before she managed to poke my eyes out by accident. " I wanted to make

sure it came out perfect for her. She deserved the best."

Bailey deserved the world and though I could not give her a planet, I could sure as hell show her

how much she means to me. The thing is, she meant so much that I'd have to show her for the rest

of my life.

I had no complaints and couldn't wait to show her.

" She does baby," Mom agreed, removing her fingers away from my eyes. " But I don't think Bailey

would've wanted you to spend hours baking a cake and catching some sleep around the time you

did."

I opened my eyes and shrugged. " Making sure she gets something that would make her smile for

her big day was worth it."

Mom looked at the burnt cakes on the countertop and flinched, her lips curling back into a cringe.

With a fake soft giggle she uttered. " I am sure these will make her smile."

She turns to me and place her hand on my arm, looking at me with some pity. " It's the thought and

effort that counts son. Even though they look like they were baked by an eight year old, I'm sure

they at least taste good." She squeezed my arm.

" And Bailey loves you enough to love anything you give her. Even though the cakes came out

looking like dog shit."

I rolled my eyes. " Those were testers mom." I got off the stool, surprised that I hadn't slipped earlier

when I fell asleep. I stretched, groaning as my bones cracked. I walked over to the fridge and

opened it, revealing the red velvet cake.

I looked over at mom, a proud grin on my face.

Mom's mouth part once more, surprise written on her face as she glowered at the cake before her

eyes shift back to me and she frowned. " It still looks like shit. Did you even follow the recipe

Kaleb?"

I whined, sliding down the fridge until I was seated and leaning against it. I pouted. " I tried! Putting

icing is another task in itself. But this time the cake actually taste good."

Mom winced. " I'm sure it does." She walked over and patted me on my head. " As I've said, it's the

thought that counts. It still came out better than the others you've baked previously." She winced at

the burnt cakes, patting my head once more.

I groaned, hoping that Bailey won't cringe as bad as mom did. " What time did you say it was?" I

asked.

" It was seven fifteen when I woke you up. It's certainly a bit later than that now." My brows pinched

as I rose to my feet swiftly, took the cake out of the fridge and looked around in panic. " I need to get

this to the school before she gets there."

My heart raced, knowing I would have little time to prepare this for her. I also hadn't bought the

flowers yet. Will I have time to?

I raced out the kitchen, heading for the front door when mom stopped me. " Maybe you should

bathe, brush your teeth and look more presentable before you head off to school."

I winced, looking down at the ruined apron and my boxers. I turned around and gave mom a

sheepish look and started for the stairs.

" And maybe don't shower with the cake?" She suggested in amusement.

I laughed in embarrassment and strut over with a flush of humiliation on my face. " Right." I said and

gave her the cake. " Can you keep an eye on it please? Everything must be perfect for her."

Mom smiled and touched my cheek. " You're already perfect for her Kaleb."