Icing vs Frosting

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Lynn couldn’t help smiling at Bradley and Kayleigh. He was so happy. Lynn hadn’t been sure that her wild child would ever settle down. It had always been a hope and a prayer that Brad would find his match. Find someone who was willing to overlook his flaws, and realize the person he really was. She knew just by watching Kayleigh she was that person. Bradley was taking all the teasing from his siblings in stride. He was always touching Kayleigh or looking at Kayleigh. Her boy was in love, and that made her love Kayleigh. She couldn’t wait to get to know her better. Kevin took her hand and gave it a squeeze. Lynn knew he was thinking the exact same thing.

“Kayleigh,” said Kevin “We have a strict no return policy in our family. Once you marry him, you have to keep him.”


Melissa and Jeff both started laughing. Brad looked comically offended. Kayleigh smiled at Brad then leaned in and kissed him gently “Deal.” she replied.


“She totally loves me.” said Brad grinning at his dad. Lynn wanted to laugh, Brad looked at Kayleigh the same way he’d looked at his first hockey stick. That had been twenty odd years ago and it was still hanging in his bedroom. Lynn hoped he would always treat her with the same care and reverence he had for that old stick.


The waiter came to the table and asked about desserts. “No, we’re good.” replied Brad winking at Kayleigh “You guys coming back to the apartment for dessert? “


“Depends.” teased Jeff “Actual dessert, or is this some weird code name like napping?” As soon as the words left his mouth Lynn smacked him.


“Ha, it’s usually me getting smacked!” exclaimed Brad.


“You usually are the root of all shenanigans, Bradley.” said his mother looking at Kayleigh “You can smack him if need be. Or you can call and I’ll smack him.”


“She loves my shenanigans.” pouted Brad. Kayleigh’s hand came up and rested on his cheek. Brad turned into her touch. “Kayleigh Jo even puts up with my inabilities in the kitchen. “


“He is a disaster in the kitchen.” replied Lynn “But I think they all are, I spoiled them.”


“He’s not that bad.” answered Kayleigh “He makes an okay sous chef. He makes up for ability in enthusiasm.”


“Not that bad.” he scoffed “No ability. You sound like my haters on Twitter.”


“At least she knows the score.” said Jeff


“It’s pick on Brad night in the Marchand house.” whined Brad. Kayleigh smiled at him and pulled her phone from her purse. 





“Want to see the first cupcake he decorated?” asked Kayleigh holding her phone out to his mom like a proud parent. Brad groaned as she leaned around him to show his messy cupcake to his mother. It was an overdone swirly mess. It was all Brad. He didn't need to know that it was sitting in a box in the walk in.


"He did that by himself?" asked Lynn looking at the phone. Kayleigh nodded.


"I am a professional athlete." groused Brad "I have extremely good hand eye coordination. If I can put a puck in the net, I can ice a cupcake."


"Yeah, if he can ice the puck, he can ice the cupcake." parroted Jeff.


"Asshole!" called Brad.


"He did great. Piping is hard. He can also make brownies. But I need to keep him away from the mixer. We make a mess every time he looks at it." explained Kayleigh.


"The first mixer incident was totally your fault." said Brad "Plus, this is the world's biggest mixer. It's the size of a Zamboni. It's like a riding mixer." Kayleigh was giving him a skeptical look. His mother and father were trying not to laugh. "Did I mention it has a hook, like the pirate?"


"That's a dough hook,Brad." replied Kayleigh "It's for bread dough and donuts. And I guess the first mixer incident was kind of my fault. In my defense, you did sneak up on me."


"Yes, because I am known for being quiet." teased Brad "I was yelling your name. But you were to busy dancing around your mixer with your head phones."


"You weren't supposed to be in the kitchen." admonished Kayleigh "He startled me and I smacked him with a spatula full of buttercream."


"It all worked out." he quipped " A few minutes later..."


"Hush, Bradley Keith." she interrupted. His girl was furiously blushing.


"If there is hot icing sex involving my brother, I don't want to hear it!" exclaimed Melissa.


"Oh, no!" cried Kayleigh the flush getting deeper "Just a kiss." Brad cocked an eyebrow at her and smirked "Bradley Keith Marchand, you wipe the look off your face." Brad looked at his girl and shrugged. A bubble of laughter escaped from Lynn, Brad's belle had his number.


"Damn it, I was hoping for some buttercream action." interjected Jeff. Brad smiled at his brother. It really wasn't a bad idea.


"Brad was an epic fail at making buttercream." replied Kayleigh. She flipped through her pictures and located the sugar storm pictures.


"What happened?" quizzed Melissa.


"It was all his fault." explained Kayleigh.


"Whose hand was on the mixer switch?"


"Hush, I'm telling this story." she said as she swatted at his arm "I was explaining how to make buttercream. We added the ingredients to the mixer. I started it on low."


"Long story short," interrupted Brad "I grabbed her and kissed her. Apparently, we leaned against the throttle of the riding mixer," He pointed at the photo of the aftermath "And this is what happened."


"You look like a powdered sugar donut." replied Kevin shaking his head.


"You agreed to marry him after all this?" asked Melissa.


Kayleigh leaned into Brad and smiled up at him "He's right. I love him, I love the Lil Ball of Hate, and I love his shenanigans."


"Those can be your wedding vows, Doll." he answered leaning in to kiss her.


"Oh my lord, I agree with Jeff, get a room." said Melissa snapping a photo of them "I just need proof my bro is off the market." Brad pulled Kayleigh into his lap and they took a few more pics with him whispering in her ear. "You are disgustingly adorable."


"It's because they are both so tiny." teased Jeff.


"Always with the short jokes." called Brad. He signaled for the bill. Brad snatched it from his dad's hand.
Kevin pulled the check from Brad's hand "You only get engaged once. Dinner is definitely on me."
Brad started to argue with his dad. Lynn watched as Kayleigh put her hand on Brad's arm and shook her head no. Brad conceded. "Thank you, but you didn't have to do that." said Kayleigh "But since you did. Breakfast can be on us. Will you all come to SugarBaker's in the morning?"


"I can't wait to see it." replied Lynn as Kevin helped her with her coat "Brad has told us a lot about it."


"I hope it lives up your expectations." said Kayleigh "Plus, I want you guys to sign the wall. Is it okay to invite the Millers and Hamiltons?"


"Invite the entire team, Doll." shrugged Brad as he put on his overcoat.


"He can't ever do anything small." laughed Kayleigh "Let's stick with the girls for now. I'll have my regular
monday crowd."


Brad agreed as the arrived at the valet stand. Kayleigh yawned. Brad snuggled her into his side. His girl was tired, but her manners would never let her admit it. He was contemplating telling them that she was tired and had to get up early. But he knew she wanted to give them the desserts. Brad kissed her forehead and smiled down at Kayleigh. Brad looked up and noticed his mom watching them intently.


"Kayleigh dear, would you be upset if we just headed over to the hotel? It's been a long day." asked his mom. Brad grinned at his mom. She liked Kayleigh. "Between Harvey, Brad's engagement news, and the flight I'm feeling drained."


"No, Ma'am. I'm sure you're tired. I'll fix you some desserts for tomorrow." answered Kayleigh as the vehicle came into view "In fact, it's probably good that I get some sleep. Two days of no bakery, and staying up late with Had's and Caro will make tomorrow morning miserable."


Jeff pulled Kayleigh away from Brad. He gave a smacking kiss and hug "Goodnight, lil sis." She then received hugs from the rest of the Marchand clan. Brad was busy talking with his siblings and dad. His mom squeezed her and whispered in her ear "Thank you for loving him the way he is." Kayleigh hugged her tightly.


"It's kinda hard not to, eh?" murmured Kayleigh at his mother "If you truly see Brad, you can't help but love him. He's got a heart as big as his personality."


"But a lot of people can't see it, Kayleigh." explained his mom "But you do, and you aren't trying to change him."


"Maybe a little." laughed Kayleigh "I'm trying to teach him not to blurt the first thought he has."


"Lost cause." replied Jeff "He's a mess."


"He might be a mess, but he's my mess." answered Kayleigh "Most days I am a mess too."


"What's Caro's expression?" asked Brad "God Bless this hot Southern mess?'


'"Yes, it's what our cheer coach used to say before we hit the floor." replied Kayleigh. His family was laughing.


"Love you both." said Lynn climbing into the rental "See you in the morning."


"Y'all be careful." called Kayleigh as they pulled away.


Brad opened Kayleigh's door and helped her into the vehicle. He climbed into the driver's seat. Kayleigh was busy with her phone. Brad headed towards the condo. Kayleigh smiled when she informed him they would all meet at SugarBaker's in the morning. Kayleigh yawned again. "I'm taking you home and putting you to bed." he stated.


"Only if you climb in with me. I missed you." she responded "You've spoiled me with our snuggle naps."


"Always." he replied. She saw him shake his head.


"What?"


"I just thought it was me missing you after only one night."



"Nope, I missed you as soon as I left the Garden."


"Me too, doll." he answered as he entered their parking garage. It wasn't long before they made it home. Brad laughed as Kayleigh stripped out of her coat and shoes. "You in a hurry?" He got no reply. Instead Kayleigh peeled off her black dress and hurled it at him. Brad grabbed the fabric. Brad stood shocked as he watched her head to their bedroom in black lace. He was floored that his girl had it in her to strip. But damned if he didn't like it. "Tease!" he yelled when he saw the bathroom door shut. He heard peels of the laughter. He fucking loved that sound.

Notes

Brad and his girlfriend Katrina Sloane were married this weekend. So happy for my boy.