Page 25 of Muffin Top
I cradled the small pup in my arms, gently stroking her soft little fur. "She's so tiny and light," I whispered, scarcely able to bare the sight of her. My heart was exploding all over the place, my ovaries practically bursting with maternal instincts.
Willodean returned, having dropped the pizza's off in the kitchen. "She needs a name."
I watched as her teeny eyes opened, blinking up at me sleepily. She sighed, then settled back in my arms with a little yawn. "How about… Cupcake?"
Tristan chuckled, pressing a kiss to the side of my head. "It's perfect."
"Oh!" I looked over at Tristan, stricken. "But I don't have stockings for anyone!"
He grinned then reached into his coat pocket, pulling out three stockings. Two with Calvin and Willodean's names embroidered on the outside and a smaller one with a little paw print on it.
"How did you know?"
"Babe, because I know you." He cupped my cheek, kissing my forehead. "Now go hang these,” he passed me the stockings. “I'll bring in the puppy bed."
That night my brother announced he was divorcing Emily, my sister announced she was dating a woman named Lou, and Tristan asked me to move in with him. Cupcake slept through the whole thing.
And I had never been happier than I was in that moment.
When life gives you muffin tops, embrace it. Because if I've learnt anything, it's that you're delicious just as you are.
Epilogue
Tristan
Muffins.
Muffins had taken over my house. They decorated the entry table, the buffet and the living room couch – cordoned off by a weird pillow and blanket fence to stop the dogs from getting to them.
I blinked, rubbing a hand across my eyes, sure I had to be imagining this.
Nope, the muffins were still there.
"Honey?" I called, dodging Cupcake and our second dog, Roast Beef. I pushed a row of chew toys out of the way and neatly stepped around a teddy bears picnic in progress. "Honey?"
"In the kitchen!"
I followed the smell of muffins and sound of laughter, finding my mother, brother, and wife in the kitchen. Muffins and cupcakes took up every free surface.
"What...?"
"Babe!" Honey skipped to my side, kissing my cheek then dancing back to stand in the middle of our kitchen. "Look!" She swung her arms out, making jazz hands at the baked goods.
"I'm looking. I just don't know what I'm looking at."
"It was your mom's idea."
Mom ducked her head, making a dismissive flick of her hand. "Oh, it's nothing. I just thought we could do a bake sale for your open day. Maybe raise some money for a new couch for your break room."
I ran a hand through my hair taking in the mountains of food that decorated our kitchen. "I think we'll make enough to renovate the damned breakroom."
They all laughed.
"Here," Honey handed me a half-decorated cupcake. "Eat up, Sheriff."
"Daddy?"
I turned, seeing our little Nicole standing in the doorway. She rubbed her eyes, looking sleepy.
