" 🎶 It's Valentine's Daaaaaaaaay! It's such a happy day! Time for the chocolate caaaaaaake!🎶" Emma sang as she finished her Valentine's Day painting.

Mia popped her head into Emma's studio. " Cake? Where?!"

Emma laughed. " There's no cake, Mimi. It's just a song."

Mia pouted. " Oh."

Emma laughed and stood up. " How's the cake and those apples coming along?*

" They're doing great. And remind me never to doubt Ann's cooking skills."

Emma raised an eyebrow. “Did Annie really pull it off?”

Mia nodded, grinning. “She made the most amazing chocolate cake, like, ever. Who knew she could bake so well?”

“I didn’t know she could do much of anything without setting something on fire,” Emma teased, leaning against the wall. “But hey, if it’s good, maybe she’s secretly a baking genius.”

Mia crossed her arms dramatically. “She’s like a hidden baking superhero. I bet she could save the world with a cupcake.”

Emma snorted. “I’d buy that for sure. We might need her skills for the Valentine’s Day party later.”

“Oh, definitely,” Mia agreed. “Though I think we’ll need more than just cake. Maybe a whole buffet to handle all of this” — she gestured to the large stack of apples, some covered in caramel, others in sprinkles — “and the chaos that is Annie's kitchen.”

“Chaos?” Emma raised an eyebrow. “I thought it was controlled chaos.”

Mia shrugged. “Controlled by a tiny bit of magic, yes. But I don’t think anyone expected the explosion of chocolate and sprinkles we ended up with.”

“Ah, Annie’s special touch. A sprinkle explosion. You know, if the baking thing doesn’t work out for her, she could totally start a circus act,” Emma said with a wink.

“I’m already imagining her juggling apples and frosting,” Mia giggled. “I can see it now.”

Just then, Annie walked in with a tray of still-warm cupcakes. “Did someone say cake? Because I brought cake.”

“You are a miracle worker, Ann!” Mia cheered, grabbing a cupcake from the tray and holding it up like it was a trophy. “If I could, I’d give you a medal.”

Annie grinned proudly. “Oh, don’t worry, Mimi. I’ll settle for cake.”

“Fair enough,” Mia said, taking a bite and sighing in bliss. “Okay, this is officially the best Valentine’s Day ever.”

Emma smiled. “Yeah, it might not be about fancy plans or gifts. But cake, apples, and good company? It’s a solid recipe for a good time.”

Then Blackie walked in, yawning and holding Mia's phone. " Human, I require your assistance."

Mia took her phone from Blackie's mouth. " What do you need?"

" I need to be pampered."

Mia blinked. " Come again?"

Blackie sat down and looked up at Mia with a dramatic expression. "I need the finest treats, the softest blankets, and, most importantly, I need you to give me a back rub. A very, very long one."

Mia raised an eyebrow. "You're not even doing anything, Blackie. You’re just lounging around."

Blackie sighed heavily, stretching his paws out in front of him. "Ah, but that's where you're wrong, my dear. I have worked very hard at being fabulous. It's exhausting, you know. A pampered king needs to be well-maintained."

Emma laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, he is demanding today, huh?"

Mia rolled her eyes. "He's always demanding. Just because he’s a cat doesn’t mean he gets away with everything." She gave Blackie a look, but he merely stared back, unbothered.

Blackie let out an exaggerated meow. "I do get away with everything, because I am, in fact, a majestic creature who deserves the best. So, what will it be, human?"

Mia sighed. "Fine, fine. You win. One back rub, coming right up."

Blackie purred contentedly as Mia sat down next to him and started to rub his back. He immediately relaxed, his eyes closing in bliss.

“See? This is how it should be,” Blackie murmured, purring louder. “And maybe throw in a few extra treats after this, if you're feeling generous.”

Mia shook her head, amused. "You're ridiculous, Blackie."

Annie and Emma watched the exchange, both smiling. "I think Blackie just might be the real Valentine’s Day star," Emma said.

Mia chuckled, scratching behind Blackie’s ears. "Maybe, but I think he just wants to make sure he gets all the attention. Typical Blackie move."

"Well, he certainly knows how to charm," Annie said with a grin.

Mia shrugged, her fingers continuing to massage Blackie’s back. "Guess we’ll never be free of him."

"Not if he has anything to say about it," Emma added with a wink.