Gemotions

The tiny fingers, dusted with cocoa powder, meticulously arranged the miniature chocolate chip cookies on the tiny, plastic plate. Liam, his father, watched from the kitchen doorway, a smile playing on his lips. He’d started baking as a way to unwind after long workdays, but now his son, Leo, at the ripe old age of four, seemed to have taken over the kitchen.

A giggle bubbled out as Leo, wearing a chef’s hat that was far too big, poked his tongue out in concentration. Liam leaned against the doorframe, the corner of his mouth twitching as he witnessed the scene. All those late nights perfecting his grandmother's recipe, and now the next generation was born.

“Need help, Chef?” Liam asked, his voice light. Leo, without looking up, waved a flour-covered hand dismissively. Liam shook his head, a chuckle rumbling in his chest, and went back to his own, much simpler, task of brewing a pot of coffee.