Prompt | Pumpkin Spice

Song:

What Baking Can Do (Waitress)
By: Jessie Mueller

Ninjago OC's Next-Gen

FEATURING GWEN FROM "WHEN WATER TURNS TO ICE" / "PROJECT ARTIFICIAL LOVE" 

AND

NOELLE FROM "SERENDIPITY NINJAGO ONE SHOTS"

🎃🎃🎃

It was no secret that Zane loved to bake. There was something about mixing things, taking exact measurements and having faith that as long as you followed the recipe correctly it would work out. The same could not be said for parenting. Zane had bought many parenting books, watched a lot of shows, and even interviewed various parents while taking studious notes. No matter how much planning he did, none of it was able to fully encapsulate the parenting experience. There was no rule books or recipe. There were no exact guidelines or step-by-step instructions. It was very much a hands-on, experimental experience.

That in itself was terrifying.

So, when fall came around and both Gwen and Zane were exhausted from the nightmares, the mess, and the requirement of having a child within their range of sight at all times, Zane decided baking was the perfect way for him to gain more control in his life. Gwen agreed that having something to himself was important so she took up the challenge of entertaining their little child Noelle while he baked. Finger painting was Noelle's new favourite thing so it wasn't that hard to get her convinced.

Bright and early one October morning Zane got up and immediately headed to the kitchen. He looped his frilly pink apron over his head, tying it expertly around his waist before he set out all the ingredients in a perfect row along the counter. Gwen loved having season foods so the nindroid reasoned pumpkin spice cookies would be fitting, especially when she was doing a huge favour looking after Noelle.

Maybe Zane had spoken too soon because it wasn't long before a horrible scream erupted from the other room and Gwen came running in, her brown hair sticking up in places and her face pale. Noelle trailed after with a confused look on her face but she responded to Gwen's gentle encouragement to go sit on one of the barstools.

"Don't worry!" Gwen said immediately when Zane gave her a questioning glance. Which of course just made her husband worry more. "I've got this! You... just keep baking." She then took the fly swatted from its spot on the wall and ran back into the other room.

Zane sighed and put down the can of pumpkin he'd been opening so that he could look at his daughter. The little girl giggled, pulling her strawberry blonde hair in front of her face to hide behind. He gently brushed the strands out of her eyes so she could see his hands.

"What happened?" Zane signed, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Noelle immediately went to sign back but she hesitated, frowning a little as she tried to figure out the words. "Animal." She told him. The girl thought for a moment before continuing. Two hands were brought in front of her, palms facing each other, with only a small space between them. "Small."

There were many animals that were small. Unfortunately, it was tricky sometimes to get very specific about things they didn't see when they were all still learning sign language. Zane remembered the various descriptors they'd been going over in their classes.

"What colour?" Zane asked. He fluttered his fingers in front of his chin and then signed what.

Noelle sat up excitedly. She was very good at her colours. "Brown." Maybe a mouse then? If it was small it probably wouldn't be too much of a problem.

Zane decided if there was any more screaming coming from the other room then he'd investigate. For now, he'd like to finish his cookies. "Do you want to help?" He gestured at the baking supplies.

Noelle nodded excitedly, hopping off her chair so that she could push her stool beside him. Zane smiled down at her and ruffled her hair. He helped the girl reach the sink to wash her hands then showed her how to measure out each ingredient, pointing out each one on the recipe. Noelle nodded and followed his instructions diligently, always looking up for his approval.

A warm feeling spread through Zane's chest as he watched his daughter dip the teaspoons into the cinnamon and smooth off the top until it was exactly the right amount. There was something so beautiful in sharing his favourite hobby with his child.

Maybe parenting was chaotic and unpredictable.

Maybe he never got any rest. (And he was a nindroid! He lasted far longer than normal human parents)

Maybe he needed time for himself from time to time.

But these moments where it was just him and Noelle were ones he'd cherish forever. Zane wanted nothing more than to bake with his little girl forever.

What could be more special than that?

NOTE****

Sorry, this was quite short and I also skimped on the editing. I had an audition today so I was quite tired and just wanted to get a cute little one-shot down.

Noelle and Gwen are both OCs of mine. I put some of the books they appear in up top in case you're interested. Noelle is deaf and I used my knowledge of ASL and Lifeprint when I explained signs. ASL is definitely not as detailed as the dialogue sometimes use (they don't always include a word like "is." Such as 'My name is ___' would be 'my name ___') But I just filled it in how it would be translated (not always the literal definition) to make it easier.

I hope you enjoyed this one-shot! Have a nice day!

LuckyBugBooks🐞

P. S day three is coming I just kinda forgot about it 😅