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“Mallow?” Kiawe was groggy as he pulled himself up into a sitting position and pressed his fingers to his temples. “Mimo?” Laughter resonated from the kitchen, and he narrowed his eyes, swinging his legs over the side of the couch and padding across the living room.
“We’re in the kitchen!” Mallow called.
Mimo giggled, “Yeah, we’re in the kitchen!”
Furrowing his brows, Kiawe stepped into the kitchen, hands on his hips. “Mimo, you haven’t been giving Mallow any trouble, have you?”
“Of course she hasn’t, Kiawe,” Mallow replied with a laugh. She watched carefully as Mimo stood on a chair and stirred a bowl of batter with a wooden spoon. “You passed out for about an hour so we figured we’d make something sweet before you woke up!”
Kiawe couldn’t help the smile that spread across his features at the sight of them together. They were both dressed in pink aprons with their hair pulled back, and Mimo almost reached Mallow’s height while standing on her little chair. “I’m sorry, Mallow,” he apologized, standing beside her. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you, but I guess my delivery work really wore me out today.”
“It’s no big deal,” Mallow shrugged with a smile. “I always love baking with Mimo. She’s a great help in the kitchen.”
“I am! I am!” Mimo beamed, clapping her hands excitedly.
Reaching a hand up to rub the back of his neck, Kiawe still felt slightly bad. “But still… We were supposed to hang out; I didn’t mean to leave you and Mimo alone.”
Mallow handed Mimo the spoon covered in batter before giving her a pat on the back and sending her off to sit at the table. “It’s okay, Kiawe,” Mallow reassured him. “Really.”
Arms circling about Mallow’s waist, Kiawe bent over slightly, hiding his face in the crook of her neck. “Are you sure?” He murmured against her skin. “Mom and Dad should be back home soon to watch her.”
“I really don’t mind,” Mallow replied with a laugh. Still, she didn’t pull away… If anything, she leaned into his embrace even more.
Mindful of his baby sister just a few paces away from them, Kiawe was quick when he stole one kiss, then another from his girlfriend. “I’m glad. I like seeing you two spend time together.”
With a fond smile, Mallow glanced over at Mimo while threading her fingers through his hair. “I love her as though she were my own sister.” Mallow’s brother was rarely ever home so Kiawe knew that she treasured her time with Mimo, an honorary sibling she could shower with love.
“I know,” Kiawe replied with a grin. “And I love you even more for it.” He swooped in for another kiss, so sure he could get away with it.
“Ew!” Mimo finally piped up, wrinkling her nose as she continued licking the batter off the spoon. “That’s gross!”
Kiawe’s heart nearly stopped in his chest. “Mimo! You weren’t supposed to be looking!”
Disentangling herself from his embrace and biting back a smile, Mallow began pouring the batter she and Mimo had prepared onto a greased cookie sheet. “Hey, Mimo, do you remember how long we’re supposed to leave these in the oven?”
Scrunching her nose up in thought, Mimo took a few moments to reply. “Fifteen minutes!”
“That’s right, Mimo!” Mallow confirmed with a smile. Then, she put the sheet full of unbaked pastries into the oven and set a timer. “Let’s wash your hands from all that batter,” she said, motioning for the little girl to join her at the sink.
Kiawe watched as they soaped their hands up before rinsing them off. After they'd finished up, he also visited the sink, splashing some water on his face in an attempt to wake up more fully. Passing by his girlfriend who was taking a quick peek at the oven, he was just about to head out of the kitchen when two tiny hands slipped into his own.
“Kiawe, let's dance!” Mimo squealed excitedly. She hadn't dried her hands off on a towel so they were still a bit slippery, but he couldn't bring himself to let go.
“Mimo…” Kiawe hid a smile even as she dragged him into the living room and bounced on her toes.
“C’mon, Kiawe!” Mimo exclaimed, ducking under his arms and spinning in circles. “You gotta dance with me!”
With a fond smile, Mallow put on some music, “You're a great dancer, Mimo.”
Mimo beamed at the compliment, and Kiawe swayed with her for a while before she pushed him toward his girlfriend.
“Dance with Mallow, Kiawe!”
Following Mimo’s order, Kiawe met Mallow in the center of the living room, sweeping her into his arms, and they rocked back and forth together, much to his little sister’s delight.