Hey Hey, I said I would, and here we are. I'm gonna try to keep this updated more regularly, I hope in the new year. I said that last year, I'm pretty sure, but yknow what, I did post 3 chatpers this year instead of 1. Hopefully I can do more in 2024. Also, Thinking about maybe, possibly writing a few "extra" chapters that are more spicy. Spicy for me, by the way. It'll probably be me dipping my toes into something more lewd. And will not have any bearing on the main story.

Anyway!
It's been a few weeks since Jordan found Maybelle splayed on the couch, bored and depressed. She's been trying out multiple things since then, and is enjoying cooking. 3 guesses where that leads? Still, Jordan's birthday comes up, and while they celebrate, the jolteon makes a silly little wish. Surely nothing will come of that.

Part 1
Part 3
Part 5

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Over the next few weeks, Jordan began to have Maybelle help her cook when she would get home in the evening. At first, it was mostly simple tasks such as washing and cutting vegetables. Maybelle was guided through cooking on the stove, so she wouldn't burn their meals. Over time, though, she was progressively doing more of the cooking on her own. She became the one handling most of the cooking, with Jordan watching over her. It was something she looked forward to doing with her partner each night.
Maybelle also took to cooking during the day while she was at home. It felt nice for her to be able to eat something more complex than a peanut butter sandwich, or boxed macaroni and cheese. She had recently ordered a book online that was a mix of cook book and biography. Maybelle had started going with Jordan to the book club she had mentioned to her, and when she was ordering the most recent book for it, this one also caught her eye.

Maybelle had recently started a chapter on baking. Jordan's birthday was coming up, and she had wanted to try and make something for the occasion. She had started with several simpler things, like shortbread cookies and loaves of bread, but as her partner’s birthday came, she decided to try something a bit more involved.

Maybelle was quietly muttering through a recipe fora a sponge cake, reciting each step to herself. “Mix flour and baking powder, sift, then mix in with eggs one third at a time, stop mixing when no streaks of flour remain. Alright.” She had already done the first part of that step, so she began to pour a portion of the powdery mix into the larger bowl, and started whisking. The recipe said to use a mixer, but she figured with her physique, it would be close enough.

While she was mixing, she heard the door open. She made a quiet gasp, fumbling the bowl she had in her hands just enough for some of its contents to slip over the rim, and onto her apron. “Shit …” She muttered. Maybelle then spoke up. “Jo? You’re home early.”

“Yeah! The construction near work hit a water pipe, and we lost our water. So we closed up!” The jolteon sauntered into the kitchen. “So I came home early!” Her eyes immediately lock onto the bowls Maybelle is handling. “Ooh, whatcha making, Belle?”

Maybelle’s eyes narrowed for a second as she tried to think of something. She realized there was no point, though. “Uh … Well, I … I’m actually making a cake. Or, trying to. I wasn’t expecting you home this early. So uh … surprise?” She smiled awkwardly.

Jordan’s face was already beaming from hearing that. “Aw, Belle, that’s so sweet! You didn’t need to do that!” She took the bowl out of Maybelle’s hands, before giving her a full armed embrace. Maybelle returned the gesture, pulling her partner into her. Jordan couldn’t help but hold on for longer than normal. Maybe it was that it was just the cooler weather recently, or maybe it was just that she was happy that her partner was doing such nice things, but she was really enjoying this moment. She didn’t want to let go. In fact, she seemed to lose track of time, until Maybelle spoke up again.

“Uh, Jo? You alright?” She spoke up, her hands giving the jolteon a soft squeeze on the shoulders.
Jordan was quick to straighten up, “Oh! Yes, I’m okay, Belle!” She chimed, her face slightly blushing. “So, do you need any help with … whatever you’re making?”

Maybelle made a slight grin at Jordan getting a bit flustered over what seemed like a small gesture. “Sure. We can finish it together, if you want. And when we’re done, we can have some while we watch a movie. Your choice. How’s that sound?” She offered.

“That sounds great!” Jordan quickly spotted the open book, and looked at the entry. “So, where did you leave off?”



With the two working together, they were able to finish baking with ease. Maybelle insisted on cleaning up, since it was Jordan’s birthday. Jordan went to set up the movie in the living room. It was dark outside, and the only light came from the faint blue glow of the television screen. Maybelle crept into the room, the plated cake in her hands. She gently lit a single candle planted in the middle of it, the orange incandescence quickly grabbing Jordan’s attention.

“Happy Birthday, Jo.” She quietly grinned, sitting down next to her and holding the cake in front of her. “Make a wish.”

“Oh, come on, Belle.”Jordan giggled a bit at the gesture. “I already got my wish with you.”

Maybelle leaned against her smaller partner, and plated a quick kiss on her cheek. “Well, why not two? We always had to do birthdays over video call, this is the first time in a while we can actually have a cake together. That’s some powerful wishing energy we have right now, you know?” Maybelle stifled a grin as she whispered in sarcastic tone.

Jordan couldn’t help but let out a giddy murmur from the affection. “Fiiine.” She said with exaggerated sarcasm, as if making a wish was such a hardship.

Jordan took a brief moment to think about it, staring at the little flame in front of her. Her eyes glanced at the arcanine next to her. She had been enjoying the time they were spending together, even if it took a bit to find a groove. Jordan knew that Maybelle took this time off for her sake, and was really appreciative of it. She knew a year of time was plenty. They still had most of that time left, too. However, it was going to come to an end eventually. Jordan decided she would wish that she could spend even more time with Maybelle going forward. She knew it was selfish, considering Maybelle gave up a whole year to be with her already. But it was her birthday wish, and no one else’s. Besides, she didn’t have to tell anyone what she wished for. Otherwise it wouldn’t come true, right?

Jordan took a deep breath, and then extinguished the candle with a brisk puff of air, seemingly happy with herself.