Page 64 of Saving Little Clark

"I can has cookie now?" He whispered, eyes round and pleading. The very picture of innocence, cranked up to eleven.

Lance chuckled, shifting the tray out of reach with a wink. "On second thought, they need to cool down a bit. Let's get everybody settled in the meantime.”

Elijah heaved a put-upon sigh, but nodded gamely. He looked about two seconds from a full-on pout, bottom lip already jutting precariously. He then let his Daddy steer him over to the table with a hand at the small of his back, already chattering a mile a minute about his plans for enjoying them with some milk.

Chapter 27: Clark

As I was heading back to the kitchen to check on the cookies, I walked in to find Kristen and Becca huddled around the cooling rack. Mouths full, cheeks bulging, and not a single treat left in sight.

For a moment, I could only stare in disbelief.

"Are you serious right now?" I demanded, finding my voice. "We were all supposed to share those. What’s wrong with you?"

Kristen froze mid-chew, eyes widening. Then, with an audible gulp, she swallowed. Pasted on a look of wide-eyed innocence.

"Why, whatever do you mean?" She tittered, dabbing daintily at her lips with a napkin. "We were just making sure they were cool enough for the little ones. You know, being responsible and all."

Becca nodded along eagerly, fluttering her lashes. "Wouldn't want anyone getting hurt on our watch. We were just looking out for poor, sweet Elijah."

Before I could get a word out, a gasp sounded from the doorway.

"The cookies!" Elijah cried, face crumpling in dismay. "They're all gone. What happened?"

"Oh, Elijah," Kristen sighed, shaking her head sadly. "I'm so sorry, sweetie. I tried to stop him, really I did, but..."

She trailed off, biting her lip as if hesitant to continue. Elijah just blinked at her, confusion writ large on his face.

"Stop who?" He asked.

"Clark," she said quietly, almost gently. "I'm so sorry, but Clark ate all the cookies. Becca and I caught him stuffing his face red-handed."

I gaped at her, struck absolutely speechless by the bald-faced audacity.

She did not. But one look at Elijah's face, the slow-dawning hurt and betrayal, told me she absolutely did. That she was really going to stand there, bold as brass, and paint me the villain while the cookies sat like lead in her stomach.

"No, Elijah," I croaked, finding my voice. Desperation cracked it straight down the middle, spider-webbing the denial. "I didn't, I swear."

But Elijah was already shaking his head, bottom lip trembling dangerously. Tears gathered on his lashes, clumping them into wet, spiky points.

"But why?" He whispered, so small and bewildered it speared me straight through. "Why would you do that, Clarkie? We were 'posed to share. Daddy Lance said!"

"It was them! They're lying!"

But Kristen just tutted, soft and pitying. Laid a hand on Elijah's quaking shoulder, squeezed in commiseration.

"Lying will only make it worse, Clark,” Kristen said. “Apologize. That's the only way we can move past this, as a family."

I lunged for her with a wordless snarl. But before I could make contact, strong arms locked around my middle. Hauled me bodily back, kicking and flailing like a landed fish.

"Woah there, tiger!" Alex grunted, straining to hold me. "Simmer down, yeah? It's not worth it, trust me."

"Let me go!" I spat, writhing in his grip. Clawed mindlessly at his restraining hands, too far gone to care about the marks I left. "I'm gonna slap her, I swear to god. It's not fair."

My voice cracked on the last word and hot tears spilled down my cheeks unchecked. Through the haze, I could just make out Daddy's face. Heard the low rumble of his voice, urgent and concerned. Felt his fingers brush my cheek, swipe roughly at the wetness there.

"What's going on here?" He demanded, turning the full force of his stare on Kristen and Becca. "What did you say to my boy?"

Kristen blinked up at him, the very picture of shy contrition as she lied through her teeth.

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