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Ember stopped and then turned to face me; her eyes widened as she took in the state of the counter. Measuring cups, spoons, and bowls littered the surface, and everything was covered with a thin sheen of powder. “Do we have to?”
“Yes, we do.”
We’d just placed all the dishes and utensils in the dishwasher when the front door opened. Sebastian walked inside, carrying a bag of groceries. He smiled and said, “Honey, I’m home.”
“Daddy!” Ember exclaimed as she ran up to him. “What did you get?”
“I got dough to make pizza. I haven’t done this in a while. We’ll see if I remember how to do it right.”
“You’re making homemade pizza?” I asked him as he set the paper bag on the counter.
Sebastian winked at me. “That’s right. I’ll make the dough. You two need to pick your toppings.”
“We just need to finish wiping the counters. We made cookie dough.”
Sebastian’s face softened as he addressed Ember. “You made cookies with Hanna?”
Ember nodded proudly. “I did all the measuring and pouring.”
“She was a good helper,” I added as I finished wiping the counter.
“Thanks for doing that. I’m not the best baker.”
“You probably don’t have to bake much, with your mom making so many baked goods this time of year.”
His eyes widened. “Is that what she had after school?”
“Yes, but we had some grapes and cheese here.” I’d put them in the fridge earlier so they wouldn’t go bad.
Sebastian washed his hands, then pulled the groceries out and set them on the counter. We sat on the stool while he prepared the dough, kneaded it, and rolled it out on the counter. At some point, I hit play on a holiday music playlist on my phone.
Sebastian paused and stepped back from the counter. “You think this is good enough?”
“It’s really thick.” I moved around the counter and showed him how to make it even thinner.
Ember hopped down from the counter and went into the living room to play with toys. So, it was just us, and I was hyperaware of him standing behind me. “There, how’s that?” I asked him.
He leaned over my shoulder to see. “It’s perfect.”
“Ember, come help with toppings.”
Ember helped Sebastian pour pizza sauce over the dough and smooth it over every inch with a spatula, then she sprinkled cheese on top.
“Can we do pepperonis on half?” Sebastian asked her.
I had a feeling she usually said no, but this time she nodded.
She carefully placed the pepperonis on the pie, and then Sebastian put it in the oven. “Let’s make salads.”
Ember disappeared again.
“I want to make an effort for her to eat healthier.”
I placed my hand on his arm. “You’re doing a good job.”
Sebastian tipped his head to the side. “Even if she doesn’t eat fruits and veggies?”
“Aren’t you putting them in her lunch?” I emptied her lunch box each evening, and there were a few items left, but I could see she’d been eating what he’d packed for her.
